Update on Porky

doxielady5569128 · September 17, 2008, 11:16:12 AM

We had a very good night last night and Porky was able to sleep very well. He is really sore because some of the spots where the hives were have changed to areas of raw skin. He scratched so much that first day he has some really red and sore spots on his neck, chest, and other areas.

The vet wanted us to try and go without the benadryl last night and see how Porky did with that. I stayed up until 2 am to make sure Porky wasn't needing the benadryl. He did just fine without he didn't get any more hives or didn't seem more itchy either. :apls: The vet wanted us to have him completely off the benadryl by today since he is taking his last 10mg tablet today. They wanted to make sure the prednisone was working well enough on its own before we take Porky's dosage down to 5mgs tomorrow. If Porky would have had problems again last night, we would have to go back and get some more 10mg tablets and he would have to be on the pred. longer.

Porky's ears are very red and sore as well, but when we put a cool cloth over his head and ears, they seem to cool off and not be so red. The only worrisome thing going on now is that he is not interested in his food at all. Porky has always wanted to eat, even when he had gastritis last winter. This morning when I fed him he went over and looked at his bowl, moved the food around and walked away.

He wouldn't even eat a treat!!! :crazyeyes: Today is the first day he is allowed back on treats so I was trying to let him get one for breakfast. With the treat, he picked it up and took it over to his buddy Bandit. We are going to pick some green beans from my uncle's garden and see if Porky will eat some of them this afternoon.

DeeanDave · September 17, 2008, 11:20:52 AM

Rays still coming full force for Porky Pie! Feel better soon, Bud!

April · September 17, 2008, 11:23:17 AM

You might want to try something like chicken and rice if he's not eating at all today. You can even use the instant rice and substitute chicken broth (unsalted) for the water. I generally use the water I boil the chicken in to make the rice so it is a little more nutrient dense. It couldn't hurt for a few days anyway.

doxielady5569128 · September 17, 2008, 11:53:43 AM

Well, we can do the rice, but no chicken. Porky is allergic to chicken so we definately don't want to do that. It would be a great idea if he weren't allergic though. The vet told us Porky's apetite should return this afternoon and definately tomorrow. They said just to try to get him to eat the green beans, rice, or carrots until he feels better. We could see if he'd eat some salmon too for the protein. His supper will probably be the salmon and some brown rice.

The green beans will be a small snack. I really need to get the little guy eating though. He even refused the peanut butter kong we offered him.

April · September 17, 2008, 12:12:41 PM

Oops! I didn't know he was allergic to chicken! I've done that sort of thing with chicken and beef (like hamburger). Cajsa also likes fish so she'd probably eat that up too. I'm not a salmon person so it wouldn't be so fancy-schmancy as that here! I'd just make sure to use whatever broth you got from the protein source to make the rice.

doxielady5569128 · September 17, 2008, 12:21:27 PM

Quote from: April on September 17, 2008, 12:12:41 PM
Oops! I didn't know he was allergic to chicken! I've done that sort of thing with chicken and beef (like hamburger). Cajsa also likes fish so she'd probably eat that up too. I'm not a salmon person so it wouldn't be so fancy-schmancy as that here! I'd just make sure to use whatever broth you got from the protein source to make the rice.

Its okay, we just found out about the chicken allergy last Decemer. I'm not a fish person either, but my dad is, so we are lucky enough to have the salmon here. That's a good idea about making a broth from the salmon to put on the rice!! Thanks for your ideas!!

Barb · September 17, 2008, 12:45:17 PM

Salmon and rice sounds good !!! Like April, I have done the rice and hamburger too......

doxielady5569128 · September 17, 2008, 06:30:50 PM

Well, Porky had a fantastic day!! :apls: He got his apetite back this evening. Of course, he waited until after I cooked him his fancy gourmet meal.

Honestly, i didn't mind a bit, we just let him eat some of the salmon and rice and mixed a little of his kibble in with it. This afternoon he was feeling well enough to go on a short car ride. He still has some scabbing where the hives were, but he hasn't got any hives left. He has found his bark again and is letting us know about that!

I don't think I saw him try to scratch once today. Bandit is getting angry with us because we aren't keeping Porky in that dog bed anymore. Its funny how worried Bandit is about Porky doing anything.

I know Porky is feeling better because he walked over to his crate and did his "donkey kick" to the door and made his little "harumph" noises. That's how he tells us he did not appreciate being in there. I also caught him chewing his blankies. I think he thought I was crazy when instead of scolding him, I scooped him up and told him I was happy he was feeling better.

Porky has been off the benadryl for a full 24 hours now, and has no problems at all. I'm still going to be paranoid about him while I'm gone, but I'm feeling much better about the whole situation. Does anybody have any advice on how to get him to take his pills? We've tried putting it in bread (he won't touch it), we have tried stuffing it in a treat, and short of shoving it down his throat I don't know how to get him to take it without spitting it out. I really wish they could have given us liquid, Porky takes that really well. My mom and I were thinking maybe we could hide the pill in some chunky peanut butter and hope Porky doesn't smell it. :thinik: We don't have any extra pills so, we have to make sure he gets the one we give him down. Any ideas would be greatly welcomed!!

papbouv · September 17, 2008, 06:44:22 PM

They have pill pockets for dogs I'm pretty sure you can get them at Pet co or Petsmart of course you can google Pill pockets for dogs and see what stores might have them in your area.A pill pocket is a treat for dogs you can hide a pill inside it and down it goes you may have to check the ingredients since Porky is allergic to many things. My old Papillon Gizmo was terrible about taking pills I just had to shove them down her throat. Good Luck with the pills sure glad Porky is feeling better Hugs, Belly Rubs and Yeah Porky is better. Patches Buddy & Papbouv

peterparker · September 17, 2008, 07:48:55 PM

I'm so glad Porky is starting to feel better.

MyLittleBoo · September 17, 2008, 09:12:24 PM

Gee, Porky Pie, sorry we missed dis... My momma has been vewwy busy wif da work.. I am glad you are starting to feel better... Sending rays & kisses your way.. Oh, and mama says to send you some special belly rubs... Lub~ EmmyLou

Rich · September 17, 2008, 09:13:51 PM

Glad to hear that Porky is nearly back to normal. I can imagine how scared you have been. My pair will take pills if concealed in a chunk of cheese.

DeeanDave · September 17, 2008, 09:17:11 PM

Quote from: doxielady5569128 on September 17, 2008, 06:30:50 PM
Well, Porky had a fantastic day!! :apls: He got his apetite back this evening. Of course, he waited until after I cooked him his fancy gourmet meal. :2funny: Honestly, i didn't mind a bit, we just let him eat some of the salmon and rice and mixed a little of his kibble in with it. This afternoon he was feeling well enough to go on a short car ride. He still has some scabbing where the hives were, but he hasn't got any hives left. He has found his bark again and is letting us know about that! :grin: I don't think I saw him try to scratch once today. Bandit is getting angry with us because we aren't keeping Porky in that dog bed anymore. Its funny how worried Bandit is about Porky doing anything.

I know Porky is feeling better because he walked over to his crate and did his "donkey kick" to the door and made his little "harumph" noises. That's how he tells us he did not appreciate being in there. I also caught him chewing his blankies. I think he thought I was crazy when instead of scolding him, I scooped him up and told him I was happy he was feeling better.

Porky has been off the benadryl for a full 24 hours now, and has no problems at all. I'm still going to be paranoid about him while I'm gone, but I'm feeling much better about the whole situation. Does anybody have any advice on how to get him to take his pills? We've tried putting it in bread (he won't touch it), we have tried stuffing it in a treat, and short of shoving it down his throat I don't know how to get him to take it without spitting it out. I really wish they could have given us liquid, Porky takes that really well. My mom and I were thinking maybe we could hide the pill in some chunky peanut butter and hope Porky doesn't smell it. :thinik: We don't have any extra pills so, we have to make sure he gets the one we give him down. Any ideas would be greatly welcomed!!

Wrap the pill in the favorite treat that Porky likes -- Peanut butter should do the trick real well. I just went a round of pills for both boys at the same time, so I was wrapping their pills in a piece of cheese or if I had any left over meat, such as hamburger or roast, that was wrapped around the pill. They inhaled them very quickly and didn't realize they were taking pills, too. I tried the pill pockets and my two spit them out faster than I could give the boys the pill. In doggie talk, they said NO WAY!!!

Glad to hear that Porky is feeling much better!

Merion · September 17, 2008, 09:52:09 PM

It is wonderful to hear that Porky is feeling better. :thumb:
Keep it up so your mom doesn't need to worry about you while she is gone!!!

Merion & the ZZ's

cheryl186 · September 18, 2008, 04:44:32 AM

What a relief that Porky is doing better.....

Is he allergic to Braunschweiger/Chicken Liver? When nothing else works, that will do it around this household. And the consistency holds a pill nicely.

sollysmom · September 18, 2008, 06:55:59 AM

So glad to hear that Porky is doing sooooooo much better. Good luck with the pills, and have a great trip.

Darcel and Sol Da Man

April · September 18, 2008, 08:06:57 AM

great that he is feeling better! The easiest way I get my two to take a pill is to put it in crunchy/chunky peanut butter. They will crunch into it with the nut pieces and the pill too, but by that time they have to swallow it! Peanut butter is sticky!

doxielady5569128 · September 18, 2008, 02:40:50 PM

The peanut butter worked wonders this morning! :apls: He chomped right into the pill and then looked at me like "hey, that was a nasty trick!" We used the chunky peanut butter so he wouldn't notice it. I'm not sure he'll fall for it again tomorrow, but we'll see. When I left this morning, Porky was doing really well.

My mom called me at 10 and informed me that Porky was getting bumps again. She went ahead and took him in just to be sure that it wasn't the hives again. By the time they got to the vet they were gone.

While she was there she mentioned being nervous about watching him while I am gone. The vet tech volunteered to come check on Porky in the evenings on his way home just to make sure everything is okay. How neat is that?! :apls:

This afternoon Porky has been doing really well, no signs of the itchy skin or anything. He also has his apetite back in full force. My mom says he was begging for potato chips at lunch, which he knows he can't have. He also got enough energy to play with Bandit today. I think my baby boys' back to his old self again.

AnnieofNJ · September 19, 2008, 07:37:38 PM

What great news! So happy Porky is feeling better.

Annie & the New Jersey Doxie Gang

Madderoos Mom · September 19, 2008, 09:15:21 PM

Porky Pie. Hey another idea for a pill pouch. Prepare oatmeal rolled into a ball. Maddie loves this!

doxielady5569128 · September 22, 2008, 09:10:24 AM

Quote from: Madderoos Mom on September 19, 2008, 09:15:21 PM
Porky Pie. Hey another idea for a pill pouch. Prepare oatmeal rolled into a ball. Maddie loves this!

Sandi,
Thanks for giving us that great idea!! I think Porky would love that. He is doing fantastic now, no more itchy skin and no more hives. :apls: Most of his scabs are gone too, he still has some bumps on his ears that are sore , but they get smaller every day. Porky is now an expert pill taker. All i have to do is open his mouth and stick the pill in, then he swallows it right away.

cheryl186 · September 22, 2008, 11:48:13 AM

yippieeeee Porky is feeling better yippieeeeee