Case Study- Can You Guess What’s Wrong With This Dog?

Despite his name Demon, a black Boxer is a wonderful dog.  His owners, Melissa and Scott told us he “earned” that handle as a young pup.  Apparently he was into everything.  Puppyhood can be a very trying time for us dog owners (think Marley with black fur).  The name stuck, although he grew up to be a very friendly and well behaved young dog, that is until Melissa and Scott went to work every day.  He displayed symptoms of Separation Anxiety when left alone by engaging in destructive behavior.  All of us who have experienced this know how difficult it is to come home after a hard day’s work and have to pick up the pieces of our lives left scattered over the house.  Melissa and Scott dealt with his destructive behavior by erecting a very large kennel in her bedroom for him to stay in during her working hours.  He can stay there safely they thought and at least not destroy anything.  They gave him a nice comfortable blanket to lie on.  Demon was presented to Dr. Current for not eating, vomiting and lethargy.  He was happy and alert, his gums were pink, temperature was normal, and he was hydrated and had mild abdominal tenderness.  Dr. Current ordered abdominal x-rays, gave an antiemetic (to stop vomiting) and something for the abdominal discomfort.  The x-rays were suspicious for a foreign body.  Upon questioning the owners if it was possible he might have ingested something, they reported that he had chewed his blanket several weeks prior.  An exploratory laparotomy was scheduled.   Dr. Current found a mass of strings in his stomach and also running through his bowels.  Several incisions had to be made to retract the strings.  The strings had sliced through his intestines in several areas, consequently allowing gastric juices to enter his abdominal cavity- a very serious situation. Dr. Current had lots of repair work to do.  Repairs were made his abdominal cavity was flushed, and the rest was up to Demon.   Demon was in the hospital for 10 days recovering from his surgery.  He was unable to take anything by mouth while his intestines and stomach healed so all medications had to be given by injection, and he was on a lot of medications.  Several antibiotics, pain medication, and medications to slow his gastric secretions where all indicated.   Of course he couldn’t eat or drink so the IV’s continued to support his life.  It was touch and go for a while and Melissa and Scott visited him daily getting updates from the staff and doctors as to his progress. He was not showing signs of improvement like he should have by now.  Dr. Current wondered if Demon was suffering too much and suggested to Melissa and Scott that perhaps we should think about euthanasia.  “He should be improving by now and the costs are adding up daily.  I want to do what is best for you and for Demon,” Dr. Current said to them.  Melissa and Scott agonized over this suggestion as they so wanted their companion to return home to them and since they had already gone this far they just couldn’t image giving up on Demon.   So after much deliberating they decided to continue with his care.  Through much intensive care he did improve and was sent home to his grateful owners for them to continue with his care, until he finally recovered to the bouncy and beautiful dog he is today.    We at Community Veterinary Clinic appreciate Melissa’s and Scott’s dedication to their canine companion as they never gave up on him and neither did Dr. Current.