Robin1017
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Posts posted by Robin1017
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Great news! Now get that doxy working!!!
(I know the feeling of relief at finding SOMETHING...I was so thrilled to get a positive urine culture!!!!)
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How is she doing?
On May 2, Robin spiked a fever of 106.5 and spent two days at VESCONE, the emergency hospital here. We did test after test and found nothing wrong, and the next morning he still wasn't really responding to the treatment. So I asked them to pull blood and urine samples to culture, and then to start him on doxycycline, treating him as if he had a TBD, even though we didn't have those results in yet.
He was starting to get better that night, and was able to come home the next night. I don't know if it was the doxy that did it, though, as the tick panel came back clear, showing exposure to a couple, but no active infections. We kept him on the doxy just in case the infection was hiding in the nervous system or something like that....
Three days later, we got the urine culture results back. They were positive for some sort of infection (I don't know if it was a bladder infection, UTI, or what), so we started him on Cephalexin, another antibiotic, based on those results. He has steadily gotten better and is happily lying in the grass as we speak...
After all this, what was it? I'm not sure. I would say it was the infection that showed up in the urine, like a raging UTI as someone else had above, but the weird thing is that he was already getting much better before got those results and started the new antibiotic. Maybe it was that, and the doxy got it started. Who knows? Another possibility I haven't ruled out is that the tick panel that was run only checked for the TBDs that are common here in New England. But Robin came from Florida, albeit 9 years ago, and he lived in Virginia for 3 years, so he could have had a TBD that wasn't checked for. He had also had Lyme Disease when he was younger, so maybe that came back, but for some reason didn't show on the tick panel.
So I second getting a urine culture, as that was the only thing that came up positive in Robin. And consider starting doxy as well. There are so many TBDs, and I feel like these tests can be uncertain. At least, that was my experience. Super frustrated that I don't know for sure what it was, but just glad that my boy is well again (although weaker--he's getting older and this kicked his a**). Hoping and praying that you have similar positive results for Minerva soon.
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Tony, I was so sad to hear of the diagnosis. I was glad I was able to love on Zero yesterday at the end of the walk. Hope to see him again soon!
Cathy
(PS Gt-ers....I think he told Greyhound Adventures people at the walk yesterday....I don't think he's posted it on GT yet....)
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check His Temp If You Can. That Is How Robin Was Acting Right Before He Ended UP In The Hospital With A Bad Fever, Couldn't Stand, Etc., Last Month. Never Found Out For Sure What It Was, But He Responded To Antibiotics. He Also Had Lyme Years Ago, And Though The Test Didn't Confirm It, I Wonder If It Flared Up...
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Another supplement to consider adding is Grizzly Salmon Oil. I started Robin on it last year, at a time when I had run out of his glucosamine, msm, and chondroitin supplements and was about to order more. (I had run out and money was tight, so he had been off of them for over a month, sadly.) I was impressed to note that the salmon oil alone showed as much improvement as the supplements had! It was an obvious difference. Needless to say, he's on both now.
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I just gave him some pumpkin! I'm thinking a little bit twice a day can't hurt. He likes it.
And Jessica, I'm not sure why they didn't catch it sooner, except that whoever read the prescription put it in wrong--so the label and everything says 50mg. Even the description (little yellow tabs) is correct. So they didn't catch it until they went back in the computer to look at the original prescription that it was caught. I'm surprised that I didn't notice the discrepancy with the discharge paperwork; the normal, not freaked- and stressed-out me would have caught that.
He said it is an unusually high dosage, even for humans. So I'm guessing that the culprit assumed it said 50, as that is what is most common.
I'm glad he owned up to it, called the vet himself, and dealt with it, plus he did not charge me the $113 for the new medication. So I will be watching things a little more carefully, but I'm okay with how he handled it. BECAUSE Robin is doing well.
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I'm so glad this appears to have turned out okay!
I called in tonight to get Robin's doxycycline refilled for another two weeks, so he could have the full month of them. Now, we never actually found evidence of any active infection that would warrant the doxy, but we started it before the tick panel came back, and he turned the corner right after that, so who knows... Well, when I picked it up, the pharmacist told me that when they filled it the first time, he gave me the wrong ones!! The prescription was for 100mg tabs, but he filled it as 50mg tabs. So for nearly two weeks, Robin was on HALF the prescribed dose, and we didn't realize it. Whoa!
So the pharmacist called the evet and they re-prescribed the original amount and said that he should stay on that for 3 weeks instead of two. And the pharmacist waived the (much larger) cost since it was their error. Thank goodness. And Robin has improved, so it appears that there is no harm done.
But WOW. Thank goodness he's okay!! Now all I have to worry about is diarrhea at this higher dose.
Someone is definitely looking out for my buddy.
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Robin continues to improve. Today's update is that we took off the Fentanyl patch tonight, so I am supposed to watch him for signs of increased pain now that that med is gone, to see if we need to add a different med, like tramadol or something. I really don't expect that to happen, but I'm going to watch him.
Robin has begun following me to other rooms in the house, like the kitchen, instead of patiently waiting in his bed for the goodies to come to him, as he has been doing since he came home. Following me from room to room is just what he does, so I'm glad to have this somewhat irritating, but lovable, habit back.
He also doesn't want to come right back in the house when we are outside like we have been doing--he wants to take a walk....and wander....and sniff..... This is a good thing, but we're supposed to be resting his back! Silly dog.My boy has always been stubborn. He clearly has an appetite and is hungry--he's even been begging for food, which he hasn't done for months now. However, I just watched this dog pick up some kibble, suck the wet food off of it, and spit it back out into the bowl.
Seriously. So I warmed up (yes, microwave food is the new thing) some more wet food and added it so that the mix would be more wet than dry...and he ate it all up like he was starving. Sigh.Anyway, Robin is definitely feeling better. I'm so happy to have my boy still with me.
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Thanks for the kind thoughts! Robin and i are both a lot better, i think. We had a scare last night where i brought him in to be looked at because his gums seemed pale, but it turns out i was a little gunshy...he was fine. Last night was great...he only got up twice to drink water and shift position...so i got a lot more sleep than the night before. And today continues the trend...he is doing pretty well!
Good news today, i thought, is that the urine culture showed the presence of bacteria, maybe a bladder or urinary tract infection. So that is hopeful, as it could explain a lot. He started the new antibiotic tonight.
Now he's on a lot of antibiotics, I'm starting too think maybe i should find some probiotics to help him out. But I'd like something i can get quickly, like stopping at the store. Any recommendations are appreciated.
Here's to more improvement. He wants to go on a greyhound walk!
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No....I'm so sorry and saddened by this news! And for it to be so sudden, too....
I so loved your girl...and her precious face....
Run free Treasure...
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We have two, but one sux...
I may end up doing that once he feels better enough to really want my bed... I was also considering a low air mattress...he and I have shared such things before fairly comfortably (at least for him!)
I just let him lay outside for a few minutes. "Nature Therapy."
He has some bruising on his elbows and a few other bony places...he was just licking one now...it's kind of dark, dry, and hard. I'm wondering if there is anything I can put on them...
I have bag balm...I wonder if that would help?
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I found a better setup of his bed that he appears to be more okay with. Though he still wants my bed, and I can't let him.
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LOL...
If someone wants a funny story....
I got it in my head a little while ago to move my mattress to the floor so Robin could sleep on it with me, since that's what he really wants to do right now.
If you've ever seen a little animated movie called The Brave Little Toaster....
In the beginning of the movie, the appliances try to ride a large mattress, with the vacuum cleaner pushing, down the stairs so they can use it to get to the city. (Honest!)
Well....those appliances were more successful than I was. Turns out the mattress is a couple inches too wide and would not make it to the floor. I nearly got crushed under it, trying to get it back onto the bed after I admitted epic fail.
I think this whole experience has sent me off the deep end....this dog just HAS to get better, or I may end up in a looney bin....
Or crushed under a mattress....
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Well, he's home! Getting him here was easier than I expected-he wanted to do everything himself. He drank some water, took his pills like a good dog, and ate some rotisserie chicken. I think he wanted more, but I don't want to overdo it. He tried to get up on my bed, but that is not allowed. Strict bedrest for two weeks. That is going to be a challenge--but I thought the bed wars wouldn't start until tomorrow!
He's resting quietly now while I update the world and read the notes and instructions. Need to figure out a med schedule....Just read in the notes that we got tick titer results that showed exposure to Lyme and Anaplasma but no active infection. It says "there is a remote possibility that the disease is sequestered in the neurologic system and we will continue the doxycyline as prescribed in case it will help." Interesting....though I really hoped that it would be more definitive than that....
I also think, if I'm reading it right, that we confirmed some LS, which I had already suspected. "There was narrowing of the intervertebral spaces around T12-L2 and stair-stepping at the lumbosacral junction with bridging spondylosis. These findings were not consistent with the severe pain found on palpation between the shoulder blades, however may indicate compression of the spinal cord in this area and may be the cause for chronic hindlimb weakness."
At this point, I'm home all day tomorrow with him, and we will see how he does. I'm hoping he is okay for me to go to work Monday, at least for a half day, but we'll see...
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I visited him from 1-2, and he seemed better. I won't say MUCH better, because at first he didn't look great. His eyes didn't have the light they always have, even though he was calm and quiet. But by the time I left, he had taken some water from me a few times and was more alert--listening to what people were doing and looking toward them. The light was back in his eyes. Hopefully that's a sign that he will improve even more once he's home.
At that point he was on only 1/3 of the hydromorphone that he had been on the previous day, and he was still okay. It is definitely having a sedative effect, but he seems more comfortable. The doctor said I should come back at 8 to take him home.Since then, I've been preparing for his arrival! I picked up some lube (eww) so I can take his temp if needed, and some extra pill pockets, and I met a friend who is lending me a ramp for the stairs and a harness in case he needs help getting around. I'm setting up his bed all comfy and did some vacuuming so I won't have to disturb his highness once he's home.
Thank you to everyone for all the good wishes. I think it has helped....and I hope it continues to do so. If nothing else, it has helped keep me sane.
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Just talked to the doctor. Positive update this morning! He seems better....sedate on the meds, but the pain is controlled now. He said that when they took him out to pee he even had a little bit of a trot in his walk!!!!!
Those of you who know my Robin know that he NEVER walks without a trot in his step, but the doctor didn't know that, so this is SUPER news.The goal today, he said, is to slowly get him off the iv medications and onto other stuff so he can go home tonight, maybe between 5 and 7. Boy, do I hope so!!!
The only thing that worries me is that we discussed the pain management options to transition him to, and he really thinks the the fentanyl patch is the only thing that has the potential to be strong enough, given how much meds it has taken to get him comfortable. I was told by friends that some greyhounds have bad reactions to it, and I spoke to the doctor about it, but he REALLY thinks that is the best route, that tramadol won't be enough, etc... So I told him he can try it, but to watch him very very carefully for bad reactions. (I'm second guessing that right now, of course, but this guy has done well with Robin so far.....)
I really want my boy home tonight. I hope he can transition!!!
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I just got home. Spent two hours with him from 3:30-5:30. He stayed in his "cage" kennel thing, and I hopped in with him. I have really small legs, and I could stretch them straight out across and have him rest his head on my hip like he likes to do. At first he was panting a lot when I got there, even with his head resting, but after a little bit he settled and fell asleep. With a few quiet wakings, he stayed asleep for the whole time, until it was meds and IV time and I had to go. He is clearly on a lot of medications, and is pretty doped-up, but it was really good that I was able to get him to settle for a couple of hours. I hope he does more of that tonight....
He perked up at the rotisserie chicken, but wouldn't take it or anything else, including water. He's not dehydrated, because of the IV, but his tongue and mouth are really dry from the panting and mouth breathing, They are trying to syringe some water in there periodically, but his tongue is still like a nasty piece of leather.
I was able to leave the chicken there, and they will try again.After that time, I'm feeling more optimistic, though there isn't any new information to justify it. But the time with him was good. I hope it helps him feel better.
I REALLY hope the doxy works. He started it earlier this afternoon. REALLY hoping....
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Now He's Sleeping All Quiet Against My Leg. (Aww)
GoD I Love This BoY...
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I'm Here With Him Now. He Won't Eat Or Drink,.Though He Seemed Kind Of Interested In The Chicken
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Hmm. Makes Me Wonder...TheyKeepThinkingHeIsInMorePain Because HeKeepsGettingAnxious And Panting. So They Keep Upping It, I Think. Maybe He Doesn't Hurt As Much AS They Think...
Though He Still Keeps SinkingIn His Back End When He Stands. So Maybe Not.
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Talked to the vet tech.... they took him out a little bit ago to pee, and he seemed *slightly* more comfortable. And they just took his temp, and it was normal. Hooray!!! Still rough, but this is a tiny, tiny glimmer of hope. He's on a ton of drugs though, to get him this way, so I can't take him home. :-( He also doesn't want to eat, but he might not for them. So I'm going to bring him some chicken and sit with him--she said that it would be okay.
God, my stomach hurts though. So stressed and scared still......
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I'm having them do the urine culture and blood culture to check for spinal cord infection, as well as the tick panel. Also I have them starting the doxy in case it is TBD. Not doing a ct scan or mri, at least for now.
The main thing I'm trying to decide and see is whether I can take him home today. The vet wants to keep him there. I don't know....
How long does the doxy take to work if it's going to?
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Yes,SpinalXrays.WaitingonRadiologist Opinion.ACouple Of SuspiciousspotsBut Nothing Definite.
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Robin Is No Worse, But No Better. Still In Pain, Despite Lots OF Hydrmorphone And Gabapentin. Nothing Remarkable In The BLoodwork. ThEy Are Thinking A Tumor In His Spine Or An Infection In The Spinal Cord. Want To Do A Ct ScaN, Or Send Me To A Neurologist Fire A Spinal Tap Or Mri. But We Don't Know If The Ct Scam Would Give Us Any Reasonable Treatment Options, You Know? For Example, I'm Nor Going To Put Him Through Spine Surgery...
Along With Diagnosis, The Main Thing Right Now Is To Get Him More Comfortable, Which IS Proving Difficult.
I'm A Mess. I Left Work To Deal With This Even...
Seriously. So I warmed up (yes, microwave food is the new thing) some more wet food and added it so that the mix would be more wet than dry...and he ate it all up like he was starving. Sigh.
At that point he was on only 1/3 of the hydromorphone that he had been on the previous day, and he was still okay. It is definitely having a sedative effect, but he seems more comfortable. The doctor said I should come back at 8 to take him home.
Those of you who know my Robin know that he NEVER walks without a trot in his step, but the doctor didn't know that, so this is SUPER news.
Flea & Tick Question...
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
So it's time to reorder the Frontline Plus, and recent posts and stuff I've read has got me thinking about switching. I've heard that Frontline isn't working as well lately, and I'm wondering about switching to K9 Advantix II. I also like that it repels and kills mosquitos, and already I've seen tons of mosquitos on Robin during the past couple of weeks.
Two questions, though. First, I remember learning that I shouldn't use Advantix on a greyhound, as it is not safe for cats, and some greyhounds have bad reactions like cats do. But now I've heard lots of greyhounds are using it....so maybe I was thinking of Advantage, not Advantix??? It's something I read on GT, does anyone remember what I might have read?
Second, should I have any concern about switching Robin to a new product now, given the fact that he's older and weaker than he has been. (He's much better, but he hasn't quite been himself since he got so sick two months ago.) Should I be concerned about him having a reaction or something? He's such a delicate flower....
Thanks in advance!