Moment of Truth

[MunasG]

[MENTION=1917]MunasG[/MENTION] I happened to get emailed this video last night on a newsletter, and thought it may help you get some nutrients into Nellie while you wait for tests etc

Bone Broth Is Excellent Nourishment for Older Pets

So we are back from the vet. And he is also stumped and thinks we have to move on to the diagnostic tests to narrow down causes. He thinks she might have a hiatal hernia! Is anyone familiar with that? Basically he wants to do a stomach and chest X-rays, a stomach ultrasound and then a barium test. Apparently this can show if there's a problem with her esophagus or if she has inflammation of the GI tract. If that test shows nothing then they'll move on to the scoping because that will be more effective in narrowing things down. If it turns out to be the hiatal hernia then she'll need surgery to fix it and most times the issue is corrected. In any case am looking at about $6000 with the diagnostics and potential surgery! I am just so overwhelmed. He's asked me to take sometime and think about whether I want to go this direction. He has cautioned me that we may end up finding a problem that can't be fixed. I don't know what to do really.

 

[2bullymama]

Alot to take in... I would ask why not go right to barium? Doesn't that also require x-ray?


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[MunasG]

Alot to take in... I would ask why not go right to barium? Doesn't that also require x-ray?


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He said the barium is to find out if there is something wrong with the esophagus, and for this vet hospital they have a machine that does the test in realtime and shows a recording of the food as it's going through her track, which allows them to see things much clearer. They do not do the X-ray version at their hospital. However they need to do the traditional X-ray and ultra sound to see if they can catch the hernia. Apparently with the condition, the diaphragm can slide causing a gap in the stomach and that it reverts back to normal. So sometimes an X-ray may show it and other times it wouldn't because it might have reverted back to normal. So they will do the regular X-ray and ultrasound to check for that which may eliminate the need for the scoping if it's found on the X-rays. So the X-ray is just another medium but it's often times not enough to prove that the hernia exists. He wants to avoid having to put her under for the scoping so we will start with the easiest procedure first and move up.

I think I will go that route because I need to rule things out.

 

[2bullymama]

Going to be praying for your baby. ((Hugs))


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[KimB3384]

Just out of curiosity, does your vet specialize in the bulldog breed? If not, you might want to get a second opinion from one who does. You might also want to consider a consultation with a holistic vet. I'm not suggesting your vet isn't correct, but it's a lot of money and a lot of stress for both you and for Nellie. Some vets are quick with the expensive tests and procedures because, let's face it, that's how they make their money. Again, not saying yours is one of them, but it never hurts to get a second opinion when it comes to something like this.

When I brought Beezy home, we also had pretty serious issues with regurgitation. We're talking daily basis. Our primary vet had owned Frenchies in the past and was familiar with their digestive issues. She mentioned megaE as a possibility but had me get a raised feeder, had me put a giant rock in her bowl to slow her down, and had me switch to four small meals a day. We did all of that and her issues diminished greatly. We still use the raised feeder and feed three small meals with great success. I do have to be careful what I feed her because anything rich will cause her to regurgitate (and let me tell you, whole rabbit carcass mixed with bison tripe is actually worse coming up than it is preparing to go down).

I have a friend whose Frenchie would regurguate on nearly every protein she fed him. I remember she was at her wit's end - it was terrible. Her regular vet was talking about doing expensive tests and she would message me daily, in tears, because she didn't know what to do. She finally visited a holistic vet who recommended goat's milk and switching proteins. I can't remember what she's feeding him now — I think it's pork and goat — but she has zero issues. Zero.

I guess my main message to you is to try to not panic yet. Lots of us have been through similar situations and they have almost always turned out to be easily dealt with. We are here for you to provide support in whatever way you need. :assured:

 

[MunasG]

Just out of curiosity, does your vet specialize in the bulldog breed? If not, you might want to get a second opinion from one who does. You might also want to consider a consultation with a holistic vet. I'm not suggesting your vet isn't correct, but it's a lot of money and a lot of stress for both you and for Nellie. Some vets are quick with the expensive tests and procedures because, let's face it, that's how they make their money. Again, not saying yours is one of them, but it never hurts to get a second opinion when it comes to something like this.

When I brought Beezy home, we also had pretty serious issues with regurgitation. We're talking daily basis. Our primary vet had owned Frenchies in the past and was familiar with their digestive issues. She mentioned megaE as a possibility but had me get a raised feeder, had me put a giant rock in her bowl to slow her down, and had me switch to four small meals a day. We did all of that and her issues diminished greatly. We still use the raised feeder and feed three small meals with great success. I do have to be careful what I feed her because anything rich will cause her to regurgitate (and let me tell you, whole rabbit carcass mixed with bison tripe is actually worse coming up than it is preparing to go down).

I have a friend whose Frenchie would regurguate on nearly every protein she fed him. I remember she was at her wit's end - it was terrible. Her regular vet was talking about doing expensive tests and she would message me daily, in tears, because she didn't know what to do. She finally visited a holistic vet who recommended goat's milk and switching proteins. I can't remember what she's feeding him now — I think it's pork and goat — but she has zero issues. Zero.

I guess my main message to you is to try to not panic yet. Lots of us have been through similar situations and they have almost always turned out to be easily dealt with. We are here for you to provide support in whatever way you need. :assured:

Thanks for your message! I totally understand! Actually the vet we are seeing right now it's not our regular vet. He is an internal medicine specialist at the emergency hospital where they treated Nellie for two weeks for parvo and pneumonia the first three days we got her. He is not pushing the diagnostics he is actually against it because he thinks it'll be too expensive and stressful for Nellie. This is the third time we've been to see him and he has told me that going this route might end up being a wasted of time and money for me because we can't find the solution. He has left the ball in my court in terms of making the decision on whether to go the diagnostic route. He suggested lifestyle changes like spreading out her feeds to 4-5 times a day, elevated feeding and even burping her. I am the one is a rush to get a solution.

I had gone to see a frenchie specialist here in toronto and she recommended a referral to an internal medicine specialist after reviewing her medical history. My regular vet we haven't visited in a month and half because he thinks it's the raw food and nothing else. I am looking into rotating proteins. Si far I've done chicken, turkey and duck but no success. She also eats elevated and I hand feed her sometimes. Spreading her meals to 4-5 times a day I haven't been able to do because of my schedule.

She had two meals so far today and no regurgitation and I haven't done anything different from yesterday so am very confused. The internal medicine specialist is waiting on hearing from me about my decision on how to move forward. It's been 4 months of this and I guess am just frustrated and want an answer because it's not normal for her to throw up this much. Since we've got her I've sought two additional opinions from other vets not including the internal medicine specialist. Even the bulldog specialists told me my best bet was an internal specialist. Maybe I need to go see a holistic vet now. Am not sure. I'm just overwhelmed and tired of cleaning vomit all day I guess lol.

I'll try to introduce a few more proteins and see.

 

[KimB3384]

I can imagine how overwhelmed and helpless you must feel. You very quickly get attached to these buggers, and the fact that they can't tell you what's going on makes it that much harder when there are problems.

Two things: if it helps, my vet told me that the feedings can be as little as 15-20 minutes apart, not hours. So, feed one half of the amount for that meal, wait 20 minutes, and then feed the other part. That might help with your schedule.

Next, and this is going to be gross for you, but I would recommend feeding tripe for a while. Tripett has a variety of proteins in cans, but I don't know if it's available in Canada. It's super duper gentle on the stomach and I use it in place of the bland diet whenever Beezy's got some stomach issues. It's also loaded with enzymes which are really great for your dog's gut. I know that in Europe there are many people who feed it and nothing else to their dogs because they swear it's the holy grail of all dog food. Tripe, if you're unfamiliar with it, is the stomach contents of a ruminating animal (cow, goat, deer, sheep). It smells absolutely disgusting but your dog will devour it. You don't want to get the white stuff at the grocery store because all of the good stuff has been bleached out of it. Instead, you want the green stuff sold only in pet places. You can buy it frozen, freeze-dried, and canned. I'm suggesting it because it seems like Nellie might not tolerate birds well, and this stuff is bird-free.

We'll get Nellie on the mend in no time.

 

[Mavis]

I'm so sorry; that would be a terrible worry. How is her weight? Does she throw up everything or just a small amount?

 

[Joeturbo26]

Wow! Someone else on another frenchie network for my city also told me about this yesterday! She even sent me the recipe to make it and I was going to try it this weekend. Sounds like a healthy thing for her for sure. Thanks for sharing!! I'll update you all on the vet visit today.

My heart continues to hurt for all you're going through... Again, thankfully Rico hasn't had any challenges, but I know all too well the heartache, sorrow, confusion, and financially draining aspects of having a pet not be well...as was the case with my cat Luigi... Who after all the challenges is now alive, well and is a vibrant thriving pain in the ***!!! Hang in there...things will work out, and that puppy is SOOOOO lucky to have you!

On a side note, I know we both have picky little devils... After reading this post and watching this bone broth video, I remembered I had a bag of cow bones in the freezer from a cow share I purchased a year ago with a friend! So I made the broth....

I have NEVER seen Rico go that crazy over a food/liquid ever! Totally give it a try... I bet the little Nellster will lap it up like no other!

Thinking about you two.....

 

[MunasG]

Thank you all for your kind words! Its been a trying process but we are hanging in there. [MENTION=1070]Mavis[/MENTION] she often times throws up at least 50% of her meal. She is very tiny and underweight but not unhalthy. She turned 6 months today and as of friday's weight check she was 14.5lbs. pretty skinny for a frenchie. At times she'll throw up just white foam with a bit of the food. She almost always throws up right after her breakfast and sometimes at lunch but not very often in the evening.
[MENTION=1886]Joeturbo26[/MENTION] I definitely plan to make the broth and give it to her even if it doesn't help with the regurgitation. I plan to try bison today in the raw diet as part of the rotation this week. She did not throw up yesterday and today (just a bit of spit up in her mouth). And she's on the chicken rotation which she always seemed to throw up. its very confusing!!

I know the cost is ridiculous, but i have pet insurance (than goodness!) with 90% coverage. So that'll help a lot. they just don't cover taxes or exam fees. And since this has been an ongoing problem i have already maxed out on the deductible. But a part of me just wants to get answers lol

 

[MunasG]

So Nellie is still the same or more likely worst. The regurgitation has stopped and been replaced with vomiting while she is asleep. This has happened 4 times in the past 3 days, and its very scary. She is dead out snoozing and snoring and just wakes up abruptly and vomits digested food. I called the vet today because i think its smart to go the diagnostic route instead of taking a chance. my fear is that she can aspirate on her vomit especially if she's sleeping. the specialist is not in until Thursday, but we are heading to the cottage for the long weekend so am hoping it doesn't get worst while we are gone. I plan to set up an appointment next week for the xrays, scans and swallow test first.

Pray for her!

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

Oh no!! She is in our prayers!! Please keep us posted!

 

[Jakeyjake]

Oh no, I hope you can get some answers soon. Poor baby.

 

[2bullymama]

Lots of prayers to sweet girl


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[WeeDex]

Oh no..... Really hope you can get on top of this soon :-(

 

[MunasG]

So I updated folks on a different thread but wanted to do so here too. Good news is that she doesn't have mega esophagus which was my biggest worry. So Nellie got worst last week and was aspirating on her vomit so we pushed forward the diagnostic tests that was meant for tomorrow to this past Friday and did an X-ray, scan and barium test. Most of those results came back normal but two of the barium scans showed a bit of food and liquid coming back into her esophagus from her stomach. So They still think she has a hiatal hernia but again this will only be proven with a scope which is the next phase of the diagnostics and this requires anesthesia. The install diagnostic phase ( X-ray, scan and barium) cost me $700 out of pocket after the insurance refund. I really don't know what to do but it's obvious there is something wrong. So the vets have put her on another motility medication to see if that'll help. She's still been vomiting but not in the last day so I hope this works.

The other option they gave me to reduce the cost is that they can spay her at the hospital and while doing that procedure they can stitch up her stomach as if she already has the hernia and skip the scoping phase. I am really hoping that this new med works and I don't have to go the surgery route. Because spaying at this emergency clinic is very pricey between $800-$1200. I still continue to try different foods too to see if that'll help. Recently ive noticed that her vomits contain the pieces of bones from her raw turkey dinner. So we've gone back to the chicken which is less boney