This is the number to Animal Poison Control…
Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday. We enjoyed an outdoor family lunch at Mac’s (a biker bar with delicious BBQ, but unfortunately not the best service).
The collard greens were worth being chased around by bees for. I don’t know how they season them, but they are amazing.
Since the weather was perfect and the trees were in their peak leaf changing stage, we decided to stay outdoors for a while longer and spend some time at the local park. There is a dog park there, which Koda hadn’t seen in ages.
She was a happy pup!
Spending the day outside with my little family warmed my heart. We played in the dog park, then took a long walk alongside the water.
All in all, you could call it a perfect fall Sunday.
We got home in time for Hubbs to do a little yard work before dinner. Hubbs and Koda headed outside while I stayed inside to play with Hailey, who has become fascinated with books.
About an hour later, Hubbs came in, bathed Koda and settled in on the couch while I got to work on dinner.
…then Koda started making funny huffing noises.
It sounded similar to allergies and I figured it was because of all of our outdoor time.
But these noises got more intense, then she stopped and threw up all over the floor.
It was black. At one glance Hubbs knew why.
Fertilizer.
He had spilled some in the driveway and apparently Koda had gotten into it. I rushed her outside, and she threw up twice more on her short walk over to the door.
The poor pup was shaken up and her back left paw started dragging when she walked. I started to freak out. We called the vet who referred us to animal poison control. I gave Koda a bit more food and water while Hubbs called. She still was dragging her paw and I was getting scared and upset. Hailey started screaming while we poured some hydrogen peroxide down Koda’s throat to make her throw up again. I wanted all the fertilizer out.
I grabbed Hailey and tried to comfort her, while I was a mess myself. Hubbs was on the phone with poison control answering questions. Minutes felt like hours as I held my crying baby and watched my fur baby throw up again and shake.
After what felt like forever, Koda appeared to have cleared all the fertilizer out of her system, though she was still acting a little off and shaken up. The poison control lady, who was helpful and thorough, assured us that she should be OK if she stopped throwing up and that this particular brand of fertilizer shouldn’t cause any neurological damage, so the paw dragging was unrelated. By then Koda had stopped dragging it, but it still was a very odd occurrence. Was it from a cramp? Dehydration? All that mattered is that she had stopped.
We curled up on the couch and I gave my exhausted fur baby extra love. I felt so guilty. Lately I’ve snapped at her more than I should, like when she barks at the FedEx guy while Hailey is sleeping. I haven’t given her enough credit for what an amazing and loving pup she is. I haven’t given her enough ear rubs and snuggles. And sadly, it took this little incident for me to remember how important she is to our family and how much I love those long ears and goofy grin.
I was up all night long, listening to Koda to make sure she was breathing and doing OK. She needed extra water and a little bit of food. I gave her a little extra love, too.
So even though I sit here typing at 6:00 am completely exhausted, I’m so grateful.
Grateful that Koda is doing just fine.
Grateful for my sweet, healthy family of four.
Grateful that it only took a scare and not a tragedy for me to realize what I have.
…you dog owners will understand.
What are you grateful for today?
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Gaaah! That is so scary. Last winter, our dog Charlie went with the Husband to his shop and he ended up eating a bunch of Preen (weed preventative – the husband owns a landscape business). I freaked out because the Husband didn’t tell me until he came home from work that day so it had been in his system all day. Charlie never threw up or showed any signs of it hurting him, so that dog must just have a stomach of steel. Although he does like to eat socks… and that almost cost us a fortune. Another story for another day though.
Glad your furbaby is okay!
Jen says
oh no, i’m so sorry about what happened to koda. i can only imagine how scary that must be and i’m so happy that she’s okay now. hope you can get some rest today. hugs.
Aunt Pat says
So happy Koda is doing better. Sure sounds like a scary time.
Shari says
So glad she is alright!!
Marci says
Yikes glad koda is ok. I’m a fur mommy and treat my puppy like a first born child. You’re a great mom and fur mom!
Stephanie@Snacking on Sunshine says
Oh my gosh how terrifying!!! I’m glad Koda is doing okay :S :S
Jenny says
Poor Koda….I can only imagine what a scare that was, and Thank Goodness she’s ok! Aside from your Koda incident, sounds like you had a great weekend…..I hope she’s feeling better today! I’m grateful for so much it’s hard to narrow it down…but in honor of your post, I’ll go ahead and say that I too am grateful for our family of 5 : )
Try and get some rest today!
heather says
Omg you poor thing! I would have been freaking oout too! My pups are my life. About three years ago my oldest was attacked by a huge dog and she almost died. She had a punctured lung, cracked ribs, and had to sleep in an oxygenated chamber for three days. I felt so awful and was extra nnice to her BC I realized I had been taking her for granted and the fact we almost lost her just crushed me!
Brittany says
Oh my goodness, your story makes me want to cry. I’m so glad she made it through. How scary!!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
So glad Koda is alright! How scary! I definitely don’t know the numbers for poison control or anything of that nature easily. Not cool to realize that.
Jane Preston says
So grateful Koda is alright!!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
Oh my gosh, so glad Koda’s ok! That’s so scary.
When our pup tore her ACL, it was an almost 2 month process of getting it correctly diagnosed and to watch her in pain for that long was excruciating for me (and her, I’m sure.) It’s such a horrible feeling to not be able to communicate with them when something is wrong.
Brittany says
Oh I know! Don’t you just want to be able to explain to them why you have to do what you’re doing. Especially an ACL, when they can’t run. Must have been so tough!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
omg totally cried while reading this. how scary!!! so glad she’s ok. hugging all my pets extra tight today, thanks for the reminder
Susan @ Real Life Travels says
Ugh, reading this post just brought back so many memories of Zeus passing away 🙁 I know exactly how you felt. Im glad Koda bug is OK, Pups are very much a part of the family.
Brittany says
Aw, Zues was such a great dog and you are such a great fur baby mommy!
Jessie @ Graze With Me says
Yikes!! Poor pup! 🙁 I’m so happy she’s ok, that’s so scary. Hope you can get some rest today.
Cindi says
Oh my gosh that is so scary! I would have been flipping out too. I’m so glad that she is okay!
Jill @ Just Focus Well says
So glad your pup is okay! I am sure that was scary.
And your little girl is addorable 🙂
Brooklyn @ Veggie Table says
Awww – thank goodness Koda is ok!!! I love seeing her cute face pop up on your blog!
Katie says
Poor puppy! I totally understand- we have a yellow lab and anytime she isn’t feeling well or has to have a medical procedure (she’s had hip surgery!) I am a WRECK. Dogs are definitely a special gift to families! 🙂
Becky @ Fit Chick on the Fly says
That is absolutely terrifying. I just saved the number in my phone, and I really hope I never have to use it. I’m glad your little fur baby is ok and she has such awesome parents to take care of her! Get some rest.
Brittany says
I hope you never have to use it either!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews says
Thank god she is okay!! What a horrible scare. I’ve had scares like that with my dogs and I know it is the worst thing.
Kristin @ eat healthy. be happy. live well. says
Awww that poor thing! I’m so glad she got it all out of her system without any serious repercussions! Our pup has been throwing up lately, but it is just his food. Even so, it scares me a little and makes me feel so bad for him, so I can’t even imagine how scared this made you!
steff says
Oh my goodness…..I am sitting here crying after reading that! I totally understand what you mean. I am 30 weeks pregnant with my first baby, and we have a bulldog who we treat like our “first baby” 🙂 I have been snapping at him a little more lately, the more tired and pregnant I get, and I feel terrible. I have to remember he is going through a lot of adjustments and doing his best too 🙂
Brittany says
I did the same thing, and today Koda has been extra lovey towards me. it’s amazing how dogs just understand and forgive, isn’t it? And I love bulldogs- how cute!!
Jess Mathias says
Oh-no! Poor Koda – it’s such a scary situation when something like that happens. So happy she’s ok!
Meghan says
How scary glad she is ok! I feel for your our pup Lily had pancreatitis and when he started throwing up my husband and I freaked out.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
SOO SCARY! I totally know how you feel. My golden (well.. my parents, but I was still at home when this happened..) Somehow got out of his crate (still a pup) early morning. He ate a loaf of bread, the remote, news papers.. and abottle of naproxen.
He too was forced to drink hydrogen poroxide and at the vet they gave him tar to try and rid the poison from his system. He had to stay at an animal hospital for 2 weeks until his liver stabalized. SCARIEST time ever.
Glad Koda is okay 🙂
Brittany says
Oh my gosh- hospitalized for two weeks?? I don’t know how you made it through, but I’m so glad it all worked out. How scary!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
ugh, this broke my heart and totally scared me! I’m so glad she is ok! What a scare!
I am so thankful for my little man and I’ll make sure to give him an extra kiss this morning. 🙂
Stefanie says
So scary! I’m so glad Koda is ok now!
Sherry says
What a scary time for everyone. So happy that all ended well. Now I know why they put those signs that say “keep pets and children off grass for 24 hours” after putting out fertilizer. Wish I was close by to take care of Hailey so that you could get in a good nap!
Lee says
I got all teary eyed reading this. I’m glad she is okay.
Brittney says
This made me teary! So glad she’s okay and that’s SO scary!
Jen says
Ok, I am balling. I am so, so glad Koda was ok. I can only imagine the terror you must have been feeling. We’ve had our fair share of scares with Nati and it is always so upsetting.
Please do not feel guilty! I know I’ll be the same with Nati once the baby gets here. Luckily, furballs always find it in their hearts to forgive us. They’re seriously better than humans.
You are a great mama, Brittany- to both of your babies! 🙂
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
Poor baby! I’m glad she’s okay. And I second Jen, you’re a great mama to both babies!
Maria says
Oh my goodness. Poor Koda. I’m so glad that she’s okay and your family is okay. I grew up with a dog and its absolutely gut wrenching when you know there’s something wrong and you cannot tell them that it’ll be okay or do much to reassure them. I cannot wait to go see my pup next weekend now. Extras hugs for her!
Karlee says
Oh my gosh I’m glad she’s ok! That’s so scary, poor baby 🙁
Brynne says
So glad Koda is okay! Pets being sick is so scary!
Lauren says
Oh no, that sounds terrifying! It’s so hard to see your pets in pain. Last summer we found out our family dog had a heart defect, three months later he was gone. It was honestly heartbreaking to listen to him struggle to breathe. Ugh, still brings tears to my eyes. So glad your story has a happier ending 🙂
Brittany says
Your story breaks my heart. It’s the saddest thing in the world when you can’t explain to them what is going on. I’m so sorry about your family dog.
Sarah says
Oh that is so scary! So glad Koda is ok.
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I’m so happy that Koda is OK! It must have been so scary. I am grateful that my parents live nearby and I got to visit them today. 🙂
Trainer Kjirsten @ Balanced Healthy Life says
I am so sorry to hear about your pup, but happy she is doing okay. I sometimes am a little harder on my dog than I should be when he isn’t listening and barking (I’m trying to really teach him not to bark since we are having a baby in February), but overall dogs are so good and nice to have around.
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
THANK YOU for that number… I just added it to my cell. that’s so scary and I’m so glad Kodabug is okay!
JenRD says
So glad your pup is ok!
Random question: I often see your Bobby pillow in pictures. I just use ours for breast feeding–how else do you use yours?
Jen
Brittany says
I use it for breastfeeding, even though I kind of think it sucks for feeding. But I love using it for Hailey to ‘sit’ in. I think it makes her feel secure, like she is being held.
Cate says
That is so scary! I’m glad she’s okay now
Carrie says
I’ve been reading your blog for a while, but I think I’ve only commented maybe once…
Your story actually made me cry! I love my dog like she’s my child so I can’t imagine going through that…and then I went & hugged my dog. I’m glad Koda is ok!
Brittany says
Thanks for your comment. I totally understand the love for a pup- Koda was my first baby. I’m glad your dog got some extra love today 🙂
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
Brittany I’m so sorry that happened to Koda! That must have been so scary. I know that you are an amazing parent to both Hailey and Koda, and these things could happen to anyone. So glad you are all okay!
Today I’m thankful for my health and the health of those I love.
Kristin says
oh my gosh tears seriously welled up in my eyes! I totally understand as a dog mommy myself! I’m so glad shes okay! u are a great mom to her!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
So glad Koda is okay. I didn’t know there was an animal poison control, but it’s a good thing there is. That sounds so scary.
Karlee @olivewineandfood says
ok i read earlier this earlier and couldn’t imagine what i would have done if that happened to olive. I came home today to diarrhea (sorry) EVERYWHERE. Poor thing got sick and was home alone all day : ( I feel horrible.
Meagan says
My boyfriend and I have a lab puppy, Ashley, that we adopted as a rescue in August. We love her so much already and I can’t imagine if anything happened to her!
When I was in high school, I had a Dachshund-Terrier mix that was named Lizzy, and she was my pride and joy! One day, after a terrible day of school and practice, I came in and flopped on the couch and fell asleep. When my mom came home at five, she left our back door open, and Lizzy accidentally escaped. She ran across the highway and got hit – by one of my best friends, no less. I was devastated and all I could do for days was cry. I felt so guilty for not showing her any attention that day!
Koda is lucky – pups are such a blessing! Cherish them while you can. 🙂
Baking Serendipity says
I totally understand! The title of this post had me on my seat the entire time. So glad Koda is alright…I am snuggling my pup extra tonight. He thanks you too 🙂
Christina says
Oh my goodness – being a proud mama to my little furry loved one I completely feel for you reading this blog post. So thankful to hear that Koda is OK. I cannot imagine how scary and desperate that situation must have felt.
Jennifer B. says
So glad that Koda’s okay, I can’t imagine how scared you were. 🙁 I was upset just reading it. Hope doggie’s feeling better now.
(Love that Miss Hailey’s into books too 🙂 )
Sarah says
Oh my gosh how scary! Im glad your little furr baby is ok!
Lindsay @ Schnoodle Soup says
Munchkin. SO glad she is okay. And while I understand that you feel guilty, just remember that pups never hold a grudge. Starting now with extra ear rubs for her is like you were never lacking 🙂
Melissa @ Live, Love, & Run says
Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry you had to endure that! It’s so hard when they can’t tell you what’s wrong…you have to figure it out yourself. I’m so glad she’s okay, and I hope you’ve gotten some sleep. Staying strong and calm through crisis is one of a momma’s most difficult tasks.