As everyone I'm sure knows he has not been feeling well after his allergic reaction to a rabies vacc.. Now we think he has a URI (doc visit tomorrow morning for that) but after I setup the appt the other day and asked about getting some clavamox to get him started before his visit, the doc told me no at first but I guess reviewed his past records and saw that he has been prescribed them before with no problems so he told me to come get a few to hold me over.
Now.. I gave Bax his first dose at about 2pm (I know it was a bit late in the day but I wanted to get him started.. I feel so bad for him) and about 45 minutes later he got sick and threw up. He did the same thing the first pill he took last time as well. The doc said it is a typical reaction as it screws with the intestines or something along those lines and upsets there stomachs. Baxter was eating a small amount and drinking this morning before it happened.
How long should he go before I start worrying about dehydration? He looks so miserable in there (I have him shut in my room so I could tell if he threw up anymore) from being sick so I have just let him be so he can sleep. I'm sure thats the only time he feels good lately. His gums still look pink and are not dry and sticky. His neck skin seems to snap right back to his body but his fur is so thick its really hard to tell. He is aware of what is going on around him but is very very sleepy and gives me that look like "what do you want now" everytime I poke my head in the room to check on him.
Should I stop worrying and just keep an eye on him? Like I said I know he feels like garbage and I know the first time this happened he did the same thing and snapped back and started drinking a bit and then eating later. I also left him a nice bowl of wet food hoping he would smell it (usually he is dry only).
I also tried dropping a bit of water on his nose to see if I could get him to lap it up but he pulled his head away from me like his nose hurt. I think I remember reading somewhere that the noses could get sores in them from a URI so could this be the problem with that or does he really just want me to leave him the hell alone?
I know I am probably over-reacting right now and like I said he is going to the vet tomorrow morning.. I just don't want to bother him if I don't need to. I know I hate when people even talk to me when I feel that bad, but at the same time I don't want him to get dehydrated.
Ideas?
Sorry for the long post that probably doesn't make much sense.. Its been a long week....
How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
Take the pills back tomorrow and ask for the liquid form. Do NOT give any pills tonite or morning...you vet can give you the liquid form when Baxter is seen tomorrow.
It's ok to be worried, but don't fret over him anymore tonite UNLESS there is something obviously wrong (in which you'd need to call the vet), just let him rest and try to ensure he eats and drinks. Do NOT put water on his nose, his nose doesn't hurt but he WILL pull back from you if you put water on the top of his nose or under it. So, don't.
It's ok to be worried, but don't fret over him anymore tonite UNLESS there is something obviously wrong (in which you'd need to call the vet), just let him rest and try to ensure he eats and drinks. Do NOT put water on his nose, his nose doesn't hurt but he WILL pull back from you if you put water on the top of his nose or under it. So, don't.
..........Traci
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
So if he threw up I would say around 4 or so the last time I should not need to worry too much about him getting dehydrated between now and tomorrow? He has not eaten or drank anything yet as far as I can tell but last time I poked in to check he looked up at me this time and did seem like he was feeling a bit better. Its hard to tell if he is doing anything though because I am in a seperate room to get him some quiet. I have a very minimal amount of dry food in his bowl and the water is filled pretty much all the way up to the top so I should be able to tell if he drinks a good bit.
I just don't want him to get worse overnight and end up having to be put on fluids in the morning to get him hydrated again.
Should I try to syringe some water in him way later on tonight if he still does not drink?
I just don't want him to get worse overnight and end up having to be put on fluids in the morning to get him hydrated again.
Should I try to syringe some water in him way later on tonight if he still does not drink?
- Mike
He is also licking his lips and nose alot.. I'm assuming he is licking his nose to try and keep from sneezing atleast..
Is that a sign of anything?
I know.. I'm annoying
I'm trying to keep myself busy but I'm getting sick, its pouring down rain outside and the puppy is driving me crazy because she cant go on a walk.
Is that a sign of anything?
I know.. I'm annoying
I'm trying to keep myself busy but I'm getting sick, its pouring down rain outside and the puppy is driving me crazy because she cant go on a walk.
- Mike
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
Do you mean throwing up 4 times, or? Depends on what he is throwing up. You only mentioned he threw up the antibiotic. Once.
When was the last time he ate or drank, irregardless of the antibiotic?
When was the last time he ate or drank, irregardless of the antibiotic?
..........Traci
No no no.. he threw up around 4:00
It was all food as far as I could tell.. Just mushy and brown (his food color) When I was picking it up I was feeling for a undigested pill and did not find one. He threw up twice.. about 15 minutes apart. First was all food and the second was just kinda mucosy like spit . I could tell his belly was empty at that point.
I would say the last time I *think* he ate was this morning. Food came back out when he vomited so I'm sure it was sometime today. Last I physically saw him eat was last night.
It was all food as far as I could tell.. Just mushy and brown (his food color) When I was picking it up I was feeling for a undigested pill and did not find one. He threw up twice.. about 15 minutes apart. First was all food and the second was just kinda mucosy like spit . I could tell his belly was empty at that point.
I would say the last time I *think* he ate was this morning. Food came back out when he vomited so I'm sure it was sometime today. Last I physically saw him eat was last night.
- Mike
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
Ok, just let him rest. I'm sure he has enough nutritional support from yesterday/last night, and I assume, from all this week. Unless anything unusual occurs, I think you can wait til morning to see your vet. Just DONT give any of the antibiotics until your vet can get the liquid form for you...remember to take them with you so he can credit your account.
When the vet gives you the liquid...don't give it until tomorrow evening. Make sure he has eaten, kept it down all day, eats a tiny amount about a 1/2 hour to hour BEFORE the antibiotics are given....then make sure he eats the next morning, then a 1/2 hour or hour later, give his morning dose of antibiotic. It is best that there is a small amount of food given prior to antibiotics.
Don't force water into him, this can stress him and if he isn't lethargic etc, he will drink on his own when he's ready. You can place a dish of clean water in front of him and see if he'll take it but don't force him if he won't.
When the vet gives you the liquid...don't give it until tomorrow evening. Make sure he has eaten, kept it down all day, eats a tiny amount about a 1/2 hour to hour BEFORE the antibiotics are given....then make sure he eats the next morning, then a 1/2 hour or hour later, give his morning dose of antibiotic. It is best that there is a small amount of food given prior to antibiotics.
Don't force water into him, this can stress him and if he isn't lethargic etc, he will drink on his own when he's ready. You can place a dish of clean water in front of him and see if he'll take it but don't force him if he won't.
..........Traci
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
What exactly do you mean by lethargic? He is very sleepy.. Doesn't really pay much attention to me when I do go in the room and doesn't follow me around like normal but he is aware of what is going on.
- Mike
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
Lethargic signs are: weakness in movement or walking, immobility (refusal or inability to move or rise), third eyelid covering the eye, fixed or stared eyes, little to no response to touch, etc.
..........Traci
Re: How long before I worry about Bax being dehydrated?
oh ok then no we are good there.. The third eyelid is something I ALWAYS look for when I think something may be wrong. He has been up to move around a few times today.. He usually does not go far before he lays back down in a new spot and goes to sleep again but there is no pain or anything as far as I can tell. He seems a bit spaced out but I don't blame him after all he has been through lately..
Thanks alot Traci. I just wish the morning would hurry up so I can get my boy checked out. Are you / were you a vet btw? You have so much experience and have been a huge help to me lately!
Thanks alot Traci. I just wish the morning would hurry up so I can get my boy checked out. Are you / were you a vet btw? You have so much experience and have been a huge help to me lately!
- Mike