Earl - Monday Update

[DeeanDave]

I'm sorry I haven't posted sooner....emotionally drained and worried.....  Earl will be in the hospital for a few days.  I will be transporting him daily between the day hospital and night hospital.  He had his ultra sound this morning - no blockages anywhere but he is having problems with his esophagus.  They are now saying that he has Megaesophagus along with Aspiration Pneumonia.  So, he will be receiving fluids intervenously along with medications to treat the pneumonia and the esophagus.  I went to pick him up this morning after his ultra sound and transported him to our vet clinic. He looks so sad....it's breaking my heart.   For long term care, they are wanting to do more testing to determine the cause and to really confirm that it could be Megaesophagus....which could be caused by other conditions or if not secondary to another disorder in adult animals then it is called idiopathic (cause unknown).  I keep asking the questions that can you treat the symptoms that he currently has and they say yes but that is short-term or the now-care.  I feel that we are being pushed into more testing, more doctors and more $$, rather than considering his treatment for right now to get him past what he is going through right now.  I have asked can't we treat now and look at more testing later.......financially, we have spent close to $2000 just since last Monday to this morning. That amount does not include the upcoming daily hospital stays.   Don't get me wrong, I'd do whatever I can for my furkids, but money on retirement income can be limited for a sudden out of pocket expense that is large.   I'm told that once he is over this, he could be fine and never have another incident...then in the next breath, I'm told that the situation of future reoccurrences is guarded and for dachshunds the outcome of future reoccurrences is very high.  I know I'm rambling but I am so emotionally drained from worry and stress that the tears come in a flash.  I just want my little boy to come home.  I told Dave that he had to go with me tonight when I pick him up and for a consult with the Doctor which is at 7:40 pm.  I can't do these consults on my own and then try to relay the information back to Dave.  Dave wants him treated for his condition at the moment and once we get him home, will pursue the future needs for Earl.

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Oh Dee my heart is breaking for you and Earl too, it is SO hard to leave them at the vet even though that is where they need to be sometimes. I was really hoping you'd have all the answers and an easy treatment today. Sure didn't expect to hear he'd have to be at the vets for a few more days. It's good you are taking Dave with you, two heads are much better than one when you are under so much stress and can hardly think straight anyway. Many prayers still coming for you and Earl!

[Munchfam]

Dee and Dave, I can't tell you how terrible I feel that you are having to go through all of this. I wish I could offer something more than hugs and prayers, but know that tons of prayers are going up for all of of you. It's hard on Earl, on Sarge and Duggie, and especially on you guys as Mom and Dad. Earl came to you for a reason, and all of us here in WW are going to be sending up mega-tons of rays and prayers. The best I can tell you for now is try to take things one day at a time and concentrate on only the best outcome. Earl will pick up on your hope as much as he will on your distress. Please keep up updated. We're pulling for all of you!!!   :comfort:  :pray:  :heart:  :comfort:  :pray:  :heart:  :comfort:  :pray:  :heart:  :comfort:  :pray:  :heart:  :comfort:  :pray: 

[Kelly]

 
   Lots of rays coming from Illinois for our little friend Earl Spilker!  Kelly,Blusky&Ms.Cinni!   

[papbouv]

Rays & Hugs take a deep breath or too step back a little I know too much information all coming in at once,so you have to deep breath your way though it.There are places that can help with medical bills if nothing else I'm sure they may be listed on Dogerslist.com or I'm sure others can help with the names of sources. Also if there is a vet university around in your area they might be cheaper he is not critical is he ? I know with my Bouvier Jake he had Mega esophagus all his life some times it is genetic also all I did is feed Jake from a raised bowl all his life.It was when he drank water he sounded terrible cough,spit,sputter some times blow water out his nose the vet all she did was give him some X-ray Barium did X-rays she the vet said his esophagus was huge. Some dogs present differently some die with it cannot get enough food passed on into the stomach.Some people have made high chair like set ups for the dogs to stand on their hind feet and eat gravity does help.My Jake lived for 9 1/2 years which is about the life expectancy for a big dog like a Bouvier,when he sat his front legs would shake so never showed him obedience.
May also be Esophageal Reflux my little Papillon had that she lived to be 14 1/2 years old,the so called breeder that use to be my friend gave me Gizmo when she was 6 weeks old thought it was odd.Found out why when I took her to the vetshe threw up water all the time would sit in her crate and shake would not eat for 3 days at a time. Between anti -nausea meds from the vet,pedilite,Nutri-Cal and allot of luck.Gizmo made it to her 1st birthday,the vet did surgery on her esophagus on the valve in there he turned it a different direction seemed to help.Gizmo quit throwing up water all the time she still had her not eating bouts about once a month the rest of her life.Seemed happy acted like a normal dog just always kept track of when she did not eat never let it go 4 days would have taken her to the vet straight away she always ate on that 4th day? Good Luck with your baby hope they find out soon what the problem is more Rays & Hugs Papbouv

[Madderoos Mom]

Ugh!  Why can't they make it simple for the lay people?  I know that they want Earl to get the best treatment but sometimes (I don't know, just my dumb opinion) I think when our furkids are sick, the vets may play on our emotions by putting you on a fast roller coaster with high cost better options.  I don't know.  On the other hand, how is Earl going to get better?  Praying for the little guy with all our heart.  Poor sad Earl and poor mom and dad, too. 

[Doxherding Karen]

:apls: I'd like to propose that we all chip in, each to his/her ability to help Earl out.  No one needs to say how much, but hey, everyone, let's buy one less bling, two less Starbucks coffees, and pitch in to help Earl.
Can we do a Paypal thingie?  I bet we could rise a couple hundred dollars without even trying!

Auntie Karen

[cheryl186]

  MEGA PRAYERS ON THEIR WAY TO EARL, MOM AND DAD FROM ALL OF US HERE IN CINCINNATI....

[JetEd73]

You know i hate to say it but it's situations like these where you make your decision and pray it was the right thing to do. one way or the other. so hard to tell.

[Spanish Teckels]

Poor Earl and poor you.  Warmest Spanish rays heading over there for all of you, this is so hard on him and on you, we know you must be worried out of your wits.  Here´s praying he will respond well now and be over this whole thing soonest. We could spare a little PayPal contribution happily if you email me to give me details.

I mention the following because Earl´s symptoms are very similar to those of Red thee years ago when he retched and retched on en empty stomach for months on end.  We went through every lousy scan, probe and invasive (and expensive) test you can imagine.  Between retching he was pretty perky, at least for the first 4 months or so, then he got so skinny everybody thought we were not feeding him.  He had to take yogurt and glycerine to try to soothe his oesophagus, didn´t help much either.  Finally we found he had coagulated bile clumps in his gall bladder/bile ducts which were causing an over-production of bile and affecting liver function and causing over-digestion.  He has been taking a human med. "Ursuchol" for three years with a six month break (started retching again) and in July the max. period of 3 years on the drug looms.  We´re hoping he remains fine since we can´t keep him on the drug any longer, the alternative is an operation.  If, by any chance, this were to be the cause of Earl´s ills, 3 years on Ursuchol could get him comfortable almost immediately. 

We´ll keep praying for little Earl and all of you with all our hearts.

[Roberta]

prayers and hugs and you are all in our thoughts.............hang in there Earl................
Da gang

[Teresa]

I mention the following because Earl´s symptoms are very similar to those of Red thee years ago when he retched and retched on en empty stomach for months on end.  We went through every lousy scan, probe and invasive (and expensive) test you can imagine.  Between retching he was pretty perky, at least for the first 4 months or so, then he got so skinny everybody thought we were not feeding him. 

This sounds so similar to what Dee was describing. It would be nice if Red's experience can help find an answer for Earl. I'm glad Red is still doing okay now.

[Brekkesmom]

Rays for Earl heading north.  Sorry I was out of the loop - I am in a workshop this week for 8 hours a day, plus homework.

[Munchfam]

:apls: I'd like to propose that we all chip in, each to his/her ability to help Earl out.  No one needs to say how much, but hey, everyone, let's buy one less bling, two less Starbucks coffees, and pitch in to help Earl.
Can we do a Paypal thingie?  I bet we could rise a couple hundred dollars without even trying!

Auntie Karen

I think this is a good idea, Karen. Everyone has financial challenges these days, but as you said a little less bling, fewer Starbucks and...... I could not do much, but every little bit helps and Paypal is an ideal way to do it since everyone's privacy would be preserved. I feel very strongly that Earl was sent to Dee and Dave for a reason, and I know very well (we all do) how quickly expenses for our beloved furkids can add up. Can we all weigh in on this?

Do any our WW family have experience with PetAssure? It's not pet insurance, it's a pet discount plan that offers significant savings if you have a participating vet or or your vet agrees to participate in the program. I don't exactly know how it works, but I know I've had a membership for quite a few years and it's saved me a bundle. Please check out the link if you don't already know about it. Having long personal experience with it, I can definitely recommend it. Not every veterinarian accepts the plan, but you can search to see if you can find one who already participates or refer your vet and they make contact. Somehow it works out to be a win-win for pet parents and vets, because I live in Orlando, where everything is overpriced and I'm been surprised to find how many excellent vets accept the plan. Dee and Dave may not feel up to looking into this right now, but I think some of us are able to contact them by phone and can maybe mention this company.


http://petassure.com/

[JetEd73]

money is beyond tight right now but I could chip in a few bucks....

I keep hoping Karma is going to get around to me some day but it aint looking that way...oh well....i keep soldiering forward anyway

[Munchfam]

money is beyond tight right now but I could chip in a few bucks....

I keep hoping Karma is going to get around to me some day but it aint looking that way...oh well....i keep soldiering forward anyway

Whew, been there and am there, Ed.  :chairfall:  Sometimes it's hard to know how we get to the end of any day, but we do. We just have to keep pressing on. You have done so much good and been such a good example for all of us here, and by my faith I know that all that you do has not been forgotten. Thank you for all that you've done and continue to do; you make a difference!  :apls:  Like you, I can only chip in a few bucks, but every buck will help.

[Gail]

If something can be set up using paypal or something that'd be great, we'll chip in xxxx

[sollysmom]

Here are some nice southern comfort rays for Earl.  Also, let me know when/if we set up a paypal or whatever and I can't do much, but will do what I can.

Darcel

[Kari]

If you guys want, we can use the donate feature here on WW (http://www.wienerwritings.com/forum/index.php?action=donations). Just note that it is for Earl and I will make sure that all the funds get to Dee and Dave.

[Gail]

That's really straight forward, thanks Kari xxx

[JetEd73]

Whew, been there and am there, Ed.  :chairfall:  Sometimes it's hard to know how we get to the end of any day, but we do. We just have to keep pressing on. You have done so much good and been such a good example for all of us here, and by my faith I know that all that you do has not been forgotten. Thank you for all that you've done and continue to do; you make a difference!  :apls:  Like you, I can only chip in a few bucks, but every buck will help.

Well I'll tell ya what's really bothering me...18 months ago i could have financed the whole thing and not think a thing about it. No probem. But with the change in the economy and a few health problems of my own that changed.

But I still help as much as I can every chance I get

The way I see it, the dogs are without fault, without sin, true innocents. If you can't help them, you can't help nobody including yourself.