Wednesday, March 4, 2015

GI Distress.

This post is late going up today, because in my electrolyte-imbalanced state yesterday, I just couldn't muster up the energy to write it! 

Last Wednesday I wrote about my fears that I have become a “helicopter parent” to my pets. This week, it wasn't me who called the vet!

Twice a day - for ten days.
On Monday, just back from traveling, I picked the dog up from the kennel.  I was told she had developed diarrhea the night before.  The kennel we use is wonderfully conscientious about providing good care, and had called the vet. There was medication waiting there for me to pick up.  Pills. To be taken twice daily for ten days.  Tablets I would have to shove down my dog's throat, until her gut settled enough to ingest any food or “pill pockets” that could be used to disguise them.  Sigh.

I commented on how pretty the dog was, and thanked the kennel staff for grooming her before we drove away.

I was nearly to the vet when the stench wafted up to me from the back of the car.  Masked somewhat by the smell of shampoo, I realized why my dog had been groomed - but it seemed she again needed her hind quarters to be washed.  Poor dog.

Since Monday, the dog has had to outside or confined to our laundry room.  There has been no point in giving her a bath quite yet.  I did try, quite unsuccessfully to scrub her with some towels, but her soiled fur resists cleaning of that type.  

Yesterday, in addition to dealing with all this, the cat coughed up a present on the rug, and seems to be eating less. Sigh.  Probably time for another cortisone shot. To top it all off, I also developed GI symptoms. I will spare you the details, but is it coincidence or could I have caught this from my dog?!

Fortunately, we all seem better today.  I think it is time to give the dog a bath!

This is not the first time our dog has critically needed a bath - this photo was taken a few years ago during a hike!

When pets share our indoor living space, they can present some challenges. Do your pets live inside or out?
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16 comments :

  1. Your turn to take some pills it would seem. Hope everyone is feeling better soon.

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    1. Thanks Delores, I gave the dog a bath today and she seems back to normal. I am much better too!

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  2. Riley is a small dog so indoors for him!

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    1. I grew up with out-door pets, but when they live inside, you really get to enjoy them a lot more!

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  3. You have the patience of a Saint! I hope you feel better soon. We're not FB friends with each other so you wouldn't know, but I fell out of bed, yep you read that right and hit my face on the nightstand. This morning at 4 am and sprained my wrist, cut my ear, got a concussion, have a knot on my shin, scraped up my elbow! It's been a heck of a day spent 5 hours in the ER! Hubby says I give new meaning to the term "Getting up on the right side of the bed!" He's hilarious!

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    1. Oh Rena - I am so sorry to hear that!!! I hope the concussion is minor and that everything else heals quickly. Your husband does have a very witty sense of humor - and I hope this doesn't interfere with your plans for the conference ?!

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  4. Sounds like you came home to quite a situation! Hope you're feeling better. Our lab Abby thinks she's human, and prefers to always be inside. Unless it is the sunniest day, she sits at the back door and whines at us.

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    1. Our dog loves to be inside as well - unless there are deer anywhere nearby!

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  5. Aaargh. I am glad to see in your response to Delores that you are all feeling a bit better. Our cats go outside for a while in the morning but other than that are inside. And UDOs (Unidentified Disgusting Objects) relating to their digestion are all too common.

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    1. UDO's are something I am all too familiar with as well!

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  6. i am sad that your dog is sick

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    1. Thanks Xabz. Fortunately, she is now better :)

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  7. Noooooooo. Poor puppy and poor you. That must have been quite the drive home. Am going for coffee and then a dog walk with a good friend this morning. Latter hasn't a pet. Last time we walked Poppy (my dog) rolled, no, luxuriated in the foulest smelling poop. She reeked. I was madly swiping at her with cedar boughs in attempt to get it off and have her a tad more friendly smelling. Ha! Today I'm letting her off leash for just the weensiest time. Wish me luck.

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    1. It is late. I nearly woke my family up laughing at your comment! I can just picture it. Hope the walk was uneventful today!

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  8. Poor furry friend!!! I hope you both feel even better today!!

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    1. I think we are both back to normal.
      Or - at least the dog WAS, until she decided to consume (and then regurgitate) the wreath I had removed from our front door and left lying where she could get it. It was not something I considered to be of canine interest - but she definitely found it appealing. Ugh. There's never a dull moment in this house!

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