When I walked into Kelly's Cottage this morning to let the dogs out (these are the dogs that stay with Alayne and me at the main house), the smell hit me first ... then the sight. Birdie had thrown up everywhere, big gobs of green grass all over the floor and beds.
But the awful smell was coming from the crate that Cody, a new arrival, was sleeping in. He had thrown up, too, but it was completely different from Birdie's. Foul smelling and brown. Ick. We were keeping Cody a 'secret' for the next print newsletter, but he's going to make an appearance in today's blog.
Birdie hadn't eaten dinner last night, and we'd seen her munching a lot of grass yesterday evening, so when I saw the results this morning, I didn't think too much about it. She sometimes passes up her dinner or breakfast, so that in itself wasn't unusual, and she often enjoys some fresh grass every now and then. She sauntered out of the cottage this morning and was her normal cheery self. But Cody didn't eat last night either, and usually he goes absolutely wild at dinner time, dancing on his one rear leg. So this was definitely odd for him. However, Cody is undergoing chemotherapy and I figured this episode might be related to the treatment.
I checked Cody out, and was stunned to feel his feet, tail and mouth were ice-cold. Oh, my. We took his temperature on the spot and he registered at 95.6 degrees, dangerously cold. I called our internist in Missoula, Dr. Dave Bostwick, right away. He said the chemotherapy itself couldn't be causing hypothermia, but I should clearly head in to the clinic.
As we were loading Cody into the truck, I told Alayne I'd like to have Dave check Birdie out while we were there. The more I thought about her grass-eating yesterday evening and all the vomit this morning, it began to bother me. It didn't seem like her typical "I'll-try-a-grass-tonic-for-my-upset-stomach" routine. Into the truck went Birdie.
Two down, one to go....
A few days ago we had noticed that another recent arrival, the blind cat Cinder, had started getting pretty plump. When she came to us from the Bitterroot Humane Association a couple of weeks ago, we noticed she had good-sized nipples on her. We thought she probably had a litter of kittens this past spring. (We've had Cinder in isolation and hadn't taken her to the vet yet.) Then her tummy started filling out ... at first we decided it was because she was finally getting plenty to eat. But then Mariah and I examined her closely last week and concluded that, uh oh, she might be pregnant. Into the truck went Cinder.
An hour later, in Missoula....
Here's what we found in Birdie's stomach -- rocks. Lots of them. Aaarggh. You can see one very large rock is already lodged in her small intestine, and Dave said it's too big to get through. And look at all those others in her stomach! Oh, Birdie!!! She is one of the smartest dogs we have, and why she would do something this dumb is beyond us. Birdie's been with us nearly two years as well. The fact that she would do this one week after Buzz did the same thing -- good heavens. (They live in separate areas at the ranch, so it wasn't copycat behavior, and Buzz was still in the hospital when Birdie ate these rocks anyway.)
This is what Birdie looked like when I left her at the clinic. Ironically, she was her usual bouncy, happy self at the clinic ... that is, until I put her in this kennel, and then she realized something was amiss. Dave will have to do major intestinal surgery tomorrow, so we're facing another $1,500 bill for this operation, too.
As for Cody....
By the time I got to Dave's clinic, Cody's temperature had increased to 99.6 degrees, much better but still below normal. Dave suspected an overgrowth of bacteria in Cody's gut, and put him on IV fluids and antibiotics. His bloodwork turned out to be normal. Cody will stay at the clinic for the next couple of days. I took this photo of him before I left. Cody has an amazing story, but you'll have to wait till the next print newsletter to find out what it is!
And then there was Cinder the blind cat ... who is VERY pregnant, we found on ultrasound. At least two kittens for sure, if not more. She is very far along. Dave offered to take one of the kittens as an office cat when it's weaned. (Thank you!) Here's Dave playing with Cinder after the ultrasound. She is really just the sweetest, most affectionate little cat.
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Oh, yes. There was some good news today. I brought Buzz home. He's doing fine and he was so happy to be back at the ranch! His bill came to $1,534.00. Did I already say "Aaarggh!"?
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(Click on photos for larger images.)
I am glad to read Buzz is back home. What a day ! Please keep us updated and I hope everyone will be home soon.
Posted by: Leigh | August 17, 2006 at 04:08 PM
Well, I'm so glad Buzz is home and hope he stops eating toys. Healing thoughts for Birdie's intestinal surgery and for little Cody to feel better fast--and that's great Dr. Dave will take one of Cinder's kittens when they arrive.
Posted by: Roz | August 17, 2006 at 08:20 AM
It seems to happen with Retrievers to obsess with rocks/toys and to eat them. This seems to be a lack of work/excersise type activity. Running free in a padock is different than work. It could be time to start a volunteer force to walk/hike play retrieve etc with the dogs.
National Geographic channel Cesar Millan "The Dog Whisperer" is an excellent resource, or check out the web site.
An obstacle course, check out the facility at bestfriends. Remember when you had that big friendly dog as a pack leader? Each group needs a pack leader? Good luck..:)
Posted by: Karen/ TX | August 16, 2006 at 02:08 PM
What a hectic way to start the day! Glad to hear Buzz is doing well and back home. Cinder is so darling, maybe you can keep one of her babies, she is so little. ;-)
Thank goodness you don't have to put the animals through college, now THAT would really be expensive!
Hope you awoke to a beautiful Wednesday. :-)
Posted by: Leilani | August 16, 2006 at 09:43 AM
I once adopted two black cats from a shelter & soon found out one of them was pregnant. I named her Xerox, because she was making copies. (so you might have to change Cinder's name!) I'm just relieved it's not a disease! Sometimes when a dog eats rocks or weird things, it's because certain minerals are lacking. I know you have a great team of vets, but that just ran across my mind. Birdie certainly doesn't look like she has bolders in her belly by the look on her happy face. But poor Cody looks so sad. I don't think he feels good at all. I'm sorry it was such a bad health day. I'm hoping Cody will make a great recovery & be much better soon & Birdie's surgery will go well.
Hugs to all,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | August 16, 2006 at 03:26 AM