I don't like to crow "I was right!" but in lieu of that I will look disapproving and smug, particularly when it's a vet admitting that the problem is what I thought it was. Particularly when the vet realizes he made the wrong treatment choice and caused the animal being treated a whole extra week of being in discomfort and getting the wrong meds. Brief history: in late May Noodle became lethargic and started losing weight; upon being taken to (a different) the vet bloodwork was done, a short course of amoxi was prescribed, and nothing conclusive showed in the tests. Upon taking Noodle to the second (current) vet, more bloodwork was done, a tracheal wash, xray, and heartworm test. Xray showed anemia and a slight few signs of infection as well as 'light densities' around the lungs. Gastric ulcer was suspected and we made an appointment for two weeks later. I started looking for dark, tarry stool - found it for the first few days of treatment, normal stool only thereafter. Noodle perked up quite a bit on the flagyl and chloromycetin palmitate prescribed, but he didn't 'recover' instantly. Two weeks later we went back for more bloodwork and another xray. The xray showed the densities around the lungs had gotten worse; the anemia was still present. The vet took Noodle off the ulcer treatment and put him on treatment for pneumonia, which I thought was a mistake - I asked to keep Noodle on ulcer meds and the vet declined. So, a week later (tuesday) we went back. After starting the baytril (for pneumonia) Noodle went back to being lethargic, with tarry stool. Hmmm. The vet did a fecal smear and bloodwoork. The fecal showed 'spore-forming bacteria,' and the bloodwork showed the anemia is under control. Noodle didn't get another xray this time; he goes back in two weeks for more bloodwork and an xray. Meds prescribed this time - amoxi and flagyl, this time in a much higher dose. And you know what? He's perked up again. Mighty fiesty today, in fact. Sigh. However, that visit was only $60. So, tallying up totals: 1st vet visit: $70. 2nd: $190. 3rd: $140. 4th: $60. Or that's at least what I remember them being. The moral of the story, aside from the fact that Noodle, in two months, has cost me more than what he cost me for food/vet/care all last YEAR, is: have them do a fecal FIRST when you suspect ulcer. Of course, the bacteria that cause ulcers (at least I've read) don't always show up in the stool; but if the ulcer is bleeding you will be able to detect digested blood. And yes, xrays are damned well useless in detecting ulcers (although we did catch on to the fact that the depressed immune system caused by the ulcer has likely resulted in a secondary infection in the form of pneumonia). NOTE for all of you skimming through postings: Noodle likes flagyl. Takes it straight. Without complaining. Also note for those of you who are interested - a combination therapy of goldenseal, raw garlic, and licorice root can be used to treat H. pylorii - heavy on the first two ingredients, don't use goldenseal for more than a week straight ('heavy' means 2-3 drops per dose) Melissa ___ Melissa Litwicki __ [log in to unmask] ___ By the whole newsgroup devoted tennis showing it after scarfing fork and laughters [Posted in FML issue 2005]