911 Hepatic abscess DB

Snaps was diagnosed with diabetes 2 years ago, registered as a rare case since he is so resistant to insulin with pyrexia. 4 days ago came down with the runs, high temp, lethargy. Admitted into hospital on Monday and today diagnosed with hepatic abscesses .... I have researched until I've dropped... The vets aren't hopeful since they don't see many cases like his.
I'm looking at surgery, he's only 5 yrs old!! I'll pay this for the rest of my life if I have to! Any advice PLEASE

 

There are a lot of recent strides in treatment. Hold on, if there's any organ that can deal with an assault like this, it's the liver. Livers can regenerate if they are given a fighting chance. You've done the wisest thing by admitting him to hospital. They will try to leave as much functional liver left as possible, and the tissue can grow!

We'll send healing thoughts and prayers to Snaps. You get some rest now. You'll need your strength so you can take care of Snaps when they send him back home.

 

Bless, thank you. His liver function blood test came back as normal. How strange is that. I hear that the recovery rate is quite low in this instance, mortality is fairly high. Do I quit with the vet and take him straight to the specialists to drain the abscesses??

 

After hearing how clueless a lot of general vets are about diabetes, that might not be a bad idea if you have a specialist in the area. I'm losing patience with 'general practicioner vets." They get spread pretty thin between/among species.

I know I would feel a lot better seeing a specialist if Dottie were in Sonny's place. How can they possibly keep up with all the protocols and still see tons of general patients as well?

 

I don't mean to sound blaze(hyphen) I'm scared. He's my baby boy. I'm terrified in fact. He's on anti biotics in the hospital. His diabetes is as it normally would be. He's not vomiting. He's very poorly and temperature so high. Do I call it quits with the wait on culture to find the right anti biotics and just ask for him to be sent to the specialists to drain the abscesses?

 

I'm really with you on this. Thank you for your input. I really do appreciate it. He is a rare case and he is so young, I just can't lose him now after everything x

 

He has lesions in three places but they don't know much more unless then open him up

 

Ok, just hang on. They'll do things up right, and then you'll have the information you need to care for Snaps. We're all pulling for him, and you.

Remember to rest up. I know it's hard, but you can't care for him unless you are well rested.

 

If he was mine I would by-pass the GP vet and go straight to the specialist. Sending prayers and healing vibes to Snaps and hugs and strength to his mama!

 

Hi Dianne,

I'm so sorry to hear Snaps is feeling poorly.

I agree with Lucy. Get Snaps to a specialist as soon as possible. No harm can come of having the consult and you'll be working with someone who will have much, much more experience and who will therefore be better able to advise you on treatment avenues. You'll know better what to do when you get better information. (Helps a lot.)

It shines out of your every word how much you love Snaps. I really do feel for you over how worried you are. (My own little one is in hospital, too.)

Sending prayers for you and Snaps.


Mogs
.

 

Hi hun, thank you for your kind words. I do hope your little one is going to be fine. Let us know how you get on. Bless.

 

Our vet was away from the surgery today and I dealt with a fairly obnoxious one who said that surgery was not possible so I've been beside myself all day. Our vet is back at the surgery tomorrow so I've passed a message on when I visited snaps tonight to refer us to the specialist.

On another note, I am sure you are all wondering how Snaps is. I visit him every evening and tonight he looks a lot perkier than he has since last week. So, I am more hopeful than I was this morning after talking to the horrible vet. He's eating more today too and his temperature is 39 which is lower than it has been in a week. His bg is really good considering too.

I'll send another update as soon as I know more. We are waiting for his culture to grow to make sure he's on the right anti biotics. He's on 3 different types currently so hopefully they are doing some good. The bill is rife already but he's worth it. I just want my baby boy back home healthy.

 

Fingers and paws crossed for Snaps, and sending prayers and healing vibes. Please keep us posted on his progress!

 

Send healing thoughts and positive energy your way. Make sure you take care of you.

I guess some vets get what human doctors get...the G O D complex. They forget the part about "practicing medicine", instead of KNOWING IT ALL. Dealing with one of them is the last thing you need when your pet is sick and you aren't sure how good that doctor is.

What do they call someone who graduated at the bottom of his medical class? Answer: "DOCTOR."

 

If he's showing signs of improvement, it is possible that the current antibiotics are covering at least some of the pathogenic bacteria.

 

I'm so sorry to hear you have this on top of everything else, Dianne.

If I was in such a situation and didn't know what to do, I would ask to get an emergency referral to a specialist. If I had to wait for that I would try ringing around other vet practices in the area to see whether there were other vets with more experience who might be able to give a second opinion. You might get better information that way.

Sending prayers for Snaps. I have an idea of what you're going through and I really feel for you.


Mogs
.

 

PS - maybe try contacting the Royal Veterinary College (Hertfordshire, IIRC) or Langford small animal hospital in Bristol (part of the university veterinary school). They may be able to advise you on how to get an emergency referral. Look online for veterinary specialist referral practices in your area. I really hope for you to get the help you need.

.

 

Hoping Snaps is doing well today, sending more hugs and prayers!

 

Thinking of you both.

Sorry I can't write more. (Can't get Saoirse to eat.)

 

Hi Dianne,

Checking in to see how you and Snaps are doing: I'm worried about you. I hope Snaps is responding to his treatments (and also that you are getting decent veterinary support).



Mogs
.