New year's eve

I can't say that I really recommend this as a way to end the year. Thursday night, Declan and River were in the kitchen after we had gone to bed. But they weren't ready to sleep. Instead, someone (River is my prime suspect), tore up a large cardboard box and its contents, old gift wrap and shipping paper. I got up and came down to a fine mess in the kitchen, as well as some vomit in the hallway (again, River is the prime suspect.)

I cleaned up that mess and went back to bed, but soon heard more noise from the kitchen. This time he had dumped out a plastic container and spilled a couple hundred zip ties all over the floor. I was pissed at them both and banished them to Daneland to spend the night. It was not to be, however, because they started barking. I brought them back inside and gave them both a Benebone to chew on. They actually laid down and began chewing. I got back to sleep although Clay got up with them once more.

Friday morning I went downstairs and found no more destruction, but I did find another large pile of vomit. River had now gone 48 hours without keeping any food in his stomach and given his penchant for dietary indiscretion, I was really concerned that he had a blockage that was preventing food from leaving his stomach. 

I put both boys outside in Daneland but didn't feed either of them. I called Erika who started calling vets and I started work. We got a "we'll work you in" appointment for 2:00 p.m. River was no more inclined to get into the van than Declan, but he's not as big and I was able to make it happen. I had two slip leads on him, and I'm glad I did because when I opened the van upon arrival he shot out of there like a bat out of hell. I don't have the skilled eye and hand and reactions of an athlete, but where my dogs are involved I can be fast when it's needed. I managed to grab the longer of the two leashes as River shot past me and he got into the clinic safely. 

They did blood work, which was normal, and then took x-rays, which were inconclusive. They seemed to show "something" but it looked the same as the x-rays that were taken before he came to us earlier in the year. Given the lack of weight gain, the vet suggested that there may be some underlying gastro-intestinal issue that we'll still need to follow up with and get figured out. For now, they gave him some fluids and an injection of cerenia to control vomiting. 

He still wasn't inclined to jump into the van, but he was still a bit groggy from the sedation so I scooped him up and deposited him in the back of the van and we headed home. I should have walked him a bit first, because he desperately needed to pee, which he did in the back of the van on the way home. I cooked him some rice and we will see if keeps it down and passes it on through his system. I'll worry about cleaning out the van tomorrow. Happy new year everyone.

 

When I clean up the back of the van tomorrow, it looks like the back window

could use a little work too.

Leaving the vet's office a big groggy

He stood up for most of the drive home, but wasn't very steady on his feet.

These pictures of him back home are a little fuzzy,

but that's how he's feeling right now anyway.