Feeling a bit low, right now

[Shadowkins]

Didn't know who else to talk to , so I figured I'd come to my GP friends.
Yesterday, I had Shadow groomed by my dear friend and when I picked him up she mentionned that she felt Shadow was not feeling well. I've noticed it myself the last few days but just put it off to me being over protective and paranoid.
He has not been hungry in the mornings and his nose problems seem to have picked up some...little more sneezing and when I clean out his left nostril there is dry green material....now the last 2 days his eyes are quite gummy again with yellowish discharge. So I did what any good mom would do and I called the vet. He was busy and was to call me back but by 3:00 I hadn't heard so I call them...well he had left for the afternoon.
I'm really worried that his infections are beginning again and( I hate to admit this ) but I'm starting to think my vet is fed up with our problems...I just don't know where to turn. Should I just ask the vet for Shadow's files and head to the vet training hospital 3 hours away?
I know I can't get in right away...probably have to wait awhile...so should I see if the vet will give me antibiotics to curb the infection till then?
I'm sorry to dump this on you guys but I really trust my friends here to have my boy's concern at heart.
Thanks a million, any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I'm so sorry Shadow is having trouble. First things first and thats to get him into a vet to get him started on meds so that you can at least nip this round in the bud before it gets too bad. If you feel your vet isn't doing what he or she should or that the problem may be something the vet isn't taking serious enough then by all means find another.

Just as we all would, we want what is best for our babies and if that means another vet then run with it! I hope Shadow is feeling better soon and please let me know how things go.

[fireworksinjuly]

Certainly find a new vet, 3 hours is a ways away but if there isnt anyone closer it might be your best bet.

Im so sorry this is all happening- give Shadow kisses from Bud and Kino

[bigdoglover]

You have to go with your gut. If you think your vet is blowing you off, and it's your babies health at stake, then I think the drive would be worth it. My local training hospital is 5 hours away. I would get copies of your records and maybe try to get an appointment. This might be something that your vet is at his wits end about. The training hospital might be a better bet. Go with your heart, only you know your dog. Hope Shadow gets better soon!

[Carrie]

A-w-w-w...I'm so sorry your pup isn't feeling up to par. I think the others all gave you the best advice there is. I'd find a new vet too, if I was treated like that....no return call etc. Isn't there some other vet closer? At any rate, no matter what you have to do, your baby sounds like he needs antibiotics. Let us know how things go. Hugs!

[D.Schäferhund]

Oh I am so sorry, but you are right there needs to be done something....
We had on the news recently, that there is a bad flue going round for dogs.... so you never know.
And i had to feel the hard way how it is when Vets thik you are paranoid. It was almost the end of my dog.
I luckly found a vet that cares and knows that when I come with my dog there is something, maybe not very obvious but there is something. and he cares to find out.
Sadly we moved and I had to leave him, but now I got a decent Vet, that is ok.
It sounded like these infections show up on a regular basis, or did I missunderstand that?
The teaching hospitals are very expencive, as I heard from other people they used to treat animal for almost nothing, because they had the students working on the animals, but now -i can tell from experience-it is very very expencive to go to a teaching hospital....

[Shadowkins]

Thanks guys, I got all teary eyed but I know what I have to do,just needed some friends to help out...I appreciate it.

D. Schäferhund: you understood correctly, my boy has been plagued with infections since he was about 2 years old. At that time it was spondylitis, after treatment he was ok for awhile but in the last 2-3 years it seems like every 2-3 months or so some kind of infection crops up. The last one was the retro bulbar abscess and his left nostril. The nose never really cleared up 100% but was much, much better...so I was kind of hoping that things were on the mend. I can always tell my boy is starting an infection because he shivers ( if you know what I mean ) and it's not because of being cold. The last time the vet told me that Shadow had some sort of auto-immune problem and can't fight infections. Do you know, would a continuous low dose antibiotic help at all?
I will call the vet again tomorrow to see if I can get an antibiotic , then ask for a referral to the hospital...I just don't know what else to do, this is a relatively small community and the other two vets are quacks in my book.
I'll keep you guys up to date.
Thanks again. It sure helps.

[D.Schäferhund]

Are u giving anything to boost his immunesystem???
homeopathic stuff is sometimes really good for that. it may take a while till it actually works but it can boost the system quite good. when Kessy is in heat i give her Iron and Folic acid tablets that cheers up a lot. but let me look and see what u can get here on immunesystem boosting stuff, i haven't lookt to far into it, because I still have my "suppliers"in Germany. let me see what i can find out. i try to get the sience names of what u need.
I use alot of homemadestuff for little infections and such. I made good experiences. and I used it myself, because I had a lot of stress, when my hubby was in Iraq and all the moving was necessary, so i can tell from experience it really helps.
I get back with u as soon as I find out something....

[Tiffany0204]

I'd go with your gut as well. When I first got Gizmo he had bloody diharrea, and I knew next to nothing about pups, but even I knew that that wasn't a good sign. There was a really good vet clinic just up the street from me, but they wouldn't take him until the next day.

I was like "he's a 10 week old puppy!" and they didn't seem too concerned, so I ended up (after advice from here) calling around for a different vet. Turns out I found a Mobile vet clinic (the vet comes to your house instead of you going to them) and it's not extra money! Now I have a great vet who Gizmo adores, and he also has privilidges at a good clinic as well, for surgical/xray needs.

Go with your gut. If you feel that your vet isn't taking you seriously, there's other vets out there who will. Why give this person money when you don't feel like they have your little guy's best interests at heart?

I'm so sorry Shadow isn't feeling well I'll keep him in my thoughts!

[flyndog]

Shadowkins, all I can offer is sympathy. I agree with everyone else that if you musts travel for alternate care, do it. I went 500 miles for Cozy's surgey and it was worth every mile. I can verifiy that homeopathy from Germany is worth a shot. I'm not a homeopathy fan,but I have seen results in humans and have to admit, there's something there. I don't know why! If D.Shafer has some connections, I'd take her up on it.
If you think he has Canine Influenza, I read last month that there has been a breakthrough in that.
A convoluted way to say I'm sorry and hope you find help for Shadow.

Kit

[calgal]

Please find another Vet. and get Shadow there ASAP. If your feeling like the Vet. you have now is acting indifferent, then you may be right. You should feel very comfortable with a Vet. and the Vet. should show a genuine concern for the pet. I sure hope Shadow doesn't have that nasty flu going around. Please keep us updated on everything.

[linnie]

I agree go to the vet 3 hours away.
Sometimes vets can get very lax if a dog has an ongoing problem and a second opinion isnt a bad thing anyway.
hugs for your baby

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I can verifiy that homeopathy from Germany is worth a shot. I'm not a homeopathy fan,but I have seen results in humans and have to admit, there's something there. I don't know why! If D.Shafer has some connections, I'd take her up on it.

I second that!

[Shadowkins]

Have a vets appointment at 10:30, I'll see what he says. Will keep you posted.
I am sure willing to try homeopathic methods. Thanks D.Schäferhund, I owe you one!

[Carrie]

I totally think there's something to the homeopahic stuff. I also believe in traditional medicine or modern medicine....fantastic developements. People that discount traditional medicine in favor of the exclusive use of herbs worry me.

But there are herbs, minerals, vitamins etc which have been used by native Americans, Chinese and others from ancient times. Those people discovered something that was put on this earth for our use. And in many cases, I really believe some of them definitely work on our body systems because they contain the elements our bodys need. I think the plants and we share some of the same elements....all living things probably do so that's why they boost or replentish us when we're in need. So, it sure is worth a try.

But I also know that just because something is called "natural," it doesn't necessarily mean it's safe. As you know, there have been many cases of severe illness and death on account of some herb that was "natural," even stuff sold on store shelves. So, an education with this stuff is definitely needed and caution taken, IMO.

Anyhow, no matter how far you have to drive, your baby needs a good vet. Keep us posted.

Thinking of you and your pup.

edited....we posted together Shadowkins. Oh, I'm so glad you're going to the vet. Can't wait to hear back what he thinks.