sick puppy

[ronin]

My little mixed breed pit bull, Lucy, developed some problems after 4th of July. She gets really stressed and it's like WWIII out here on the 4th. She spent a night at the vet's on an IV and perked up the next day good as new. 5 days later she relapsed and went downhill quickly: lethargy, weakness, loss of appetite, general malaise. A trip to the emergency clinic Sat night, full round of tests, blood, xrays, ultra sound all negative. So this AM took her back to her vet to be tested for Addison's, which fits all the symptoms. Hope to have the results later this PM. Anybody have a pet with Addison's? I know it can be treated but I wonder how dogs get along with their lives on the meds.

 

[brewer12345]

Sorry to hear about your pooch. Don't have any advice to offer, but I hope she feels better soon.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Addison's might not be too bad to treat (though I know the homo sapiens kind only). Replacement doses of steroids are tiny compared to anti-inflammatory doses. Make sure she'd not having thyroid problems too.

Good luck to you and the pooch.

 

[MikeD]

My dog/daughter, Emily Ann the black lab, is on thyroid meds, weekly allergy shots, low dose steriods, and an anti-histamine. She also gets heartworm medicine and Frontline plus for fleas and ticks. She has pretty bad hip dysplasia that we cannot do anything about. Oh, yeah, and weekly ear drops, too.

She is as happy as can possibly be.

She was just born happy.

Attitude is everything,
Mike D.

 

[ronin]

Picked her up a little while ago. Labs won't be in til tomorrow AM. Vet thinks she might have neurological problem, brain infection or tumor, if it's not Addison's. Find out tomorrow if she's off to the neurologist. She looks like hell, but her little tail is still a' waggin'. She's breaking my heart.

 

[cantlogin]

I hope the puppy feels better soon.

 

[kaudrey]

Oh ronin, I'm so sorry to her about your puppy! Hope she gets a good lab report!

 

[ronin]

Thanks to all for your kind thoughts. Well, the ACTH test was negative for Addison's. The vet believes now that a neurological work up is needed, probably spinal tap and MRI. He suspects GME. Unfortunately, this is not the best news. She has her appointment with the specialist is on Thursday. She has really responded well to a steroid injection so she is pretty perky now. Back to thinking about chasing critters and barking at the horses. Yesterday she couldn't even sit up on her own. Our other big girl, Karly, the Rott, is helping take good care of her.

 

[Sheryl]

Aw, Ronin, I'm sorry to hear about the pup's problems. It is so heartbreaking when they feel bad, and you can't figure out why. I hope that it turns out to be something treatable.

 

[ronin]

Lucy is in right now for an MRI of her brain and a spinal tap. The specialist feels her symptoms could be neurological. Naturally, she is currently back to being the 100% perky girl! Results due tomorrow AM. Fingers are crossed.

 

[ronin]

Elevated white count in CSF, and "changes" showing in the MRI. Poss inflammatory disease or mini stroke. Did an infectious disease panel as well since MRI and CSF are not definitive. So far results are neg. Lucy is doing really well. She's on strong antibiotics and prednisone. We shall see.

 

[cantlogin]

That's a FANTASTIC photo!

 

[cute fuzzy bunny]

Awww...rub that tummy until her eyes roll up into her head.

 

[ronin]

Tummy rub? Hey over here, fella!

 

[Sundance Kid]

I'm no expert but, symptoms sound similar to what my dog had. Diagnosed as
Auto Immune Hemophlic Anemia. Alot of small dogs get this and most don't survive. We kept our dog alive, for three years, after diagnosis.

But, trust your vet!! Just explore this possibility. I love dogs!!

 

[Helen]

I hope Lucy continues to do well. Please keep us posted.

-helen

 

[wildcat]

Nice looking dog Ronin. It has been like 4-5 years since we had to put our dog down and I really miss having one around.

 

[ronin]

A little update: saw the MRI and there is substantial swelling in the white matter of the right side cerebrum. Enough to visibly shifting the midline of her brain towards the left. Nothing on the infectious disease titer, so that means inflammatory CNS disease (encephalitis). Whether it's viral or just some strange unknown immune response we don't know. I was concerned about west nile virus since the bird pop. in So Cal is really infected this year and we have a lot of birds and a few mosquitos (driest year on record has helped somewhat with the skeeters). Bottom line, she's still on strong dose of antibiotics for another several days and prednisone every other day for a few months. She is doing great. No evidence of symptoms at this time. I let her have some freedom last night for the first time and she rewarded us with a big old possum on her pillow in the morning. Got the pleasure of trying to deflea her bed and surrounding area. I guess she missed her nightly hunting for a couple of weeks, the little nut. I appreciate everyone's supportful thoughts... give your pet an extra hug for me and Lucy!

 

[ronin]

update to the update: apparently I didn't have all the results from the infectious disease titer. Found out she had a positive response to toxoplasma indicating a recent exposure. This could explain everything. Toxoplasmic encephalitis isn't very common in healthy dogs with no suppressed immune system, but can apparently happen. We have the semi-feral cats wandering thru and she snagged one about 2 weeks before her illness. She always loves barnyard sashimi, rodents, birds, reptiles, small mammals, whatever's fresh. So we need to get her a doggy George Foreman grill cuz the fresh flesh is tainted. The preferred treatment is clindamycin which is what she's been on for 10 days already. She's going to be on it for a total of 30 days. Hopefully it'll get in there and knock out those little protozoan b**tards. Now I have to tell her she can't have this for dinner tonight:

 

[Sheryl]

That sounds like really good news, Ronin. Something that can be wiped out fully and completely. But I'm not sure the possums are such good news!

 

[cantlogin]

That sounds like positive news to me too!

 

[ronin]

Well, the roller coaster ride continues. We had a moderate relapse last week with some loss of coordination and balance. Seems like her left and right hemispheres aren't communicating too well. Upped the pred to daily with no change and now 2X daily with possibly some mild improvement in vision coordination today. Retested for toxoplasma to see if the first result has changed, if not, probably take her off the antibiotics (on for 3 wks now). Worried about side effects from the pred. Have her on pepsid. Vet talked about irradiating the brain and/or seeing oncologist for poss lymphoma. I get the feeling my savings account will run out before the end of possible avenues to explore. If she doesn't respond to the pred we may just taper her off and let nature take it's course. I don't want to put her through hell. She'll do anything I ask of her.... sigh.... poor girl.

 

[Dreamer]

I am so sorry that she is not responding to the meds. I feel for your you in your situation. I hope that they figure it out and she recovers.

 

[Achiever51]

What a helpless situation to be in...so sorry for you and your pup. I hope the treatments work and you have many many more wonderful memories together.

Last year I went thru months and months of tests and treatments for my beloved Lab who had cancer and I knew in my heart and from the tests at a certain point that she was not going to get better.

One day, she looked at me and I just knew that she was telling me that she had enough. Our vet made sure she did not suffer but letting her go was one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do and I still miss her greatly.

Amazing that these critters take hold of such a large part of our hearts...

 

[citrine]

Ronin:

I am sorry to hear that....I've been through the same thing with my cat, Micro earlier this year....he had toxic mega colon....and when the meds didn't work, they needed to do a colectomy.....he gave me that look as well and I held him in my arms as they put him to sleep. I am sure that she knows how much you love her and that you are trying to help. It is not easy, but I think it takes a strong person to love and take care of an animal.

Achiever....you are not kidding....they just take over your heart, you world, and your life.