Dozer has been doing poorly lately...

[oscarmayer]

His eyes are droopy and sunken in. He cannot close his mouth fully. The muscles on his head are diminished and he's looking very old. He's been salivating like crazy and cannot hold food in his mouth. One pupil is dilated more than the other.
He looks like he is dying.
We finally got him in to see the Vet today and he's been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuritis...a new one for us.
Trigeminal Neuritis read more here
Vet says he will need hydration and soft foods that he can swallow, like meat balls made from canned food. He loves ice cubes so he can get his water from them...not too many at once though. This boy has been through a lot over the years. He's only 6 and such a great guy. Vet says 2-4 weeks to completely recover. Expect some weight loss. I'm so relieved that it's something he will likely get past.

 

[benny]

wishing Dozer a speedy recovery. Thank you for sharing the link

 

[helsonwheels]

His eyes are droopy and sunken in. He cannot close his mouth fully. The muscles on his head are diminished and he's looking very old. He's been salivating like crazy and cannot hold food in his mouth. One pupil is dilated more than the other.
He looks like he is dying.
We finally got him in to see the Vet today and he's been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuritis...a new one for us.
Trigeminal Neuritis read more here
Vet says he will need hydration and soft foods that he can swallow, like meat balls made from canned food. He loves ice cubes so he can get his water from them...not too many at once though. This boy has been through a lot over the years. He's only 6 and such a great guy. Vet says 2-4 weeks to completely recover. Expect some weight loss. I'm so relieved that it's something he will likely get past.

Can he go raw or has to be can? Cans are cook at such a high temperature it kills everything in the can. Just a thought….

 

[2BullyMama]

Holy wow! Never heard of this at all…. This boy is in great hands nd will good s new for sure!

big hugs to him

 

[Cbrugs]

Glad to hear it’s something that can be treated. Dozer is in good hands!

 

[oscarmayer]

We've been feeding him Merrick Duck Dinner in the can. It makes nice little meatballs using a melon ball scoop. Hope he doesn't get used to this. Helene...Sandy is mixing his regular kibble in with the canned food and if all goes well he'll only be on this diet for a few weeks.
Vet advised to get a chew toy that's got some squeezability to it...something that will allow movement of the jaw to promote an increase range of motion. We opted for a Kong Squeeze stick. When chewed it sounds like it has bubble wrap in it and it will easily compress. He did OK with it but he's barely able to chew right now...simply no strength in his jaws, or anywhere on his face. Once he starts getting some muscle power back this toy will have served it's purpose and be removed from service.

 

[SidNBear]

Me and bear are wishing dozer a speedy recovery

 

[anatess]

First time I've ever heard of this condition!
Keep us posted and x0x0 to Dozer and you.

 

[1Chumly]

Poor Dozer. That's a new one for me too. There is always something! I hope he gets better soon and back to his old self.

 

[helsonwheels]

Keep them updates coming cause I like most never heard of this n interesting to know what works n what doesn’t.

BTW them Kong Squeeze stick, are they Nyala proof? Still looking for something Nyala won’t destroy. To this day, (6 yrs)nothing stood up to Nyala. The original Kong, she doesn’t like that toy. She leaves it sitting there. Too boring for Madame.

 

[rjisaterp]

Jewel and I are wishing Dozer a speedy recovery.

Jewel is on the mend as well after 2 hospitalizations for her inner ear infection.

Prayers for all.

 

[Manydogs]

@oscarmayer Dozer hope your recovery is a speedy one! Bet you like those meatballs!
@rjisaterp glad to her that Jewel is doing better!

 

[oscarmayer]

Dozer is slowly getting his face movement back. He can almost close his mouth. We're still feeding him Duck balls. He likes the attention...and the wet food. Ice cubes have been a big deal. Vet told us that keeping him hydrated would be our biggest challenge. We told him "NOPE, he absolutely loves ice cubes and swallows them whole."
RJ, Hope Jewel is back to 100% in short order. Give her a hug from Sandy and me.

 

[cgris]

His eyes are droopy and sunken in. He cannot close his mouth fully. The muscles on his head are diminished and he's looking very old. He's been salivating like crazy and cannot hold food in his mouth. One pupil is dilated more than the other.
He looks like he is dying.
We finally got him in to see the Vet today and he's been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuritis...a new one for us.
Trigeminal Neuritis read more here
Vet says he will need hydration and soft foods that he can swallow, like meat balls made from canned food. He loves ice cubes so he can get his water from them...not too many at once though. This boy has been through a lot over the years. He's only 6 and such a great guy. Vet says 2-4 weeks to completely recover. Expect some weight loss. I'm so relieved that it's something he will likely get past.

Hope Dozer gets well soon

 

[cgris]

Hope Dozer gets well soon