xie_xie_xie | Rebel update

Rebel update

I'm so touched at all the concern for Rebel. I guess I (understandably) over-reacted, because his bloodwork was fine, and his urine culture came back with an overgrowth of a common fecal bacteria, susceptible to an inexpensive, usually-well-tolerated antibiotic.

Rebel has a genetic kidney defect that results in being very susceptible to bladder infections. This is something we are aware of and treating, and I've had one other dog with this condition and am sadly very familiar with it. It's just a reality we have to deal with.

Anyway, the vet felt there was no reason to worry unless he still has symptoms after a couple of days on the antibiotics, and/or if the vomiting returns. If it doesn't, her assumption would be that it was unrelated.

Sadly, he did throw up his breakfast, and I am back in full blown paranoia. But it was chicken soup, and I think it was too hot, and he ate something else later with no problems, so I'm going to try to stave off said paranoia and relax. (Those of you who know me can all laugh now.)

I'll keep you posted! And again, my thanks!

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Oh, I'm glad to hear this. I read my flist backwards yesterday and saw your post that he was sleeping and seemed to be feeling better but never got to your original post.

Worrying about animals is so stressful. I've been there plenty. Keep us updated. ♥

Oh good! I'm so glad he's okay. Poor baby.

Um...why are you feeding him chicken soup for breakfast? You didn't tell your vet that, did you... *snerk*

Well, you can queen-out with the best of them, but as Rebel's mama, you're allowed.

He's such a sweetie. And, you know, a bit of a crotch-hound, but...we're just dating for now. :)

Chicken broth for his tummy. :)

I tell my vet things on a need to know basis. I have been feeding my dogs a homemade diet for over 21 years now, we don't do the commercial food thing here. ;)

Xie

ZOMG, say what you want about ME, that I'm a menopausal elitist ilky bitch, but DO NOT CALL MY DARLING BOY NAMES!

He's a perfect gentleman.

For a dog.

Thanks, darlin!

He's sleeping here next to my desk and seems very happy. :)

Xie

Yes, Darling you are a Drama Queen...but a wonderful one. Not laughing at you in the least. I know how you love your dogs. They are a part of you.

*pets you*

I always wanted to keep dog!Xie out of LJ. But I guess once people in the fandom started meeting my dogs, it was inevitable, LOL.

They are so adorable. And he DID eat ~~Justin's ass~~ the candied walnuts.

HUGS YOU!

HUGS REBEL!!

He's gonna be fine!

That's so cute that you heated it up.

Does the vet know about the homemade diet? Some vets are funny about them but of course if one knows what one is doing, they are perfectly healthy. ;)

I used to make my kitty chopped up chicken, rice, and lettuce. She loved it, along with cream cheese.

I make my mom's dogs homemade treats-have you ever seen the preservatives in the store-bought ones?

Trust me, that was a compliment.

He walks me to the park, we hang out on the corner, near the fireplugs...sometimes he shares his candied walnuts with me...*g*

These vets were informed my dogs are on a homemade diet when I brought Rebel and Kyrie there when I first moved here... but I don't know if the vet I talked to knows/remembers.

My REAL vets, who are not in San Francisco and so I don't go to for routine stuff like this, know EVERYTHING about my dogs. This is just sort of a local vet for blood draws and stuff, if one of my dogs needed anything beyond that, I'd take them to one of the other vets (depending on what it was).

And all their medical records from this vet are faxed to Rebel's internal medicine specialist, who treats his kidney disease and is one of my closest friends. When my dog Bran was dying of kidney failure three years ago, I stayed at her house while he was hospitalized at her practice, because I lived three hours from her hospital. I brought him to UC Davis for dialysis, but they were not able to save him. We fought for his life for ten days, he was only 4. He was Rebel's uncle, although he was actually younger than Rebel... Bran's father was also the father of the dog who sired Rebel.

I also worked in the veterinary field for seven years, as an editor for a veterinary database and group of websites. I still do consulting for them from time to time, and ghostwrite for a number of vets.

And yet, all this knowledge doesn't stop my mind from going blank and then re-filling with horrible imaginings when one of my own dogs is sick.

I’m so glad to hear this, and I hope Rebel’s back to his old self soon. Try not to stress too much over it…I know, easier said than done! And maybe the throwing up is just stress-related from not feeling well???

~Ellen

I am so glad Rebel is doing better. Pets are as much of our family as people, sometimes more so. Hope the both of you get some well needed rest.

Pets are like our children. It's normal and appropriate to worry. I'd be more concerned if you were casual about the whole situation.

We have a kitty with a chronic intestinal disorder that was mimicking feline leukemia (fatal) about 1 1/2 years ago. My LJ friends were so supportive and understanding...and several were able to diagnose Lucky from his symptoms.

LJ Land can be such a wonderful & loving place.

I'm so happy Rebel seems to be rebounding. ***Hugs to both of you***

I'm so glad that Rebel's feeling better. Thanks for letting us know.

It is extremely hard to see our pets sick. Being scared is part of the experience. I'm glad to hear that Rebel ate something today without problems. That's a great sign!

I'm so glad to hear Rebel's test results didn't show anything too alarming. Hopefully the antibiotics will do the trick and he'll be back to normal in no time. I wouldn't worry too much about one vomited meal if he kept something else down later. And of course I know you'll keep a close eye on him until you're sure he's 100% again.

And hooray for you for feeding a homemade diet. Most vets may not approve, but what most vets don't know about nutrition really can be alarming. Your dogs are very fortunate to have such a loving, knowledgeable, and dedicated owner.

I am happy to hear that Rebel is doing better.
There is nothing wrong with over-reacting when it comes to our "children".Hell,my family tells me all the time that I love my "boys" more then them,lol.
Keep us posted.

sends "hugs" and "pets" Rebel

Oh yes, a good and trusted veterinarian is worth driving hours to see. :D

Sometimes, I feel like I know too much and can scare myself with what it could be. Seeing my dogs or cats sick worries me terribly.

How old is Rebel? (I think you said but I forgot.)

He just turned 8 two weeks ago. :)

I'm glad the bloodwork was ok and his culture came back with something that's usually easily treated. That's what I was hoping for.

It's wonderful to read about how you do your absolute best to keep your dogs healthy and satisfied and loved. That makes me so happy. ♥ ♥

Was the soup a little greasy? That might be the cause of throwing that up, because greasy food and upset stomaches don't really mix.

But I'm glad to hear he's feeling better.

I was always paranoid about my cat when he was sick.

That line between paranoia and educated concern can be very thin and hard to discern. Sounds like maybe you need a little extra coddling yourself. Take care of both of you. FanSee

Happy healing thoughts for your pup- I'm much more fond of my dog than of most people I know- so I understand your concern. Keep us posted.

I am sure happy to hear Rebel is getting better.

I have a 16 year old cat that seems to be the frisky, nutso kitten she has always been - but she's decided she is no longer going to go outdoors to poop. So, I just keep cleaning up after her. Everyone (except my son) says I should just put her to sleep. That is not happening. She's a sweetheart, except while I check the floors when I arrive home from work.

I'm VERY glad to hear that Rebel has what is, hopefully, a minor annoyance taken care of with a course of antibiotics. There's not such thing as overreacting. They're our friends, companions, and often our kids -- and they rely on us to keep them healthy.

I've worked in rescue and I've learned to appreciate people who love their animals and jump on problems when they're small. I honestly thought that was how everyone treated their pets. You don't know just how rare and special that makes you. :) *smooches*

I'm glad to hear the vet thinks there isn't anything to worry about. I hate when dogs get sick. I wish I could explain to them what was happening. I always feel like they're sitting there, wondering what they did wrong and why they're being punished. They may not be thinking this at all, but it breaks my heart all the same. I hope Rebel is feeling better. Please scratch his ears for me. Or his belly. Whichever he prefers.

You've had more dogs than I think I can count and have experience with their illnesses and yet you're still a nervous wreck? *pets*
Chester's my first dog (ie not bought by my parents) and my anxiety attacks have gradually diminished after 11 years now that I know what to expect - mostly through my own learning, research and knowledge of my own canine, as opposed to what vets and behaviorists would lead you to believe at times :) And thank-the-world for BARF, acupuncture, positive 'training' and holistic health in general.

i think anyone who has ever loved an animal knows exactly how you feel about rebel. i hope that he'll continue to get better. if friends are the family we choose, so are pets!!

Over-reaction is always understandable when it comes to our pets :) I'm glad that Rebel is doing better.

Sending good thoughts and well wishes Rebel's way.

Hi Teary!

What's BARF? I suspect I know what it is, but I don't recognize the acronym.

Phew!

I'm very glad to hear that. :)

Oh good, I hope he continues to improve. :-)

Glad the tests were good.

Hey, our dogs are about the same age -- Emma turned 8 about a month ago. She goes to work with me at my office everyday, so I can understand your concern.

BARF = Bones And Raw Food (+ raw pulped veges & other stuff). It was acronymned by an Australian (ex-)veterinarian who I don't have a high regard for since he's a bit over-zealous in his beliefs but I still follow it on basic principle. My furkid's been on it for 7 years (since 4) and he's barely aged physically (no grey hairs, perfect teeth, leaps onto and off stairs in a single bound and tires out my sister's 3-year-old dynamo dog while playing). I have to add that it never ceases to amaze me that dog care/training "fandom" was every bit as wanky and flamey as any of those based on a TV show *shakes head*

Hi Xie, I didn't catch your earlier post about poor Rebel, but I wanted to tell you that I hope he is feeling better and is on the mend. I have a cat with a kidney problem whose symptoms manifest in other ways, but I can certainly empathize. Sending healing thoughts your way...

Nicole

Thanks for the update, Xie. I was wondering.

Queening out over our pets seems to go with the territory, and tons of knowledge doesn't stop that from happening, alas (I'm a biologist with a fair amount of medical knowledge).

I agree wtih FanSee, though: be sure to take care of BOTH of you.

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