I returned from work as usual on Wednesday night, let Mattie Silks outside to go potty and went about the usual evening business. When I let Mattie back inside, I noticed that she had vomited on the back steps. When she came inside, she drank a big bunch of water and was a little “burpy” and “belchy”. After a few minutes, she threw up again. I confined her in an area so I could keep and eye on her. I also wanted to keep her away from Max in case it happened again. It did.
We waited a while before giving her more food or water. When we gave her more, it came back up most immediately. She wasn’t keeping anything down – and she was anxious.
After a while, we gave her dinner and she seemed OK – except that she was still gurgly and grunty. It sounded as if she had something in her throat.
Mattie had difficulty breathing the rest of the night. Overnight, it reminded us of having a newborn baby – as Brendan comforted (pet) her each time she awoke herself when gasping for air. By 3am we were quite concerned and started formulating a plan to get her to the vet in the morning. With each of us having important meetings on our calendars, it wasn’t as easy to think through as one would hope. For the rest of the night, Mattie woke herself every 15 – 20 minutes and Brendan was at her side each time to calm her through each breath-taking-gasping episode. It was exhausting to think that morning was approaching and we couldn’t stop it.
Luckily, the vet opened at 7:00am and was able to get Mattie in right away. I canceled a few morning meetings, and we were there by 7:20am. They evaluated Mattie but were unable to make a diagnosis at the time. To them – she seemed to be rendering typical English Bulldog behaviors with their snub nose breathing issues. Despite this, they offered/suggested that she receive a dose of steroids to decrease inflammation/improve breathing and that I leave Mattie for observation for the day. They would call me if issues arose during the day.
We were relieved to have Mattie under watch. At least we wouldn’t have to wonder how she was doing at home alone. She was a phone call away!
By 9:30am the vet called me at work to report that Mattie had another vomiting episode after they attempted to feed her breakfast. She also demonstrated the symptoms described in the initial consult. They believed she had severely irritated her airway, aspirated vomit and reported that she was “turning blue” from lack of oxygen. To get her breathing under control they wanted to sedate her, give her additional steroids, and start an IV as a back-up. They also wanted to do X-Rays to diagnose the problem. If Mattie didn’t stabilize soon, they recommended transferring her to a “medical unit” vet hospital for oxygen therapy.
My heart crumbled to a thousand pieces at the thought of losing Mattie Silks. And because she’s been driving me nutty the past several months (dog hair, neediness, stinkiness, dirtiness, poopiness etc), I suddenly felt overwhelming guilt. Just because she bugs me doesn’t mean I don’t love her.
By the end of the day, they were able to stabilize Mattie, and she came home. We are so grateful that she is OK. Having a furry friend is such a rewarding experience – and I often ponder that concept…wondering how it is that we allow such creatures into our homes. However, pets are capable of giving, receiving, and feeling love – and this adds fulfillment to our lives.
Brendan, Mysti and Max celebrated Mattie’s return home and exchanged lots of hugs and kisses. Mattie is still recovering from the debacle, but she’s already camping out under Maxwell’s high chair waiting for food to drop – and that means she’s back!
Mattie returns home - and zonks out after her long day at the "doggie hospital"
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