topic Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment in Pet Lovers

Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

NickNack — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:07:00 GMT

I posted that Ava had to go to the Vet on Saturday because she was vomiting profusely. She had x-rays that day, and there was something in her stomach. The Vet said it could just be food but she didn't know. I took her in this morning after fasting her to redo the x-rays. Her stomach was empty. I was so relieved.

The Vet I saw on Saturday was going on vacation this week, so I saw a different Vet in the practive. She didn't think we should do the GI bloodwork today since the vomiting just started. She wants me to quit giving her the Cerenia and feed her the prescription diet only and come back in three weeks. Of course, if she starts throwing up again I will take her back in before then and have the bloodwork done.

I really hope this is the end of it. I felt like this was good news today.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

Sammycat1 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:15:13 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
I posted that Ava had to go to the Vet on Saturday because she was vomiting profusely. She had x-rays that day, and there was something in her stomach. The Vet said it could just be food but she didn't know. I took her in this morning after fasting her to redo the x-rays. Her stomach was empty. I was so relieved.

The Vet I saw on Saturday was going on vacation this week, so I saw a different Vet in the practive. She didn't think we should do the GI bloodwork today since the vomiting just started. She wants me to quit giving her the Cerenia and feed her the prescription diet only and come back in three weeks. Of course, if she starts throwing up again I will take her back in before then and have the bloodwork done.

I really hope this is the end of it. I felt like this was good news today.

Maybe she has a food intolerance (not the same as allergy) and that will be the end of it. I'm absolutely stunned that no blood work was done; saves Ava a trip and rules out other common culprits like liver/pancreas/inflammatory and other gut problems rapidly. Ridiculous (not on your part, on the vet's) with how much she was vomiting.

Good luck to dear Ava that she feels better and more consistently so!

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

KingstonsMom — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:16:11 GMT

@NickNack

That does sound like good news!

That eliminates a lot of dangerous medical conditions, YAY!

Please keep us posted on any new developments with Ava's condition!

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

NickNack — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 15:33:01 GMT

@Sammycat1 wrote:
@NickNack wrote:
I posted that Ava had to go to the Vet on Saturday because she was vomiting profusely. She had x-rays that day, and there was something in her stomach. The Vet said it could just be food but she didn't know. I took her in this morning after fasting her to redo the x-rays. Her stomach was empty. I was so relieved.

The Vet I saw on Saturday was going on vacation this week, so I saw a different Vet in the practive. She didn't think we should do the GI bloodwork today since the vomiting just started. She wants me to quit giving her the Cerenia and feed her the prescription diet only and come back in three weeks. Of course, if she starts throwing up again I will take her back in before then and have the bloodwork done.

I really hope this is the end of it. I felt like this was good news today.
Maybe she has a food intolerance (not the same as allergy) and that will be the end of it. I'm absolutely stunned that no blood work was done; saves Ava a trip and rules out other common culprits like liver/pancreas/inflammatory and other gut problems rapidly. Ridiculous (not on your part, on the vet's) with how much she was vomiting.

Good luck to dear Ava that she feels better and more consistently so!

@Sammycat1 The Vet said the bloodwork for this was several hundred dollars. If she had thought we should do it now, I would have done it though. If this happens again we will do it. She told me not to give her any treats or anything at all other than the prescription diet and see how she does. I'm hoping for the best.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

Sammycat1 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:50:43 GMT

@NickNack

The standard blood panel was several hundred dollars? That's very high. The next time, ask that they pull just her proteins (inflammation marker), liver values, kidney and BG. That will not be several hundred dollars.

The very specific test for pancreatitis is generally done by IDEXX and costs more $$$. You don't need to do it right away, but sometimes you have to do it.

Is the prescription food a one source protein and one source carb? This sort of "flatlines" the diet so that if she calms down, then you have to slowly add other proteins to find the problem. Our Frankie, for example, can't eat chicken, fish or beef (like a lot of cats). We've had dogs that can't eat certain beef. It's trial and error.

Good luck with Ava. She has a good mama in her corner.

ETA: Doing an abbreviated blood panel is not a big deal and frankly is standard practice for a dog vomiting that much. I'll stop commenting from now on.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

MalteseMomma — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:06:09 GMT

So happy you saw another vet!

I agree,those tests are very expensive...........and invasive!

My friend went through similar problems and after two different vets, one wanting loads of tests done,saying it was his liver and the other no testing just eliminating some foods, it was found (lol... because I read about them and told her) it was his beloved CHEW STICKS that made him sick!!!

Her furbaby is just fine now, not on meds. and no further testing needed,but he is sure missing his fav chew sticks!

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

KingstonsMom — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:37:27 GMT

@MalteseMomma

I SO agree!

We had a similar problem and it turned out to be completely diet related, they needed a prescription food).

I would trust my Vet, assuming you use a Vet that you trust (which I know @NickNack does, as to when blood work is necessary, eliminating other causes first.

ETA: As long as the condition isn't serious or critical.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

catter70 — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:47:40 GMT

@NickNack , will be praying for the best outcome for that cute girl of yours. Sounds, at least, like somethings ruled out. Will be waiting to hear how she makes out on the special food.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

SeaMaiden — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:56:40 GMT

@NickNack Did they do a sonogram or just an Xray? My Golden Lola was vomiting etc....and the Xray did not show anything also......but they decided to do a sonogram which is more thorough... and saw she had a mass in her liver. The Xray did not show that....

I am not telling you this to upset you or compare your sweet pup to Lola's situation, but, it might be good to do a sonogram and rule out anything that the Xray does not show.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

NickNack — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:57:38 GMT

@Sammycat1 wrote:
@NickNack

The standard blood panel was several hundred dollars? That's very high. The next time, ask that they pull just her proteins (inflammation marker), liver values, kidney and BG. That will not be several hundred dollars.

The very specific test for pancreatitis is generally done by IDEXX and costs more $$$. You don't need to do it right away, but sometimes you have to do it.

Is the prescription food a one source protein and one source carb? This sort of "flatlines" the diet so that if she calms down, then you have to slowly add other proteins to find the problem. Our Frankie, for example, can't eat chicken, fish or beef (like a lot of cats). We've had dogs that can't eat certain beef. It's trial and error.

Good luck with Ava. She has a good mama in her corner.

ETA: Doing an abbreviated blood panel is not a big deal and frankly is standard practice for a dog vomiting that much. I'll stop commenting from now on.

@Sammycat1 She was talking about GI bloodwork. She just had full bloodwork done several months ago right after I got her. The prescription food is Hill's Digestive Care I/D. We will switch to a different type of protein if she can't tolerate this.

She did say it would be trial and error with her food if she continues to throw up.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

Boomernichols — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 16:59:36 GMT

@NickNack I am so glad that your baby got a good report. It can be stressful and upsetting not knowing what is going on with our beloved family. Perhaps this new diet will calm everything down and the bland diet will heal the gut for a happy tummy! My boy, Toby Snow, is 15 and has to eat Hills Science diet in z/d dry formula. Good luck

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

NickNack — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 17:02:39 GMT

@KingstonsMom wrote:
@MalteseMomma

I SO agree!

We had a similar problem and it turned out to be completely diet related, they needed a prescription food).

I would trust my Vet, assuming you use a Vet that you trust (which I know @NickNack does, as to when blood work is necessary, eliminating other causes first.

ETA: As long as the condition isn't serious or critical.

Yes @KingstonsMom . I completely trust my Vet. My Vet Clinic has the reputation of being the best Vets in town, and we have a lot of Vets.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

NickNack — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 17:01:30 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@NickNack Did they do a sonogram or just an Xray? My Golden Lola was vomiting etc....and the Xray did not show anything also......but they decided to do a sonogram which is more thorough... and saw she had a mass in her liver. The Xray did not show that....

I am not telling you this to upset you or compare your sweet pup to Lola's situation, but, it might be good to do a sonogram and rule out anything that the Xray does not show.

@SeaMaiden I had forgotten that she said that we would do an ultrasound next. She said they could see things on an ultrasound that couldn't be seen on x-rays.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

SeaMaiden — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 17:04:30 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
@SeaMaiden wrote:
@NickNack Did they do a sonogram or just an Xray? My Golden Lola was vomiting etc....and the Xray did not show anything also......but they decided to do a sonogram which is more thorough... and saw she had a mass in her liver. The Xray did not show that....

I am not telling you this to upset you or compare your sweet pup to Lola's situation, but, it might be good to do a sonogram and rule out anything that the Xray does not show.

@SeaMaiden I had forgotten that she said that we would do an ultrasound next. She said they could see things on an ultrasound that couldn't be seen on x-rays.

@NickNack yes... ultrasound I think I meant to say that not sonogram... sorry

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

newtoallthis — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 17:49:42 GMT

@NickNack

Was glad to see the update on Ava. I've been praying for that sweet girl. Hope this is quickly resolved.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

Mz iMac — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 18:00:43 GMT

@Sammycat1 "The Vet said the bloodwork for this was several hundred dollars."

No pet insurance?

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

NickNack — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 18:06:36 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@Sammycat1 "The Vet said the bloodwork for this was several hundred dollars."
No pet insurance?

@Mz iMac Yes, I do have pet insurance that would cover 90% of it. The Vet was telling me it wasn't necessary to do the bloodwork now, that there were other things we should try first. I have a feeling she will get better with the change in diet. I hope I'm right.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

shoobee — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 18:21:02 GMT

If you feel bad about not giving treats you can make some out of the prescription food. If you put the can in the fridge. It makes it more solid for cutting/shaping. Spoon some out cut in bite size pieces about 1/4 inch thick on baking sheet .

Oven at 350 and bake for 20-25 minutes. turn off oven but leave sheet in oven. Pieces will dry and harden as it cools. The texture changes enough they think it is a treat so she thinks still getting special treatment but you know they won't be hurt by it. Bake just a few pieces first time to see if she likes. Store in fridge for 5-7 days.

One warning, some brands stink as they cook. So if you can do on day you can open windows .......

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

NickNack — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 18:30:44 GMT

@shoobee wrote:
If you feel bad about not giving treats you can make some out of the prescription food. If you put the can in the fridge. It makes it more solid for cutting/shaping. Spoon some out cut in bite size pieces about 1/4 inch thick on baking sheet .
Oven at 350 and bake for 20-25 minutes. turn off oven but leave sheet in oven. Pieces will dry and harden as it cools. The texture changes enough they think it is a treat so she thinks still getting special treatment but you know they won't be hurt by it. Bake just a few pieces first time to see if she likes. Store in fridge for 5-7 days.

One warning, some brands stink as they cook. So if you can do on day you can open windows .......

Thank you @shoobee . I'll remember that. I barely give her any treats anyway. She just gets about three of the very small Charlie Bears a couple of times a day.

Re: Ava's Follow-Up Vet Appointment

Drythe — Mon, 28 Sep 2020 19:41:49 GMT

@NickNack

Glad to hear about your visit. I like the slow and steady Diagnostic approach myself. Occam’s Razor - Rule out the simple first. A battery of tests would not rule out food allergies.

Your vets will move forward if necessary. Most important you know and trust them.

Hoping the food adjustment is the solution. Please keep us posted, and Hugs 🤗 to you, Ava, and Henry!