Well.. Do I have any other alternatives to the doxy stuff? Bax has thrown up 2 out of the 4 times he has been given it. I sat and watched him eat a small amount, I gave him about 15 minutes and then tried to adminster it and he threw it right back up. He takes the other two meds fine and keeps them down. Luckily I gave the doxy first this time so he did not throw everything up at one time.
I am going to call the vet in the morning and see if there is something else he can give me besides that because I'm sure he is getting a little bit in his system even though he is throwing up, but not enough to do what is needed to be done.
Am I doing it wrong? I usually cradle him like a baby with his back down and belly/legs up in the air in my lap, then I touch the sides of his mouth and when he opens up I squirt it onto his tongue with a syringe then I immediately let him jump down to right himself and then he *coughs* a few times (this is also a new sound I have never heard him do before) and then gags and throws up foamy stuff. The other liquid he takes fine, the pill he fights a bit but ends up taking it in the end. Is there any other way? I mean obviously I am going to have to ask for something new for the doxy because it just is not going to stay down. IS there a alternative or is this something I need to work out?
How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
No, Do NOT give meds, feed or anything in that position! To do so could cause it to go into the lungs, this is called aspiration and can cause fluid pneumonia! ONLY have him in a sitting position when you give meds! This is probably why he was coughing and gagging.
As for the doxy, before the vet considers anything else, he needs to specifically diagnose calicivirus, that would be more prudent to know what to prescribe. If the doxy has to be continued, ask the vet to get it compounded so that it would be alittle easier on Baxter's palate. It's a bitter medication and it sucks, but compounding it might help. He could also be having a reaction to the doxy (unlikely, but since you've been giving this when he is in an upside down position, chances are, that is the sole problem.) You better tell your vet you did this, he would probably want to see him again and make sure he didn't get anything in the lungs.
As for the doxy, before the vet considers anything else, he needs to specifically diagnose calicivirus, that would be more prudent to know what to prescribe. If the doxy has to be continued, ask the vet to get it compounded so that it would be alittle easier on Baxter's palate. It's a bitter medication and it sucks, but compounding it might help. He could also be having a reaction to the doxy (unlikely, but since you've been giving this when he is in an upside down position, chances are, that is the sole problem.) You better tell your vet you did this, he would probably want to see him again and make sure he didn't get anything in the lungs.
..........Traci
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
- Posts: 589
- Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:39 pm
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Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
I am taking a vacation away from boards I visit but am checking in. I wanted to say that I know you and Bax have been down a road or two and I know you are doing everything you can to be a great protector of your animals. I find time and time again that you are asking questions when you do not know the answers or wish to further educate yourself. Please keep us updated as to what is happening with you all. Prayers for Bax!!!!
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
Well I took him in again to have him checked out for the fluid in his lungs since I am a dumbass and to get checked for calcivirus.. Both are ok but now we are still having a problem with him keeping his meds down! We tried switching from the Doxy to Clavamox liquid.. He takes it much better then the Doxy but it only stays in him for a hour in a half or so before he throws up. The vet said that it is atleast getting into his system at that point so its doing him a little bit of good but we cant keep having him throw up hours after I give it to him every time. She wants me to not give him any meds tonight but to give him a tablet of pepcid instead to see if that settles his belly overnight and then try again with the meds fresh in the morning.
He seems to be getting a bit better as I have not heard much sneezing, but still has an occasional cough. His nose is getting some color back to it and its getting a bit moist instead of being all dried up. His breathing doesnt sound as mucosy (sp?) and his mouth looks a bit less red but his teeth still have the gingivitis so he is going to need a cleaning in a few weeks. They said the stomitisitus on the roof of his mouth is more then likely from his back teeth being like that. But it seems to not be too far advanced so we should be able to get them cleaned up.
Hopefully the pepcid and a dose away from the meds will ease his belly a bit and we will be able to keep everything down tomorrow. We shall see I guess!
He seems to be getting a bit better as I have not heard much sneezing, but still has an occasional cough. His nose is getting some color back to it and its getting a bit moist instead of being all dried up. His breathing doesnt sound as mucosy (sp?) and his mouth looks a bit less red but his teeth still have the gingivitis so he is going to need a cleaning in a few weeks. They said the stomitisitus on the roof of his mouth is more then likely from his back teeth being like that. But it seems to not be too far advanced so we should be able to get them cleaned up.
Hopefully the pepcid and a dose away from the meds will ease his belly a bit and we will be able to keep everything down tomorrow. We shall see I guess!
- Mike
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
Can you do me a favor? Try to call her back and ask about the following:
1) ask if there was a potential for doxycycline-induced esophageal problem or esophagitis (in which it would be good to cease the doxy as it appears you are doing)
2) ask if sucralfate (carafate) could be prescribed....this helps coat the esophagus, helps to soothe irritation, and when combined with the pepcid, this could help deter acid reflex that could be part of the problem going on regarding the vomiting. The sucralfate can be prescribed orally, either in tablet form or suspension form...neither tastes good, but if you find it easier to give via eyedropper, ask for liquid form.
What did she say about the coughing? This isn't normal! What did his lungs sound like when she used the stethoscope, did she check?
1) ask if there was a potential for doxycycline-induced esophageal problem or esophagitis (in which it would be good to cease the doxy as it appears you are doing)
2) ask if sucralfate (carafate) could be prescribed....this helps coat the esophagus, helps to soothe irritation, and when combined with the pepcid, this could help deter acid reflex that could be part of the problem going on regarding the vomiting. The sucralfate can be prescribed orally, either in tablet form or suspension form...neither tastes good, but if you find it easier to give via eyedropper, ask for liquid form.
What did she say about the coughing? This isn't normal! What did his lungs sound like when she used the stethoscope, did she check?
..........Traci
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
The esophogitus was brought up.. she said that is kinda what the cough sounded like that I was explaining (of course he couldnt do it while we were at the doctors, but then again he has only done it once since yesterday if I remember correctly) I will mention the other meds to her when I report back after seeing if the pepcid will settle his belly enough to get some Clavamox back into him for more then a few hours.
She did use the stethascope and nothing was brought up about sounding abnormal so I'm assuming everything was fine there. I know he was laying with me a few hours ago and was pretty much on my head and he did sound a bit like a lawnmower.. a bit congested and I could hear some squeaking from his nose like he had a boogie but other then that seemed fine. Still very lazy and kinda skittish around me but I don't blame him. Hell I have been trying to shove 2 syringes full of liquid and a pill down his throat twice a day for the past few.. I would stay away from me too. Even when I just bend down to pick him up he kinda squats and looks very carefully to see if I have anything in my hand (the syringes).. I'm sure it will take a few weeks for him to trust me fully again, but I gotta get the little guy better somehow! Wish me luck in the morning with keeping the meds down.. I'm gonna try and get some pepcid in him now. He is hiding behind the reclining chair in his new spot where he thinks I cant get him.. LOL!
She did use the stethascope and nothing was brought up about sounding abnormal so I'm assuming everything was fine there. I know he was laying with me a few hours ago and was pretty much on my head and he did sound a bit like a lawnmower.. a bit congested and I could hear some squeaking from his nose like he had a boogie but other then that seemed fine. Still very lazy and kinda skittish around me but I don't blame him. Hell I have been trying to shove 2 syringes full of liquid and a pill down his throat twice a day for the past few.. I would stay away from me too. Even when I just bend down to pick him up he kinda squats and looks very carefully to see if I have anything in my hand (the syringes).. I'm sure it will take a few weeks for him to trust me fully again, but I gotta get the little guy better somehow! Wish me luck in the morning with keeping the meds down.. I'm gonna try and get some pepcid in him now. He is hiding behind the reclining chair in his new spot where he thinks I cant get him.. LOL!
- Mike
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
Did you call her and ask the questions I posed? If not, please, do it.
Lastly, I said it once, I'll say it again, I am extremely worried about calicivirus, as explained, stomatitis doesn't cause raw sores on the upper palate, nor back of throat, etc. Demand of her that she look into this. Every symptom he is having points to calicivirus, and it may or may not have been present at the time of the rabies-induced-anaphylactic reaction. Any of the URI infections could have been present (sort of dormant) prior and any stressful event or illness could cause it to flare up or become clinical illness. You really need to get this ruled out, ASAP.
Lastly, I said it once, I'll say it again, I am extremely worried about calicivirus, as explained, stomatitis doesn't cause raw sores on the upper palate, nor back of throat, etc. Demand of her that she look into this. Every symptom he is having points to calicivirus, and it may or may not have been present at the time of the rabies-induced-anaphylactic reaction. Any of the URI infections could have been present (sort of dormant) prior and any stressful event or illness could cause it to flare up or become clinical illness. You really need to get this ruled out, ASAP.
..........Traci