**UPDATE AGAIN page 2**SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Sorry this is long...

Ok. So every year we help out IL's with their pug (Oliver) while they are on vacation. Normally, MIL goes by herself once and then they both go for 2 weeks camping upstates. When she just goes by herself I just go over and feed him/let him out around lunch time and FIL does the rest. When they both go away usually they have a neighbor help too and we split it up. I do the lunch and DH might run over after work to let him out whatever.

This year the neighbor was going to also be away for part of the time and I did not feel comfortable dealing with having to get Sadie out and over there at specific times everday for two weeks. It was crazy. Also, the dog hasnt been feeling good so they took him to the vet right before they left.Turns out he has diabetes and when they get back from vacation MIL has to test his pee ( ) and give him injections 2x a day. Because of all of the above, we decide to just keep Oliver at our house (so I wouldnt have to run out multiple times a day and we have the AC if it is hot) as long as Fred didn't freak out too much the first day.

They have been gone since Sunday and the dog is REALLY sick from this diabetes issue and I am just so at IL's cause they thought they could wait two whole weeks. He barely eats and when he does he winds up puking up half his food. He drinks water till he pukes ALL DAY if we let him so we have to give him a tiny bit here and there. Last night he peed and puked all over the kitchen and DH and I were mopping the floors at 3am.

Oh and he follows me EVERYWHERE. Literally, I walk to the fridge, he's there. I walk into the bathroom, he is there. It is ridiculous. The SECOND I walk out from behind a closed door he is there. Ive tripped over him multiple times. I cant put Saide on the floor cause of all of the above.

Now there is Fred. He is acting SO WEIRD. He hides under the kitchen table and refuses to sleep in his bed. He has been sleeping down in the basement on the bed we have for him there which he NEVER does. He hides by the baby and is very needy, also following me everywhere and wanting to be near me. Just all around weird.

Im freaked that Fred knows he is really sick and/or going to die and that is why he is acting like this.

So what do I do? FIL called and we told him how bad he was. We **could** bring him back to ILs house but is that fair? I would feel awful about doing that and still would have to go try and get him to eat, clean up puke etc.

I am just fed up with this and annoyed at ILs and feel HORRIBLE for the dog.

They wont be back till Aug 8.

Thanks for listening if you read all that.

Message edited 7/30/2009 4:50:45 PM.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Wow that poor dog, Jen.
Is there any way you can go to their vet and get him started on the meds? I know it would be a huge inconvenience, but maybe Oliver would be happier and it would be much easier on you guys that way?

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

My brothers dog has diabetes and needs insulin injections. I think you need to take him to the vet and get his urine tested, he needs to be treated sooner then later.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Your ILs should come home and take care of their dog!!

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

We have thought about taking him the vet and trying to figure something out, but there is NO WAY I would be able to test his pee and give him injections 2xs a day with Fred and the baby. I can barely keep track of their feeding times. Oliver is supposed to eat at 1230 and 530 and Fred eats at 6 and 4. So that is four feedining just for the DOGS that I am trying to be around for, not to mention my HUMAN CHILD LOL.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Poor dog and poor you!

I agree that the dog should go to the vet and be checked out again as it seems as though he is declining.

Hopefully the vet can give him some meds or even keep him there for observation. I would call your inlaws and let them know- is there anyway they can shorten their trip?

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Posted by trish71407

Poor dog and poor you!

I agree that the dog should go to the vet and be checked out again as it seems as though he is declining.

Hopefully the vet can give him some meds or even keep him there for observation. I would call your inlaws and let them know- is there anyway they can shorten their trip?

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

When he calls I would tell him to come home.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Posted by mcl916

My brothers dog has diabetes and needs insulin injections. I think you need to take him to the vet and get his urine tested, he needs to be treated sooner then later.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

i would be taking the dog to the vet and having them care for him - and when the ILs call tell them that you could not handle caring for the dog, that he needed to be treated for the diabetes, and he is being boarded at the vet.

that was very irresponsible of them to go before he was being treated and they knew he was doing better.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Posted by headoverheels

i would be taking the dog to the vet and having them care for him - and when the ILs call tell them that you could not handle caring for the dog, that he needed to be treated for the diabetes, and he is being boarded at the vet.

that was very irresponsible of them to go before he was being treated and they knew he was doing better.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Posted by headoverheels

i would be taking the dog to the vet and having them care for him - and when the ILs call tell them that you could not handle caring for the dog, that he needed to be treated for the diabetes, and he is being boarded at the vet.

that was very irresponsible of them to go before he was being treated and they knew he was doing better.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

I agree with the OP's who said to take him to the vet. Then let the vet make the decision as to wether or not he has to stay there.
In the meanwhile, I would feed them both together. Even though you are changing the pugs feeding schedule a bit, it's a lot easier for you. IF the vet does not think he needs to be boarded and you could give him the injections at home, just know that it's very easy and doesn't have to be done at exactly the same times...just a.m. and p.m.
BTW, your IL's are extremely irresponsible for doing this - I've had this happen to me and it's heartbreaking to watch a dog get sicker and sicker while it's owners are away vacationing and you have to deal with the decline.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

I would take him to the vet to see what they can do. Then I would call your IL's and tell them to get their azzes back to take care of their very sick dog. It's not fair that they are letting him be like this for 2 weeks. He is following you around because he doesn't feel good and wants to be consoled. And your dog is avoiding him because he knows he's sick.

I hope he feels better.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

BTW thank you all for the advice and suggestions. I really appreciate it

I just feel so bad!!!

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Other than boarding him at the vet, why not ask if SIL can take him up there?

It's a lot on your plate.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Poor you and Poor Puggie. Having a Pug myself and also having a brand new baby is alot of work Otis is our other child too. I hope the vet calls you back. I think the sooner Oliver goes the better. He does need medicine and it is something that shouldn't be put off. If you need a hand with anything please let me know I do live in Miller Place.

Denise

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Posted by Blissful

Posted by headoverheels

i would be taking the dog to the vet and having them care for him - and when the ILs call tell them that you could not handle caring for the dog, that he needed to be treated for the diabetes, and he is being boarded at the vet.

that was very irresponsible of them to go before he was being treated and they knew he was doing better.

I agree..... by the way you describe it: eating and puking drinking lots of water it sounds like he is going into DKA which can lead to renal failure and death in a matter of hours. At this point he is probably going to HAVE to stay at the vet for a few days to get this under control. Most likely just a shot of insulin or 2 is not going to work until this is fully managed!

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Posted by nrthshgrl

Other than boarding him at the vet, why not ask if SIL can take him up there?

It's a lot on your plate.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

Posted by headoverheels

i would be taking the dog to the vet and having them care for him - and when the ILs call tell them that you could not handle caring for the dog, that he needed to be treated for the diabetes, and he is being boarded at the vet.

that was very irresponsible of them to go before he was being treated and they knew he was doing better.

Re: SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

OK vet wants us to try and use the test strips and see what color they are.

Umm how the eff do you get a dog to pee on a stick?!!?!?!?!??!

We are supposed to try that and then call him back.

I hope ILs bought these strips and DH is going to try and do this later when he gets home.

I srsly cant imagine trying to catch dog pee while I have a 6month old needed my attention and a beagle who is hiding under my bed cause he is so freaked out.

Re: *spoke to vet*SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

I'm very sad reading this...not to mention the undue stress on you...but I feel terrible for the dog.

I honestly would insist that your IL's come home and care for their pet. I could never leave my animals knowing they are sick like that.

And i have no idea how to get a dog to pee on a stick.

Re: *spoke to vet*SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

I am sorry but this is ABOVE and BEYOND "normal" family boarding.

I would be really mad that someone left their dog knowing he had to be tested because he is sick. And EVEN MORE annoyed when I tell them on the phone that he is not getting better and they decide to stay on vacation while you put in this situation with a baby and ONLY call you every other day.

This is completely irresponsible to their pet and to your family. And really taking advantage of your help for boarding. How can anyone thing it's OK to do that?

As far as the dog, get some medical gloves. Take the dog out on a leash and do a POAS, trying not to get "splashed" then go to vet for testing.

Re: *spoke to vet*SPR-not sure where to put this but really need advice/to vent

i hate to admit it but i have a lot of experience catching dog urine My doggie is prone to uti's so I have had to do this quite a few times. The best way to get it is:
1. get a disposable tupperware like ziploc or gladware
2. put on rubber gloves
3. let the dog out or walk the dog
4. when it squats or lifts its legs put the tupperware under the dog or in the stream to catch it.
be sure to stand behind the dog when you do this so it doesnt think it is getting food. You don't need a lot of pee so don't worry if you don;t get it under there right away.

Good luck