Dog Community

Billy - the mystery deepens (Callie)

Posted : 12/7/2010 3:56:39 PM

I'm glad this happened on a day David and I both were here (he took the day to work at home via computer so he could be available to take me to the dr., etc. for my eye) -- I can't even **remember** a day we both just happened to be "around" in the middle of the day!

We'd just gotten back and Billy walked into the "family reading room" (you know - the one with the tub/shower?) and leaned heavily against me -- he's been clingy for a couple of minutes and then he just plain buckled and collapsed. David and I got him turned around and he wobbled to the hall -- then partially crouched and pooped and vomited at the same time. (vomited, not regurgitated). He then tried to walk a couple of steps and fell in his vomit.

We just plain scooped him up and headed for the vet (and of course it happens just today that neither of my normal vets were available so we headed for a vet who helped us back in the IMHA days).

His bloodwork is pretty normal -- better than 3 weeks ago actually. The fecal showed the gut bacteria totally under control (but he's not back to really fully eating with his prior gusto -- he eats maybe 95% of his food and is glad to see it but can't 'finish' it)

The liver values are all nearly back down -- only two are a bit above normal (way better than last Thursday even)> For a grade 3/4 murmur his heart sounds good.

She couldn't find a metabolic reason for the collapse (and she checked everything from electrolytes on down) -- but SOMETHING is causing weakness and general gut distress.

blood count all looks normal

It doesn't appear to be an emergency -- and I suppose now we'll have to go to more ultrasound type of stuff and beyond if the holsitic vet can't pinpoint a cause. Doesn't look like pancreatitis or anything auto-immune. It's just ... weird.

So the mystery deepens.

prayers and good thots appreciated.

shadowsgin

Posted : 12/7/2010 4:03:36 PM

Billy I am hoping the Docs can figure this one out soon so you can feel better. Callie, I know the eye thing has not been fun but dont you wonder if it was in the stars in order for you and David to be home at that time? I know sometimes things just happen but I am always one for thinking there is a reason why they happen the way they do. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

dynamobt

Posted : 12/7/2010 4:16:11 PM

May not be an "emergency", but sounds mighty scary!! Sure do hope you can figure out what's going on. Never very easy dealing with something that isn't immediately obvious in any animal. Sending good vibes that your Vet can get this solved and Billy is back to normal soon. This can't be easy on you either. It's very hard to see a dog you love experience problems. Sure hope you get to the bottom of this soon.

cakana

Posted : 12/7/2010 4:33:38 PM

Gosh Callie, I can't imagine how scary and heartbreaking that must've been to see. Poor Billy but I'm soooooo thankful that you guys were home. I will be thinking good thoughts for him and hope that either you can figure out what's going on with the little guy or whatever it is was a fluke and never happens again. Geesh, you've had a rough couple of weeks (((HUGS)))

jessies_mom

Posted : 12/7/2010 4:52:21 PM

Awww, Billy; you have to stop scaring your momma like this. Callie, you have all the prayers and good thoughts I can muster.(((hugs)))

kpwlee

Posted : 12/7/2010 5:16:51 PM

sending our best Callie!

Cita

Posted : 12/7/2010 5:49:58 PM

Hang in there, Billy! We all know you're a tough puppy, and you have great people helping you! Fight this mystery bug off and get back to your happy, healthy self!

FrisbyPI

Posted : 12/7/2010 6:58:02 PM

Oh, Callie, that sounds so scary! Billy, I hope you start to feel better soon! Hugs, prayers and lots of love coming your way.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/7/2010 8:27:23 PM

Meg called me -- and essentially told Mr. Billy he had to get better or she was coming OVER here!! *smile* And bless her heart she was trying to figure out how to meet me and get Billy over to where she is (her vet runs the clinic where Meg lives that belongs to my vet -- and my vet is there on Mondays).

Ginger -- I had the same feeling -- like there was a reason we were both here. And because I have this absolutely AWESOME man who is my husband (I mean folks -- he arranged to "work from home" today JUST so he could get me back and forth to the dr!!) and he was able to just pick Bilbo up and zoom to the car.

This practice we took him to is the one here in Orlando that helped us so many times back when Billy had IMHA -- Billy used to go there (weekly at first and later twice a month) to get blood drawn. Me and my "always take treats to the vet" thing -- we got out of the car and Billy's tail was wagging 99 zillion beats a minute while going into this vet where they have poked him zillions of times!!!

It made David and I feel pretty darned good to have him SO happy to see this place ... he obviously had no trouble thinking they were 'gonna help'.

I wish we'd "found" something today -- and I think we will find it. But we've ruled out a lot.

He's really acting completely normal tonight -- we'll see where it goes from here -- but man, it IS a mystery!

PurplePets22

Posted : 12/7/2010 9:51:42 PM

I am so glad to here billy is up and about. What a completly baffling mystery!! I hope something can be determined. Hang in there Billy Smile

willowchow

Posted : 12/7/2010 11:22:04 PM

You must of been so scared, Callie, OMG! And, although you still have a mystery thing going on at least they've ruled out the biggies that it could be. We are sending lots of good thoughts and prayers to you guys tonight.

Billy, you aren't faking just so you can go to the vet for treats are you?????????

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/7/2010 11:36:38 PM

willowchow
You must of been so scared, Callie, OMG! And, although you still have a mystery thing going on at least they've ruled out the biggies that it could be.

Honestly, I think I was so busy being *thankful* that David was here it's not funny. He just picked him up and WENT. It is just plain probably the first and only day in the almost 14 years we've been married that we were both "home" during the week just because *I* was under the weather!! No holiday. No day off to "do" something -- literally just "because".

And we've had SO much bloodwork, etc. done the last month I called both other practices and just had them fax her ALL his bloodwork and tests. I mean -- she didn't have to run many tests cos we've had them all already done I think. But we've ruled out a lot ... and his bloodwork is better NOW than any time in the past month.

So ... we're doing a lot right -- we just don't have the mystery solved yet!

willowchow

Billy, you aren't faking just so you can go to the vet for treats are you?????????

Ha -- and this is the ONLY time in years I didn't have treats with me!! And he was STILL all a wag. You could almost see him thinking "I've got FRIENDS here!" and Dr. Day comes back in laughing and says "Yep -- everbuddy knows Billy when they see him even when it's been years!!"

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 12/7/2010 11:47:46 PM

Billy!!! You cannot scare your family like this!

Callie, have they ruled out a heart issue? It sounds a lot like a syncopal attack.

We are sending good thoughts your way. Brutus sends happy boxer nubbin wags. (He says that they are special, & always make ya feel better.)

Burl

Posted : 12/8/2010 4:58:04 AM

Glad Billy is back strong. Your vets need to market their bedside manner!

Could it have been something he ate, some poison, maybe? Maybe he went into some area he wouldn't usually go because he was confused with the two of you at home in the day?

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/8/2010 10:49:32 PM

BEVOLASVEGAS

Callie, have they ruled out a heart issue? It sounds a lot like a syncopal attack.

The boy has a grade 3-4 murmur and is on heart stuff all the time (no pharmaceuticals but lots of heart support, etc.) -- he didn't appear to 'faint' -- but Dr. B is still researching.