Weird And Potentially Bad Result From Monty's Skin Biopsies

[Guest greytmonty]

Well, Monty's new derm vet, who is attentive, smart, and CALLS BACK, let me know today that indeed Monty has iatrogenic Cushings. We are weaning him from his steroid meds and the vet thinks the Cushings should resolve.

However his pathology report also came up with "Cutaneous microfilariasis", which means he has immature nematode parasite stages under his skin. The most common cause of these is HEARTWORM. However since Monty has been on Interceptor for the 12 months we have had him, the vet feels this is POSSIBLE BUT UNLIKELY.

The other possible causes are Dipetelonema and Onchocerca, which are apparently very rare, but a derm vet in Lousiana is investigating them and our derm vet will call him if that is what Monty has. They are less serious but hard to treat.

Please cross your fingers for Monty's heartworm test results tomorrow. I don't think this boy can handle one more medical problem. Then again he is young and strong, it is ME who might crack up!!!!!!!

Edited August 23, 2007 by greytmonty

[GreyAcresMom]

Wow..,good luck. Prayers fron Grey Acres

[lothianjavert]

:grouphug Hoping for the best for you both! You and Monty have been through so much!!!

[4greyhounds]

You and Monty will be in our thoughts and prayers!

 

Please keep us updated....

[Greytlady94]

Sending prayers and gentle ear scritches for Monty.

[Jennifer]

We will be sending healing thoughts out to Monty.

[Patsy]

There's a lot to be said for attentive, smart, and calls back! Sending good thoughts.

[Jackandgrey]

You are not going to crack up because we are going to hold you together. Besides, you are not nearly done writing the medical text that is Monty

[Guest greytmonty]

You are not going to crack up because we are going to hold you together. Besides, you are not nearly done writing the medical text that is Monty

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone has had a dog with Heartworm I would appreciate any info. I read some old threads here and so feel less scared if that is it. It is just that with his:

 

Allergies

Cushings

Thyroid problems (????)

Multiple infections

Dermatitis

 

Did I miss anything?

 

I worry he won't tolerate the treatment if it IS heartworm.

[Guest argolola]

My girl had heartworms when we adopted her. We used the non-evasive method of HeartGard Plus every month. Within 6 months, she was heartworm free. This method may be considered controversial, but 2 vets and the adoption group agreed that we should try it.

 

Prayers for sweet Monty.

[Houndtime]

Poor Monty. Poor Karen. Thinking good thoughts.

[Guest SillyDog]

Also look at Morgellon's Disease:

 

http://www.morgellons.org/

 

The thing that made me think of it is that it typically displays as fibers under the skin. The site is about humans, but it'd be applicable to canines, too.

[patricia]

Sending many prayers for Monty and his family too.

[Guest luckydog]

I"m glad that Monty is in the good hands of the vets at Penn. If anyone can figure out what's wrong with Monty, it'll be a vet school doctor. They live for the weird and strange cases!

 

Scritches for Monty and an adult beverage for you!

[ml529]

Sending good thoughts out for Monty.

[SPDoggie]

I'm glad for a diagnosis and hope that healing continues!

[Guest vahoundlover]

Hopefully you guys can get on the task of healing now and put all this behind you.

 

Keeping Monty in my prayers.

[RobinM]

This is just not ending for you guys.. .but hopefully, this will be it and treated.

 

Sorry you have to go through this.

[Guest greytexplorer]

Hey Karen

any update on the pup??

[Guest PhillyPups]

Karen, so good to see you today. to you and to Monty. I am just so happy he is in your loving care, he is awesome. Wish I had knowledge but I do have

[Guest greytmonty]

Hey Karen

any update on the pup??

The derm vet has not yet called with his heartworm results. Since he is so on top of things I am assuming they are not yet back, and I will call him tomorrow if I don't hear.

Thanks for checking.

 

Karen, so good to see you today. to you and to Monty. I am just so happy he is in your loving care, he is awesome. Wish I had knowledge but I do have

It was so great to see you too, Pat. I have really appreciated all my GT friends. I know Monty's conditions are not as serious as many of you GT'ers have had to go through, but he is my first dog EVER and I find all this illness so upsetting.

[Guest greytmonty]

I spoke with the derm vet this afternoon. It is NOT heartworm, which is SUCH GOOD NEWS!

They don't know exactly what it is/how to treat it, but the presence of these microfilaria means he definitely has immature parasites under the skin and adult parasites somewhere. The vet will be talking with some experts in parasites and when we meet in 3 weeks he will have a treatment plan. He assures me this does NOT sound serious, which is good news since Monty has enough on his plate, errr, bowl.....

[lothianjavert]

Wonderful!!!! :pepper

 

Sending prayers that they figure out how to treat it easily and quickly!! :hope

[Batmom]

Presume they're sure it's not hookworm? That's the common one that does that but I guess at a Univ. they'd know these things.

 

What a time you and Monty have had! Hope things start to turn around for you guys as of now!!!!!

[Guest greytmonty]

Presume they're sure it's not hookworm? That's the common one that does that but I guess at a Univ. they'd know these things.

 

What a time you and Monty have had! Hope things start to turn around for you guys as of now!!!!!

Hookworm apparently does not present this way. The three rule outs were Heartworm, Dipetelonema, and Onchocera. It is one of the last two and we will know more after the vet checks with his folks.

Thanks!!!!!