Louise is down with a really bad bout of pancreatitis again. It started mysteriously a few weeks ago when she would occasionally refuse to eat in the morning. I asked the vet and he really didn’t think much of it. Then she went for her Rabies shot. The following week she was pretty sick. I am wondering if it could have exacerbated her condition? (Your thoughts?) He took lots of blood work, and thought maybe Addison’s disease (which I did not) and sent us home with a probiotic and Flagyl (an antibiotic). Blood work was negative (they check Cortisol levels).
She got worse. She vomited in her sleep Thursday (she never does that). But the next morning (Friday) Sofie vomited too, so I thought maybe they both had a bug. I made my usual sick dog food for her. But that night she vomited 6 times in her sleep. Every time a changed the bed, she went again. Ok, now I was very concerned. I rushed to the vet in the morning (Saturday) (but of course my usual vet was on holiday) so I saw this nice stand-in guy. He took more blood ($$$$). He gave us more Flagyl and an anti-nausea drug called Cerenia.
By Monday she was worse. She wouldn’t eat (which meant I could not give her pills) and was lethargic. When I called the Vet they said to take her to the Emergency Vet. Thank goodness for Veterinary Emergency Clinics, they are just such a wonderful addition to pet care. They took X-rays and did a sonogram and gave her a shot of that Cerenia drug since I could not give it to her orally. While I was at Emergency the stand-in vet called with her blood work and said her pancreatic enzymes were elevated (no kidding, like I didn’t know that already). The Emergency doctor said her sonogram looked ok but things looked ‘thick.’ He and I decided to stop the Flagyl (if it hadn’t worked already it wasn’t going to).
She appeared to perk up on Tuesday but on Wednesday evening she went down hill again. I made some special boiled turkey cutlets for her for Thanksgiving and that perked her up again. I was able to get a Cerenia down her and I think that helps. I also read that probiotics may actually not be good for animals with pancreatitis. So I stopped those too.
I have started making large batches of dog food (and I am thinking I may move her and maybe all of them to my own mix). Each day is touch and go. Somedays she’s ok, others she is not. I have her wrapped in a nice warm sweater all the time (it’s 20 degrees out). She does want to go for walks most days and then I put a coat on top of her sweater. I want to keep those organs warm. When she is not sleeping she is following me around and giving me that look that says “Please help me feel better, Mom.”
One day at a time.
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tags: blog hop, dog, dog health, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, lorian lipton, Mischief Monday, pancreatitis, Pet, pets, postaday
It is amazing to me how time flies when it comes to age. Sofie Bear turns 8 years old today. My silly girl has been on a roller coaster of emotional/health issues for most of her years, but underneath it all, she is still my silly fluff ball who loves to roll in leaves and chase squirrels.
Happy Birthday, Sofie Bear! We would not be DogDaz Zoo without you!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Animal, animal awareness, Birthday, Dog People, DogBlog, DogDaz, lorian lipton, nature, pet blog
I really don’t know how those children and pet photographers do it!
Sit – Stay – Look at me!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Best Friends, Blog, blog hop, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Pet, pet photography, pets, postaday, Wordless Wednesday
One of the things that I love about fall is watching the dogs put their noses up in the air to smell messages on the wind. At least, that is what I assume they are doing. They all seem to do it. I am sure that if we humans paid more attention we could learn a lot by sticking our noses in the wind.
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Autumn, blog hop, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, Fall, funny dogs, lorian lipton, Mischief Monday, Pet, pets, postaday
Charles stayed home and missed all the fun today on our walk. Marc, the neighborhood river-rat dog, joined us for a roll when we got down to the point. He lives next to the community beach and is always around. We love a fall day on the Magothy River. Mom said we can’t roll in the new grasses or dig up the new sand*. We are not sure why but we kind of listen to her (you will see at the end of the second video that we are selective in our responses – Bark Out Loud!). There is nothing more fun than a beautiful day by the river with Mom.
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
*Our community replaced the failing bulkhead with natural living shoreline to improve water quality and create wildlife habitat
Faced with a failing bulkhead, the community worked with South River Federation to replace approximately 390 linear feet of existing bulkhead with a living shoreline along Mill Creek of the Magothy River. The project complements the community’s nearby 187 linear foot shoreline installed two years ago. Additionally, this project includes a 4,200 square foot bioretention facility located between a parking lot and the shoreline to capture runoff, as well as 0.25 acres of voluntary reforestation.
This restoration will create a stable shoreline that will work to improve water quality, reduce erosion, and create habitat where there has not been any for decades.
The above photos, provided by shoreline contractor Maguire Marine, show the stunning before and after.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: bioretention, blog hop, chesapeake bay foundation, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, lorian lipton, Magothy River, Mischief Monday, Pet, pets, south river federation, twin harbors
Tags: Blog, blog hop, day of the dead, dia de los muertos, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Pet, pets, postaday, Wordless Wednesday
October features vampires and ghouls, a lot of nibbling, catfighting over the new scratching post, more nibbling, and old Betty (a friend cat).
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: 1secondaday, blog hop, catblog, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, funny dogs, lorian lipton, Mischief Monday, Pet, pets
Where does the time go? My Halloween baby turns 9 years young today. It is hard to believe that this little shy puppy that was so neglected, turned into this amazing dog. Louise has a special way about her. She is stoic and it is hard to know if she is hurting or in distress. She is very gentle with her cats and is kind to her pesty pack mates. She rarely gets angry with Sofie, though there are many times that she could. In the last few months, she has become very ‘Mommy, Mommy,’ as I call it. She does not leave my side. I am not sure if that is about me, or about her. The world outside is still a difficult place for her, and she will always have that ‘fearful’ dog anxiety, but together we have learned to enjoy safe places and scary people and animals. I thoroughly enjoy her company and have been blessed with her presence.
Happy birthday, Miss Louise. You have melted my heart.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Birthday, Blog, blog hop, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Pet, pets, postaday, Wordless Wednesday
No animals were hurt in the making of this Halloween murder scene.
We have so much fun at Halloween. Maybe because it is just a fun time, no need to cook and bake and worry about family or presents or going to visit people. Here at the zoo, we love the fall and everything that comes with it. Though it is the dying off of the crops and the going to sleep of the plants and the earth, it is a magic time for us. We really enjoy being wrapped in layers and having a crackling fire to warm our bones. Though the cold has started to affect us all, because we are not puppies anymore, it still holds a freshness that makes us feel alive.
Harvest time makes me feel thankful for having food on my table and being able to provide for my family; flesh and fur and fins. Have you heard about the Teal Pumpkin Project? It helps raise awareness for people who have food allergies (like me) so that everyone can partake in Halloween. Have you ever thought about the child with peanut or milk allergies who can’t participate? Please think about having toys or alternative treats. If you want more information about the Teal Pumpkin Project go to FARE – Food Allergy Research & Education. We give out eyeballs and spiders and other fun things in a separate bucket from regular candy. I give the goblins a choice when they come to the door.
We are ready for mischief – Are you?
What kind of mischief did you get into today?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: blog hop, Cat, dog, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, FARE, food allergies, funny dogs, Halloween, lorian lipton, Mischief Monday, Pet, pets, postaday, teal pumpkin project
Looking Out: The only time I am able to get a decent picture of the trio seems to be when they are at a door. Here they are helping me prepare for the upcoming holiday. They are watching me put out the dog and cat skeletons and all the DogDaz tombstones as we turn the yard into a Halloween graveyard.
Looking In: The back door is another opportunity to get the 3 together in a shot. They want to come inside after playing in the yard. I love the intense looks on Louise and Sofie’s faces. They seem to be staring right at me to say, “Please, Mommy, let us in and give us treats.” I never know what Charles is looking at (Bark Out Loud).
How do you capture the best shots of your furballs?
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Best Friends, Blog, blog hop, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, multianimal household, Pet, pet photos, pet pictures, pets, postaday, Wordless Wednesday
DogDaz Zoo 