Austin Going to the Vet this AM

[Otto'sMom]

Something is wrong with Austin. He doesn't want to walk and he's lethargic and when he does walk, it's as if he's drunk. He's won't go to the bathroom or eat~he ate a spoon full of yogurt and if I put moist food in with the dry he'll eat it. He doesn't want to bother the kitties, but he's making chewbacca noises at them. He was fine after our walk last night around 7pm, but he hasn't acted right since. We're on our way, the office opens at 730. If you're familiar with All Creatures Great and Small, I suspect Austin has gone 'flop bot' I've given him too many rich treats (turkey bone, ham bone, and a ton of treats...I didn't know he was stealing Grrrrt's stuff until it was too late) and his little innards are in knot about it. That's just my guess, but we're on our way in a few minutes. I only live 2 minutes from the vet so it's just killing me waiting these last few minutes.

[Alex's Mom]

Tons of :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: that it is just flop bot!!! Alex gets like that when her tummy is a bit bunged up. (Although I can honestly say that she has NEVER, not even the day she came out of her cancer surgery, refused food. I have always said that the day she does that, then I'll know it's game over...) Let us know what happens, OK?

[Otto'sMom]

I'm leaving now!:pray:

[AgileOllie]

Oh gosh! I hope he's ok!! Keep us posted!


Something is wrong with Austin. He doesn't want to walk and he's lethargic and when he does walk, it's as if he's drunk. He's won't go to the bathroom or eat~he ate a spoon full of yogurt and if I put moist food in with the dry he'll eat it. He doesn't want to bother the kitties, but he's making chewbacca noises at them. He was fine after our walk last night around 7pm, but he hasn't acted right since. We're on our way, the office opens at 730. If you're familiar with All Creatures Great and Small, I suspect Austin has gone 'flop bot' I've given him too many rich treats (turkey bone, ham bone, and a ton of treats...I didn't know he was stealing Grrrrt's stuff until it was too late) and his little innards are in knot about it. That's just my guess, but we're on our way in a few minutes. I only live 2 minutes from the vet so it's just killing me waiting these last few minutes.

[Tex]

Big, big :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for Austin!!!! Keep us posted, k?

[areese]

A bunch of great big :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for you and Austin. Keep us posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rae]

:pray: and :bigrayz: that Austin's diagnosis will be gluttony and he will be just fine.

[HotDogMama]

:bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: lots of rays for Austin, I'm sure he will be causing kitty terror real soon!

[Chris]

Could he have eaten a mushroom or something else yucky outside?

You know how they can grab something and look like they don't have anything when you look at them. I swear they have squirrel/chipmunk cheek pockets.

Poor Austin ..:sosad: please feel better!

[quavec]

Tons of :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for Austin and :pray: that it's just overindulgence.

A quick thought though - not to panic or anything - but with all that has been washed up on the coast and the dampness etc, check your yard for fungus or 'shrooms please. I don't know the extent of surge that hit your area last year, but our yard has lots of mushrooms etc. I have never been able to tell which ones are bad so I just lop them all off and keep the eagle eye on Cricket.

[Patt]

OMG I'm sorry.:sosad: With all those extra treats of turkey & ham maybe it's pancreatitis or something he picked up on his walk.
Sending many feel better :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: to Austin, I hope he will be on the road to recovery very soon. :hug99: :hug99: :hug99: for you mom!!

[Lee Anne]

Waiting (not so) patiently for an update!! I'm saying a :pray: for your bone-stealing little guy!! Poor Austin!

[Lisa]

:pray: :pray: Lots of :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: coming Austin's way.

[Otto'sMom]

He was more alert when I dropped him off at the vet. I'm awaiting an update just as anxiously as the rest of you~

Don't think it's shrooms, when I do my daily poop FOD walkdown I like to pick the shrooms and chuck them cause it's fun. (FOD walkdown is a Naval Aviation term: it stands for Foreign Object Damage and 3 times a day, minimum, we'd all have to line up on the flightline and walk the entire airfield to ensure that no debris or rocks would be sucked up into the intake of a jet engine, causing damage. You'd pick up everything and everything, so at my house we have Poop FOD walkdown on the lawn.)

I really think it's a case of gluttony. He may have eaten Dolly's food too, in addition to his and Grrrt's treats. He even felt like a little sausage casing, all tight.

[quavec]

Can you come to my house and do a FOD? LOL. Hope it is the gluttony! Let us know when you know! :bigrayz:

[Lee Anne]

Ah.... FOD walks! How I don't miss them! Glad he was more alert this AM!!

[Frzframe]

:bigrayz: :bigrayz: Poor boy hope he feels right as rain soon. :bigrayz::bigrayz:

[Alex's Mom]

He was more alert when I dropped him off at the vet. I'm awaiting an update just as anxiously as the rest of you~

Don't think it's shrooms, when I do my daily poop FOD walkdown I like to pick the shrooms and chuck them cause it's fun. (FOD walkdown is a Naval Aviation term: it stands for Foreign Object Damage and 3 times a day, minimum, we'd all have to line up on the flightline and walk the entire airfield to ensure that no debris or rocks would be sucked up into the intake of a jet engine, causing damage. You'd pick up everything and everything, so at my house we have Poop FOD walkdown on the lawn.)

I really think it's a case of gluttony. He may have eaten Dolly's food too, in addition to his and Grrrt's treats. He even felt like a little sausage casing, all tight.

Man, I'd forgotten about FOD!!! Too much time spent on the flight line! :rotfl:

On one occasion, Alex ate (dog knows why) a small tub of margarine. She got totally bloated and was NOT a happy dog, although it eventually passed (if you know what I mean *ewww*). On another, she ate a pound of brie cheese and the same thing happened. When I called the vet to see if there was anything I needed to do, when she finished laughing, (found the idea of a dog wanting to eat that much cheese funny for some reason...makes sense to me!), she said just not to let her have too much water, since it wouldn't go well with all the fat in her system. Big issues were a pancreatic attack, or possibly bloat (we don't tend to think of dachsies as being prone to bloat, but apparently they can be...they fit the profile of deep chested, thinner abdomen body type that bloats, even though they're little guys). So hopefully it'll just be a sore tummy once it all gets passed through.

More :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: that it all works out OK!!!

[JanUet]

Oh I :pray: Austin will be okay and his tummy is just upset due to PURE GLUTTONY!

Trying to patiently wait for another update.....guess I could go back to work and not sit here and wait.
Sending Austie tons of Magical DLC :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz:

[Otto'sMom]

When I called an hour ago, they'd just done the bloodwork. He was VERY TENSE in his back, and the vet tech didn't want to say the dreaded "disc" word.
Can they go down just like that, with NO warning? We were playing elepant(the game where I take his stuffed elephant and play 'I'ma gonna get that monkey, that's MY ele pant.) and playing Dolly get my collar and he was bounding around the lawn. Came inside he had his supper, albeit reluctantly but ate when I gave him the rest of Mimi's moist mixed with dry. Went on our walk and he was normal. I let him out in the living room, he has never tried to jump on the sofa so I don't see where he could've hurt his back. It was after I sat down on the sofa I noticed he just wasn't right. Thought it was just sour tummy. Still not right in the morning and he didn't run out to potty so right to the vet when they opened.

He's only 4. I thought disc disease came around when they were 7ish.
Still waiting for the vet to call.....

[Courtney]

Actually, 4-5 is about the age that disc problems start. Poor baby. Please keep us updated and I really hope it is nothing serious. :bigrayz: :bigrayz:

[Frzframe]

I'm afraid it can come on just like that. :( And 4 is also a prime age too. More :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz:'s coming his way. If it is his back you caught it very early before he started dragging his toes or not being able to walk. So that is good but let's hope it's not that. :(

[Otto'sMom]

Crap. This has got me wondering. Out of ALL my dogs, why the heck is the one most likely to be the sickest, the one I've mentally prepared myself for potential problems NEVER the one with problems any more?
I never expected Izzy Wartzburg to be the first to have to be put to sleep, always thought it'd be Grrrrrt, so it was quite a shock when his kidneys had failed. Time passes, and Otto loses weight which is good for his little back and then HE ends up with neck and back injuries. Grrrrt's spine was so calcified the vets were amazed she was mobile. Now the youngest dude, the one I'd NEVER expect to have any issues other than his eye is getting me as close as I get to panicking.
Maybe Grrrrt is an alien larval queen:scratch:

[Jen]

I'm so sorry to hear this Andrea--it was what I suspected but didn't want to say.

Tasha's came on like that when she was just over 3 years old! Fine one day, maybe a little sluggish, then totally lethargic and walking funny the next. We had another incident right before she turned 4. PM me if you want to talk or need advice.

In her case it was just pain meds and crate rest. We fudged it and kept her in a 4 x 4 room with no furniture, but no toys for a month did not make her a happy girl. Now she's on cosequin and ester-c supplements daily.

Sending lots of :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for Austin and a :bighug: for you!

[Lee Anne]

:doh: Froggy had similar symptoms at first too. Nothing major happened - he was just acting like he was gassy or bloated and uncomfortable one day. Are they doing an xray?

[K2]

Oh Andrea, I'm so sorry to hear about Austin. :pray::pray: and :bigrayz: :bigrayz: and some :hug99: :hug99: for you. Keep us posted.

[Otto'sMom]

No need to sugar coat the facts for me, but thanks for thinking of my feelings, Jen.
I just never experienced back issues without something triggering it: Otto getting stepped on, Otto miscalculating the jump into the truck , Otto jerking his neck back funny at a taller dog.
Still, I haven't heard back from the vet yet. I'm beginning to worry that I gave them the wrong number for work. I never can remember the stupid middle numbers.
Don't know what it is for sure yet. But hindsight being 20/20, it could be his back. He didn't want to walk this AM, didn't want to move. We sat and I held him while watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer and he chewbaccaed the kitty that dared enter his field of vision. I guess I'll stop by after work, I don't know how long the blood test results take at this vet's office. Not this long in Virginia though.
Austie's not even that long of a doxie, come to think of it.:scratch:

[K2]

Andrea, can you call the vet and see if they have the right number??

[Alex's Mom]

It doesn't take much for back problems to get set off...a friend of mine's dachsie was looking out the car window, jumped down off the armrest back onto the seat, and literally screamed...a disc must have been just about ready to blow and that little bit of twisting movement set it off. Having said that, if it IS back, Andrea, then it sounds like you've caught it really early, and hopefully meds and crate rest will do the trick. Actually, one of our fellow DLC'ers, Charlotte's (aka Wiener Dog Mom) is going through this right now with her Schatzi, and it started kind of like Austin a few days ago...nothing huge, just a reluctance to move and not wanting to eat. They just started treatment and everything is going great. And it might still be tummy stuff...he might have had a tight back cuz his belly hurt...radiated pain. :hug99::hug99: for the waiting though...it's agonizing, and you feel so helpless, don't you!! We're thinking of you!!!!!

[Jen]

I didn't want to mention back stuff and make you worry if it WAS just overeating.

Yes, both of Tasha's back incidents had absolutely NO traumatic event. The first one she had been chasing squirrels in the park several days before....but nothing the day she started acting funny.

Do call the Vet and check. It won't hurt--and when you're stressed you could easily have given them the wrong number.

I forgot you'd been thru back troubles before with Otto.

[Otto'sMom]

I called again. They did the xrays and he's got a bad disc. He's going to be on some anti inflammatories and steroids. Having some muscle spazams and pain, so *yay* for me getting him there right away. (OW, I think I just strained myself patting my own back) and I'm releived in an odd way that it wasn't BAD PARENTING.
I'm pretty sure I know the drill: crate rest and roids. I'll pick him at 4:30 Just hope I'm as good at it as my sitter was.
I suspect that the cats may be behind this misfortune. Probably hexed him.

[quavec]

Andrea, can you call the vet and see if they have the right number??

I'd call the vet too. If they know how concerned you are, they may rush things a bit. Either out of empathy and concern or to get you to stop calling. I hope all tis worry is for naught. :bigrayz: :bigrayz: are still coming.

[catstamm]

OMG how did I miss this ???? Andrea I am praying as fast as I can,.....My thoughts are yours and Austin's today.....:pray: :pray: :pray: :hug99:
If there is anything I can do to help, questions you my have, or just to vent or talk ?....I'm here!
I see you still have a sense of humor....your awesome!

[Bella's Mom]

Lots of :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: coming Austin's way! I hope he recovers quickly! :hug99:

[Otto'sMom]

I see you still have a sense of humor....your awesome!

My sense of humor is evil. I actually snickered when I thought of Austin chasing cats in a cart. *i am soooo goin' to hell for that one.

[lotsadox]

Andrea, I'm so sorry that dear Austin is having back problems. I've been through 2 major episodes and several minor ones over the years and it's always stressful. At least he's not completely down. Crate rest and good meds should have him doing well in no time. It'll be tougher on you than on him. I'll keep you in my prayers. :pray: :pray: :pray:

[catstamm]

My sense of humor is evil. I actually snickered when I thought of Austin chasing cats in a cart. *i am soooo goin' to hell for that one.
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
Note to Self: PM Andrea,....when I need a good laugh!

[Rae]

well that just sucks a big fat one.

BUT :appl: and *insert breaking arm patting Andrea on back smiley here* you did good, Mom...

When Duchie had her stroke I was either really dumb or in denial. Or both. GOOD JOB for getting that sweet boy to the vet asap. and good luck with the crate rest and pred.

I bet the early intervention will be a huge step toward recovery.

And tell Grrrrt to quit sucking the life out of the other puppers... it's just not nice.

[Jen]

My sense of humor is evil. I actually snickered when I thought of Austin chasing cats in a cart. *i am soooo goin' to hell for that one.

That IS a good one. :rotfl: :rotfl:

Prepare for tough love and to brace yourself against those sad eyes begging to be let out!

:bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for both you AND Austin!!

[Otto'sMom]

That IS a good one. :rotfl: :rotfl:

Prepare for tough love and to brace yourself against those sad eyes begging to be let out!


I should be safe, since he's only got ONE eye to beg with:rotfl:

Actually, it's the chewbacca noises that will wreck me. DOG help me if he howls. It's sooo cute when he does that.

[Otto'sMom]

And tell Grrrrt to quit sucking the life out of the other puppers... it's just not nice.

Thinking you might be on to something there:shocked:

[Jen]

Oh yeah, sorry, sad begging EYE!

[Otto'sMom]

Oh yeah, sorry, sad begging EYE!
:rotfl: Can't help myself :rotfl:
If he keeps this up, I'm going to have to rename him "Lucky", like that joke.

[laura]

How is Austin now?

[Otto'sMom]

Don't know, still at work. Gotta wait about 20 minutes before I head out. There's an accident blocking my way home too, but that was half an hour ago so I'm hoping that's cleared by the time I jet outta here.

[Lee Anne]

Gosh! I'm so glad you got him to the vet and I'm SO sorry it's his back. Sending :pray: for recovery and Anti-cute howling :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for you!

[Patt]

It's good you caught this in the beginning. I'm sure the meds and crate rest will do the trick.
Sending positive thoughts, mega healing :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: and :pray:ers for Austin.

[Otto'sMom]

I WAS updaing this an hour ago, but the power went out on me!:shocked:

I saw the xrays and listened very carefully to what the vet was telling me, but right at the point where I was thinking "I should be writing this down so I can post it on the DLC" he told me what disc it was that was giving Austie trouble, and I kinda forgot it now. I could see the calcification and my brave little monkey was in SERIOUS PAIN! That's why he felt so tense. Muscle spasms, just like in people with bad backs. It was nothing I'd done (was so scared it was my fault somehow) sometimes their little discs are like a balloon, and the slightest thing can set it off when it's primed to go bad. The vet said he was very stoic and I was just shocked that my little "fear biter" was such a good boy. He did, at one point, try to jump out of the cage he was in at the hospital. The vet said he has 2 speeds, go and GOGOGOGO. Once again, I am soooo releived that I got him to the vet so soon. He's doped up now, but just smiling in his little palace. He's on roids and pain meds for 5 days and we'll go back on Monday to see if he needs a myleogram. If he improves in the next 36-48 hours, prognosis is good, if not, then on to the specialists. I'm to keep him crated over the weekend, but walk him to keep his muscles strong, just don't let him go bounding all over the place. His blood panels were good, not any indications of kidney problems or pancreas problems, so his treats did him no harm, just made him weigh 14 lbs:shocked: Looks like monkey needs to lay off the theivery of treats!! He ate his supper without any question, I did put some of the moist food in it for him.
His hinder is still drunk, still pressure on his spinal cord. But I think the vet said his pain receptors were still very good.
What a crappy way for him to have to spend his gotcha day this weekend.

[catstamm]

Thanks for the update....so sorry you both have to go through this......Glad you got him to the vet right away. Calcifed discs are genetic.......so try not to feel guilty, there is NOTHING you did wrong. This is of course just my opinion, but I'd keep him help up in has palace and carry him out to go potty...then it's back to the palace. Did the vet say to walk him? The neurologist told us as immobile as you can keep them. Just a thought and something I've been told. Crating a doxie is the hardest thing ever, for us humans to do....hang in there. lot of strength :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for mom and healing :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for Austin.:hearts:

[Lisa]

Oh Geez Andrea!! I am SO glad you brought him to the vet ASAP and didn't wait around.

Please go to Dodgerslist.com as well and register there. I am sure they will have a ton of great advice for you.

Will keep you and Austin in our thoughts :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz:

:please: keep us posted as to how your little baby is doing!

:bighug:

[Otto'sMom]

I was a little shocked when the vet told me to walk him. I was like "I take them on a mile walk" and he said just to go as far as Austin wanted to go. I didn't take him on a walk tonight, and I planned on just taking him to the front yard to potty, for a change of scenery. I'd always been told to keep them immoblie too so I'm wondering if I really should walk the little bugger. The vet did say that it was important to strengthen the muscles, but I don't think I'm going to go half a mile with him. I was going to call him about this, but again, the stupid power was out and cordless phones don't work when the power is out.

[Tex]

Great job getting him to the vet so soon. Sending mega :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: and big :pray: :pray: :pray: for Austin!!!! A big :hug99: for you too!

[Frzframe]

You might want to find a vet that isa chiropractor. I know this was a major turning point in Rubys getting better and it helped her with her pain too. I would also say don't over do the pain meds because his body is telling him he hurts so he won't be likely to over due it but on pain meds his body won't be getting those signals so he's more likely to hurt himself. Also the vet chiro also told me to walk Ruby but I was so chicken to let her walk very much.

[Patt]

Thanks for the update. ITA join the Dodgerslist there is a lot of knowledgeable people there and are very willing to help with any questions you may have. Usually it's recommended to have complete crate rest no walks except for potty breaks. :conf3: I would double check with your vet, perhaps there's a new way of treating this problem. We flunked crating 101 here, I spent 2 months on the floor. :faint:

Sending mega healing :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: and :pray:ers to Austin.
Lots of :hug99: :hug99: :hug99: for you.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dodgerslist/

[Alex's Mom]

Usually it's recommended to have complete crate rest no walks except for potty breaks. :conf3: I would check double check with your vet, perhaps there's a new way of treating this problem. We flunked crating 101 here, I spent 2 months on the floor. :faint:

:ditto::ditto::ditto: ITA about the failing crating 101...I also spent 6 weeks on the floor/couch/den with Maxe when she had her first attack. Managed to crate after that, but it was short periods, and only when I was out at work...then back to the floor! :rotfl: I'm surprised about the walking thing too...I wouldn't think his muscle would atrophy that quickly, Andrea, certainly not before you take him in on Monday for the recheck. I guess if it were me, I'd just carry him out to potty, and for a bit of a change of scenery, then right back in. I think I'd rather have to rebuild muscle than take a chance on further injury...
Sending mega back :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: for poor little Austin and a ton of :hug99: :hug99: :hug99: for you!

[Otto'sMom]

I'm not taking him on any hikes, I just walk him 20-30 feet. He's on my lap right now at work. Does that count as "crate rest" if he's not moving around? I was worried that he hadn't pooped yet, but that fear was just, uh, releived in his crate on his freshly washed pad and on my carpet. Wasn't an easy pick up noooo. All I have here for cleanup was some sanitizing wipes and kleenex. Hope it's not too stinky. I'm waiting till around 9:30 to call the vet to ask for some clairification on the walking thing and I'm going to tell him it's just the first time I've ever heard of doing that with a back injury. With Otto, I NEVER was told to walk him. Then again, Otto never had this degree of injury.

Just wanted to add he's not getting worse, and that's a good thing :) His little sideways gait is less frequent, but he's still dragging his toes. It takes time, I know.

[quavec]

Still more :bigrayz: :bigrayz: headed to ya!

[Lee Anne]

Sorry to only be able to echo everyone elses concerns but my hair stood on end when you said the vet said to walk him. I had three vets including a neurosurgeon tell me NO WALKING! Crate rest ONLY and no, having him in your lap and holding him isn't crate rest. :sosad: (although I admit that I cheated a couple of times and held him carefully for an hour while we all cuddled and watched tv. To take Froggy potty, I would take one expen and put him in it outside (while I stood there) so he could move around a bit to go potty - but not too much. It worked pretty well. Maybe you should get a second opinion considering how serious this is?

What do I know though? Not much.

Sending :bigrayz: :bigrayz: :bigrayz: and :pray: .