Tuffy communicates a problem

by Iris Miller
(Campbell, CA USA)

Mommy, something is wrong, help me

Tuffy is so communicative just with his eyes and body language, we've been together 9 years , since he was four weeks old.
Tomorrow he goes in for his fourth bladder stone surgery in two years, Tuffy has a hereditary disease called reoccurring calcium oxylate bladder stones.
He's in a lot of pain.and so tolerant, but he is feeling it.
I am very sad and worried .
I don't understand, if it is hereditary, why have I not seen any other Coton owners remark about this disorder in their dogs? Not here or any other website.
All our love,
Iris and Tuffy
PA posting the picture of him trying so hard to make me understand something is wrong with him( again).

Comments for Tuffy communicates a problem

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Apr 18, 2017

How's Tuffy doing? NEW
by: Sherry & Cinddrella

I'm sorry I have not been keeping up on our Coton friends lately. I'm so sorry to hear about Tuffy's stones. Four surgeries in 2 years...poor little guy. I guess he is having to live up to his name. He's definitely one Tuff Coton! This must be so hard on you , Iris, to have to go through this with him and worry about him. Let's not even mention the cost .. oh my gosh! Please let us know if there's anything we can do to help,. Gale has my permission to give you my email address, or you can look me up on FB as Sherry Gwin Thompson. I'll help if I can. Best wishes...

Feb 14, 2017

Tuffy NEW
by: Linda D

I have never heard of this problem with Cotons and my 6 yr. old little girl has never suffered stones.

I wish you and Tuffy the best.

Feb 12, 2017

Cone head NEW
by: Gale

Luc had to wear the cone recently due to a foot injury. He was also very frustrated and would look at me like "please help me". Broke my heart. Thankfully, he's okay now. And I know Tuffy will be soon as well. And then hopefully you can catch up on sleep :)

Feb 12, 2017

Sherry, about the syringe NEW
by: Iris

When they did Tuffy's surgery he was intubated during surgery and that left him with a very sore throat,
Also, yes, you were correct, Tuffy was refusing to eat and drink. He was hydrated with pockets of water under the skin during surgery which completely absorb it wen out with his urine. I made honey water and added a dissolved half of a child's benedryl tablet(per the doctor) and also made his canned food strained so I could also feed him with a string but he started Licking it from the syringe burcwould not eatbitvoff the plate or drink from his bowl. He's angry because I have the Elizabethan collar on him, I call it the cone head, the main reason he is on strike against food and water, because he wants more than anything to lick his incision. Big no no.

Feb 11, 2017

Tuffy NEW
by: sherry cotton candie

Oh Iris I feel for you, its not easy seeing our babies in pain and sounds like you could use a little TLC yourself. Hope things will get better for both of you really soon.---I do not understand why he has to eat with syringe? Is he totally refusing food?? Poor Tuffy and you as well. Take care and keep us posted.

Feb 11, 2017

Tuffy post op NEW
by: Iris

Thank you Gale and all Coton family for your prayers and good wishes. Tuffy is not happy with the cone head( I am nit either) but he wants to lick the stitches,it's hurting him, he has a very large incision so he's got to wear the cone head collar to keep him from doing that. I made him dog baby food by chopping his Rx canned food and boiled chicken and strained it so I could feed him through a syringe . He actually licked it off the syringe before I could inject any into his mouth but only ate about a spoonful. This is his fourth surgery and I was hesitant to go ahead with it because of how difficult is is for me to keep him hydrated and fed and comfortable. Of course his well being is the priority and the stones are out. I hope once he's drinking and started on the diuretic twice a day he will pee out the crystals before they become stones ( again). Fingers crossed👌🏽💋
Love, Iris and Tuffy an extraordinary tough guy.

Feb 11, 2017

Lisa and Star NEW
by: Iris

God bless you Lisa for adopting Star. My heart goes out to you it sounds like she is in pain and suffering and cannot control the bladder.I hope you have already gone back to the vet to get her help . She may need antibiotics or anti inflammatory meds. Tuffy is one day home from surgery and nurse Iris already needs care herself (me) it is a very hard job taking care if an invalid dog and physically and emotionally draining.
My prayers go out to you and Star. Please keep us informed.
Love Iris ❤🙏🏼🐶
Ps I have his crate on my bed so I can try to reach him to give him meds without getting down on the floor (I can't get back up! ) but I worry he may jump off the bed or roll over and tumble the crate off the bed when I'm asleep. The crate is open so he can let me know he's uncomfortable and I can carry him out to the pee pad by the door (if he jumps on or off the bed it will hurt his stitches). Those bladder stones are out now but the damage and irritation they caused in the bladder is still hurting him. I am giving him honey water with a syringe.
I have to go strain Tuffy's prescription food urinary SO and also offer with a syringe👩🏻‍🍳💪🏽💕

Feb 11, 2017

my Star & bladder problems NEW
by: Lisa

Star is my 7 yr old Caton I adopted her at 6. She had severe bladder stones & surgery before I got her. she has had several bladder infections since. she is on prescription food,only bottle or filtered H20. she get cranberry in her food daily.
She just urinated on my bed. She has never gone in the house before.now she is letharcic. Yesterday she was fine.

Feb 10, 2017

Speedy recovery NEW
by: Gale

Oh Iris, my heart goes out to you tonight. I know how hard it is to see our babies in pain. Wishing Tuffy a very speedy recovery.

Feb 10, 2017

Tuffy made it through surgery NEW
by: Iris

He's moaning and crying and we are having a rough time.
I called the vet,
They wanted me to come back for a sedative .I said can't do it.My friend Diana helped me get him home and she does not live close nearby to go back again. They said give him a half a benedryl to take the edge off and tomorrow get the sedative . ( I don't know how I'd get back there )
I can't leave him alone and can't drag him out to go get it .they gave him pain meds after the surgery but he's obviously feeling the pain now. Forget pills,I never could get him to swallow one.same tonight, chokes and spits it out.
Heal fast Tuffy, itsvgoing to be a rough night .💕🐶

Feb 10, 2017

TUFFY NEW
by: sherry cotton candie

I am hoping by now Tuffy is back home in your arms and feeling a little more secure. He is certainly a tough little guy and living up to his name. Prayers for a quick recovery and no more problems.

I have never heard of anything like that, so sorry Tuffy is affected by it. Heal quickly sweet boy.

Feb 10, 2017

Surgery coming along fine NEW
by: iris

Just got the call Dr. Is just finishing up, wants to know if I want Tuffy's teeth cleaned while he's under".
I declined., because of financial reasons.
Also, tuffy had his teeth cleaned in CT before we moved back to CA, during his second surgery and they pulled out his lower two front teeth" because they were loose".
When I have him back in my arms and home calm and relaxed and out of pain, I will breathe again.
Thanks for all the hug and loving concern.
Xoxo Iris 🐶And Tuffy

Feb 10, 2017

Tuffy NEW
by: Jacquie Thompson

xxxxx massive big hug and loads of love sent your way .Hes gorgeous x

Feb 10, 2017

Tuffy NEW
by: Gale

Iris, please let us know how the surgery goes. Luc and I are sending lots of hugs and healing energy.

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