Dog owners....I need some advice

[ewagner]

Our Border Collie had diarrhea and vomiting on and off for a couple of weeks. This was in conjunction with her Heartguard 6 shot. I saw the post concerning side effects of the shot so I took her into the vet as soon as possible. She was very anemic and there were traces of blood in the stool. She had also been on Etogesic for arthritis and we took her off of that immediately. Her appetite and attitude improved immediately and the vomiting and diarrhea stopped immediately also.

Here's the problem. The Vets don't know whether she has an ulcer from the etogesic or if there is a mass in the abdominal cavity. They want us to undergo very costly ultra-sound and to see if there is a mass there. We're taking a middle road right now. We're having another blood test for red blood cell count on Saturday and if the cell count is still down we'll take the long drive (100 miles) to Appleton to get the ultrasound done. The risk of it being a mass is that it could hemorrhage and she could bleed to death. If it's an ulcer it will just be treated with diet.

We don't have a lot of money to spend on this. The ultrasound will be between $280-350.

Am I right in taking the middle road or should I go into hock and do the ultrasound right away? What would you do?

[Coventina]

1. I can only tell you what I would do

I would get the ultrasound.

[livetohike]

2. Peace of Mind

I am a born worrier, but if it was me, I would do the ultrasound as soon as possible. For me, not knowing something usually ends up being worse than finding out what is going on there.

At least if you find out exactly what it is (or isn't), then you can take action. Perhaps your vets will allow you to pay on an installment plan. It's worth a try.

[MuseRider]

3. I would

get the ultrasound. You do not want her to bleed to death, it would be awful for both the dog and for your family. Do you have a vet school nearby? They are often a bit cheaper. You might check that out.

[Raven]

4. Can the Vet feel anything when he feels the dog's stomach?

You know, there is no perfect way with these things. Your middle ground is perfectly rational unless she starts to vomit again or is not eating. The ultra sound has risks too because I believe they have to sedate the animal and that can cause problems. I would keep the dog off the Etogesic for a while. When she's out of the woods, try Cosequin for the joints. Whatever you do, don't second guess yourself. Animals can't tell you what's wrong with them...you can only do your best. Good luck and let us know how things go. I'll keep a good thought for your pup.

[PATRICK]

5. if not the shot

Maybe the dog's problem is diabetes and the mass is pancreatitis(curable in a dog through diet or operation). Yes WE did pay a chunk for the ultrasound although it was not a question of prior vaccination. I take it it is an older dog because of the arthritis?

If you feed the dog stuff with sugars(unbelievably many popular brands are poison for diabetic dogs) switch to a better brand with the advice of the doctor. However your dog already has blockage. Human insulin can also be used as a vet Rx for dogs so it is not too expensive.

Observation and testing at the vet's maybe a smaller chunk of change and reversible pancreatitis without an operation might be possible.

[ewagner]

6. They did mention pancreatitis

as a possibility and that it could be treated with diet.

There was some tenderness in the abdomen but she's always been very sensitive to the point that she has never let us groom her stomach.

[RebelOne]

7. I hate to say this but there has been a lot of adversity

about the Heartguard 6 shots. I am on a lot of pet rescue group lists, and a couple of weeks ago people were posting about that shot killing a lot of dogs.

And as for Etogesic, well, that and Rimadyl almost killed my dog. First, she was on Rimadyl for three months and then she started throwing up and passing bloody stools. The vet then prescribed Etogesic. After 3 weeks, she experienced the same problems.

[xchrom]

8. it's hard to beat

the answers the vet will get from an ulrasound.
it's hard for vets to feel anything where there is all soft tissue.
my dog had a tumor that ruptured before he died -- it was not pleasant.
it's expensive -- but your dog's life is worth it.

[Donkeyboy75]

9. I would get the ultrasound. You're paying for tests now

anyway, and if this doesn't solve the problem you'll need ultrasound and have already paid for other tests.

BTW, we give our little guy heartworm pills every month. Is there a reason you and your vet do shots?

Finally, good luck. I'm sure this must be awful for you.

[henslee]

10. Etogesic ripped my rotties innards out. My instinct says no ultrasound..

Let your doggie's guts heal. I spent over 2,000 on my dog and the whole time, it was ostereosarcoma misdiagnosed as arthritis. Not saying your vet is a crook but some of them should be wearing a stocking mask. Best thing I ever did for my guy was ecotrin(or ascripton) whichever one your vet okays. It's an OTC buffered aspirin for people that my vet said was okay for dogs It has had no side effects and I started with one a day and ended up giving him 5 a day. It made my guy have lots more good days than bad ones. He lived to 13 which is pretty old for rotties. Good Luck.

[RebelOne]

12. Yes, my vet suggested Ascripton for my dog.

And you can also buy aspirin for dogs at Drs. Foster and Smith.

[RebelOne]

11. Check out this link for ProHeart 6

http://concernedvet.netfirms.com/effects.html