Smokey went to the vet today. He has the big 'D' and has started throwing up food. He isn't throwing up as if it is an upset stomach more like acid reflux where food comes back up on its own. If that makes sense. He opens his mouth and food and water comes out.

Last time he lost 10 lbs in just a few days. So he is on Metronidazole and Reglan. The second one is a drug to help the food process through his stomach quicker and move on out. That way he won't be throwing it back up. And he is on Culturelle which is a probiotic to replace good bacteria.

They also took blood to send off for a test of his B-12 level and some other levels. If those are low he will have to get B-12 shots.

Of course in his usual spirit he walks around like he feels absolutely fine and there is nothing wrong with him. I have stuffies to destroy so I don't have time to be sick. Such a hound!

I hope Smokey feels better soon! He is such a sweet boy. Those B-12 shots will really pep him up (if he needs them). When Panama was on them he was like a puppy!
Good thing he still likes his stuffies!!

Get better soon, Smokey!

Smokey boy, hope you are feeling better!

Hope You feel better real soon Smokey. Poor Boy.

Gary

Get well soon, Smokey boy.

Hope Smokey is feeling better now!

The blood test they did came back. The vet talked to Rick while he was driving so he couldn't write anything down. We are taking Smokey back on Monday and I will get more info then. But his test showed his B-12 was very low. They consider 500 low and he is at 200. So he will be getting B-12 shots for awhile. And the other things measured in this test were all low. I think one was folic. Good news is that his pancrease is in good shape. So Monday we will talk to the vet about what is next step and about changing his food to another protein source.

Meanwhile Smokey is doing what Smokey does best...............sleeping and taking the stuffies away from the others. This boy can walk by the bed and KNOW when there is a stuffie up there. He puts his front feet on the bed and stretches until he finds it. Amazing sense of smell.

The blood test they did for Smokey was to check his pancrease, B-12 and folic levels. His pancrease was good so he does not have EPI-enzyme pancreatic insufficiency. His B-12 and folic were both low which means IBD as we expected. And his bacteria level indicates SIBO-small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

So he gets a weekly B-12 shot, antibiotics, and an over the counter probiotic to increase good bacteria. We have to change his food. He can't have chicken, turkey, beef, corn and prefer no wheat or rice. So fish and sweet potato here we come. After four weeks they will run another blood test to check his levels. Hopefully this will bring his body back in line. If not then the next step is a biopsy of his intestines to determine the specific type of bacteria and determine what type of IBD. Different types affect different areas, like upper colon vs lower colon or GI tract or all three.

Meanwhile he acts like he is absolutely fine and loving life. Good boy!

ohhh, smokey. can i come for a salmon dinner???? feel good, sweet boy!