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duncan41

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    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Urine culture??

     

    Yes, my Vet added that to my list when she called to confirm the referral.

     

    Another observation on my part: Suze is quite the hotbox - seeks out the tile instead of her nice cushy bed. If she lays on her right side (which is about 95% of the time), I can guarantee you that she will have a release. She had one earlier that was less than 2 hours since she was let outside. Yet, after cleaning her up, she bribed her Dad for some banana, plopped down on her left side and slept for 2-1/2 hours, and not a drop. I watch her like a hawk and have never seen a time that she has had a release while laying on her left side. Is it just a coincidence?

     

    In case of future bruising, you can circle the bruises with a Sharpie and snap a photo. Then use that for future reference in terms of whether the bruises are expanding (extending beyond the marker lines) and getting darker.

    That's a great idea! I didn't' think about marking for changes - I did take several progression photos but used a photo wizard program to draw circles around the images, not on the dog. I will be sure and do that if it should happen again. Thank you for the suggestion!

    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Have an appointment with an internist on Thursday at 9:00 am. Here's my "grocery list":

    1. Abdominal ultrasound

    2. Manual platelet count

    3. Microalbumin urine test

    4. UPC

    5. Blood Pressure

    6. Tick panel

    7. Von Willebrand screening. I threw this one in at the last minute.

    8. Am contemplating having a complete thyroid screening done by MSU or Hemopet.

     

    Any other suggestions? Thank you all so much!

    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by duncan41

    I don't have anything to add that Batmom and Tbhounds didn't already mention. Just wanted to pop in and say that Sophie has been on DES for a year with no problems. So that might be an alternative, if you rule out a medical cause for her incontinence. Oh and if she still has anything off in her urine after the course of antibiotics, I'd insist on a urine culture. Good luck!

    Thanks!

    Ah, yes, the subject of DES. My Vet gets a look of horror in her eyes when the subject of DES comes up. She doesn't like to be pushed, so I haven't grilled her under a spotlight about why she reacts that way. I have read that it can promote bone marrow suppression, but that's usually associated with a much higher dose than would normally be prescribed. Normal course is 5 days on then off until the first sign of leakage and that determines the time inbetween doses? So if there are 5 days between episodes, the dose would be given on day 4.

     

    Is there something else that I should know about DES side effects?

    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    ;) I need to think on this, but what Batmom says: platelet count! the bruising is not good! and tbhounds says: ultrasound ~ and i think the tick panel is a good test to do~~ these things sound like a really good starting place.

     

    I'm going to consult my "voo-doo" people and see what they come up with, and get back to you. I'll be emailing you B)

     

    in the mean time :kiss2 to sweet Suze

    and a :grouphug for you!!!

     

    sorry you are starting down this road of diagnostics.

    I hope we can find a good reason for all the abnormalities!

     

    stay strong and positive!!!

    L-

     

    Thanks! I needed that! Yes, first thing in the AM I will be asking for a referral to my favorite specialty clinic for an ultrasound and whatever else they recommend.

     

    Question: Should we ask to see the same Internist who treated her ARF or his boss in order to get some "new eyes" on the subject?

    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Regarding the odd cycle of incontinence - hormonal maybe? I wonder if there's a possibility that some girlie parts were not completely removed during her spay. :dunno

     

    I thought the exact same thing! But I was told that if there had been some girlie parts left behind, they would actually have the reverse effect if this is indeed spay related incontinence. Any remaining girlie parts could be a source of estrogen which should lessen the incontinence, not aggravate it.

    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Did you by chance see them take the x-ray - reason I ask is that the bruising might have been caused by a bit of rough handling. As others have already noted, you might want to have the platelets checked just in case.

     

    On the urinary incontinence - I noticed that she had a UA but, did she have a culture? Did the vet suggest putting her on cranberry pills?

     

    As to the blood in urine - it indicates irritation and the cause of that could be the reason for the incontinence.

     

    The red raspberries extract - you might want to discontinue for a bit until you can check whether it could be having an aspirin like effect (causing bleeding).

     

    RED FLAG - also seeing the omega 3-6-9 (in addition to the red raspberries) and if this is from fish oil then that could also has "aspirin like" tendencies for bleeding.

     

    Didn't see the x-ray process, but from the position of the largest bruise, it is most likely from being held down. The smaller, petechiael bruises were of more concern, but since they have disappeared, and the other bruising seems to be resolving, I am leaning toward a little rough handling. BUT, I will have a platelet count done by hand tomorrow.

    UA was from a clean catch. No culture. There was a trace of protein in the sample (dip stick test); the reason for the follow up Comprehansive CBC, Chem 25, and a "real" urinalysis. Only a trace of protein in the follow up UA. Culture will have to wait until the abx are gone.

     

    Will discontinue the omegas and the red raspberry seed antioxidant.

    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by duncan41

    1. Abx: she's in the middle of a "just-in-case" course of Ciproflaxicin. Since it doesn't appear to be having any effect, would it be wiser to stop now and have the repeat urinalysis done sooner or wait and see if the abx change anything?

    2. Is cystocentesis preferred to a clean catch for a good culture?

    3. Tick panel was done twice during ARF (Feb 2009). All negative.

    4. What is normal blood pressure for a Greyhound?

    5. Last ultrasound was done in 2009 during her 6 month, post ARF check up.

     

    I just rechecked the bruisng with an LED flashlight. They look much better! I think the pink tones of the artificial lighting in my house exaggerated the red tones in her skin with less definition but when the blue tone of the LED hit the bruises, they took on definition and appear to be 50% less intense than this morning! Will reserve further enthusiasm until I get a good look at her in a full roach.

    Does Any Of This Make Sense?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by duncan41

    Short history: Since Suze and her sister adopted us in 2006 when they were 25 months old, Suze has had episodes of incontinence (only while asleep); each February/March and August/Sept. Each episode lasted about 3 weeks with no intervention on my part other than taking her to the Vet for bloodwork and UA, all of which were negative. Because of changes in my household, at the start of her Feb, 2009 episode, I took her to the Vet and asked for help; again bloodwork and UA were negative. Vet prescribed Proin. 48 hours later she was at the E-vet, dying from renal failure. With help from the power of GT and the wonderful Vets and caregivers at the E-vet, she pulled through. The only lingering evidence of the ARF was a Creatinine of 2.5.

     

    Episodes of incontinence remained the same until this cycle, which started August 13. The Vet recommended a course of Ciproflaxicin but it had no effect. Took a wait-and-see attitude and watched for any change. Due to the prolonged duration and the increasing frequency and volume of the releases, took her to the Vet on Thursday, did a UA and a complete Senior Panel (even though she is only 7) with the following ABNORMALTIES as analyzed by IDEXX:

     

    AST (SGOT): 58 (Ref range: 5-55 U/L)

    CK: 423 (Ref range: 10-200 U/L)

    Cholesterol: 393 (Ref range: 112 - 328 mg/dL)

    TCO2 (Bicarbonate): 29 (Ref range: 17 - 24 mEq/L)

    T4: .5 (Ref Range: 1.0 - 4.0 ug/dL) The sample is now being analyzed for Free T4; not sure about T3 or Free T3.

     

    There was a TRACE of blood in the UA.

     

    The CBC was not based on Greyhound values, so those were slightly abnormal, but all within range for a Greyhound, and a pleasant surprise Creatinine of 1.4!

     

    She is eating normally and with enthusiasm (Taste of the Wild, with a heaping tablespoon of Merrick canned food, omega 3-6-9, Springtime's Longevity at half the recommended dose, Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes and Probiotics and a half dose of an antioxidant made from ground raspberry seeds), drinking normally, poops are good, but she's not up to par. She normally does a couple of laps around the yard once a day or at least performs some "doughnuts" in the sandpit, but the last week or so, she goes out to urinate (we take her out every two hours from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm) and then runs back in the house.

     

    She has been x-rayed twice (Feb & Oct 2011) to check for bladder stones or a mass (negative) but there is evidence of calcified spinal discs. She shows no sign of pain, discomfort or gait problems.

     

    After this most recent x-ray, she is very bruised on one side and the lower abdomen. The main bruise was quite large (round, 3 inches in diameter) with smaller bruises that have since disappeared. It appears as though there is another large bruise, maybe 2" in diameter, that has formed since yesterday morning. I have a series of daily photos showing improvement and sent the first one to my Vet this morning. She is concerned but perplexed - asked about rat poison (not even a remote possibility!!!) but indicated that since the smaller bruises are disappearing, that is a good sign. Will call her again tomorrow about the new bruise and will ask about running tests to rule out a clotting disorder.

     

    Oh, this is getting to be a marathon posting, but here are my questions:

     

    1. What do the Chem Panel abnormalties indicate and is there any connection to the incontinence?

    2. Is there a remote possibility that the low thyroid is contributing to the incontinence?

    3. What to do about the abdominal bruising?

    4. Is the trace of blood in the urine significant?

     

    Thank you for your patience. I would appreciate any and all ideas and suggestions.

     

    Linda

     

    10/20: Saw Dr. L who treated Suze's ARF in '09.

    Abdominal Ultrasound - negative

    B/P: 184

    Rectal exam: negative

    Temp: 99.8

     

    His biggest concern was the photo of the post x-ray bruising - said her bloodwork was "boring". Took blood for all the usual suspects plus Von Willebrand factor. Just received a call that the manual platelet count was "normal". Will do a cystocentises after she finishes the Ciproflaxacin for a culture and UPC. He's a little concerned about the BP, but it was done at the end of the appointment, and even though she is extremely stoic, he said he could tell she was pretty stressed, so will repeat it when we take her back 5 days after the Cipro is gone.

    So far, so good. Will update when the rest of the puzzle pieces are presented. In the meantime, Suze seems to be feeling a little better. Please keep her in your thoughts. I miss my "alpha dog"/best friend. I don't care if she's incontinent forever, as long as she's happy and feels good.

     

     

    11/15: Oh, this is so frustrating! Lots has changed since 10/20. All CBC and Super Chem Panel results were normal after retesting by the Internist. BUT, throid panel is confusing/conflicting: TSH is out of range on the high side with the T4 and FreeT4 at the low end of normal. She is also being treated with Benazepril for HBP, after readings of 260 then 230 after 20 minutes. PCRs were all negative. Test results for Von Willebrand's Factor came back at 62% which is like being "a little pregnant" from what I have been able to determine. Dr. L is out of town until Thursday, so I don't know what his feelings are regarding this latest piece of the puzzle or whether to do the cystocentesis to get a culture going. Suze is still very incontinent (can't go much longer than 90 minutes without an accident) and is still lethargic and just not her alpha dog self. Her appetite is good, poops are normal. I have weaned her off kibble and she is now eating a salt-free, home cooked diet.

     

    My question: Would you treat with Soloxine to see if it would influence both the thyroid and the vWF? I have read about the connection in humans and understand that the canine connection is unproven but "bears further investigation". Is DES off the table now due to the vWF?

     

    Thank you for bearing with me during this excruciatingly long journey! I don't care about the diagnosis - I just want my dog back! I love her more than....................well, I know you all understand how much that is.

     

    Linda

    Some Good News For A Change

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    :yay :yay :yay :yay :yayHooray for Lazer! Hooray for Lorinda!

    I have been thinking about the two of you almost non-stop for a couple of weeks; must have been all the good news and positive energy! I can't tell you how happy I am for both of you! Let's meet here in 10 weeks and do it all over again! OKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK?????

     

     

     

    Miss Meadow

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    I can feel the hurt in your words and you're right, it's just not fair. My heart goes out to you and everyone who loved Miss Meadow. Run pain free, Meadow and Godspeed. :f_red :f_red :f_red

    Happy Belated Birthday Loca

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Robin, she was probably too busy bossing everybody around to realize that you forgot her birthday. All that means is that you don't have to worry about hiding your shoes! Gotta love a super duper boss alpha boss lady! Happy Birthday, Loca!

    Bee Wiseman

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    She found you just in time to make your world a better place. You took her when no one else wanted her and gave her the world she craved. She brought so many people together. She created such a following, not just because of her name - who will ever not smile when the name Bee Wiseman is uttered? - but because of the life you created for each other and so generously shared with all of us. That photo of Bee and Burke walking down the path in the woods with Bee looking up at Burke and Burke looking down at Bee will always be the definition of devotion in my book. Godspeed, Bee Wiseman.

    Steak

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo! nononononononononono! My heart is screaming, my mind reeling. Oh, this is just the worst! There are so many GTers that will be devastated as this news spreads. My prayers go out to you and your family. The love we all had for Steak is only surpassed by the grief we now feel. Godspeed, dear, dear Steak.

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