Deaf? Eye ulcer.

M

M.F.

We bought Snowie roast chicken yesterday. The vet said to feed small frequent meals yesterday. Well, he went straight to sleep when we got home, but did wake up in the evening when I started to prep the chicken into small (100gm) portions. He normally gets 400gm raw meat and raw meaty bones for supper plus whatever veg we’re eating. But last night he only ate bits I gave him while I was prepping (he was very interested!) and then ate a bowl of shredded chicken (100gm) with lots of water, licked it all up. Then went back to sleep and didn’t want any more food. Usually he likes vegetable soup, but he wasn’t interested last night. Slept through till 4.20am when my husband heard him walking onto the landing. Same as the night before. Into the pool several times. Slight rigors, like a low vibration when you touched him. Didn’t want breakfast from his bowl (chicken—favourite food!), but ate it when hand fed.

Back to vet at 9.20am, scheduled appointment to investigate his prostate under sedation. Temperature was higher today even though his nose was wet and cold. 39.5 C. Yesterday it was 39. Vet said prostate felt bigger today and Snowie cried when he prodded it.

We left him at the vet to wait his turn for his procedure. The vet said he’s not waiting for the results, will give him an antibiotic injection after the procedure because he suspects a prostate infection. He will however send a slide away for tests. Will also take blood tests.

Snowie was definitely more perky this morning at the vet. And he was so sweet when we took him to the back where all the cages are. Had to first go say hallo to a Maltese and another Lab who were also waiting in cages.

The vet warned the enlarged prostate could be a red herring. Something more to worry about!!

We’re now waiting for the phone call to go back to fetch him.
 
M

M.F.

We’re back from the vet. Such a nice vet! Spoke us through everything in detail.

Normal blood tests for his age. Vet was amazed they were this good in such an old dog. We’ve tried hard over the years to keep him healthy! Fresh and varied unprocessed food. Minimal chemicals. Regular exercise. Emotional needs met. You’d think he’d be 100% healthy!!

Prostate sample on the slides showed lots of long filament bugs, vet said indication of infection. Lots of them. Laboratory will test and tell exactly what bug to target with a specific antibiotic. But the vet said he can’t wait for those precise results, Snowie must immediately start a course of antibiotics that penetrate the prostate (some drugs can’t get in). Infection is localised, no indication from blood tests of infection spread throughout the body.

Vet also injected metacam and gave Rimadyl to take daily. Said Snowie must be in terrible pain (the vet’s brother had prostatitis and said it felt like he had a pineapple inside him). The vet reckons Snowie has had this for a while and consulted his notes. He noted 2 years ago the enlarged prostate and in his notes said we should check it every 3 months. I have no recollection of that. But if I don’t write things down, I don’t always remember them! Vet felt bad he’d not kept up the frequent checking.

The laboratory will also check for cancer although the vet doesn’t think he has cancer.

He recommended we start the meds to reduce the size of the prostate. He thinks it’s better than full castration due to risk of weight gain. He said Snowie’s feet are so bad from folliculitis (allergies and resulting changes in the feet tissue) and eventual old-age arthritis that any weight gain will make it difficult for him to walk. He only recommends full castration if we can be super careful about what he eats. Snowie is such a scavenger and we live in a high foot traffic area and a culture of discarding food on the pavement or in the gutter that it would be impossible to walk him anywhere.

Snowie was whining and then barking when he heard us talking at the vet through a closed door. So at least he could hear us!

He ate a tiny bit of lunch. He must be feeling awful to not wolf down the chicken. He wouldn’t take it from his bowl and would only eat a bit by hand before walking away. He’s now on his bed sleeping although did look up when the doorbell rang—the pool guys came to clean the pool. Makes me immensely happy that he still hears these things; ear meds must be working.

Vet said if no improvement over the weekend, back to him on Monday. Otherwise he’ll call on Wednesday with lab results.

Whew. This poor dog.

At least he made it onto his bed this time:

IMG_4088.jpeg
 
M

M.F.

Shame, he must be in terrible pain. He took himself off to wade in the pool, drank some water while in the pool. Then cried when I was drying him when I rubbed over his groin. I hardly touched him. 😞 Then he came inside and couldn’t get comfortable. Lay down, immediately up, walked to another spot. Repeated 4 times. Next pain med is only tomorrow. I called the vet to ask if I can give more now. Another vet is on duty. Apparently she’ll phone me back with advice.

Then we tried to feed him more. Refused the chicken. But would eat a couple of tiny dried intestine chewies and also some very thin crunchy baked biscuit treats. But refused bread. So, his two favourite foods of all time—chicken and bread—and he refused them. 😢

We’re meant to go to my brother for dinner tonight, see his new flat he’s moved into. My husband doesn’t want to go anymore, said he’s not leaving Snowie alone. ❤
 
Last edited:
JES72

JES72

Location
SW London UK
Oh, no. I really hope the pain meds start giving him some relief and the postraate starts to get smaller andn not cause any blockages. Big, big hugs. :hug: :thelambiesarecoming: :hug: :thelambiesarecoming: :hug:
 
Kelsey

Kelsey

Poor Snowie, and you both. It’s so hard to see our dogs unwell and uncomfortable. Really hope the antibiotics and pain meds help asap :hug: :thelambiesarecoming::thelambiesarecoming:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top