Knowledge is Power

                                                                       

So I will start this off with a little background story and close it with today’s position! About 7 months ago or so Mason randomly started throwing up. I’m talking projectile vomit on a whim LIKE A 4-YEAR-OLD, ha ha! It wasn’t after every meal or drink, nor was it consistent with days. I started with the vet who did blood work just to be safe. I rather spend dollars to save a life and even get peace of mind then to just assume and not take action. It came back and I quote “He’s the healthiest 10-year-old I know” Gee, thanks glad I am doing that part right! I was advised from there to get a slow feeder bowl to slow down his intake and switch his food as well. For anyone that personally knows Mason he eats like it’s the last supper, LOL.

 

**Spoiler Alert**This has a very happy ending and Mason is just fine ;)

 There we are about 3 weeks later on this path and it’s back to randomly throwing up. This time the same type- projectile, random and always his food undigested. I now moved him to prescription duck and potato food, which seemed to do the job! However once again about a month in, my poor fur baby was throwing up again. SOLUTIONS, SOLUTIONS I just wanted….so back to the vet we go! My next step was having the vet do an x-ray of the stomach and areas around to make sure he didn’t have a blockage. *Note to self- a dog can have a blockage and still be able to go to the bathroom! This I did not know. Again, KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. The x-ray showed something in the stomach area, however no guarantees or promises if it was anything or something. Ok, a cat scan or scope was the next step… I want answers!! The next few days Mason was scheduled for a cat scan. You may be thinking at this point, how is everything else- eating habits, personality, temperament, activity level and such. Let’s just say you would never know anything was wrong! Nothing changed, he was still the 10-year-old I knew with the energy of a puppy and an appetite of a dog that’s acted like he never ate. Do keep in mind though, dogs don’t’ or rarely show pain.  So, I wait…days later Mason has the cat scan- results…. The healthiest 10-year-old they know! Electrolytes in balance, no masses, density, cancers or problems for that matter. Amazing news right? Well of course, but I still didn’t know why else he was still getting sick. I attempted in the meantime switching him to people food but (grilled pork, chicken, vegetables and rice) it wasn’t enough nourishment. The “density” that appeared on the x-ray was no longer on the cat scan and was determined as a ball of gas (LOL in the vet’s office).

 Back to the drawing board and brainstorming…. what about splitting his food into 4 small meals instead of 2 large meals, sure we will give it a whirl, can’t hurt! A few people suggested it and we will go with it. Well, it’s been a few weeks now and oh my puppy, I think we’ve got it! It seems to be working but we will keep our paws crossed! Mason is a VERY excitable, energetic, high strung dog not one like I have ever met before and I wouldn’t trade him for the world!! However, after months of experiments this very well may have been the problem. Too much food at once combined with a crazy nutty let’s jump around and do circles right after I eat kind of dog. I am happy that it is finally working and hope to continue on this path. Why after 9 years this has changed? That I am not sure of, but what I am sure of is I seem to have a solution, Mason is happier and healthier so that is all that matters. Dog’s bodies can change over time just like a human. With that said, I leave you with this- Always ask questions, don’t be afraid to take it to the next step, a second opinion and be open to changes. Knowing is better than staying silent and just assuming its’ fine it will work itself out.

 

xoxo,

DOGOBSESSED