I posted about this over in health. I'm just at a loss as to what questions
to ask and what risks are acceptable.

Sassy is at the vet, diagnosed with giardia and pancreatitis. They have her
on IV fluids, pain meds and antibiotics.

The first report, after only a couple of hours, is that she is not getting
worse. She's doing okay but the vet was hesitant to say "better". I think
because she's afraid that I'll want to bring her home. But maybe I was just
imagining the "better" part.

They, obviously, want to keep her overnight. I'm sure that's necessary (and
I'm aware that more may be required) but I'm uncomfortable with the fact
that the clinic is not staffed overnight. I can pick her up when the clinic
closes at 7PM and transfer her to another clinic about 90 minutes away that
does have overnight staffing.

I don't like having her there unattended. But I'm not sure what the real
risks are of doing that. Yes, she could take a sudden turn for the worse or
she could develop a problem with her IV. The vet recognizes both those
possibilities but still assures me that she is comfortable with her being
unattended.

Schnauzers do not do well as a rule with IVs. It is better when possible to
just go under the skin. However, the volume of fluids here makes that
impossible.

Her heart was good, there was no fever, gums were in good shape. She was at
the vet within hours of starting to vomit. She's only 5 & 1/2, not
overweight - in very good physical shape actually.

So, how do I convince myself that it's worth the risk to leave her there
overnight unattended?

I'm really dumbfounded by all this because I thought we were doing
everything possible to have avoided both those risks. In the case of the
giardia, it even happens that we treated her for it about three weeks ago -
as a precaution when Spenser was showing a mild case. I carry water
whenever we go anyplace. They only get our house water or Poland Spring. I
just can't figure out a source for the giardia. But clearly, there is one.
This is not a coincidence.

I know miniature schnauzers can be predisposed to pancreatitis but we know
every single bite of food that goes in these dogs' mouths. And their
lineage doesn't have a high incidence of it - and each case could be blamed
on poor diet. Definitely not the case here. The vet's best guess is that
the giardia weakened her system to allow the incidence of pancreatitis.

My inclination is to pick her up at 7PM and bring her home, crated with her
IV. Just like she would be left at the vet. Then return her to them as
soon as they open in the morning. My thinking is that if there IS an
emergency, we can call the pager number and discuss it with the vet. Left
alone in the clinic, that wouldn't happen. I think the stress of moving her
to another clinic - where they will continue the same treatment - is
probably not worth it. And even bringing her home will be an additional
stress on her. I don't know the other clinic - it's in Ithaca but not
Cornell (although that is an option as well) - so it's harder for me to
throw all my trust their way.

But dang, I really don't know what to do.

Any thoughts?

Judy

Judy -
see reply in rpdh.
Sue and Atty

"Judy" wrote in message
...
.
My inclination is to pick her up at 7PM and bring her home, crated with
her IV. Just like she would be left at the vet. Then return her to them
as soon as they open in the morning. My thinking is that if there IS an
emergency, we can call the pager number and discuss it with the vet. Left
alone in the clinic, that wouldn't happen. I think the stress of moving
her to another clinic - where they will continue the same treatment - is
probably not worth it. And even bringing her home will be an additional
stress on her. I don't know the other clinic - it's in Ithaca but not
Cornell (although that is an option as well) - so it's harder for me to
throw all my trust their way.

But dang, I really don't know what to do.

Any thoughts?

Judy


Judy,

Do you feel comfortable having her at home overnight? I would do that or
Cornell if it was my dog. And probably opt for Cornell. Pancreatitis is
nasty and if I could afford it, I would want 24/7 care.

JMO.

Beth

"bethgsd" wrote in message
news:8Vo7i.65679$UD2.31468@trnddc05...
Do you feel comfortable having her at home overnight? I would do that or
Cornell if it was my dog. And probably opt for Cornell. Pancreatitis is
nasty and if I could afford it, I would want 24/7 care.

They would not let her come home with an IV - and felt that coming home
overnight without it would lose ground.

Turns out it wasn't Cornell they were suggesting but another clinic in
Ithaca. We have her settled there for the night.

She's no worse than she was this morning - which I take to be a very good
thing. This vet thinks there is even a chance that it's not pancreatitis
but just a gastritis. Or if it turns out to be an intestinal blockage, they
have board certified surgeons on staff.

Everyone I talked with about the place said it is wonderful but NOT cheap.
So far I'd have to echo that. But I feel a lot better having her there
tonight.

Thanks,
Judy