Tyler's Treat Heist Misadventure and an ER Visit

On Saturday night, August 5th, Tyler the Dachshund, with plotting and action by Dash (our Dachshund/Chihuahua who has nails made for a treat heist, collaborated on breaking through a cardboard moving box filled with dog food and chicken treats as Cody (the Dachshund/Terrier) watched. We came home after just 2 hours out, to find the devastation a a very, dangerously bloated Tyler who didn't know when to stop eating treats. We wound up in the Vet ER. Here's the story.

THE TREAT HEIST -  We were out at dinner with my brother and his girlfriend and that's when the heist happened. Upon our return home, we found about 1/2 of the medium sized cardboard box missing and shredded on the floor, with an open dog food bag (partially consumed) and the plastic treat jar containing over 1 pound of Chicken jerky treats empty except for one treat.

(Photo: Remains of the moving box with the dog treats. Dash says "Mission Accomplished.")

Tyler looked at us and was extremely bloated. He's normally about 22 pounds. I later learned he ate 2.5 pounds of food (at the vet's scale). I knew this was serious and called the Nationwide Vet Helpline (we insure them with Nationwide Pet Insurance). As I suspected, it could prove fatal, so the recommendation was to get to an ER in have him vomit within 2 hours. 

(Photo: a very bloated Tyler walking around for 3 hours at the first (useless) Vet ER).

VERY BAD FIRST  CHOICE OF A PET ER- I raced to an ER called VCA South Shore Weymouth Animal Hospital in Weymouth, Mass. In short, NEVER GO THERE. I signed in and explained the urgency conveyed to my by the vet on the Nationwide support line. I weighed Tyler in the reception area and saw he gained 2.5 pounds. The 7 employees milling about the reception area DID and SAID NOTHING... for 3 HOURS!!!! I was livid, as the same 5 people were in the waiting room from the time I arrived. They never bothered to inform any pet parent about a wait, or what was happening. I left.

*******************************

(Photo: Vet Tech at the amazing VEG ER in Needham, MA carrying Tyler back from his first x-ray).

EXCELLENT SECOND CHOICE OF VET ER - After leaving the nightmare ER, I called a hospital about 30 minutes drive away (this was 11:30pm). The phone was answered by Dr. Victoria Mello at Veterinary Emergency Group or VEG at 165 Needham Street, Newton, MA. **USE THEM!! Tel. (617) 729-4446 \ newton@veg.vet). I explained what happened and she said come immediately and they will help Tyler. I did. Got there at 12:08am. BEST. SERVICE. EVER.

FINALLY, IMMEDIATE ATTENTION - There was one other dog in the ER when I got there and they immediately brought Tyler and I in the back. The doctor evaluated Tyler quickly. She recommended initially taking a single view x-ray to make sure that Tyler's stomach is anatomically correct and had not tipped over from bloating, then induced vomiting to try to get rid of the amount of material in his stomach. The doctor and vet techs were amazing and attentive and patient while 5 other dogs and cats came in!

XRAYS SHOWED - A single View X-Ray showed a "large volume of gastric material, and fortunately his stomach in the appropriate anatomical position." WHEW.

(Photo: Tyler in the process of purging his treats - viewer discretion advised!)

SITTING WITH TYLER- Two vet techs helped Tyler vomit the treats while I kept his attention. We were there about 1 1/2 hours as he continued to vacate his stomach contents. When it appeared he stopped, another Xray was taken and it clearly showed the stomach was much more empty and no longer pushing into his sternum. It was then Tyler was treated with an anti-nausea medication to treat any lingering effects from the medication and help with the discomfort in the GI tract from the bloating. Then he got subcutaneous fluids injected behind his neck to help hyrdate him. He was also given other meds for his GI tract.

XRAY #2 - A Great comfort: Tyler's stomach appeared signicantly smaller on his repeated radiographs, which is great news.

BOTTOM LINE - Dachshunds don't seem to know when to stop eating. They're so food driven. Also, lock up your treats in cabinets (if you have them - right now we are in temp housing and don't); or Plastic containers, that little Chihuahua/Dachshunds with longer nails can't shred!

Days later, Tyler's swelling has gone down, and he was back to normal. WHEW!!