Ahhh Natalya, I'm so sorry to hear the big guy is going through this. Mouth problems are no fun. Thinking of you guys and hoping for a speedy recovery.

Sorry guys! We drove home in a sleet storm this morning and made it to the vet JUST in time for our appointment - didn't even stop at the house first. Oscar's temp was still around 105, and they agreed on exam that there was something funny going on with his mouth. Since he had stopped eating and drinking, for the most part, and hadn't really had much of a meal in days, they wanted to keep him all day, maybe night, to leave him on fluids, give him antibiotics, pain meds, and have a dentist take a look at his face (the clinic we went to last night had swiftly faxed over all the info from their exam, so Angell had a dentist all lined up to take a look this afternoon). Prognosis is good, they just wanted to hang onto him.

I hadn't posted an update yet because I don't have anything definitive yet. I thought I'd have heard back by now... I just called for an update but the doc was busy and will hopefully get back to me soon. So here I am, waiting by the phone.

I'll let y'all know the minute I have more news... thanks so much for all the luv.
~Natalya

Well it sounds like a tooth issue is certainly way better than your other concerns, so this is promising! I'm sure he isn't feeling his ususal happy self with a temp of 105 however... Thanks for the update Natalya and let us know what more you hear!

Is he in Angell Memorial?
THATS GREAT! Hard on the pocket book, but we won't be second guessing those guys! Let 'em do their thing!

Okay, just had a conversation with the doc... Currently, they've got his temp down to 102.2 - this is great, but there hasn't been enough time for the antibiotics to cause such a drop, so it's likely a result of all the fluids. It's still good that it's down, but they'll taper off the fluids tomorrow and there's a chance it could shoot up again.. so we'll have to wait and see.

The dentist found nothing conclusive with his teeth, but there is definitely a bad smell, so something's not right. They rightly won't put him under to do an x-ray (which would likely confirm an infection) until he's well out of the fever zone and feeling sick, so the best they can do is cross any other things off the list that they can without sedating him. If all sources point to "tooth", then we'll wait a week or so till the infection is soundly beaten and THEN deal with that.

A few concerns - his urine is apparently very brown ("a mess" as the vet put it), full of myoglobin, ketones and with high PH. She asked if he had a lot of carbs in his diet (which can increase PH) - he doesn't normally, but when I switched to the bland diet thursday, there was obviously a fair amount of rice in it - perhaps this is the cause? The protein and ketone counts were concerning - though she said not unexpected due to the persistent fever (causing muscle breakdown). The good news is that his kidneys looked normal, so it would appear we stopped the fever before it had any irreparable organ damage. Specifically, she told me it was very good that he received fluid last night... even if his temp eventually went back up... that one treatment slowed down a dangerous process.

In classic Oscar fashion, he's come down with something more perplexing than immediately diagnosable, but he's in very good hands. They're going to update again tomorrow morning after they stop the fluids to see if the antibiotics are doing their thing - if he's rebounding well, he can come home tomorrow night.

I want to thank you guys AGAIN - for urging me off to the e-vet last night, it sounds like it made a huge difference. I'm kicking myself for not over-reacting sooner... all those times I race to the vet for minor issues, and I choose a mamba jamba of a fever to "wait it out"... another lesson learned.

~Natalya

Good to get the update Natalya, and glad to hear the antibiotics and fluids are helping him feel better.
He sounds like he is great hands, so that is very comforting.
Wishing continued progress and a restful night for you both.
Please let us know more as time goes on.
You are in my thoughts!

Been following along waiting for the update..glad they caught it before it got worse..and good job on taking him to the vet last night.....
I hope he feels better soon
Willie

My husband is diabetic and I know in humans, ketones in the urine means high blood sugars. Which makes sense that the vet asked you about carbs. The last time my husband was hospitalized with high blood sugar with ketones present (DKA), he was extremely dehydrated and his urine turned brown as well. They aren't considering diabetes are they?? I'm so worried for little Oscar!

 Quote: natalya zahn

I'm kicking myself for not over-reacting sooner... all those times I race to the vet for minor issues, and I choose a mamba jamba of a fever to "wait it out"... another lesson learned. ~Natalya

I still say your reaction time was perfect. Even if you got to the Angell on Sunday; Oscar probably would have received fluids and had to wait until today for a Dentist. The way things played out you got to keep him with you overnight which was good for both of you and you will only have to be without his fabulous company tonight.

Have you offered to allow the Angell to hire Oscar as a spokesdog? After all he is a super model!

Sending good thoughts for you & the 'big guy'.