greyhndz

It's taken almost a week for me to even attempt to post about Lexi. I've lost 7 hounds since 2001, but I have never grieved as deeply as I am for Lexi. She will always be my heart and soul, my Mommy Girl, my eternal shadow and truster of no one except her mommy. My soul mate. I adopted Lexi sight unseen - I wanted to bring home a 2nd iggy for my 1st iggy, Bailey, to have as a playmate (the 5 Biggies weren't interested). Lexi was brought up from Georgia the first week in January 1997, just after her 1st birthday. And as you can see, Bailey and Lexi got along famously.... BTW, Lexi was the daughter of Praveen's Buddy, who went to the Bridge just a few short weeks ago. Lexi loved her daddy, and there was no doubt that she was his daughter: Lexi became a talented rooer and the leader of the chorus. About 3 years ago, her mother and brother joined our family. Here's Lexi with her mom, Penny, who died shortly after this photo was taken. Her brother is still with us. My beautiful Mommy Girl. 2 years ago, Lexi became ill with relapsing fevers, lethargy, intermittent lameness, and was finally diagnosed with immune-mediated polyarthritis. She was also found to have kidney disease, likely part of her autoimmune disease. It took about 8 months, 2 courses of prednisone and leflumonide (an immunosuppressant) before Lexi's IMPA was brought under control. Her kidney disease, however, progressed. She had several rough times with urinary tract infections, dehydration, fevers, and illnesses requiring IV fluid and antibiotics, both in hospital and at home. I created a mini-hospital room for Lexi in my spare bathroom. Here she is, getting IV fluids and feeling pretty darned awful. But my sweet, brave girlie always bounced back, and within a couple of days, would be jumping up and down, prancing throughout the house, swiping food and just being herself. But about 3 weeks ago, she again became ill, and again had a urinary tract infection. And again needed IV fluids and antibiotics. She spent the day in hospital getting the fluids, and then I'd bring her home after work and continue them at night. But this time, Lexi didn't bounce back, and she was in renal failure that didn't respond to treatment. Lexi did not trust most people, and did not like to be handled or picked up. She had no veins left for IVs. Having to constantly go to the vet's for bloodwork was torture for her, as was my having to give her any type of treatment at home, like subQ fluids. She began to lose her trust in me, and that led to my vet and I deciding that we needed to do what was right for Lexi, and that was to keep her comfortable, give her the best quality of life possible, spoil her rotten, and let her have her freedom so she could once again feel safe with mommy, and in her own home. We knew Lexi's time would be very limited. On August 22, last Saturday, Lexi told me she was ready, and my vet, who is also my neighbor and who has been Lexi's advocate for the past 2 years, came to our home, and sent Lexi on her journey while I held her in my arms. It was a peaceful and quiet transition to the spirit world, and I could feel her ascent. Knowing Lexi has been set free from the illnesses that she has fought so valliantly does bring me comfort, but my heart is broken and, despite having 6 dogs still with me, the house is empty, as is my heart. I take comfort from the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince, when I think about my Angel Lexi. "When you look up at the sky at night, since I'll be living on one of them, since I'll be laughing on one of them, for you, it'll be as if all the stars are laughing. You'll have stars that can laugh! "And when you're consoled (everyone is eventually consoled), you'll be glad you've known me. You'll always be my friend. You'll feel like laughing with me. And you'll open your windows sometimes just for the fun of it... And your friends will be amazed to see you laughing while you're looking up at the sky. Then you'll tell them, 'Yes, it's the stars. They always make me laugh!"

Oh, Heather, so so so true. I just believe that an animal who is preparing itself to die has to be given its dignity at all costs. If you're talking about an acutely-ill animal who has a good chance of recovery if it can be force-fed for a couple of days, that's a different situation. Sadly, I've just been through this, and lost my heart iggy Lexi 2 days ago to renal failure and immune mediated polyarthritis. Over the years, refusal to eat their very favorite foods was one of the criteria I used in knowing when it "was time". I've always found that the jars of strained meat were "go-to's" at end of life, and if the pup were no longer interested in these meats, it was probably time. In the past 2 weeks before her death, because Lexi had gone downhill rapidly, I watched the progression of a little girl who jumped up for a yummy, grabbed treats, roast beef, cheese -- anything -- out of my hand, and gobbled down her dinner -- to eating less and less every day. Everything that had tempted her was dropping off the list. Pizza has always been her weakness, and finally, on her next-to-last day, she turned down pizza, in addition to virtually everything else offered. As Heather said, these were the words Lexi was using to tell me she didn't want to do this anymore. (Don't get me started, I'm am absolute wreck ) Foods we progressed through at various times of severe illness and inappetance were: sliced, rare deli roast beef sliced pastrami chicken nuggets, or popcorn chicken rotisserie chicken minus skin boiled or crock potted chicken Milk Bone training treats (the bitty ones) Dehydrated liver snacks (she loved them until her last day) Grandma something-or-other little "mini-meatballs" - crunchy iggy-sized meat treats in pot roast, chicken parmesan, etc. - found in Petco. Meaty Sticks - found at "Sittin' Pretty" pet bakery in CA. These were a godsend, and worked until almost the end. Ensure Feeding by spoon Feeding by hand Feeding by finger Letting her watch me feed the other dogs - her competitiveness might spark and cause her to eat, too. My feeling was (and has been for all the pups I have lost to cancer or illness): anything, anytime, anyway, but no trauma or drama, which just stresses them even more. Don't get hyped up and start offering the sun and the moon - just walk away, give her some loving, and try again later. If "later" also proves to be unsuccessful, then it's time to look deeply into her eyes and let her tell you what she really wants. And then listen.

I never hesitate to ask for a script to be called or faxed in for a med on human formularies, at human pharmacies. Even if it's not on their $4 generic formulary, you can get a substantial discount, particularly at pharmacies like Hannaford which have a "Healthy Savings" plan ($7/year). Many of the chain pharmacies are competing and developing their own versions, and this is all to our benefit (for a change!!!). For strictly dog meds or compounding, I go with KV Vet, Entirely Pets (pretty much the cheapest) or a specialized animal compounding pharmacy. Pred is generally on the $4 formulary at Walmart, Target, etc., but is also really cheap elsewhere.

If anyone has a hound, or knows of a hound, using leflumonide, could you PM me? Also can be reached at greyhndz at comcast dot net. Thanx

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.

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

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.

Just PM'd you, Ducky. You can give these meds together. The other thing I've found that works if the pain is primarily muscular is methocarbamol (Robaxin). It's not an NSAID, strictly a skeletal muscle relaxant. Hope Gracie is a lot more comfortable in the morning... J

ETA: I apologize for the brain fart and confusing Cosmo with another pup also facing challenges. ... too many sick doggies right now and this fried brain is having trouble keeping them straight. Hoping your sweetie is feeling better very soon!

I'm so sorry, Ducky. I know so many people were pulling very, very hard for Lena. She's earned her angel wings, and is flying free tonight....

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.

My heart breaks for you, my friend. Godspeed, beautiful Thane. A new star is in the sky tonight..

We're all here for you, Ducky, and keeping you and Thane in our hearts...

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.

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

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. 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

Well, I'm still inept. Spoke with vet, and she'd prefer to do a good exam under sedation (I neglected to ask if she meant Dandi or me ) 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!

Yay Yay Yay Yay!!!!!!!!!!! A celebration is in order!!! ETA: there is no more beautiful word in the English language than "benign"...

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.

Thanks for suggestions, Neyla's mom. As far as I know this was Dandi's first ear infection -- and hopefully his last! Maybe I just get one of those water blasters that the kids use in the pool, fill it up with the cleaning solution and antibiotic drops, and let 'er rip! I could get him from way across the room

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. 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.

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.

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...

Words can't even come close... what a heartbreaking day for you, Tammy. I'm so, so sorry.