Sorry for not posting two days in a row. We had some drama with Archie that took things over.
Typically, he is a very light eater. He is a grazer, in that we put out his food and he doesn't just dive in and gobble it up like our previous dogs have done. He gives it a once-over, but often just passes it up and takes a nibble or two during the day. He rarely eats very much at a time.
Well, on Wednesday, he seemed to have more of an appetite than usual. He ate up his bowl of kibble right away and kept coming around looking for more. I thought he must be hungry, so I put another helping of kibble in his bowl, thinking he would nibble at it over a longer period of time as he usually did. Well, he gobbled that bowl right up too. So, he ate a lot more than usual.
In the early evening, we noticed that he seemed kind of agitated. He was pacing around and going to the door to be let out. When he was outside, I noticed it looked like he might be eating grass, which typically indicates a dog isn't feeling well and needs to regurgitate the contents of their stomach. When he came back inside, he was more agitated than ever, coughing, swallowing with big gulps, and acting as if something was caught in his throat. We did not know what to do with him, so I offered water, bits of soft bread to push things down his throat if something was stuck, etc. Finally, he calmed down a bit, and we all went to bed.
In the morning, it was clear he had indeed evacuated the contents of his stomach, which included a large amount of grass. He was still acting quite unlike his usual self, so I called the vet to bring him in for an emergency visit. We were so worried that he had something stuck in his throat.
Well, long story short, the vet had to sedate him to have a good look down his throat. What he discovered was two pieces of grass stuck behind each of his tonsils! Even though these bits of grass were small, they were extremely irritating and caused all the havoc. The vet's theory was that Archie overate, wanted to vomit, and ate grass (which dogs instinctively do). He got grass stuck where it shouldn't have been and felt like he was choking. The vet removed the bits of grass, and we were able to pick Archie up and bring him back home. He was super groggy, as we were told he would be. In the picture above, around eight hours after the anesthesia, he was still a zombie. He looks like he has no bones.
He is a bit more lively now, but still feeling very mopey and sorry for himself.
Typically he perks up when Eva is with us, but he was just as puny with her.
Wish us luck, that he is back to his usual frisky self today! What an ordeal. The little prince isn't used to things not going his way.
19 Responses
Poor baby— although I have to say the picture of him as a zombie dog is funny— sorry, Archie! Lesson learned for all of us: DON’T OVEREAT. 🙂
Oh my goodness! What an ordeal 😱 I’m so so sorry to hear that you and Archie had to go thru all that. It’s so hard when our puppers are sick and they can’t tell us what’s wrong. I’m so glad the vet figured it out and Archie is back home safe and sound! He sure looks like a limp rag. Hopefully by the time you read this he has more energy. Please keep us posted as you are able. Give him a belly rub or ear scratch from me! 🐾🐶
I’m so sorry Archie had this problem – sometimes it’s so difficult to understand what your pet is saying to you, but fortunately, you knew him well enough to know something was amiss. I hope his recovery continues! Happy Easter to you and your family.
Gosh, if only they could talk!❤️ I’m so sorry you and Archie had to go through this. Who knew that grass could get stuck behind their tonsils?? I didn’t even know dogs had tonsils! Hopefully he will return to his frisky self as soon as the anesthesia wears off. 🐾
Sure hope Archie is feeling better by now. He might think twice before over eating again!
Have a good weekend. Finally some sunshine and warmth here in Pennsylvania.
Poor, sweet Archie! I am glad the situation was able to be resolved quickly. Give him some hugs from me!
I didn’t know dogs had tonsils! One of our dogs would occasionally wolf down dinner, and within 10 minutes he was bringing it back up. We were generally in the kitchen when we noticed the signs and learned to pick up his dish.
I also missed your previous column and was happy to see how your husband is improving. What a long haul this has been!
He looks as limp as a dish rag. Poor guy.
Poor Archie! And poor you, having to deal with what came up! So glad the vet figured it out for you and he’ll be back to his normal self soon. We have a 13 year old cat named Ivy who has developed diarrhea, so I know how you feel. She has it in the middle of the night, on the floor in our room. It’s like getting up with a baby again! I took her to the vet yesterday and except for this, she’s healthy, so she’s now on probiotics and if that doesn’t help she’ll have more testing. Good thing we love of babies!
Oh poor Archie! Glad the vet was able to determine the cause, and that it was relatively easy to resolve.
Here’s hoping he’s back to normal today. (Eva looks sad and concerned about Archie, so sweet!)
Poor Archie & poor you, too! Pets are such a worry. I sure wish they could tell us what hurts when they don’t feel well. And, Eva looks like she’s so worried about him, too. 😢 Feel better soon, Archie!
To Anita above…our dog had severe issues & has been taking probiotics twice a day for 1 ½ years. Except for rare occasions, they have taken care of the problem. Hope you see good results, as well!
Oh my goodness!
Hope Archie is back to normal soon. What an ordeal for all to go through. 🐾♥️🐾
OMGosh poor Archie! Who would have guessed – I would assume he was wolfing down food trying to move the grass. My kid’s Airdale eats grass often. I’ve read about it being a stomach response, but also out of boredom, which I’m sure Archie is NOT. Theirs yes – they work too much. He’s a big boy though and had surgery last year for his stomach flipping – more common in big breeds – and it can be quickly fatal. Just lucky my daughter happens to love Dr. Pol. Thousands of (grandparent) dollars later, he’s still with us, but he’s been expensive! Also had major surgery to repair the back of his throat when he impaled himself on a large stick playing fetch with one of their friends. It came within millimeters of his trachea. Good gravy the things we do for our furs – especially those terriers with so much personality. Glad he’s ok!!!! Sorry – TMI!!!
Poor Archie looks wiped out!! I bet he’s enjoying all the love!!
What a time you had! Glad he had the surgery, and is on the mend. Any idea what made him so hungry, as it is out of character for him?
Poor Archie but I agree with some of the comments he did look so cute when he was recovering! He has a huge personality!!! Wonderful news about Dennis taking steps!!! Onwards and upwards!!! Have a wonderful 🐣 Easter!
Those Foxies! They keep us on our toes, don’t they! Cosmo has spent time at our Emergency Vets (we are so lucky to have one close by) for surgery and also over New Years a year ago. It’s funny how we know that there is something not right. I’m sure you are relieved that it wasn’t more serious. I hope Archie gets back to his old self soon.
oh, man. archie sure looks pathetic in those pictures. poor little guy.