Help please, sick yorkie

[Charlies Mamma]

Hi everyone, I am writing for a friend that has a yorkie that is sick I have never enountered this kind of an issue with Charlie so I am hoping someone may have some help.

Here is what she says is going on:

We noticed that his stomach was swollen.

His stomach is swollen and hard and he gets out of breath easy. He hasn’t lost his appetite at all, in fact he’s eating pretty good. He tries to play with the other dogs but just gets worn out easy.We took him to the vet last week and they put him on an antibiotic but it doesn’t seem to be helping him. I’m really concerned about him, they are like my children. We are going to take him back to the vet again. Thanks for your help.


Now as I said Charlie has never had this kind of symptoms Charlies pancreatitis is different and I guess my mom thought it was a similar kind of thing going on, if this sounds familiar to anyone please share with me.

[yorkietalkjilly]

My sister's dog had CHF and he was like that. His tummy was hard, though, because he got no exercise due to easy fatigue and was constipated but the air hunger/exhaustion were from his heart condition. Her dog was very overweight in addition to the other sx. I am glad you will be getting this little guy back in to see the vet and maybe some more testing done. I hope they can find something that can help the little one.

[Patti]

How old os he? I had a pom with Cushing's and she had the swollen tummy. She was always hungry due to the Cushing's. It is a disease that usually affects older dogs. Also, when she went in to congestive heart failure she had a fluid filled belly and trouble breathing. Have they done blood work and xrays? I would start there if they haven't. I hope he gets better soon.

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by Patti

How old os he? I had a pom with Cushing's and she had the swollen tummy. She was always hungry due to the Cushing's. It is a disease that usually affects older dogs. Also, when she went in to congestive heart failure she had a fluid filled belly and trouble breathing. Have they done blood work and xrays? I would start there if they haven't. I hope he gets better soon.

Cushing's was my first thought too. Is he pooping?, obstruction was my other thought. I agree, x-rays of his abdomin are definatly needed and then bloodwork if they don't find anything from the x-ray

[Charlies Mamma]

ok I have just asked he your above questions:

They are unsure if he is constipated they have been trying to catch him going but with no luck as they both work and have 4 yorkies. he is 7 yrs old and not overweight and has been this way for about a week. There have been no xrays as of yet and he still has acouple days of antibiotics left, she says they tested stool and he had grass in it.

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by Charlies Mamma

ok I have just asked he your above questions:

They are unsure if he is constipated they have been trying to catch him going but with no luck as they both work and have 4 yorkies. he is 7 yrs old and not overweight and has been this way for about a week. There have been no xrays as of yet and he still has acouple days of antibiotics left, she says they tested stool and he had grass in it.

If it just happened within a week, it's probably not cushings then, the swollen belly from it is a little more gradual. Honestly, I'm VERY shocked that the vet didn't do x-rays. Is $ an issue? that would be my only reasoning as to way. I'd really be concerned about an obstruction or severe constipation if they have no idea whether or not the dog has pooped at all. I'd say to heck with the antibiotics, get to a vet asap for an abdominal xray.

[yorkieusa]

Some get a pot-belly with worms and they don't always show when a test is done.

[Charlies Mamma]

to be honest I dont know her financial situation she is a friend of my moms they work together. I will let you know you suggest xrays and try to see if he is pooping maybe she could seoatate him from the rest long enough to know if he is going poo.

[yorkieusa]

Bloat - another possibility:

Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog owners know very little about it. it is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer. It is frequently reported that deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans are particularly at risk.

If you believe your dog is experiencing bloat, please get your dog to a veterinarian immediately! Bloat can kill in less than an hour, so time is of the essence. Notify your vet to alert them you're on your way with a suspected bloat case. Better to be safe than sorry!

The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV"). Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present). It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation"). Stress can be a significant contributing factor also. Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting). As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine). The twisting stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.



Symptoms
Typical symptoms often include some (but not necessarily all) of the following Unfortunately, from the onset of the first symptoms you have very little time (sometimes minutes, sometimes hours) to get immediate medical attention for your dog. Know your dog and know when it's not acting right.

Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5-20 minutes
This seems to be one of the most common symptoms & has been referred to as the "hallmark symptom"
Doesn't act like usual self
Perhaps the earliest warning sign & may be the only sign that almost always occurs
Significant anxiety and restlessness
One of the earliest warning signs and seems fairly typical
"Hunched up" or "roached up" appearance
This seems to occur fairly frequently
Bloated abdomen that may feel tight (like a drum)
Despite the term "bloat," many times this symptom never occurs or is not apparent
Pale or off-color gums
Dark red in early stages, white or blue in later stages
Lack of normal gurgling and digestive sounds in the tummy
Many dog owners report this after putting their ear to their dog's tummy
Coughing
Unproductive gagging
Heavy salivating or drooling
Foamy mucous around the lips, or vomiting foamy mucous
Unproductive attempts to defecate
Whining
Pacing
Licking the air
Seeking a hiding place
Looking at their side or other evidence of abdominal pain or discomfort
May refuse to lie down or even sit down
May stand spread-legged
May attempt to eat small stones and twigs
Drinking excessively
Heavy or rapid panting
Shallow breathing
Cold mouth membranes
Apparent weakness; unable to stand or has a spread-legged stance
Especially in advanced stage
Accelerated heartbeat
Heart rate increases as bloating progresses
Weak pulse
Collapse

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...d-bloated.html

[Charlies Mamma]

ok I have let her know your suggestions she has an appt tomorrow with her vet BUT she says she sont really trust that he knows all that needs to be known about yorkies (weve all been there) I gave her my vets # so I think she is going to call them she is very thankful for all the help She lives in a small town so it is a small town yorkie not that its bad but I think she might need more advanced care and testing. I invited her to join YT I hope she does. If there are anymore ideas please keep posting them I am going to be chatting with her allot so I can update as I get new info.

Thank you so much

[Patti]

I am glad she you are helping her and she is going to the vet tomorrow. It can be so many things from minor to serious and only further testing will tell.

[Foster Mom]

I was leaning toward Bloat or an obstruction as well. But I am no vet.

Good luck with the baby Prayers for him!!!

[Charlies Mamma]

Hi everyone I thought you might like to see who we are helping out here
Casey (blue bow) is the one who is not feeling well the other is Chloe (pink bow) arent they adorable!!! I will update as soon as I hear anything. and again thanks for your help

[gidget529]

Cute pics! I hope going to the vet helps poor Charlie. My poor Cricket had pancreatitis - that often becomes a chronic problem in dogs. (CHF can follow and did in Cricket.) And I agree with you, maybe they should take Charlie to your vet to get another opinion.

[Charlies Mamma]

actually Casey is the sick puppy Charlie is my baby hes fine just so everyone knows. Casey belongs to a friend of my moms