4My2Greys
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Posts posted by 4My2Greys
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Glad to hear you and James are on your way home. Drive safe.
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Yes, if there's reduced immune function, there could be few white cells. You'd see the rest, tho -- bacteria, often some blood, bacterial metabolism products (those last show up on the chemical strip).
Batmom, I'm curious. What are the bacterial metabolism products you are referring to and how would they be listed on the report? The reason I ask is because Nadir has shown in past reports to have reduced immune function and although his previous bouts of incontinence have been proven to be allergy related I would like to know what to look for in the event he does get an actual bacterial U.T.I.
What was Nadir allergic to, and how was that demonstrated? If I look, will I find a thread about it? (I'm really exhausted, or I'd just do the work and go look.) Shane has been on grain-free food for years, btw. Finally switched him from NB back to Wellness Core recently because his poops were just too huge.
You can read my post on page 2 of Fenway's Mystery Pee Problem. It explains everything and how I came to that conclusion.
Edited to add page #
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Brie I'm so sorry he didn't make it. Rest in piece sweet Manny knowing you were loved.
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I've heard a lot of people have success with putting a piece of duct tape over the corn to help remove it. If Nadir gets another corn I will try this method. I opted for the surgery route only because by the time I learned it was a corn that was causing him to be in so much pain when walking I had spent 3 years going from vet to vet trying to find out why. I tried hulling and it actually made it worse. The surgery was done March of 2010 and
the limp is gone and there have been no corn reoccurences. -
I'm late, but wanted to add healing prayers and white light
for Clark. I hope you get to bring him home soon. 
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I enlarged the picture and it may just be my imagination, but I think I might see what could possibly be a corn. Using the toenail as the 12 o'clock position, look between 1 and 2 o'clock.
When you talk to your vet make sure you mention the possibility of a corn. I spent 3 years taking Nadir to 5 different vets trying to find out why he was limping. He was diagnosed with spondylosis by one vet, another time I was told a torn ACL. The other vets just scratched their heads and wanted me to put him on Rimadyl. Which I constantly had to remind them he couldn't take anymore because the Metacam and Rimadyl they had prescribed in the past left him full of bleeding ulcers. Only to find out that a corn was the culprit the whole time.
Thank you! I will be sure to mention it - I can see how it could be missed if it is so small and you are not looking for it.
Brie I mentioned my experience with Nadir's corn because the vets never even thought to look for a corn. I didn't know anything about corns or how painful they could be at that time either, so I never really would have known what to look for. The corn though when it was brought to my attention was actually quite large so if a vet had looked before it would have been easy to spot. One of the vets I had taken him to prior when I told him what the finding was concerning his limp said that corns are not common in dogs so they usually don't look for something like this. I'm not sure maybe there only prevelant in greyhounds. Good luck on finding the reason for her limp and I hope she is on the mend soon.
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Sending lots of white light for Sarah that she come through this surgery with no complications. I'll be keeping all of you in my thoughts.
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My prayers are with him and his family.
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Thank you for your reply.
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Yes, if there's reduced immune function, there could be few white cells. You'd see the rest, tho -- bacteria, often some blood, bacterial metabolism products (those last show up on the chemical strip).
Batmom, I'm curious. What are the bacterial metabolism products you are referring to and how would they be listed on the report? The reason I ask is because Nadir has shown in past reports to have reduced immune function and although his previous bouts of incontinence have been proven to be allergy related I would like to know what to look for in the event he does get an actual bacterial U.T.I.
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Wanted to let you know that you and Sarah and your husband too have been in my thoughts. I wanted you to also know that I support your decision to amputate. As far as your husband's concerns go concerning quality of life as a tripawd well I think enough has been posted to know this should not be a factor. If her will to live is strong think about what wild animals have done when caught in traps. They have gnawed off their own legs to free themselves because of their desire to live. You stated his fear that she wouldn't make it through the surgery, well there is that slim chance, but the end result of being PTS are definite. With surgery she has a chance.
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I enlarged the picture and it may just be my imagination, but I think I might see what could possibly be a corn. Using the toenail as the 12 o'clock position, look between 1 and 2 o'clock.
When you talk to your vet make sure you mention the possibility of a corn. I spent 3 years taking Nadir to 5 different vets trying to find out why he was limping. He was diagnosed with spondylosis by one vet, another time I was told a torn ACL. The other vets just scratched their heads and wanted me to put him on Rimadyl. Which I constantly had to remind them he couldn't take anymore because the Metacam and Rimadyl they had prescribed in the past left him full of bleeding ulcers. Only to find out that a corn was the culprit the whole time.
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Can you indicate which toe you pressed on that caused her to pull her foot back? The corn may not have surfaced yet, but may already be causing her problems. One thing I learned when Nadir went through 3 years of limping, the cause of which turned out to be a corn, was that the limping increased dramatically when walking on a hard surface. If he was walking on soft ground or grass it was nearly undetectable.
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I then switched him Timberwolf Organics Ocean Blue. This was a grain-free food with a different protein. In less than a week the accidents stopped completely. Turns out the whole time his problem was a sensitivity to rice.
Not to hijack your thread Lauren, but today, after FIVE WEEKS dry, George had another accident, and honestly? I am ready to totally surrender--and then I saw THIS.
I admit to be extremely skeptical, but...WHY NOT? I've tried everything else!!!
Judy, do you happen to remember WHERE you read that about incontinence and grain?
I'm really beyond depressed right this particular minute (I'll get over it).
How did you determine it was RICE if you switched to grain free with a different protein? I am not doubting you--just curious.
OK. Off to order some grain free kibble!
Susan, I know how frustrated you must be for George, poor guy and poor you. You have worked so hard trying to fix him.
I read about allergies possibly being a cause for incontinence in a chapter on urinary tract health in this book I had bought.
Complete Holistic Dog Book by Jan Alligretti & Katy Sommers, D.V.M.
The reason I immediately thought grains was because there has been discussion on whether or not dogs should consume grains, but I’m not really arguing that, because I have learned that they can also develop a sensitivity or allergy to things that are considered good for them. The reason I knew it was rice was because this was the one constant between his kibble he had been eating, Canidae Lamb & Rice and the home-cooked diet of Ground Beef & Rice while his incontinence persisted.
I’ve also learned over the years that there are a few other things that will bring on bouts of incontinence for him. I ordered Tuna Tooters especially made with garbanzo bean flour instead of rice flour for him. When I started giving him the treats the accidents started occurring again, stopped the treats the accidents stopped. It only took a few treats also to bring it on. I ran a few trials to see if it was the case and sure enough every time I gave him those treats the accidents would start happening, stopped the treats again and no more accidents. Recently he started having problems again after all this time. I think I have isolated the culprit because the accidents have stopped, but don’t want to say until I’ve given it more time, because frankly this one really puzzles me.
He has been on Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream now for about a year and is doing well on it.
Now I will say that I don’t know if this would be George’s problem considering that he has gone so long without an accident, I would think that if it was something he was eating the problem would have persisted. With Nadir it was everyday of flooding accidents with no improvements. Of course this makes it all that more frustrating, because I know you want an answer to his problem and there is nothing I would like better than for you than to put this problem behind you.
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White blood cells and cocci.....infection. Certainly wouldn't jump to the big guns right off the bat. Are you certain that it's not an incontinence issue ? Is he actually emptying his bladder when he has these accidents or is he leaving little puddles everywhere ?
Def. not incontinence. Grace has spay incontinence and her symptoms were nothing at all like his. And he is def. emptying his bladder every time! Trust me, I didn't think that much pee could come out of a dog. Each accident is one giant puddle which takes at least two bath towels to clean up.
Question...the in house (handwritten) urinalysis was taken on 2/19, where it mentions 0-3 WBC/hpf. But then the one from the lab on 2/26 showed no white blood cells. Why? Wouldn't those still be present?
From Merriam-Webster: Incontinence - b : inability of the body to control the evacuative functions of urination or defecation.
I'm not arguing semantics, but by definition they both would be considered incontinent, although for different reasons.
I was also experiencing the same giant puddle accidents with Nadir several times a day on a daily basis from Oct 2008 to Mar 2009. I'm going to share the general time line and what actions were being taken at this time along with the values that were out of range on his Jan 1, 2009 Urinalysis / culture from Antech.
After several vet visits and urinalysis that came back negative for bacteria and accidents still continuing I took him to the vet on Oct 30, 2008 and requested he be put on a 3 week course of Baytril. On Nov 17, 2008 he was seen by Auburn University Veterinary School to have a full neurological exam to include MRI and spinal tap for suspected back problems that was causing his pain during walking and possibly his incontinence. The exam found nothing other than he tested positive for Toxoplasmosis. He had just completed his Baytril when he was put on a 6 week course of 900 mg Clindamyacin. All this time he was still experiencing these episodes of incontinence and it didn't matter if he was standing up or lying down. It would come out of him in a flood and he had no ability to stop it when it happened. These are some of the values from his Jan 1, 2009 urinalysis / culture that were of concern:
...................................................... Nadir's ....................Reference Range
pH: .................................................. 8.5.............................. 5.5 - 7.0
Specific Gravity:..............................1.034..........................1.015 - 1.050
Appearance:................................... Cloudy........................Clear
Protein:........................................... +3.................................Neg
Bilirubin: +2 Neg to +1
Blood:................................................4-10............................0-3
Bacteria:...........................................None
Microalbuminuria:..........................4.6.............................. < 2.6
The MA is greater than 2.5 mg/dl and less than 30 mg/dl, indicating microalbuminuria. MA usually indicates compromise of the glomerular barrier and is significant finding when it is persistent. Persistent MA, in the majority of pets, is due to renal failure.
Although bacteria was not showing up I ask for another 3 week course of Baytril, just in case. Also during the time of the Oct 30th appointment the vet wanted me to put him on a prescription diet. I chose instead to find an appopriate diet and home cook his food, knowing the quality would be much higher. Up to that time he had always been fed a Lamb & Rice kibble and I changed him to a home-cooked diet mainly consisting of ground beef and brown rice. In Mar 2009 I decided to try another change to his diet. I had remembered reading that allergies sometimes can be the cause of urinary incontinence. I then switched him Timberwolf Organics Ocean Blue. This was a grain-free food with a different protein. In less than a week the accidents stopped completely. Turns out the whole time his problem was a sensitivity to rice.
I honestly do not know how much longer Nadir could have lasted if I had not made this change in his diet when I finally did. I can only imagine how raw and inflamed his bladder was by the time I tried this diet change. I just regret that he spent all that time in pain as I wasted time expecting antibiotics to fix his problem.
I am not advising those whose lab results show bacteria to not give antibiotics, but if they don't, think about a quick elimination test diet. If that is the problem you will see results very quickly. If you don't see results then go for the antibiotics. Sometimes they are warranted in cases where bacteria are not showing up, as in the case of George, but what if they are like Nadir and you waste all that time when you could possibly have had a quick resolution to the problem.
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Well I ordered the tub-o-coconut oil from Vitacost yesterday. Thanks Remelocha and Petra for the info on where to buy. I bought the 54 oz Nutiva brand since I've got 4 dogs to give it to. Also found some 16+ grade Manuka honey that I added to my order. I had a nice surprise in that shipping was free. Can't wait to start giving the coconut oil to the dogs and seeing the benefits. I sure hope they like it and don't refuse it.
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FATTY CYST!!!!!
The lymph node is actually underneath it. And it feels hard just because of the tension in that area. But it is full of fat cells.
I cannot say how relieved I am!!! I love this little guy.
Time for a little tumor name calling……
FATTY CYST, FATTY CYST, YOU AIN’T NOTHIN’ BUT A FATTY CYST!!!!! -
You should also ask them to check his blood pressure. I discovered Coppers BP/kidney issues when I took him in for what I thought would be a routine UTI...
Question, because I know noting about this stuff....are the BP and kidney issues related? Maybe I'll ask the tech tomorrow if she'll do that when they do the sterile urine draw.
Avadogner posted a very good explanation of the kidney's function in the thread Kidney Disease and Hind End Weakness, I found very informative that you might want to read.
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Many prayers, positive thoughts and healing white light being sent for James that he comes through this surgery and you have many more happy years with him.
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Try giving him about a tsp of Manuka honey that has 15+ rating for a few days before you feed him. The stuff works wonders for settling tummy troubles among other things.
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I did see where it said 1 tsp per 10 lbs,it is a good article. Rebel is 82 lbs and 8 tsp a day seemed like a lot. Just wanted to make sure that I was not giving too much or more than I needed since greyhounds can run different.
I am going to try cocomut oil as soon as I finish the fish oil that I have.
I will be sure to start slow and build up the dose to what he needs.
Just make sure you start slow as recommended or it can have a detoxification effect. I believe for a large dogs 1 tsp to start and slowly build up was what was recommended.
I am also interested too though in how much those on here are giving.
ETA
I see where you already mentioned starting slow, must not have paid attention reading it the first time so disregard my mention of it
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Hiya!
My Sweetpea cycles through the exact same symptoms.
Tummy gurgles (sounds like a wild animal in there), no appetite, then eventually caustic looking (and smelling
) poop.After I first brought her home, it took me almost 9 months to find a food that agreed with her, but she would still cycle through
"rott gut" at least once a quarter, sometimes once a month. But like Ashleigh, it was workable, because it would resolve itself.
Until this past October, (abridged version) neck strain, prednisone, nightmare of side effects.
November, neck strain returned, Rimadyl, tummy troubles surface, stop rimadyl, tummy never stabilized.
'Fed her ground beef and rice for forever. 'Tried flagyl, probiotics, but every time I tried to transition back
to the kibble that had worked fine for her for 4 years, disaster.
Ranted about it in Soap Box, and was reminded of the great Iams cure. I had nothing to lose, so I tried it. Bought a small bag of Iams
(the green bag), transitioned her on to it, poops are great, she's gobbling it up. Yayyyy me!
About a month in, yup, you guessed it, tummy gurgles, no appetite.
right?Well another post in my Soap Box rant had mentioned Manuka honey, so I tried that.
One teaspoon at breakfast time, no interest in kibble.
One teaspoon at dinner time, no interest in kibble.
One teaspoon at the next breakfast, gobbled up her kibble.
One slightly caustic poop, then back to the gold standard of poops that Iams has given us.
So, long story long, Iams for day to day, Manuka Honey (15 IMF) for the gurgles works for us.
Good luck!
Buzzy
I hate to hear the food change itself did not resolve things, but very glad to hear that the Manuka honey is helping. I thought about mentioning it here, but usually get shot down when mentioning a natural remedy. Nadir has had years of episodes of loudly gurgling stomach and bloody diarrhea brought on from NSAID use. I've had him at the vets numerous times and they basically throw a bunch of antibiotics to include Flagyl (which is also helpful for inflammation), pepcid, sucrulfate at him. The last episode he was treated with Flagyl and pepcid, which seemed initially to work. Less than 2 weeks later another episode so I talked to his vet and we both decided another round of Flagyl would be the best course. When I got home though I got to thinking about what I had read about Manuka honey for stomach problems including ulcerative colitis and decided to give it a try first. Afterall if I didn't see good results I still had the Flagyl to give him. It worked wonders, in no time poops were back to normal and his appetite was back and we still have the Flagyl should the need ever arise.
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I haven't tried it myself yet, but I've read where a lot of people are having success with adding coconut oil to the food daily.
I recently started mine on coconut oil and have been very impressed so far.
Here are some links that convinced me to give it a try for my gang. And the girls absolutely love it! Their skin and coats already look better than they did on large doses of fish oil or salmon oil.
I've been meaning to thank you for posting the article Crazy About Coconut Oil. What brand do you use and where do you get it from?
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How much coconut oil do you give?
The linked article Crazy About Coconut Oil says 1 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight, but warns to take it slow and build up to that. It's a good article and worth reading. I plan on getting some coconut oil for my dogs.
the limp is gone and there have been no corn reoccurences.
for Clark. I hope you get to bring him home soon. 
FATTY CYST, FATTY CYST, YOU AIN’T NOTHIN’ BUT A FATTY CYST!!!!! 
) poop.
right?
Sara Is In Surgery Right Now
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
Thank you for the update. I keep coming back here to check if there is any news.