Thursday, March 3, 2011

Day 3: Coonhound Paralysis / Facial Nerve Paralysis

Sully has stopped vomiting regularly, but still cannot eat or drink without gagging. His appetite is virtually gone, and he refuses food. The vet has advised mixing PET milk, corn syrup, egg, and water to create a makeshift liquid food. I froze the mixture into very small ice cubes which he can choke down a few at a time. I also purchased a high calorie vitamin supplement paste from Petsmart. I can rub a few drops at a time onto his tongue and hold his mouth closed while he swallows it.
     His lower eyelids droop heavily and he cannot blink, making it hard for him to fall asleep. He tossed anxiously all of last night, and is increasingly wobbly and sluggish while walking today. I have started covering his face with a handkerchief blindfold so that he can rest while lying down.
     Despite licking or swallowing ice cubes, Sully's inability to lap water and constant drooling has dramatically cut down on his ability to take in and retain fluids. I have a roll of paper towels in every room to wipe up his drool. He is showing signs of dehydration. A friend of my mother who was a vet-tech is coming by to show me how to administer IV fluids.
     Even though he feels terrible, Sully still bolts upright whenever someone knocks on the door. But he has lost the ability to bark.
High Calorie Vitamin Paste for dogs

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