Uh oh...worrisome vet visit

[Manydogs]

[MENTION=15577]Jenni23[/MENTION] GiGi is a little sweetheart. Sending many prayers and best wishes for her, for better health. She looks brighteyed, which is a good sign. Many times you can tell by their eyes, if they are a fighter or not. I had a toy poodle named GiGi, and she was a fighter-good name to pick! She had heart surgery at 3 months,and when she was older, fought fluid for many years-but kept on going like the energizer bunny! Here's wishing your GiGi the spunk to keep on going-she will make it!

 

[Christie H]

Prayers for your girl..

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[g8erjackie]

Poor Gigi! I'm glad she's a little better after the steroid shot. Ruckus had pneumonia when he was a puppy (bad reaction to the intranasal version of the kennel cough vaccine, but it's a long story). Clavamox did nothing for him and I pushed the vet for stronger meds. I'll try to find his vet records, I have them around here somewhere and let you know what he was on in case you need another option. He had such terrible green mucus and was so lethargic. One thing I did for the mucus was I got one of those baby suction things and sucked the mucus out of his nostrils so he didn't breathe it back in a swallow it and so he could breathe better. In addition to taking him in the bathroom and steaming it up, I bought a humidifier and created a tent over his crate with heavy blankets and put it under the blankets buy outside he crate and would do this for 10 minutes at a time. My vet said I could also buy a nebulizer and use it with just the saline to help break up the mucus. You are definitely Gigi's hero! I almost cried thinking about her poor sister.

 

[Jenni23]

Poor Gigi! I'm glad she's a little better after the steroid shot. Ruckus had pneumonia when he was a puppy (bad reaction to the intranasal version of the kennel cough vaccine, but it's a long story). Clavamox did nothing for him and I pushed the vet for stronger meds. I'll try to find his vet records, I have them around here somewhere and let you know what he was on in case you need another option. He had such terrible green mucus and was so lethargic. One thing I did for the mucus was I got one of those baby suction things and sucked the mucus out of his nostrils so he didn't breathe it back in a swallow it and so he could breathe better. In addition to taking him in the bathroom and steaming it up, I bought a humidifier and created a tent over his crate with heavy blankets and put it under the blankets buy outside he crate and would do this for 10 minutes at a time. My vet said I could also buy a nebulizer and use it with just the saline to help break up the mucus. You are definitely Gigi's hero! I almost cried thinking about her poor sister.

Any extra help or info is truly appreciated, especially if you've dealt with pneumonia! She's going on a month and a half of no significant improvement. She has been on clavamox since the beginning. She's also been on baytril. The steroid shot seemed to help improve her for a few days, so we picked up some prednisone and continued with that, and the cough seems just as bad as before the steroid. We do have a bronchial dilator medicine coming from a compound pharmacy, I hope it gets here today. We have put her in the steamy bathroom quite a few times. I have a cool mist humidifier in our bedroom where her crate is, but should it be a cool mist or warm mist? I can definitely tent her in her crate with the humidifier too, hadn't thought of that. I open to trying anything that will help her.

I also am confused on what her normal activity level should be for a four month old puppy. I've never had any type of bulldog, so I don't know what's normal for them. When my Shih Tzus were puppies, they were balls of energy playing all the time. She seems to have short spurts of energy, 15-20 minutes, and then long periods of rest.

Thanks so much for all the help and well wishes!

 

[sisters3]

Ahhhhhh God Bless her little heart!!! She is adorable!!! FIGHT GIGI FIGHT LITTLE ONE!!!!

 

[Jenni23]

We visited the vet on Monday for a recheck. The last visit she was put on a steroid. At her visit on Monday, they took X-rays, and due to the steroid being an immunosuppressant, her pneumonia got a little worse We stopped the steroid immediately. She has had to go up in dosage on her antibiotics, since her weight has gone up, so we had those refilled. She is currently taking Baytril, Clavamox, pepcid, and a bronchial dilator medicine. She doesn't have any nasal discharge. Her eating and drinking is fine. Her energy level has dipped a little in the last couple days, I think thats due to the pneumonia getting a little worse. The vet is supposed to be checking on a nebulizer for her pneumonia and a bailey chair for her Mega Esophagus. I hope she gets back to me today, I did send an email checking on it yesterday, but haven't heard back yet. Is it terrible that I want to go in the vets office and just tell them to please get it done now? I don't want to be that kind of pushy person, but I'm tired of having to wait to get things that might possibly help her out. Then I feel guilty for wanting to be pushy, because I'm sure she has so many other patients that need things too Sorry, I'm venting this morning.

 

[2BullyMama]

We visited the vet on Monday for a recheck. The last visit she was put on a steroid. At her visit on Monday, they took X-rays, and due to the steroid being an immunosuppressant, her pneumonia got a little worse We stopped the steroid immediately. She has had to go up in dosage on her antibiotics, since her weight has gone up, so we had those refilled. She is currently taking Baytril, Clavamox, pepcid, and a bronchial dilator medicine. She doesn't have any nasal discharge. Her eating and drinking is fine. Her energy level has dipped a little in the last couple days, I think thats due to the pneumonia getting a little worse. The vet is supposed to be checking on a nebulizer for her pneumonia and a bailey chair for her Mega Esophagus. I hope she gets back to me today, I did send an email checking on it yesterday, but haven't heard back yet. Is it terrible that I want to go in the vets office and just tell them to please get it done now? I don't want to be that kind of pushy person, but I'm tired of having to wait to get things that might possibly help her out. Then I feel guilty for wanting to be pushy, because I'm sure she has so many other patients that need things too Sorry, I'm venting this morning.

Vent all you need to..... I think you can get a nebulizer somewhere, does not have to be from your vet. as for the bailey chair.... check on our sister site Special Needs Bulldogs to see if there is any info to help you find one
[MENTION=2]bullmama[/MENTION]. .... any suggestions?

 

[TyTysmom]

We visited the vet on Monday for a recheck. The last visit she was put on a steroid. At her visit on Monday, they took X-rays, and due to the steroid being an immunosuppressant, her pneumonia got a little worse We stopped the steroid immediately. She has had to go up in dosage on her antibiotics, since her weight has gone up, so we had those refilled. She is currently taking Baytril, Clavamox, pepcid, and a bronchial dilator medicine. She doesn't have any nasal discharge. Her eating and drinking is fine. Her energy level has dipped a little in the last couple days, I think thats due to the pneumonia getting a little worse. The vet is supposed to be checking on a nebulizer for her pneumonia and a bailey chair for her Mega Esophagus. I hope she gets back to me today, I did send an email checking on it yesterday, but haven't heard back yet. Is it terrible that I want to go in the vets office and just tell them to please get it done now? I don't want to be that kind of pushy person, but I'm tired of having to wait to get things that might possibly help her out. Then I feel guilty for wanting to be pushy, because I'm sure she has so many other patients that need things too Sorry, I'm venting this morning.

Vent away, and let me tell you... I'm sure the girls at my vet's office cringe when they see me. LOL I'm super nice of course, but if it means getting something answered or help for my baby, I WILL call you ALL DAY LONG, ANDDDDD once after calling all day with no answer, I just showed up, let's just say they must have known I had been calling, bc their faces said it all as I was walking through the door. WHAT-EVER! So be pushy if needed, like you said its to help her out! I feel like she's pushed and done so well all this time, she will get through this.

 

[Jenni23]

Vent away, and let me tell you... I'm sure the girls at my vet's office cringe when they see me. LOL I'm super nice of course, but if it means getting something answered or help for my baby, I WILL call you ALL DAY LONG, ANDDDDD once after calling all day with no answer, I just showed up, let's just say they must have known I had been calling, bc their faces said it all as I was walking through the door. WHAT-EVER! So be pushy if needed, like you said its to help her out! I feel like she's pushed and done so well all this time, she will get through this.

Well that makes me feel better! If I haven't heard anything by 11am, I'm going to call. I will also check out the special needs bulldog site, I didn't know about it. If the doctor recommends the Bailey chair, then it's possible that I can get the place where my brother got her from, to cover the cost, because she was diagnosed within a certain amount of time after purchase. I know she will get better eventually, I just feel bad for her in the meantime. She had been gaining about a pound per week and this last visit, she had gained less than a pound in 2 weeks. Didn't seem to worry the doctor but I was kind of shocked. She's 4 1/2 months now, and 17lbs.

 

[bullmama]

I would certainly be pushy bc pneumonia is life threatening. Updates on vaccines and normal crap can wait a few minutes to take care of your baby girl.

I'd call right away. Have you been doing steamy bathrooms?


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[Jenni23]

I would certainly be pushy bc pneumonia is life threatening. Updates on vaccines and normal crap can wait a few minutes to take care of your baby girl.

I'd call right away. Have you been doing steamy bathrooms?


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Just got off the phone with the vet. She said she is researching both the nebulizer and the Bailey chair. She said she has found conflicting reviews of using both, so she is typing up a summary of Gigi's case on a specialist website so that she can get some feedback and opinions from specialists who may have dealt with this. I'm just so beyond frustrated at this point. I know that I can get a nebulizer myself, I've just never used one, and what if I do something wrong and make her worse? As far as the Bailey chair goes, I'm not sure why she is hesitant to recommend that. Gigi has been clearly diagnosed with Mega E, she regurgitates at least once a day. We are pretty much already doing with her, what the chair would do, but the chair would be easier on her and us. We feed her elevated and then my husband and I take turns holding her upright, like she's sitting in a chair, for 20 minutes after her meal times. We are definitely doing the shower steaming. I put her in the small bathroom, with my older daughter, who takes LONG hot showers. Of course Gigi being in there with her just gives her an excuse to stay in there longer, lol. You'll have to excuse me if I sound frustrated and annoyed. It's been a hard long two months of this pneumonia, and in the middle of everything else we are trying to buy a house. I just want her to have what little bit of her puppyhood she has left, to be normal

 

[g8erjackie]

Everyone understands why you are beyond frustrated, we would be too!

It sounds like your vet has your best interests at heart, but maybe isn't the right vet for a bulldog. Try checking the vet recommendations here or maybe another member that lives near you could recommend their vet. I know I switched vets a few times until I found someone who seemed "bulldog friendly." The vet I was using when Ruckus had pneumonia seemed to have the attitude that "Bulldogs just have respiratory issues and you'll have to deal with it forever." So I researched and pushed hard for better medicine. And switched vets soon thereafter.

Where are you located?

Clearly I'm not a vet so my suggestions are just from personal experience. I pushed my vet hard for a MUCH stronger antibiotic than clavamox. It's just not enough to knock out I'll blown pneumonia in a bulldog puppy.

 

[Frith]

She has more energy for sure and there is no more nasal discharge, seem to have less congestion also. The thing that keeps worrying me is the deep cough with the gag at the end. She hardly ever spits up anything, but it just keeps continuing. She still has a week of baytril and clavamox left, and then we re-X-ray. I keep wondering if the coughing is still due to the pneumonia or is she having an elongated soft palate issue already? Can they show signs of that this young? The coughing seems worse at night if that means anything. It's definitely exhausting me, because it wakes me up several times a night. Any ideas? Suggestions?

Frith is like that also. We have been doing this routine since around feb 7th. Somewhere between midnight and 2AM her breathing gets more raspy and liquid sounding. By 5-6AM she is coughing and gagging--we think she is coughing phlegm and swallowing it--dogs don't naturally spit. When she is really bad, we just get up and take her to the bathroom to steam her in the middle of the night. That helps a lot--she coughs and gags, but after about 15 minutes she breaths easier, and can go the rest of the night. When she was really really bad, I held her like burping a baby in a chair and "coupaged" her that way (cupped hand thumping the back). Upright keeps them from aspirating the phlegm.

Most mornings she "sounds like an old man" coughing and gagging until about 9-10. She is napping by 11 (if she makes it that long) She also has a 2 PM nap as well. As the pneumonia has gotten better her naps have gotten shorter, but she still sleeps a lot. It was warmer today--in the 50's so we went for a short walk around the yard, garage and field (about the size of a small soccer field). She sprints around, and this makes her cough--but that means she is breaking up the phlegm and that is good.

I have searched the internet for healthy supplements to get into her besides dog food--coconut oil, raw honey, green tripe is the latest. I am a firm believer of the "chicken soup theory" in that good food in--high in nutrients is the best weapon.

Good luck--prayers from us. You can do this.

 

[Frith]

We visited the vet on Monday for a recheck. The last visit she was put on a steroid. At her visit on Monday, they took X-rays, and due to the steroid being an immunosuppressant, her pneumonia got a little worse We stopped the steroid immediately. She has had to go up in dosage on her antibiotics, since her weight has gone up, so we had those refilled. She is currently taking Baytril, Clavamox, pepcid, and a bronchial dilator medicine. She doesn't have any nasal discharge. Her eating and drinking is fine. Her energy level has dipped a little in the last couple days, I think thats due to the pneumonia getting a little worse. The vet is supposed to be checking on a nebulizer for her pneumonia and a bailey chair for her Mega Esophagus. I hope she gets back to me today, I did send an email checking on it yesterday, but haven't heard back yet. Is it terrible that I want to go in the vets office and just tell them to please get it done now? I don't want to be that kind of pushy person, but I'm tired of having to wait to get things that might possibly help her out. Then I feel guilty for wanting to be pushy, because I'm sure she has so many other patients that need things too Sorry, I'm venting this morning.

Baileys chairs can be ordered or made--we opted to just feed and hold because we knew Frith would grow. We are looking at making one soon--because she is approaching 7 months now.

Bailey Chairs for dogs, canine megaesophagus, megaesop

How to make your own

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-TtHwaJC7o

How to measure your dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oFaFsH89Ow

I have started feeding raw honey (just a little on my finger for energy every other day or so). I think it has helped. Bee Products Have a Special Meaning for Dogs | Whole Dog Journal

I tried supplementing with canned green tripe as well--stinky--but energy levels increased.

You can do this.

about ME in general https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3riLt6CscP0&nohtml5=False

 

[Frith]

Just got off the phone with the vet. She said she is researching both the nebulizer and the Bailey chair. She said she has found conflicting reviews of using both, so she is typing up a summary of Gigi's case on a specialist website so that she can get some feedback and opinions from specialists who may have dealt with this. I'm just so beyond frustrated at this point. I know that I can get a nebulizer myself, I've just never used one, and what if I do something wrong and make her worse? As far as the Bailey chair goes, I'm not sure why she is hesitant to recommend that. Gigi has been clearly diagnosed with Mega E, she regurgitates at least once a day. We are pretty much already doing with her, what the chair would do, but the chair would be easier on her and us. We feed her elevated and then my husband and I take turns holding her upright, like she's sitting in a chair, for 20 minutes after her meal times. We are definitely doing the shower steaming. I put her in the small bathroom, with my older daughter, who takes LONG hot showers. Of course Gigi being in there with her just gives her an excuse to stay in there longer, lol. You'll have to excuse me if I sound frustrated and annoyed. It's been a hard long two months of this pneumonia, and in the middle of everything else we are trying to buy a house. I just want her to have what little bit of her puppyhood she has left, to be normal

I completely understand your frustration. Are you feeding meatballs for food. our vet told us just let her eat soft food, but the ER vet said make meat balls with her food. I will post pictures her in a second. As far as holding upright, what got me through was thinking this might be the last time I hold her. Harsh, but it kept me a a positive, loving state. There is nothing that heals better than love.

The other thing thay gave us that helped immensley was pepcid. Also, reading about the stomace and stuff. We needed low fat easy to digest food. The concept was low fat creates less stomach acid, easy to digest meant it goes through faster. The other thing to consider is that the food they had me on had salmon oil, and though i loved salmon oil for the vit d content. Many have posted on this site that EBD are sensitive to salmon. So I really looked hard at her food, and began cutting out everything that might cause stomach sensitivity. Only recently have I added back in coconut oil.

Also note that the antibiotics are killing her ability to digest her food so probiotic is important.
You c.an do this. My aunt has a saying 'The people with the most love get the most difficult cases' Hang in there, and enjoy every minute with her, so that she can enjoy every minute she has.
this is the size of meatball 2cups reconstituted dry to 1 can