Superbowl Sunday Slumber

Day #7

Not much to update on. We started Corbin on the tranquilizers this morning... he's walking around like a drunk sailor. So we're watching his every move and have a hiking harness on him to help him get up and down the deck ramp. He does seem a bit restless but has finally settled down on my legs for a snooze. Thankfully he's crate trained and likes his crate, so he'll be safe when we're not home or can't be watching him. Going to be a long couple of days, but lets hope this does the trick.

Day #6: News

Ok, Corbin's mom here again today with our vet visit results. Sorry I waited so long to update, I wanted to make sure we received the results of his blood work. We re-tested him for pancreatitis, which came back negative. So now we can start treating him for the pain, which we think is coming from a pinched nerve in his back. We'll start treatment with Prednisone on Sunday morning, we need to have the metacam that he's been on for anti inflammatory out of his system for at least 48 hours.

Now, as most of you know, Corbin is a very active guy, even in the pain he's in, its hard for us to keep him from jumping on the couch when he hears a noise outside. So, in order for this to work the quickest, we'll need to tranquillize him during his treatment. If we keep him quiet, we can hopefully have this fixed in a week, but if he keeps pinching that nerve it'll set us back. It'll be hard to see him doped up every day, but we want him pain free as quickly as possible. We also have a ramp set up to help him up and down our deck stairs to avoid him repinching that nerve.

If he doesn't seem to respond to the prednisone treatment, we'll need to see a neurologist and have an MRI done. Hopefully this works and we can avoid that. But we'll do whatever we need to do our big guy!

I can't thank everyone enough for your love, concern, support and suggestions... hopefully we're at the bottom of his issue and he'll be writing about his crazy antics soon!

Corbin's momma, Jenn

Day #5

Corbin's momma here again. No real changes today. He did sleep a little better last night, so I'm hoping the pain meds are kicking in. He's still not drinking on his own but we've been doing an okay job tricking him into drinking. Hopefully we'll find some answers tonight, our appt is at 7pm.

On another note, like Corbin's current situation isn't stressful enough, I fell this morning and have a bad ligament strain in my ankle. So I'm on crutches for the next 6+ days. The fun just never stops!

Thanks for everyone's support. It's been so helpful to read all the comments and emails. I've written up some notes and suggestions to bring with us tonight.

Keep those good vibes coming for my big fella!!!

Corbin's momma, Jenn

Day #4

Corbin's momma here again.  I really hate to keep updating with crappy news and I don't want to not update and keep everyone in the dark... but Corbin is no better.  He's still not drinking well - we've tried chicken broth, beef broth and chicken and beef baby food mixed in.  The broth worked well Sunday, but then he was sick of that.  And the baby food worked great last night, so I was pretty excited, but he turned his nose up at it this morning, no matter how I doctored it up.  He has been eating fine and I fill his food bowl with water, which he'll drink to get to the food, but it just doesn't seem to be enough water.  We'll probably have to go in again tonight for more fluids if he doesn't start drinking.  I've thought about doing the fluids at home, but I keep hoping that every trip will be our last... plus, I'm not sure how well he'd sit still for it at home.  And, we still have Lexie, who has been an angel with all the attention Corbin has been getting.

He was in pain all night... moaning, groaning and yelping when he'd move.  I called my vet this morning at his home, not the vet we have been seeing, but our friend that owns the vet hospital.  I told him I was very concerned that this was possibly something else and that Corbin's pain seems to be getting worse.  He went into the vets office and took a look at Corbin's file.  He thinks it might be in his back - although the pancreatitis did come back positive, he's not vomiting or showing any other signs.  He upped his pain meds and Adam is on his way to get an anti inflammatory to start him on.  We have an appointment with Dr. Mike tomorrow at 7.  He wanted him on the anti inflammatory and pain meds before we went in for an appointment.

I've been up all night with him since Saturday... I'm worried sick about my poor boy.  It's so hard to see him in pain like this.  Hopefully, we can get him comfortable and figure out what is going on.

There is still the possibility that it's the pancreatitis... but since his pain is when he stretches his abdomen... that's typically something they do to relieve the pressure on the pancreas, so it shouldn't be causing pain :-(

I'll be back with another update tomorrow... hard to find the words for Corbin when he's hurting...

Another Corbin Update

Corbin's momma here again... Corbin refuses to drink, so we've been back to the vet yesterday afternoon and this morning to get some fluids, he won't even let them take him in the back to do it, so he sits in my lap and the tech comes into the exam room for him. He's still in a lot of pain, so we have some pain killers to try.  He's eating very well, and I've been adding tons of water to his food, but it just doesn't seem to be enough.  His gums are very pale.

He's a sure hit at the vets, everyone loves him and he's actually being a really good patient - as long as I'm with him.  He won't let me out of his site, even at home.

Very strange... the typical symptoms for this are vomiting, diarrhea and fever.  He doesn't have any of those symptoms.  Hopefully today is the day he turns around and starts feeling better.  I'd be much more relieved if he'd drink on his own.  I'm going to pick up some meat baby food and try to add that to the water to see if it will interest him.  I keep telling his dad we need to move closer to the vet... it's a 40 minute drive, but well worth it for great vets.

Oh, Corbin...

We're so very thankful for everyones love and support.  Sorry we haven't gotten around to visit... hopefully tomorrow will bring some good news!

Corbin's momma, Jenn

PS.  I'd also like to thank Emily from Our Waldo Bungie for Corbin's sweater.  Corbin has been wearing it to help him keep warm in the house and on his trips to the vet... when he's so dehydrated, he shivers and shakes, and the sweater helps to calm and warm him.  Everyone at our vet office loved it too, we're very thankful for it!

I'm home

Hi everyone. Before I give you my update, I'd just like to thank EVERYONE for all their concern and well wishes. It was so nice and comforting. My mom read me every single one.

Now, shortly after my mom updated that I was in the hospital, she got a call from the vet and had to come pick me up. I was super unhappy that mom and dad left... so I ripped out my IV, flipped my ecollar and busted out of my crate. So Ms. Nice Vet Lady told mom I was too stressed and I'd be better at home bc she was afraid I would get worse if I was stressed. Finally, people start listening to the Corbin!

But, I'm not going to sugar coat it, friends... I'm still in quite a bit of pain. I've been drinking water with some chicken broth bc mom said I'll have to go back to the vet if I don't. I tried eating a bit of chicken and rice this morning, so as long as that stays down, I can have some more later.

Thanks again for caring so much about me... I'm going to go take a nap on the couch.

-Corbin


And, PS... please go vote for me to be Mayzie's date for the. Valentine's dance! What could make a guy feel better than knowing he had a dance with a beautiful brindle gal to look forward too?!

http://mayziegal.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/time-to-vote-for-my-date/