Monday, January 23, 2012

on the mend.

Sick puppy...

I had quite the scare last Thursday while I was getting ready to go to work. I got out of the shower and Claire was laying on the couch looking forlorn, and she had gotten sick all over the living room. The poor girl has had so many tummy issues with GERD that I know enough about it to know that it wasn't GERD this time. As I continued to get ready for work, Claire continued to get sick... And I began to worry. I went to work and sent my roommate a text for when she woke up, asking her to call me if Claire kept getting sick. I worried my way through the morning and finally had a chance to call Lyndsey to ask for an update on Claire. She said that Claire had curled into a ball on the couch and hadn't moved all morning. She also was dry-heaving and whining. Heartbreaking, right? I get sad just thinking about it. But that did it for me. I called the vet and made an appointment to take Claire in later that afternoon.

Not feeling well and not happy to be at the veterinarian's office.

Our very favorite nurse, Josie, was working that day and she commented that Claire was the sickest she'd ever seen in our 2.5 years of knowing her. I don't know who felt worse - Claire with her stomach ache or Josie for having to take her blood! When all was said and done, Claire was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis (for more info on pancreatitis, check out this post on my friend Jana's blog). We were sent home with an antibiotic, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, and a 4-day supply of prescription food.

She's always happy to see Josie, though!

Claire was down and out into Saturday, but by Saturday afternoon, she started wagging her tail again - such a good sign! We went to the park for just a half an hour yesterday and then I made her get back into bed. This morning, however, she was up early and excited to go back to daycare! No, really! She bounded out of bed when I mentioned it and then waited by the door until I was ready to go! And when I picked her up this afternoon, they said that she played all day and was back to her old self. Now that is news that I like to hear!

Feeling much better!
Just relaxing after a full day of fun at daycare!
  
Thank you to everyone who called, texted, emailed, commented, tweeted (etc etc etc) over the weekend to ask how she was/is doing! It means so much to us both!
  
  

14 comments:

  1. Good thing you followed your instincts and took her to the vet! It's always amazing that dogs can let us know they are not feeling well, or even when they are feeling better :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, right? One of my friends commented that it's as nerve-wracking to know that your dog is sick as it is when a child is sick - I completely agree with that statement!

      Delete
  2. Oh, poor Claire! That's so scary, when they're sick like that. I'm glad she's tail wagging again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tail-wagging is the first sign that they're getting better!! I love her tail wags, but I've never been so happy to see it as I was then haha!

      Delete
  3. How did I not know that this baby was so sick? I'm glad she's feeling better and that the two of you survivedacute pancreatitis and tornadoes. I'll have to send her some get well soon cookies!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My llama-face!! Can you personally deliver those Get Well Soon cookies?? :)

      Delete
  4. Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm glad Claire recovered so quickly. I heard someone on TV say that pancreatitis can be caused by giving your dog cheese (it was Kristen Chenoweth, who I like but who is hardly a dog specialist). Now I worry about pancreatitis every time I give Cabana a tiny bit of cheese! It was good to read the article that you linked to--I guess fatty foods can be the culprit, although it sounds like maybe Claire just has a propensity toward digestive issues.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Mimi! You know, sometimes I sprinkle mozzarella cheese over her food (just a little) - and according to our vet, KC was right! It didn't solely cause Claire's pancreatitis, but it certainly didn't help! Needless to say, we're taking a break from cheese for awhile. And marrow bones. Two of Claire's favorite things... :(

      Delete
  5. Poor Claire! And so hard to leave them alone when you know they aren't feeling well.

    Barley, our 2 year old Mutt, has a benign tumour on his leg and he is getting it removed on Thursday, but it's infected and has made him soo lathargic and sad-looking. I hate it!!

    Glad to have found your blog, Claire is suchhhh a cutie!

    Ali (& Barley!)
    www.barleyandali.weebly.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ali! Welcome!! I hope Barley's surgery went well - I'm glad you'll be keeping us updated on his recovery via your blog! And I have to say, Barley is absolutely adorable. If Ottawa was closer, a playdate would definitely be in order!!

      Delete
  6. Thank God she is feeling better. She is a doll and I hate hearing she was ill. Thank goodness you have that insurance for her. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha Mom, your comments make me laugh because I can just hear your voice in my head saying it!! I'm glad she's better too, and she didn't mean to make you worry during her sickness :) You know she loves her Grandma Sue!! :) xxoo

      Delete
  7. aww, poor sweet girl! so glad she's feeling better. i can't deal when desmond's not feeling well. it makes me unable to function in society. i'm useless and terrified of what would happen to me with an actual human child.

    anyway...

    i passed along an award to you! pick it up here: http://www.lifewithdesmond.com/2012/01/kreativ-blogger-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. AHHH whaaaaat!! Thanks Laur! I'm as excited as a kid in a candy store! Going to check it out now...!

    ReplyDelete