meds?

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

We've been outside 4 times since 1 am (I think it's 4:30now) Hallie has squirting diarrhea now does anyone know what she can have to help her? I will call vet in morning of course but if someone knew for sure I'd go get somethingnow. shes on dexasone...

[Rich]

We are so sorry you guys are going through this.  It seems that some steroid treatments have this effect.  All I could find on the web is this:
"You can try some Immodium at the dose of 1 mg per 30# of body weight. If this does not help then another vet exam is needed to find out the cause before the dog gets dehydrated."

On the same site it mentioned that for small doses Immodium is available as a liquid.  Hope this helps.  We're pulling for Hallie.

I'm sure you've heard the conventional information that canned pumpkin can help.

[David C.]

Imodium in a small dose will work wonders.   I always thought that Imodium's advertising slogan should be "The most effective thing for diarrhea short of putting a cork in your butt".

Just make sure you don't overdo it.  Rudy once got into some Imodium on his own.   He had gone on a binge, raiding my then roomates snack supplies, including chocolates.   Realizing he was going to have an upset tummy, he jumped up on the kitchen table and ate at least three Imodium caplets that I left out.   When I got home, I found him with a bloated belly and absolutely stoned off his tush.  I called the vet when I realized he had gotten into the stuff.  They said observe him and if he didn't pass a stool in 36 hours to give him a laxative.   At the 35th hour, Rudy finally let loose.  You would have thought he was a Great Dane by the amount of poop he passed.

We're still sending major rays and prayers for you and Hallie.

[Jen]

DD,

Metamucil bars work like a charm my dogs like the Apple Cinnamon ones.   You might also look into getting some Fasttrack probiotic powder to have on hand... I know it won't help you now but it is good to have on the shelf.

Do they have her on something to protect her stomach from the steroids?  If not you will want to do plain regular strength pepcid a/c ... give 1/2 tablet twice daily 30mins before her steroids.... make sure you give her food with the steroids also.

Jen

[Barb]

DD - hope you and Hallie are getting some rest.   Did you have anything that the others above suggested that you could give her in the meantime?   I know both of you are exhausted and all that she has been through in the past couple days - her body may just be rebelling.   Hopefully you have been able to get it stopped and are getting much needed rest for both of you.  Update us when you can.  We are here for you and Hallie - know that and will continue to send rays and prayers to our Hallie BB.

[Leslie]

Imodium in a small dose will work wonders.   I always thought that Imodium's advertising slogan should be "The most effective thing for diarrhea short of putting a cork in your butt".

Rudy once got into some Imodium on his own.   He had gone on a binge, raiding my then roomates snack supplies, including chocolates.    When I got home, I found him with a bloated belly and absolutely stoned off his tush.  ...   At the 35th hour, Rudy finally let loose.  You would have thought he was a Great Dane by the amount of poop he passed.

David, you crack me up.  !!! I agree, that stuff WORKS! (Their packaging department is EVIL, though, with those blister packs that are a screaming nightmare to open.  NOT FUNNY, guys!)

Anyway, Dee, you might also clear with the vet if a little bit of Pedialyte is ok for the little pooper--uh, pupper.  If she gets too dehydrated the meds might not be as effective.  We are sendin' extra special super DUPER rays and hugs and kisses and prayers your way. Those steroids are heap strong medicine and I think you will see a marked improvement in the next 48 hours or so.  :heart:  Les

p.s. ya'll have obviously never seen the pile Loki can save up when it's been raining for two days.  Lordy, get the elephant scooper.  :crazyeyes:

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

We were up all night going outside, my poor baby looks so miserable. I finally just put her on her bed on the floor and lay next to her. She is totally reliable to not jump off the big bed plus I now have a 48" high X pen all around it to be extra safe but I didn't want to fall asleep and have her panic to go out and walk off the bed trying to get to the door or something.

I did get an email from the local vet, no steroids for 24 hours which terrifies me as they were just starting to work a little and last time she went off early is when she got so bad and had to go tot he neuro the next morning. :( But she could get an ulcer from them. Also no food for 24 hours. And pepto for 2 days. I did call the neuro and left a message so hopefully someone will call me soon I'll feel better knowing I have his suggestion on what to do I just hope it jives with the other vet or with someone's advice here. I just want to wake up from all this!

[tpoof]

Geez DD,  Our hearts are breaking for you over here!   
We feel your pain and want this over... for all to be well once again! 
sounds like your in for another tough couple of days...
Hang in there!
The waters will calm.
We'll keep on sending rays.... 

[Roberta]

Yes it can cause the squirts, go with what the others suggest. We are all behind you allthe way. It also alters moods, so hence her quietness. Keep going girlie and try and rest.
BIg mega hugs and rays to you both.
roberta

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Thank you guys I always pop in here when I'm panicked and I read every word and jot down notes on your suggestions as I do but haven't had time to respond or thank each of you for your help.

The neurologist finally called and I went with his advice rather than the first vet. He said to leave her on the steroids, feed her rice and turkey hamburger, and give her kaopectate (pepto bismol and steroids should not be mixed). The immodium some of you suggested I thought sounded good too to me but the vet said kaopectate. I got peppermint by mistake I hope that is ok...it also has salicylate in it which I read on google that is not good...so am wondering if there is a better kaopectate out there. I will keep searching.

Oh Jen I emailed you about the pepcid not realizing you meant before hand. So it's ok to give pepcid with steroids and with kaopectate? I wish I had been keen enough to notice that before I talked to the vet so I could have asked. I did get those bars for her once a long time ago when you suggested them but she never needed them again so they got old and I tossed them.

So where we are tonight...she is doing better!!! I am finally again seeing improvement. She has only needed to go out twice to poop, and both times still diarrhea but not projectile like during the night, no blood and she didn't stay out there and go and go like she was. She has had a few small meals of rice and hamburger, and it's not racing through her anyway so that should be good. She is famished as far as she is concerned so the kaopectate she ate right out of the bowl with a little rice mixed in.

But I am really happy to say she kicked her feet back after her last poop! (first time since this started) and she trots in now from outside and once went into a little lope up the ramp. She trots right along next to me when I get her warm blankies from the drier to wrap her in. And she did some easy spins when I was getting her food. She is looking the best so far...and part of her pain is still due to the dye from the myelogram. She is resting so much more comfortably. And she was giving me proper Hallie kisses today! She definitely has a ways to go yet but I see my little girl coming back. Will be scary to take her off the steroids, I remember Kari saying that about Penny. (by the way Kari, I did visit the link and read about Penny and although you are right it doesn't sound like Hallie, it DOES sound like a friend of mine's dog! The golden in the photo below. They have a different treatment and maybe it's not the exact same thing but very similar if not. I sent her story to my friend).

It is so hard to see her with her shaved back and sore back and not have her crated!!! I have been programmed to keep a sore doxie still and confined for so long now but he says there is no need with this. It won't make any difference. But it's always my instinct to make her stop!

My plan now then is I will get copies of her tests from the Neurologist, and mail them to WSU to Dr Bagley who several vets and a few people on the net have said is one of the best in the country and has taught some of the best and have a phone consult. I can take her there if he wants but it's 7 hours away and I don't know if that would help to see her, he already will have the tests and I don't want to do any more invasive things to her. A friend of mine is also setting up a phone or email consult with a good neurologist from Virginia. And I have found a vet tech whose clinic has treated a dog or dogs with this. Plus I am emailing 2 local vets with questions, these 2 don't know much about this but we are bouncing ideas and questions off each other trying to ferret details out.

I am praying for another better yet day tomorrow and up from there! Can't wait to see my baby back I miss the fun things we always do around here.

[DeeanDave]

Mega doses of rays and healing hugs are coming to you from Eastern Washiington!  Hugs to you both!  Dee, Dave, Sarge & Duggie

[Roberta]

  So happy to hear she is on the road to recovery. Remember go slowly and cuddle.
Kisses and husgs to to Ms H, and hugs to you
Amy says youz look coooooooooool Haillie, and did they shave your leggy.

[papbouv]

Very glad Hallie is going in the right direction know with people and mylograms you are suppose to drink extra because some people get really bad headaches do not know if dogs would get headaches or not might be the reason Hallie is acting different too?So glad that maybe you both can get some rest that will help you both.
Hugs
Rays
Good Thoughts
Papbouv
Patches & Buddy

[Kari]

So glad to here a good update! It is so hard when we feel totally helpless and at a loss for what the best solution is. Rays are still headed your way! Penny sends her soft doxie hugs and kisses.

[Mike]

It's good to see some rays of sunshine from Hallie (like we are finally having today....for a little while).  It sounds like you are lining up quite a cadre of contacts that should be able to get her right as rain.  But rays will continue as long as needed.

[tpoof]

It's good to see some rays of sunshine from Hallie

Well, Thats for sure!  
Hopefully the worst is over and the healing can begin!
Ceaser still wants us to continue to send rays till Hallie and you are all better!!! 
WE will!

[David C.]

Sounds like Hallie made it over the hump.   It's only going to get better from here.

[Rich]

We have been holding our breath for some good news. Sounds like Hallie is more like herself and that you have some good resources to investigate. Hope things continue to improve!

[cheryl186]

    :xfinger: Hoping to hear today that Miss Hallie is continuing to improve.....

[Brekkesmom]

Big sighs of relief here in so Cal!  We have been hoping for some news of better progress, and it sounds like it's here.  Way to go, Hallie!   Relax a little bit, DD, while still being vigilant - I have lots of practice in that - not just with Gretl-Angel's back surgery, but now in my current situation, entering the 5th month, and hoping it'll soon be over - the waiting, that is.  Get some rest, keep a watchful eye on your precious HBB, and destress as much as possible.  Hugs!   

[Teresa]

I made myself wait until after church and errand running to check in today. I thought if I waited that long I would certainly find good news on here. I'm so happy to see I wasn't disappointed. I'm sure she will get back to her old self quickly now. It always seem that once they start recovering, they recover fast! I really hope you can get some answers from one of the people you are contacting. I tried to do a little online searching myself, and there just isn't much out there, especially when you don't have an exact name of the condition. Give Hallie lots of belly rubs from me!

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Sorry to get your hopes up, the more I am learning the more devasted I am getting. It doesn't look good, I am going to another neurologist this week for an MRI. I am learning how really horrible this disease it, makes disc disease seem like a walk in the park.

[Barb]

DD - you and Hallie are in my prayers.  Do you have a name for what she has?  You may have mentioned in one of the earlier posts.  Please keep us updated and know that we are all here for you.  Rest Rest Rest !  Sending soft belly rubs to our Hallie grllll.

[Roberta]

Dee Dee, sometimes a little knowledge is dangerous, wait till you get all the facts from as many vets and specialists as possible, use that with what you find and then you can make a informed attack.
I must admit I googled her symptoms, and probably got what you got. But like other diseases and illnesses out of our control, they the vets or doc give us scenarios to work on, some are not so good, but wait till you get all the facts, and even then you will be like me and fight with her till what ever happens, which could be a long long time.
SO don't go defeatest on us, look at Emma for most of her life  we lived with the thought she may not last and the little stinker went to 16 +.
What have they called it. And have you thought of sending her files to specialist overseas Melbourne uni has a very good vet diagnostic research centre
Love and hugs to you both

Roberta

[Dee Dee and Hallie]

Syringomyelia or hydromyelia