Jasper (12 yr old Mini Schnauzer) is now at peace

Thanks so much for all the support you guys. I heard back from my vet at about 3 or so. They are keeping Jasper in the hospital tonight. She said the test for pancreatitis was negative, which is good news. I didnt get the name of the test, she was giving me so much information, I forgot to ask. I think she said the test had 95% reliability when it is negative, but when positive can show a lot of false positives. So she feels confident that it is not pancreatitis.

She had initially said that she didn't think he was Addisonian, I think because his potassium wasn't elevated even though his sodium is low. She said she did not feel comfortable with his sodium at the level it was. She said she had consulted with all the other vets at the office today, and also did a lot of reading, and felt it would best to give Jasper Percorten. From what she explained, this is an injectable med that is given for Addison's to treat the deficiency in the mineralcorticoids which causes the electrolyte problems ( low sodium). Apparently these can also get low along with the cortisol when treating Cushings, this is why it is so important to check the electrolytes in addition to cortisol levels. Please feel free to correct any of this if I didn't understand correctly.

So he is on IV fluids over night to get him rehydrated. He had some IV medication for the nausea, an injection of cortisone, and the Percorten. Poor little guy! My vet said he is being a trooper and is handling it all well. Hasn't even messed with the IV.

She said that the vomiting had stopped thank goodness. The on call Dr was there till 6 or so, but then Jasper will be there by himself through the night. :(

The IV is on a pump so I don't have to worry about it over infusing. They are closed on Sunday's, but someone will be in to check on him and the other patients first thing in the morning. And my vet said she was going in also in the morning to check on him and wanted to recheck his hydration. She will call me then and we will see if he has responded well enough and is feeling well enough to come home.

So yes, I am very worried and scared, and worry about him being alone all night. I am wondering if all the problems today can possibly be a delayed reaction to his cortisol level being so low from Monday? Maybe his adrenals are not regrowing well this time and the level has stayed critically low for the past 5 days and now his body is showing it?

Well, I feel like I have 3 guardian angels looking after me and my baby boy. 1. The fact that my vet was working today, 2. That this didn't happen later in the weekend when my vets office was closed, and 3. All of you here to help this worried sick Mom cope with all of this.

Many hugs, and thanks,

Tina and Jasper

TIna I will say a prayer for Jasper & you. I know you are scared with him there alone over night. :( I hope you can get some rest & peace will wash over you till morning. He has his angels there with him too.. ;)

Hi Tina,

I know it is worrying about the over night thing but would they leave him alone if they had any concerns? Low Cortisol and low sodium could make him feel sick I would think.

We still right here with you :)

Hugs
Sharlene

I hope you were able to get some sleep and I sure hope Jasper is feeling better this monring.

Let us know when you hear from your vet.

I am so glad it was not Pancreatitis.

((((((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))0

Mornin' sweetie,

How is our boy this morning? I hope his night went very well and that he will be able to come back home to your loving arms today. Bet you didn't get much sleep though, huh? :( Let us hear from you when you can and know we are all still with you!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Checking in on you and Jasper! Hope he can come home today!

Hugs,
Sharlene

Hi All,

Waiting for a call from the vet this morning. They are closed today but she said she would be coming in herself to check on him, rather than the on call Dr. She said it would likely be between 9 & 10 that she would call.

I did get some sleep, but not a whole lot. I am sure you all know how that goes! :rolleyes: ;)

I have an 8 month old mini schnauzer pup also, so she kept me company. She is missing her brother, that's for sure!

So I am sitting here by the phone ready to go get my baby boy. I hope he did well through the night. Will keep you all posted. I hope all your pups are feeling well this morning.

Hugs to all,

Tina and Jasper

any word yet? jasper is feeling good today.

I just got Jasper home from the hospital, the Dr felt he was doing well enough to come home. Yay!!!!!!!!! :D :) :D :) :D :) :D

They said he was doing much better, hydration was much better, and his electrolytes were much improved this morning. He is drinking and they said he seemed hungry and ate a few treats. He was sent home with 2 more doses of the anti nausea medication that I am to give the next 2 mornings, and he is to continue on prednisone 1/2 tab (250 mg) daily for 3 more days starting this evening.

He seemed to have much more energy at first, but since I got him home, is somewhat subdued and seems very tired. Not too worried about that right now because I am sure he is tuckered out from everything and being in the hospital overnight.

I am a little worried because when I gave him a little food after we got home, he ate a couple bites and then walked away like he wasn't too interested. It was just half his normal portion as the vet directed, but I could barely get him to finish it with a lot of coaxing. I would think he would be hungry after no food for more than 24 hrs, and all the meds he has had. He had an injection of dexamethasone while in the hospital, you would think that would help his appetite.

So I will see how it goes. I am going to try to feed him the other half of his breakfast in about an hour.

Thanks everyone for your support and checking in on him this morning!

Hugs and sloppy dog kisses to all,

Tina and Jasper

I am so glad he is home. Maybe Jasper needs a nice long nap and will feel like eating a bit later. He must be so exhausted, poor guy.