Getting Norman back to Normal
Donation protected
This is our sweet Norman. He’s an 11month old full blooded Labrador. His normal was spirited, bright eyed, and mischievous!! And here we are today after more than two months and almost 20 pounds of weighloss from an illness that we’ve already spent $2000 dollars on diagnostic testing to determine, all of which have been low yielding in results other than normal.
We began this trial and error process on October 1st—he slipped out of his new collar which was a tad too big still, and he ate some muscadines from our neighbors yard before I could get to him. A few hours later, he began vomiting profusely. I took him to the vet the next morning, where they did stool and blood tests, and X-ray and a Heartworm test. All came back normal and we took home meds to calm his tummy, anti nausea medication and Trifexis for flea and Heartworm prevention. I waited two days before giving him the first dose of Trifexis after which he became even more sick. I didn’t put two and two together at the moment. We took him back to the vet and this time they did another X-ray with barium, and an ultrasound and more blood work—again no issues found and they sent us home with anti acids and more tummy Calming meds. We opted to get a second opinion and took him to another vet. They tested him for Addison’s disease, megaesophagus, and more blood panels all to come back within normal ranges and no blockages or esophageal distress. More waiting.
Two weeks go by and he seems to make a turn around. He began eating and drinking better, having big poops again, and holding down his meals. On a November 12th, I gave him the second dose of Trifexis and he has gone down hill since. I made the connection several days ago, and alerted my vet of my suspicions. He certainly didn’t dismiss my concerns, so he advised me to file a claim with Elanco, the makers of Trifexis. I took him in this past Monday, and our vet was able to get Elanco to pay for a bile acid test to look for liver shunt problems—again this came back normal.
Our only option now is exploratory surgery and more imaging through xrays. The cost of this portion well exceeds $2800 for imaging and surgery. As a family of 5 on one income, we have hit financial hardship with what we’ve already spent to figure out how to help our buddy. We don’t want to give up on him without trying everything possible to save our companion. We also know that there are so many other worthy causes to donate to, but we thought it couldn’t hurt to seek help from donors after so many people have already reached out wanting to help or suggesting we fundraise. We lost our 9 year old lab last Christmas, and we surely don’t want to lose Norman before this holiday season. To some people, he’s just a dog. But to us, he’s our family, our friend, and companion. He may be just part of our life journey, but to him, we are his whole life. If you can spare any amount, our family will never be able to thank you enough. #lifewithNorman
We began this trial and error process on October 1st—he slipped out of his new collar which was a tad too big still, and he ate some muscadines from our neighbors yard before I could get to him. A few hours later, he began vomiting profusely. I took him to the vet the next morning, where they did stool and blood tests, and X-ray and a Heartworm test. All came back normal and we took home meds to calm his tummy, anti nausea medication and Trifexis for flea and Heartworm prevention. I waited two days before giving him the first dose of Trifexis after which he became even more sick. I didn’t put two and two together at the moment. We took him back to the vet and this time they did another X-ray with barium, and an ultrasound and more blood work—again no issues found and they sent us home with anti acids and more tummy Calming meds. We opted to get a second opinion and took him to another vet. They tested him for Addison’s disease, megaesophagus, and more blood panels all to come back within normal ranges and no blockages or esophageal distress. More waiting.
Two weeks go by and he seems to make a turn around. He began eating and drinking better, having big poops again, and holding down his meals. On a November 12th, I gave him the second dose of Trifexis and he has gone down hill since. I made the connection several days ago, and alerted my vet of my suspicions. He certainly didn’t dismiss my concerns, so he advised me to file a claim with Elanco, the makers of Trifexis. I took him in this past Monday, and our vet was able to get Elanco to pay for a bile acid test to look for liver shunt problems—again this came back normal.
Our only option now is exploratory surgery and more imaging through xrays. The cost of this portion well exceeds $2800 for imaging and surgery. As a family of 5 on one income, we have hit financial hardship with what we’ve already spent to figure out how to help our buddy. We don’t want to give up on him without trying everything possible to save our companion. We also know that there are so many other worthy causes to donate to, but we thought it couldn’t hurt to seek help from donors after so many people have already reached out wanting to help or suggesting we fundraise. We lost our 9 year old lab last Christmas, and we surely don’t want to lose Norman before this holiday season. To some people, he’s just a dog. But to us, he’s our family, our friend, and companion. He may be just part of our life journey, but to him, we are his whole life. If you can spare any amount, our family will never be able to thank you enough. #lifewithNorman
Organizer
Brittany Farr
Organizer
Clover, SC
