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greyhndz

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    Civ (canine Influenza Virus Vaccine)

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by houndznigz

    I know this issue has started to come up, and thought it timely to post some comments re: CIV vaccine from Drs. Couto and Ford on the topic of whether or not they plan to utilize it, and if so, how. The following is posted with permission to circulate (from both authors):

     

    GC:

    We are not using CIV in the Blood Donors at OSU; I will see what Community Practice does and will let the group know, but I am fairly certain they are not [using] it either. I am enclosing a comment from Rich Ford, just posted in the ACVIM LISTSERV FYI. We agree with his statements…

    I have recently met with Dr. Teri Wasmoen during a vaccine meeting in

    Madison WI. She's a lead scientist on this vaccine for Intervet

    Schering-Plough and one of the co-authors on a recently published paper on

    this disease/vaccine.

     

    There are no studies outside of the company that have assessed efficacy.

    It is a killed (adjuvanted) vaccine. Therefore, immunity is

    NON-sterile...ie, the vaccine does not prevent infection nor will it

    completely prevent shedding.

     

    The challenge studies reviewed during the meeting indicate that the

    vaccine does mitigate severity of signs and shortens the duration of

    shedding in vaccinates (which is naturally short...7-8 days). Clinical

    illness still developed in a small number of vaccinated dogs post

    challenge.

     

    CIV infections have been reported in at least 30 States + District of

    Columbia...probably more. But infections are largely limited to

    shelter-housed dogs.

     

    This is clearly not a CORE vaccine. Use is probably best limited to

    cluster housing situations where the risk of infectious respiratory

    disease is greatest.

     

    Rich Ford

    NCSU

     

    I'm sure considerably more dialogue will be occurring in the upcoming months so stay tuned.

    Lasix Question

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Tracey, you can sometimes see clinical improvement within a few hours of giving Lasix (at least when it comes to fluid in the lungs) but it may take several more days for the leg swelling to abate. In humans, we advise elevating their legs, but not so easy in a dog. :) A little gentle physical therapy (just some passive movement of the legs) will help get the fluid moving back to the heart. Also, be sure her diet is low in sodium but that she's eating something with potassium in it to make up for potassium peed out in the urine.

     

    It's unlikely her eyes tearing have anything to do with Lasix, which works only on a certain area of the kidneys - not the lacrimal ducts of the eye. :)

     

    Gentle hugs and skritches to your beautiful Cosmo

    Heart Disease Advice?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Interesting... your description of the dog makes it sound like a canine equivalent of Marfan's Syndrome. Among the constellation of problems that go along with this syndrome are heart conduction abnormalities, very long limbs and fingers, and anomalies of connective tissue that can lead to other complications. I wonder if there's a similar congenital syndrome in dogs? I'll try to research this a bit.

    Questions For Anyone Who Has

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Iggy Jared has been on Imuran for about 8 years for Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia, and has had no problems with it whatsoever. His littersister Lexi was started on Imuran for Immune Mediated Polyarthritis. She was already on prednisone, but the plan was to taper the pred once the Imuran was on board. Unfortunately she became very ill with drug-induced hepatitis -- from Imuran. Within a week, she had to come off it.

     

    As a rule, bloodwork is very carefully monitored for the first month (every 1-2 weeks), and then every 6-8 weeks thereafter, looking for elevated liver enzymes or bone marrow suppression.

     

    If a dog can tolerate Imuran, however, it's a far better option than lifelong steroids.

    Thane Peeing Blood

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    I forgot to ask about the culture but she did mention that one test could not be done because there was too much blood.

     

     

    The test she couldn't do would be the urine protein creatinine ratio. The protein contained in RBC will give an inaccurately elevated result. The UPC can be done after this episode has cleared up.

    Thane Peeing Blood

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Did your vet send a culture out today, Ducky?

     

    He's got leukocytes today, and WBC 2-10 in micro, which does support UTI. Bacteria TNTC (too numerous to count) and granular casts -- also consistent with UTI. Waxy casts - not necessarily pathological and not surprising given protein in his urine. SG 1.038 = glad your vet gave him SC fluids because he needed it. But your vet didn't mention anything about neoplastic cells?!?

     

    Is his urine still grossly bloody? It should clear up over the course of the day with fluids on board.

     

    So, this is OK! He's feeling a bit better today, and will be feeling even better by tonight/tomorrow. He's gotten fluids and antibiotics and tomorrow you'll have more answers. Continued positive thoughts and big hugs comin' your way...

    J

     

    Back from vet. Nothing definitive. UTI or Transitional Cell Carcinoma

    Urinalysis:

    pH......... 6.5

    Leu ........25

    Pro ........500mg

    Glu ........negative

    Ket ........negative

    Ubg .......normal

    KET .......normal

    BIL .......1mg

    BLD ......250Ery

    Specific Gravity .. 1/038

    sediment:

    WBC 2-10/hpf

    RBC... TNTC

    Bacteria.... cocci TNTC

    crystals... calcium oxalate, small in size and some amorphous

    casts....waxy/granular

    Thane was given sub-Q fluids and injectable Convenia

     

    He has an appt Tuesday with the out of town vet for an ultrasound in the afternoon.

    Thane Peeing Blood

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Thane peed bright red blood this morning. He didn't want breakfast, is panting. Took him to the E-vet who said there were neoplastic cells in his urine (catheterized).

     

    OH, CRAP, Ducky.

    He had a temp of 103.5.

    He was given IV fluids, Baytril injection, Baytril pills, buprenorphine injection for pain.

     

    All sounds right so far.

     

    I am going to a vet 1.5 hours away - the only one who has ultrasound - and beg them to scan him Monday. No ultrasound locally or anywhere nearby today.

     

    I don't think you need one to be done urgently today. It really won't affect his treatment plan at this point. With a temp of 103.5 he's almost certainly got a UTI, so everything your vet did is on target and should take precedence. The U/S can wait for a day or two.

     

    Need interpretation:

    WBC ..... 11.3 (high) gh normal range 3.5-6.5 .... 6.6 (6/22/09)....4.2 (2/24/09) ....6.74 (10/17/08)

     

    11.3 is really only minimally elevated. The normal range (depending on the lab) can go up to 10-12K

     

    HGB ...... 18.6 (low) gh normal range 19.0-21.5)..21.3 (6/22/09)...21.9 (2/24/09)...22.5 (10/17/08)

     

    Again, slightly low, but may actually be lower once he's been hydrated. I'd call this a "dry" hematocrit, so it may appear artificially higher than it really is. Expect it to be a bit lower the next time it's checked, if he's been given IV fluids.

     

    RDWA....53.3 (high) dog normal range 35-53 ....56.7 (6/22/09) ...57.9 (2/24/09) is greyhound normal same value as other dog normal?

     

    RDW%...17.6 (high) dog normal range 11-16 ....18.3 96/22/09) ...18.2 (2/24/09) ...14.9 (10/17/08) is greyhound normal same vaule as other dog normal?

     

    The exact numbers aren't that crucial - when there's any degree of blood loss, the bone marrow will be pumping out new RBC, and depending on their stage of development, their size will vary. The RDW reflects that variation in size. A reticulocyte count gives a more precise measurement of how well the bone marrow is replacing RBC.

     

    PLT ....136,000 gh normal range 80,000-200,000 ...148,000

     

    Fine.

     

    CREATININE 2.8 (high) gh normal range .8-1.6 ...1.3 (2/21/09) .... 1.2 (10/17/08)

     

    High, but again, he's got a couple of problems which are affecting his creatinine: the fact that he's probably dry (volume depleted), and the fact that he's probably got a UTI. Hopefully when they recheck this in a couple of days (after he's been hydrated and on antibiotics) this will return to normal range.

     

    GLOBULIN 3.8 (high) gh normal range 2.1-3.2 ...3.3 (2/21/09) ....2.8 (10/17/08)

    ALK PHOSPHATASE.... 79 ....34 (2/21/09) ....85 (10/17/08)

    ALT(SGPT) ...48 .... 34 (2/21/09) .... 57 (10/17/08)

    ALBUMIN ...3.3 same as previous

     

    None of these should be of concern at this point. And again, being dry make skew the results. The albumin being in normal range will be more important when he's having a renal workup in the next few days, to rule out protein-losing nephropathy.

     

    Urinalysis from dipstick:

    Leucocytes negative (interesting - this should be positive w/acute UTI or pyelonephritis - but I've seen many human UTI's which have a negative dipstick but a very positive micro exam and culture)

    nitrite negative (usually but not always positive w/UTI)

    Urobilinogen normal

    Protein >+++2000 (can be very +++ with UTI, but of course also with proteinuria from renal disease)

    ph 7 (a bit high, but this is consistent with UTI)

    Blood >1g

    S.Gravity 1030 (confirms his being volume depleted - this is pretty dry)

    Ketone negative

    Bilirubin 1g (many male greyhounds are positive for urobili or bili on dipstick)

    Glucose normal

     

    Did the vet do a microscopic exam, which is far more specific and accurate?

    Did the vet send off a urine culture?

    If proteinuria persists and/or urine culture is negative for infection, urine should be sent for urine protein-creatinine ratio to quantitate the amount of protein in the urine.

     

    Ducky, please feel free to PM me if you need a brain to pick. I hope Thane recovers quickly and uneventfully!

     

    Jordan

    Acupuncture Question

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Dandi has acupuncture regularly for intervertebral disc disease. It took about 3 visits, as I recall, before I started to see results, and the results were pretty impressive. :) My acupuncture vet initially treated him weekly, then bi-weekly, then every 3 weeks, but when we got to monthly Dandi started to fall apart. I've found that bi-weekly works perfectly for him and keeps him quite comfortable.

     

    When Dandi first started (and also on bad days when I can see he's "owie"), his back was very sensitive, which you could see clearly when she examined his back and palpated before inserting the needles. At times, he's had enough spasm that he'll pop the needles right out. That's the only time he's ever shown signs of pain with needle insertion. 90% of the time, he's needled and will lie down until the timer goes off. Then he goes home, zones out for the rest of the day, and is back to his usual grumpy self. :lol

    Dandi also trots right up the steps of the holistic vet's clinic and looks happy when he goes in, which says a lot!

     

    His acupuncture vet put him on Resinall-E, a Chinese medicine for inflammation, as well as Robaxin (muscle relaxant).

     

    Hang in there - I think you'll see a huge difference in Hannah within just a couple of treatments!

    Jordan

    Getting A 2-person Job Done With Only One

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Well, I'm still inept. :lol: Spoke with vet, and she'd prefer to do a good exam under sedation (I neglected to ask if she meant Dandi or me :lol ) to evaluate this herself. Doesn't want to suggest a treatment plan until she knows he actually needs it. Dandi has not been shaking his head, scratching at his ear, and there's no discharge or odor, so she'll determine if this is indeed infection, and whether it's fungal or bacterial, or simply inflammation.

     

    This will be done next Wed (8/5), and, so it shouldn't be a total loss, he'll also have his dental and removal of a skin lesion at the same time. Sounds like a good strategy to me. :)

     

    Thanks for many great suggestions -- the peanut butter in the muzzle trick is a keeper!

    Getting A 2-person Job Done With Only One

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Hi, guys. Thanks so much for a lot of GREAT suggestions! I'm at work, and this morning's ear routine did not go well. TO compound the problem, I know I'm not getting enough medication deeply enough into his ear canal to clear the infection, so this is an exercise in futility.

     

    I did call my vet's office, as you suggested, Kydie. Spoke with one of the techs who did ask my vet, and I'm still waiting to hear back with what she suggests. The biggest problem is getting help in the morning; in the evening after work, I can run him over to her office so he can be treated. She does live around the corner from me, but I haven't wanted to bug her because the office is so short-staffed, and she's been out flat for months now.

     

    From what I've been reading, often a dog with otitis needs to be sedated for the ear canal to be properly irrigated and cleaned out, but it would be worth it if it meant his ear would be fully cleaned and the infection would resolve faster. I know anything I do around his ear right now has got to be terrifically painful.

     

    The one thing that you can't appreciate is the horrifying scream/wail. There's just a defenselessness, anger overcome by fear of people after all that's been done to him, just a cry out for help. I haven't heard this wail in a couple of years, and I think it traumatizes me as much as it does him.

     

    BTW - I've used a muzzle on him frequently without any problem at all. He's muzzled every two weeks at the vet acupuncturist. This is the first time he's fought back against it, and it's clearly because he now associates it with painful things happening to his ear.

    Getting A 2-person Job Done With Only One

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Wow, thanks Batmom! I'm trying to envision the whole maneuver in my head before attempting. I'm also trying to envision doing this and coming away with two arms. :lol At this point, he's becoming conditioned enough to know when I'm reaching for the muzzle or lead, and at that point, he begins to act out. I do very much like your counter-conditioning technique, getting him to associate ear drops w/treats.

     

    I do (seriously) have sedation for him - 2mg xanax. Dandi has a vet behaviorist (actually, he has a posse: regular vet, vet acupuncturist, vet behaviorist, neurologist and cardiologist) and I'm going to e-mail her to see what she thinks and how to approach this behaviorally. I do think that the safest and best way of getting this done quickly and painlessly is with someone helping me, definitely with me doing the holding and the 2nd person doing the ear work! I'd like someone who is experienced with ear cleaning to get that job done ASAP, so then all he'll need is the antibiotic drops.

     

    I can't explain what a tough cookie Dandi-Lion is, but he's such a cowardly lion inside. The big brute is on the right, so you get an idea of how massive he is, though he's compared with bitty Mafi, who's only 45 lbs.

     

     

     

     

    Getting A 2-person Job Done With Only One

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by houndznigz

    Dandi was diagnosed yesterday with an ear infection. The vet cleaned out his creeping crud (with loud and demonstrative protests on Dandi's part) and put antibiotics drops in. I need to continue to do both steps at home, but am a whopping, impotent failure at doing this. There's no way this is a one-person job, but this is a one-person household.

     

    Background: Dandi is an 86-lb whopping galgo who has seen a lot of trauma in his life; he has anxiety disorder and fear aggression. His aggression has never been directed toward humans, except when he feels threatened, and then he lets out the most pitiful growl/whine/cry that breaks your heart, because you know it comes from a very sad past. It's taken 3 years for Dandi to trust me enough to know that I will never hurt him, and that's been undone in 2 days.

     

    To try to get the eardrops in, I have to muzzle him, get a collar/lead on and get within shooting distance of his ear. It's not happening, and he's becoming increasingly agitated, and trying to snap through the muzzle. I can't even touch the top of his head or ear without him freaking out. Frankly, he's intimidating the cr*p out of me and I know this has to get done or he'll continue to be in pain.

     

    I had a co-worker (a former vet tech) willing to come back with me after work to help me do this, but I was stuck at work late and she couldn't wait. I tried to get it done by myself, but it did not go well.

     

    What can I do? What do YOU do if you're facing this kind of situation without help available? I plan to call my vet's office tomorrow to see if someone might be willing to come over (for $$) to help me out, or frankly I'll just bring him over there. My vet lives around the corner from me, but she's so overworked right now, I really don't want to ask.

     

    I've never felt so ineffective. Any suggestions are gratefully welcomed. Oh, and I do have anxiety meds available (xanax) but I took them and they didn't do a thing. ;)

    Quiet Man

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    :( Oh, Jennifer - I didn't see this thread until today. I'm so terribly sorry.

     

    Quiet Man was, and will always be, an enigma. You were both blessed to have shared your lives with each other.

     

    Godspeed over the Bridge, sweet boy... f_yellow:gh_runf_yellow

    Buddy

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    The Gods were smiling on Buddy when Praveen and Karen offered to adopt him 11 years ago. No one in the world could have given Buddy a more loving, patient, nurturing home.

     

    Buddy was my Lexi's daddy, and not only will he always be in my heart, but Praveen and Karen (aka Grampa and Grammy to Lexi) will be there too.

     

    Godspeed, Buddy!

     

    Jordan and your daughter Lexi

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