For the last 1 - 2 months, I sensed something is up with my boy. But nothing to be concerned about. Or so I thought. He was playful as always, ate very good, but he slept a bit more.
About 3 weeks ago the change became more radical. He still ate good, but went to bed straight away. After close inspection, I saw his gums were very pale. It so turned out that it was time for their annually check-ups as well. The rest of the pack is just fine. The vet first took a blood smear from Tommie's ear to test for biliary which were negative. Then he drew blood from his neck and sent it to the lab. Weird results came back. Raised Kalium, full-blood count very low - haemoglobin of 28, and reticulucytes were sky-high. Normal kidney and liver functions. We thought it could be Addisons. My vet sent the results to the vet pathologist in Johannesburg who commented that this was a very "interesting case" and that it sure is not Addisons, there must a nother cause for the blood loss.
Test after test had been done, not really showing anything positive, and I was getting more agitated by the minute. Tommie just got more anaemic and listless by the day, and it was clear that he was losing blood quickly. He was still eating good. About 5 days after the first blood sample, I went back to the vet and asked for an X-ray. Everything looked perfect, escept for "something" in the belly. It was'nt clearly defined, but there was something fishy. The vet said to leave it and see for about 2 weeks or so and come back. I went home with my boy and deep down I KNEW something was very wrong about that "someting" in his belly. I called him 2 hours later and DEMANDED that he operated the next morning and have a look on what's inside. My gut turned out to be correct, and they removed a HUGE tumor, the size of a large plum, from his belly. It was clean, loose and they just removed the whole solid thing, and with it a piece of the large intestine. Tommie was on a drip for the day and came home that night. He's on antibiotics and painmeds and doing great. He has to eat Hills special prescribed intestine canned food that smells just horrible. YUCK!!!!!! Yesterday he started chasing my toes again - he's on the mend!!!
Everyone was relieved - the vet even thanked me for my "sensitivity" to my dog and said if Tommie had walked with that thing for another week, it would have bursted open and he would have bled to death.
I had a whole prayer group praying for Tommie and I just say thank you Jesus for Your wisdom and help!
The others are doing just fine! What a time - everything happend within the last 18 days.
I'm so sorry for the loss of little Louie, Karen's mom and DD' aunt! Life can sure throw you a raw deal sometimes!
This is what they removed:
OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!! NO WONDER YOUR BABY WAS FEELING SOOOOO BAD!!!!! Thank goodness they listened to you and took that thing out of his tummy!!!! We doxie mommies know our babies and our intuition tells us when something is wrong........and when something is wrong...we take immediate action!!!!! Good going mom!!! So glad to hear Tommie is doing well....what a scare for you!!!! Healing Rays on the way for continued mending and improvement.....Extra special hugs and smoochies to Tommie!!!! :comfort:
A mom's-or dad's- intuition is never, ever, wrong. I'm so glad your vet realized that. Wish there were more of them around. I'm so glad he is feeling better, and yes, chasing toes is definitely a sign of him being on the mend!
Poor Tommy! An angel told you to act, and you listened! :angel4: It's good to know that Tommy is on the mend.
OMG - that is nasty - poor Tommie. Thank heavens for your mom's intuition and insisting that they go in. Sending rays that Tommie heals quickly !!! Keep us posted !
That is so scary! Poor Tommie! I'm so glad that you followed your heart and insisted that they do the surgery. You must be so relieved.....
Rays heading your boys way for a speedy recover and hugs to mom for knowing her boy so well!
Poor little guy! I'm so glad he's okay. How scary!!
Oh yuck, poor Tommie! Bet he is glad to have THAT thing out of him. Yikes! Good for you for being in tune with your dog and you followed up on your intuitions! :thumb: You're a good mom!
Sending HHHHHH's & PPPP's for his speedy recovery. Glad your vet listens to you.
Merion & the ZZ's
:grin: Tommie you ae a lucky bouy to have sucha observant mum. Hugs and kisses tlo you little man
Roberta
and da gang
That looks pretty nasty. So glad you picked that out and Tommie survived the ordeal.
Healing rays coming straight away to Tommie. Sweet baby. :heart: Oh dear, this is a little close to home. My Dolly had a tumor in her gut too, but the Doc said it had spread too much for a successful surgery. My little girl shared a lot of the same symptoms as Tommie.
Glad everything is looking bright. We love you Tommie!
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Holy Cow! :puke: :eeew: I'm so glad you caught it when you did! Rays headed his way for a speedy recover!