Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 4, 2012 - 04:24pm PT
|
I know that antifreeze is poison for dogs(or any living being), but am glad it is mentioned because that is something a lot of people do not realize(also that dogs are interested in it's taste which makes it even worse).
I keep the jug in a spot he cannot get to for SURE and am always careful to it wash off if even the smallest dribble gets on the outside.
I got a referral to a guy who can look at the van, but haven't called yet as I was just so overwhelmed earlier, after writing about Teddy, that I could barely function. I will make the call soon.
He got a little walk and peed just now, and was stronger at the start. But he tired easily, which of course I understand. I am careful to try to get him a little work to keep moving, but not push him at all. He looked at the food again, but not a nibble yet. He does seem to be less uncomfortable than yesterday, middle night and early this morning and that is good. But when he goes to his water, the intake is bordering on too much. Bordering, but he is also not going to it regularly, so may be that he is taking more during the fewer times he drinks. Also, I guess it would really be the amount he would drink at a time if he was in good shape, and I am being hypervigilent, so maybe there is nothing to worry about with that.
|
|
Juan Maderita
Trad climber
"OBcean" San Diego, CA
|
|
My understanding is that in recent years, most or all automotive antifreeze has an added bittering agent. Too many pets, children (and spouses or ex-spouses) were dying.
There were Federal bills which never passed. Not sure currently, but it may be up to individual State legislation. Does anyone know the details?
Happy, when you asked "Really?" to my comment about losing a quart of coolant, I suppose that I didn't make it clear with my quotation marks around "use." To be clear, if you overfill the radiator to 1/8" below the neck, then as the engine warms, approximately 1 quart of coolant will expand and be ejected out the overflow tube and onto the road. So, you would lose a quart of coolant each time you overfill the radiator.
Hope your Teddy is getting well.
|
|
JLP
Social climber
The internet
|
|
So, you would lose a quart of coolant each time you overfill the radiator. This is not correct. As the coolant gets hot and expands, it goes into the reservoir, changing it from the "Cool" fluid level to the "Hot" level. When the engine cools, it will draw the coolant back into the radiator/cooling system. This assumes no leaks and a working radiator cap. There should in fact be no air in the system - just coolant. That would be a sign of a problem. A correctly functioning system will purge itself of air, through the cap and into the overflow, then draw in coolant from the reservoir until the air is displaced.
|
|
Russ Walling
Social climber
from Poofters Froth, Wyoming
|
|
This is not correct. As the coolant gets hot and expands, it goes into the reservoir, changing it from the "Cool" fluid level to the "Hot" level. When the engine cools, it will draw the coolant back into the radiator/cooling system.
Normally that would be true, but as stated up thread, there is no reservoir, just a radiator.
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
hey there say, happiegirrrl... not sure if this can ease your mind,
but STILL keep checking teddy, but:
read the medication warnings and notations:
some will say that your pet will be more thristy than usualy...
some will say this is normal...
some will say, appetitite will either increase or decrease, as well...
hard stuff to go through when 'babies' are sick..
and one the road, as we all know, how much worse...
hugs and best wishes and more prayers...
also, keep an eye out, on who helps you too, as--some folks can
have bad intentions, as well...
keep in touch with folks by phone, etc, as you do all this...
man oh man, will you HEAR A GEAT CHEER AND sighs of relief! when
you reach the finish line,:O :)
|
|
Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
|
|
I hate to ask, but how old is Teddy? Wish him and you well. Having a sick pet is no bueno.
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 4, 2012 - 07:15pm PT
|
EKat - Teddy wouldn't get the opportunity to lick something like that up. He is on a leash "in public" at almost all times, and he is never out of my direct sight.
He does snag food on walks - usually it is hidden in the grass and Teddy knows how to maneuver his way over and because of the retractable leash, he is like a frog with a foot long tongue - zzzzziiiipppp! And the food is in his mouth. Licking up a fluid wouldn't happen. Of course there is always the possibility, but on the "maybe this" list, I don't believe it is probable. But since I did tell the vet he got "something" unidentified on the night before he became ill, I guess it could be under the UFO(Unidentified Food Object) category which is already a possibility.
edit: Crimpergirl, Teddy is 12, 13 on January 1st. I went through almost this whole year saying he was 13, but his given birthday(because we don't have actual date) is January 1st, 2000
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 5, 2012 - 03:27pm PT
|
Here is the updates:
Teddy saw the vet this morning and now we must wait to see how he responds to fluids and antibiotics. The main issue is there is something going on with his kidneys, but at this time we need to wait to find out what level the problem is at. The doctor says he also has in infection, and that his potassium level is very low(probably due to the vomiting). He is on IV fluids and staying tonight at the vets.
As for the van, my friend Kate suggested that since I had said the people at the vet office seemed to be very caring and careful, that maybe they might have a good mechanic suggestion. The front desk woman called the vet who had just seen Teddy - on lunch - to ask him if he had any ideas, and he gave the name of the guy he knows. When I called and mentioned the referral, the mechanic knew instantly. So either this vet has a lot of car troubles, or they are both just two good guys who know each other well.
I will go to the mechanic after I finish at the vet tomorrow. That feels very uncomfortable right now because this is all excruciatingly exhausting and I don't know what will happen at the vet office.
I am going to explain what happened with the van and see what he has to say.
|
|
Abend
Social climber
|
|
That was a good call on Kate's part regarding the mechanic. Sending healing vibes to you and Teddy.
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
hey there say, happiegrrl... still praying and hoping...
has the vet said anything about this being harder on teddy, due to age, etc...
or, since dogs are not like humans, and usually in better shape, can they handle this stuff better...
it seems that one good night of rest at the vet, with all the help he is
getting would do him a great step forward to getting well...
god bless to you, and renewed hopes of good mechanic being around...
:)
|
|
SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
|
|
Oh Teddie, little fluff of love, heal up!
Susan
Thinking of you Terrie!
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 5, 2012 - 05:46pm PT
|
One thing the Vet said was that his very low potassium might be responsible for him feeling so poorly. I am torn to believe that was making him seem a lot worse, and would be remedied with the IV treatment, and not going into denial that tomorrow may be a very tough day.
Thanks for the kind words and thoughts. I am so tired it is hard to get much done in a day. I finished two chalkbags and still have another to go for an order I said would be in tomorrow's mail(they will be okay if a day late in sending, so I am not going to push it). And I called for the van appointment, but other than that I don't have much energy available.
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 6, 2012 - 10:29am PT
|
Update: Good news.
Teddy isn't out of the woods, but all but one of his levels has returned to a normal range(yesterday there were some very serious elevations and too low's). I will pick him up at 11.
He is still incredibly week, and when I went to visit him I thought today was the day to say good bye. That may still come, because he has got to start eating again, which he hasn't yet. The doctor checked for Pancreatitis, which is very bad, and he does not have it. He will continue with antibiotics.
Teddy would have died from this had it not been for the insistence of Kate and Sonya that I take him in to the Vet, and their help in paying this bill. I don't have words to properly express all that is going on with that.
As for the van, I am taking it for a look-at once I get Teddy. Hopefully he will find nothing serious.
|
|
Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
|
|
He is still incredibly week, and when I went to visit him I thought today was the day to say good bye. That may still come, because he has got to start eating again, which he hasn't yet.
Medical Marijuana? Really, kinda serious
|
|
10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
|
|
Best of luck to Teddy, and you too Terrie
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 6, 2012 - 01:36pm PT
|
For those who are more interested in the van - I got the green light to proceed. They listened to the story, checked the level, checked the temp gauge and drove it, and said they see no reason it isn't good to go. He told me that the higher elevation here will make an engine run hotter than it would in NY, which can explain why it does rest at the halfway mark when it would have been about 1/4 to 1/3 in NY. I mentioned the "get that thermostat out" suggestions and he didn't seem to think it would need to be done.
Of course I am still nervous, especially since this section of road is a long one until another sizable town. But there are several rest stops along it, as well as a few small towns. I am just going to have to take a deep breath and trust it will be okay.
Now, Teddy
Locker, no need to worry, I would never give Teddy pot. Jeepers Karl!
When I went to pick him up from the vet, his eyes were bright and he was supporting himself in the vet tech's arms. Big difference than the morning, but he was still asleep when I saw him then and they woke him up for me(which I wouldn't have done, but how would they have known).
Still clearly weak thought, but as I was on the way to mechanic I got lost and stopped somewhere for directions. When I got back to the van, I said "Let me look in on Teddy" and opened the side door, to be surprised by him laying right there with his feet folded over the side where the step-down in the door is.
I wondered if he was scared or wanted to pee, so I took him out and he started quickly limping(from the IV owie) over to potty spots. He got to a grassy opne and lifted his leg, and balanced on his own, and - yup, he had to pee! Quite a bit.
Then I put him in the van and he went right to the food dish and was like "Ummm, hello!" He drank a good drink of water as I was getting some food out and was very happy to see that food and ate it at once.
I could only give him a small amount, since he's been not eating, but he would have taken more. I will give him more in a few hours.
|
|
Crimpergirl
Sport climber
Boulder, Colorado!
|
|
Question for those more knowledgeable... Would the difference in elevation between upstate NY (quick search shows high point there at 2300 ft ish) and near Amarillo (elev 3600 ish) really matter that much? Does that elevation explanation make sense in this case? What happens during the rest of the travel if it does? Curious.
Glad Teddy is feeling better!
|
|
Hawkeye
climber
State of Mine
|
|
Question for those more knowledgeable... Would the difference in elevation between upstate NY (quick search shows high point there at 2300 ft ish) and near Amarillo (elev 3600 ish) really matter that much? Does that elevation explanation make sense in this case? What happens during the rest of the travel if it does? Curious.
Glad Teddy is feeling better!
doesnt make sense to me.
|
|
Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
|
|
In a non-turbo charged vehicle you will experience a loss of power at altitude. Less power means less heat generated by the engine. The vehicle will use a little less gas, however that savings is usually lost from driving up and down hills. The altitude is not really a big factor on the route happie is on.
At higher elevations the air is thinner so the cooling ability of the air is reduced somewhat. In a properly operating cooling system there should be ample excess cooling capacity to provide for this loss of cooling. However if the cooling system is compromised by partial blockage or lack of fluid it could lead to overheating.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!