Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Poor Murphy...

He's sure having a rough couple of weeks.

I came in last night and he didn't greet me at the door like he always does. I called him and he slowly ambled into the room, ears flat and tail tucked. Something was wrong.

I looked in the kitchen and his food from the morning meal was still in his bowl, untouched. He walked over to his dog bed by the patio window and lay down, then just stared at me. This isn't normal for him. Normal for him is jumping around, throwing his toys in the air, pouncing on things and trying to bait me into chasing him around the house. And uneaten food? Never. Not this guy.

Opening the freezer, I got out one of the frozen beef marrow bones that he loves. I offered it to him but he wouldn't take it. I set it down next to him and he just ignored it. Something was definitely wrong.

His forehead felt warmer than normal and he sure was listless. I was worried. So back to the emergency vet we went, some 40 miles away. And all the way there, he just rode calmly instead of wigging out and demanding to have his window down like he normally does.

At the vet, they poked him and prodded him and drew blood. He had a fever, and the blood test indicated Lyme Disease.

I've had him on Frontline flea and tick preventative since I've had him, but that's not always 100% effective, especially around here where deer ticks are everywhere. And for all we know, he may have come to me with it as it could be dormant for a long time. But the vet thinks that he's having a flare-up now, so he's getting even more new medicine and bed rest for a few days. I got him to eat some McDonalds last night, and today he nibbled his food when I added chicken broth to it. Now he's back to sleep, and I'm going to stay home with him for the rest of the week.

Poor dog. Poor sad dog.
It's ok, pal. I've got ya.

19 comments:

  1. Damn, that sucks. Sorry for both of you.

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  2. Poor guy. Lyme stinks - I've had it twice and once you've had it it can be with you the rest of your life.

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  3. @ Bob: Thanks. It does suck.

    @ PH: Yeah. Lagniappe had it too. But I never knew it to bother him.

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  4. Anonymous11:07 AM

    Sorry to hear. Glad you are there for each other.

    gfa

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  5. Ah poor baby. Tell him that his "Uncle" Sarge is praying for him.

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  6. Oh, Poor Murphy. I hope he feels better real soon, so you won't have to worry so much.

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  7. Take good care of him. Our Jack Russell has it and although, she's 13 now, the last few years have been tough on her.

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  8. my SO's mom had a dog with Lyme. he lived 'till he was old and you never really knew he had it. Murph will be fine. :)

    we vaccinate for Lyme.

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  9. Sorry, Murph; life sucks, sometimes. You're lucky to have Law watching out for you.

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  10. Sorry to hear that, but at least you got him in, and know what the issue is.

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  11. Get well, Murphy!

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  12. Drat. You and Murph hang in there.

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  13. Look forward to hearing that he is quickly back on his feet and filching snacks from the untended kitchen counter!

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  14. Take good care of him. He is really special. We love reading about him.

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  15. @ Michael: He was feeling good enough today to swipe the spatula that I used to make lunch off of the counter while I was at the vet getting his prescription filled. And he demanded to be let out onto the deck a few minutes ago so that he could chase a cat off of my truck in the driveway. He's still in both thief and watchdog mode no matter how crummy he feels.

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  16. Get well soon Murphy!

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  17. It's just not that poor boy's month. Hugs to you both. I hope November will be kinder.

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  18. Poor guy! Hope he feels better soon

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  19. Man. Poor Murphy. Get better fast big guy.

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