Old dachshie - Ben update

[Tanya]

Ben came home last night but is back at the vet this morning. It's probably just me panicking, but his breathing seemed very irregular. I couldn't get him to eat or drink and he doesn't even want to step down one tiny step to go out to potty. I'm not that familiar with HW treatment, but this makes me VERY nervous. I'm freaking out! Gotta run. Will update later. This may be normal for HW...I dunno.
Tanya

[Jennifer]

I totally empathize. I found the whole hw treatment to be very upsetting to me. I cried many many times over Betty being so sick. The fact that the vet said this was a normal complication did not make it any less scary to more or any easier to see a doggie that I loved feeling so bad.

You totally did the right thing by taking him back to the vet. Most everyone who successfully treats hw, ends up going back to the vet. You would much rather be safe than sorry with a risky treatment.

My vet said that reactions like the ones that you are describing is very normal complications for hw. However, because it is normal doesn't mean that it doesn't need to be seen by the vet.

The first 2 days that I had Betty home, she wouldn't walk or eat. Her breathing was very raspy. Then she improved for the next two days. Then she went downhill fast on day 6-8 and got pnemonia. Then got better by about day 10.

Let us know what the vet says about Ben. Betty is sending lots of rays his way. And I"m sending hugs...

[Tanya]

I just called the vet. They want to keep him overnight but says his breathing seems some improved...but not great. This poor dog has suffered so much. Why does he have to suffer through this!! He can't keep his tongue in his mouth he is so weak. Please pray for Ben.
Tanya
(Thank you Jennifer...please help me keep my sanity!)

[dutchman]

Ben is in our thoughts. Reading the experiences of those of you going through HW treatments with the dogs here makes me have even greater respect for the people at Hearts United. It seems like they have to deal with a very large number of HW positive dogs.

Best wishes and rays,

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[Jennifer]

Sending prayers for you and Ben. Glad that his breathing is improving. Betty having a hard time breathing was really scary for me.

When Betty wouldn't eat some of the things that worked with her was Ice Cream, Hot Dogs, and Liver. Some ideas in case Ben keeps not wanting to eat. I felt guilty feeding her Ice Cream and Hot Dogs, but Penny's Aunt assured me that when is sick and won't eat that you should feed them whatever they will eat because whatever nutrition they get is better than none.

I actually think that the hw treatment was harder on me and my husband than it was on Betty.

Tom, I agree with you. I don't think that I could go through this on a regular basis. I have high respect for those who do.

Sending Rays Prayers and hugs.

[TessieMom]

Kibby is sending some of those mega giga rays to Ben, hoping he feels better. Rena, Kibby, Stinker, Tess, Lucy, and oh yes, Hannah - who is spending the night.

[Wienergal]

Tanya, how is Ben today? I sure am thinking of you and hoping the litte guy is hanging in there. I had no idea how nasty the treatment process was until the posts on this board enlightened me. He's a tough little guy, and he has you to live for now. Hope he's doing better!

[Jennifer]

I am also thinking about Ben and wondering how he is doing. Hopefully, he is doing well. And I"m hoping that you are doing OK Tonya.

Betty said to tell Ben that Cheese and Ice Cream will make him feel better. And that the pitaful eyes work really good!!

Jennifer

[Tanya]

Ben just came back home yesterday. He seems to be breathing a lot better now, but still really lethargic. He is eating pretty good which makes me feel better. He seems to have forgotten how to potty outside though and my hubby isn't really pleased about that. I'll just be glad when this is all behind us and he can run around the yard and play.

Jennifer...he's pretty good with the sad eyes so tell Betty not to be giving Ben anymore ideas! Thanks to all of you who have offered prayers to me and Ben. It seems to be working!
Tanya

[Roxane]

Hi Tanya:
Can only hope that Ben keeps improving. As soon as he is feeling better, he'll remember his potty training. Poor little guy is dealing with a lot right now.
Stay strong, he needs you,
Roxane & crew +2

[TessieMom]

Miss Kibby says for him to get lots of rest and lots of snuggles. She did have a couple accidents when she was feeling too tired to go out, but hopefully we are improving now and I am sure Ben will too. Lots of rays to him from all the girls! Rena

[dutchman]

Tell Ben to keep getting better. At least he has an excuse for getting lazy with his business. MY boys are getting bad sneaking off the the bedroom to poop. We may be starting to setup kids gates and closing doors.

Best wishes,

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[pluto'slanie]

Healing rayzzz to your boy Ben and a happy thanksgiving to you and your loving family. Lanie & Pluto

[Jennifer]

I am so happy that Ben is home and seems to be breathing better. Sending continued rays.

Betty also had a lot of accidents when she was at the begginging stages of the treatment. She was an outside dog before we had her and were two weeks into housetraining when she started hw treatment. I think there was just too much that she was dealing with at one time.

Is he eating?

Hope that you and Ben have a wonderful thanksgiving. Sending more hugs and prayers and rays.

[Susan's Freddie]

I am glad that Ben is better.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif I've never gone through HW treatments, but it sure sounds like it's the PITTS.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0> Give Ben a http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/kiss2.gif for me, ok?

Susan

[Tanya]

Ben started having a few more breathing problems so I took him to the vet right before the holidays. The vet didn't hear fluid in his lungs like before so they gave me some meds for Ben and it seemed to work. He has been eating like a pig and looking a little more chipper lately. I think the old guy is gonna make it! He is getting harder to coax into his crate so I think he is feeling much better. He is very protective over His things though. He has jumped on Josephine when she dared to walk too close to him while he was eating and he jumped on Cujo (my 15 yr old 5 lb boy) when Cujo got in Ben's bed. I don't think Ben could hurt them since he has no teeth, but I still don't want them fighting. Any other time though, he's really good with them and seems to love Josie. My vet does put Ben closer to 10...he is graying all over. Keep those prayers coming for my Ben.

Pluto's Lanie...thank you for giving an older dachshie a home. Dutchman is right when he says they are harder to place. People just don't know how great senior dogs are. They are so very loving. All of mine are seniors except one.
Tanya

[georgette]

I'm as pleased as I am for Queenie. What wonderful news. - g

[Roxane]

Truly good news, Tanya. And thanks for the encouragement about adopting senior dogs. You are doing something wonderfulfor all of them!http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/angel.gif
Roxane, G & B, S & B

[Jennifer]

I am so glad to hear that Ben is doing better. I know how scary the breathing problems were for me when Betty was having them. Ben was in my thoughts this weekend.

Sending rays, prayers, and hugs for continued improvement.

Jennifer

[pluto'slanie]

Hugs and kisses for Ben. Glad he's doing better. Keep us updated. Lanie

[Tanya]

I tried to post Friday, but couldn't for some odd reason. Anyway, Ben is at the Vet's getting HW treatment part 2. They tell me the dogs don't usually get as sick with the second part. He is so funny. I took some pictures on Ben's digital camera, but forgot them so I'll try to post tomorrow. I want to get a picture of that tongue!! Keep your fingers crossed and prayers coming. Oh, and Ben has gotten to where he does not like his crate. When he wakes us up at 4:00 to go potty, he runs and jumps in our bed instead. So, we let him stay. He smells more like fritos than Josie.

While visions of corn chips danced in their heads.
Tanya

[Wienergal]

Keeping my fingers crossed for Ben as he enters Phase Two. Is this the last treatment?

Tanya, in my experience, early-morning potties are ALWAYS followed by leaps into the nice, warm bed. It's good to hear that Ben knows what's rightfully his! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif

[pluto'slanie]

Spreading those rayzzz around to all little dachshunds who need them. Ben and Queenie are at the top of the list now. Hope his treatment goes well. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/kiss2.gif from Pluto, another older gentleman. Lanie

[dutchman]

Rays are on their way. Be sure to keep us informed on how he is coming along.

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[Tanya]

Wienergal,
This should be Ben's last treatment. He will go back on next Monday for a HW test. If he comes back clear then we are ok. If not, then I guess he will get another treatment. He was a light positive though so I'm hoping this will be it...then we can get all his shots and he can be neutered.
Tanya

[Roxane]

Tanya, hope this is the last treatment so that Ben can spend what I am sure will be the very best Christmas he has ever had! How lucky he is to have you!http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/angel.gif
Roxane, Greta and Baylea

[TessieMom]

Miss Kibby is sending lots of those dachsie rays on to all HW+ fur children, specially Ben. Kibby says he will have some much more energy without all those wormies (at least she has). Rena and the girls

[Tanya]

Well, nothing is easy is it. Ben got his treatment yesterday and last night started having breathing problems. i took him back in to the vet this morning and they kept him for observation. They did say that his breathing was not normal. If there is no problem like fluid in the lungs, he may be able to come home tonight. I don't like this HW business and will be glad when Ben is over all this stuff. Please send healing rays to my Ben.
Tanya

[dutchman]

More rays on their way.

Best Wishes,

Tom and the boys (Frank and Tanner)

[Tanya]

I don't know how to make the picture smaller, but here is a picture of Ben. You can really see the scar on his head and around his eye.

<IMG SRC="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=903205&a=6581102&p=35337950&Sequence=0&res=high" border=0>

[Susan's Freddie98]

Tanya,

What a sweet pic of Ben, he looks comfy.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif I sure hope he will be ok, HW treatments is serious stuff. Ben is another special dachshund here.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif Please keep us tuned.

Susan<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm37.gif" border=0>

[Roxane]

Tanya, Ben looks so very sweet. Between all of the dachsies who have had serious problems with HW treatment there poses a question, for me at least. I hope our more experienced members will follow me to Gen. Health and give me some answers.
Hope Ben's breathing becomes less labored and this is just a short setback.
Roxane and crew

[Tanya]

Ben is home and has no fluid in his lungs. His breathing is always so irregular and I guess the HW treatment just makes it seem worse. I don't know why but his breathing is always faster than Josie's. I don't know if maybe it is from an old injury or what. Maybe when he gets finished with all this poison we can get a better idea of his breathing and if there is an underlying cause that needs to be explored in detail. Thanks for all the prayers.
Tanya

[Lili's Mama]

Ben looks so sweet and I know he says his prayers every night and thanks God you are his mommie. I have been reading all the adoption and rescue posts for the last several months and am so touched by the big hooman hearts and their love for these special little furry ones. I have found a new awareness of how much some of these precious little souls endure. God bless anyone who takes them in. <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm34.gif" border=0>

[pluto'slanie]

Come on Ben you little darlin. Razzz continuing for you good health. Lanie & Pluto

[georgette]

So grateful for this little boy and your family - every one makes a big difference.