Message For Ranger The Di Greys Owner

[scullysmum]

I am unable to PM you so...

 

 

I was reading your posts about your boy Ranger and the problems you are having affording his medication and feeling helpless to do anything to help you and Ranger I did some googling and found a site with some interesting info.

 

Please click on the LINK and scroll down to the bottom of the page and the info about Sunny Bear the Rottie....his owners were able to get their pharmacy to compound his medication themselves and it cost about a third.

 

I know from reading your posts that you have already done a great deal of legwork finding out ways to solve your dilemma so I hope I am not giving you false hope.

 

I wish you and Ranger all the very best and I hope that a solution can be found very soon.

Edited October 28, 2007 by scullysmum

[patricia]

Sending our many prayers and hope.

[Diane4114]

That's a great link.

[Chicocat]

Thanks for trying to get this important information out to Ranger's adopter.

 

 

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

Thanks. I'll check out the compounding info. I already checked about compounding at our local compounding pharmacy. They said it would not be any more cost effective.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's mom

[scullysmum]

Thanks. I'll check out the compounding info. I already checked about compounding at our local compounding pharmacy. They said it would not be any more cost effective.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's mom

Okay, so it sounds like that wasn't much help

 

I just did another quick search and found a page about a grey with DI who was (or still is) up for adoption in FL and who is on medication which they say only costs $40 per month. The dog was with Greyhound rescue & adoption of Tampa Bay, perhaps you could contact them and see if they can give you some info. The phone number on their site is (813) 971 4732.

 

Again I apologise if I am not helping, I just think that this is such a sad situation to find yourself in.

[scullysmum]

Sorry for the blatant bump....

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

UPDATE on Ranger. I know a bunch of the threads on GreyTalk were locked because someone had posted about a fundraiser or donating money. I understand the moderators having to do that. No problem and no bad feelings. Rules are rules.

 

And thanks to everyone who has been emailing, posting and calling us with suggestions and ideas.

 

I spoke to Wayne in Kentucky over the weekend and got some great tips on urine testing. HOwever, it certainly sounds like his dog is perhaps much less severe than Ranger. Each time I have tried to alter Ranger's dose or mistakenly missed it thinking my husband did it when he fed the dogs - Ranger has gone into "water" mode within hours. So, testing urine and adjusting dosage probably won't work. Perhaps this has something to do with the fact that Ranger has Ehrlichiosis on top of the DI and Pu/Pd can be a side effect of the Ehrilichiosis.

 

I also called the compounding pharmacy in Michigan 248-446-2643 (Thanks Jenny for calling us with that info) and they were GREAT!!! But they can not do meds for us because we are not in Michigan and the pharmacist said there is some sort of trafficing law about shipping drugs out of state. However, for any of you in Michigan with a rescued greyhound - they seem to have a big heart for recues and will help with reduced costs. How cool is that? Big cheers to them.

 

No luck otherwise. Haven't heard from our rescue agency on any help or takers.

 

I'm continuing getting the word out this week to anyone who might listen. Please continue to spread and hopefully we'll find him a home. I think we can only hold out another few weeks TOPS before we need to start making some unwanted decisions.

 

Here is the original info since it seems to have been lost in the locks.

 

Our sweet and so very loved "Ranger" needs a new home ASAP because we can no longer afford his special needs. He will require daily eye drop medication Desmopressin Acetate Nasal Solution 0.1mg. It's a 5ml bottle and he uses 2-3 bottles a month. But we put them in as eye drops twice a day. He's very good about it and comes to us when we call him for drops. It costs about $200-$300 a month. However, with his special needs he will return your kindness with a HUGE amount of love and many, many, many kisses.

 

Village Ranger's Story:

 

"Ranger" a.k.a. “Village Ranger” came to us almost 2 years ago from Greyhound Rescue. We did not know that he was sick. We knew he was trained to race but would not actually race. Hence he was retired before he got started. We only knew he had some water bucket and housebreaking issues and we thought we could train him because we worked at home. We later found out that he had been seen by the Greyhound Association Vet in Washington for his drinking/urinating and also to check his eyesight. Nothing was found to be wrong with him. So, we thought he'd make a wonderful pet for our family because he was only 2 and he could grow up with our daughter of about the same age.

 

He'll be 4 years old in December. He has never been with cats (in our home) but has always seemed unfazed by small dogs on walks and wildlife in our yard but perhaps this is because he can not see well enough to chase anything. He gets along great with our other greyhound, who is now 10. He's been great with our daughter who is now about 4.5 years old. He allows her to walk him by his collar, feed him, give him bones, and lots of hugs and kisses. He loves to "race" in our yard usually about 3 times a day. He also enjoys digging himself a dirt hole to lie in outside. We call him "half dog - half pig".

 

"Ranger" has an incredible personality. He's goofy, lovable, cuddly, wags his tail a ton, and loves to curl up on the floor with anyone who will have him. He has bursts of adolescent energy and spirit or "crazy spells" as we call them, but is not uncontrollable. He generally sleeps all day and night except to do a few quick laps around the yard or munch on a chew toy for 10 minutes.

 

When we adopted "Ranger" we knew about the drinking and urinating issues. Within a few days we also realized that he had eyesight issues, seemed very stiff and painful like he had severe arthritis, was super sensitive to the touch, and he bled easily when scraped or for a blood draw. We quickly found out he has chronic/end stage Ehrilichiosis positive (which is a tick bite disease similar to Lyme disease) and after 4 vets for the drinking/peeing issue, we finally figured out that has partial Diabetes Insipidus, (which is a rare hormonal imbalance not a sugar-type diabetes.)

 

We treated his Ehrilichiosis immediately with a 12 week regimen of Doxycycline antibiotics. We saw improvement within 48 hours and a great improvement after the 3 months of meds. He's no longer stiff at all, he does not bleed quite as quickly from cuts and scrapes, he's still "ticklish" or somewhat sensitive to touch on his back but loves it on his chest, belly and neck. And most importantly, the antibiotics helped to clear the blood that had pooled behind his eyes from the untreated tick disease and his vision improved greatly.

 

However, it is not perfect. What we can determine is that he has a lot of trouble seeing in the dark and tends to bump into stuff quite a bit throughout the day. His depth perception & peripheral vision seem off. He can not handle stairs, getting into the car by himself (needs to be lifted), etc. and is pretty reluctant around anything unknown. Unsure if things look "fuzzy" to him or how he actually sees. But he manages fine enough and most people would never know until he bumped into something or hesitated at something new. You will only realize it after you live with him for awhile and know what works and what doesn't work for his sight.

 

As for his partial Diabetes Insipidus, he gets Desmopressin eye drops at breakfast and at dinner every day. The eye drops cost between $200-$300 a month because the amount of hormone replacement he needs fluctuates. He uses 2-3 5ml bottles a month and each bottle runs about $90 from Costco, which is the cheapest we have found. They can't even be missed once a day or he goes into his drinking fits. And his uncontrollable drinking runs upwards of about 30 cups of water a day which is very unhealthy not to mention that his insatiable desire for anything wet will drive you and him insane. He will lick the tap, the shower, the toilet, his own urine, and cry for water without his meds. He will pace and pace and pace searching for anything wet. He will beg to be outside in the snow and rain and dew just for hydration without his meds. And when he drinks like that he pees excessively. About every 10 minutes! So, he MUST have his meds at all times.

 

He's great with getting his ears cleaned, looking in his mouth, and nail trims. He will probably need a home who is able to let him out after 3-4 hours and very occasionally overnight. Sometimes it's still hard for him to hold it if he's had a thirsty day even with his meds. (His thirsty days happen very rarely but they are not unheard of.) But he is well house-trained and "woofs" if he needs to go out even at night. If we will be gone more than 4 hours we leave a towel on the floor near the outside door and he pees on it. He's very good at that and has never just peed wherever he wants to in the house.

 

Unfortunately, because of his Ehrlichiosis, we don't know his life expectancy. He could literally drop over tomorrow from anything or live to be 16. It's just something that needs to be monitored and managed with yearly blood draws at his annual check-up visit to make sure that his immune system isn't relapsing, and if so - giving him antibiotics as needed again. But we do know that if the Ehrliciosis is getting worse he will likely experience the same symptoms he had when we got him: painful, stiff, easily bleeding, blood behind the eyes, worsened vision, and sensitive skin to the touch. Or his immune system will just crash and he won't be able to fight off little things.

 

He does not ever bark except to go potty. He doesn't even bark if someone comes to the door. And he wears a head halter to go on walks.

 

Follow-up info about Ranger:

 

First, let me say that "Range" is a doll. Not the sharpest tac in the box but a really cool and goofy dog. And his time with us has just been a rollercoaster. Discovering he was so sick when we brought him home was hard to watch. Instead of 2 he acted like he was 12 years old and miserable. Then finding out about his tick disease and not knowing if he's survive the 3 months of antibiotics was hard. Then when he did - knowing that it can catch up to him at anytime has been hard. Then all the vet visits and proding and research to try and figure out why he was drinking so much. You don't know how sick of hearing "it's behavioral" I was.

 

Finally, when I got really sick last year we had to board the boys over my many hopsital trips back and forth into the big city. It was at an unknown vet office that our vet referred us to because they did not board themselves. There, Dr. Shana Savikko started playing detective and consulting with vet specialists on a blog or something. After much input from around the country they came up with the possibility for a "partial" diabetes insipidus diagnosis. The only way to know for sure was to test out the Desmopressin eye drops. Of course, I about dropped over when they said it was $95 a bottle and we were not sure how much he'd need every day if it worked. On top of all my medical bills and tests, the vet office visits and overnights to that point, blood draws, urine tests, etc - I was ready to throw in the towel. But until we were sure it wasn't something that could be managed and he would be happy and safe - we were not giving up.

 

They worked. The eye drops worked! Within 5 days we saw a change and after playing with the doses we finally nipped it within a month. Phew! But expensive.

 

I did my research for Canadian meds, online meds, generic meds, etc. to see where I could get this the cheapest. I have been on blogs, forums, etc. and Costco has been - BY FAR - the best price. And yes, it is a human drug not a veterinary one.

 

And, it is my understanding that the agency we adopted Ranger through has contacted a vet and the pharmaceutical company to see if meds can be gotten at cost or whatever. I have not yet heard.

 

It kills me - KILLS me - to think of saying good-bye to my boy whether it is to a new owner or to have to euthanize him. I can't bear that thought at all - because he does not need to be put down nor should he be. But a new family is at least something my heart will not fully break over. He'll be happy and loved, I know it.

 

Lastly, our other Grey and our daughter will miss him. Our daughter is adopted. We've always told her we NEVER give back once we've made a committment to be a family. We stick with it. And damn, (excuse me) but here we are having to give back our family member just because of a crappy pharmacy bill. We had 5 pets before this. Both dogs lived to be quite ancient as did the 3 cats. Nothing heroic but always cared for and kept happy, well fed and pain managed until the end. Then when we are finally ready to have another dog in our hearts we found Ranger. He was young and we thought he's be perfect. How nice to have a young pet that would most likely be free of cancer, renal failure, seizures, strokes, etc - all the things we had been dealing with with our geriatric household of pets until then.

 

Whammy!

 

So, anyone reading this - please know that we really have done all we can. And that he is a GEM. Please think about contating anyone who might be able to afford him. He deserves it.

 

ALSO - WE ARE WILLING TO TRANSPORT HIM TO A NEW HOME ON THE WEST COAST OR NEARBY STATES TO OREGON. I HAVE ALSO GOTTEN SOME OFFERS TO HELP TRANSPORT HIM. SO, IF HE NEEDED TO GO CLEAR ACROSS THE US - PERHAPS WE COULD POOL TOGETHER AND CREATE A TRANSPORT CARAVAN TO GET HIM TO HIS NEW HOME.

 

Warmly,

 

Lisa Teklits

541-383-9019 (Bend OREGON)

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

Please click on the LINK and scroll down to the bottom of the page and the info about Sunny Bear the Rottie....his owners were able to get their pharmacy to compound his medication themselves and it cost about a third.

 

Thanks for the link. This is the link that actually led me to look into compounding the medications eons ago. No luck on reduced cost from our local compounding source. I think in order for it to be a viable cheaper option - the compounding pharmacy needs to have several customers needing the medication. Our pharmacy told us no one else used the Desmopresin from them. Hence - no cheaper.

 

Will keep searching though. Thanks.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's Owner

 

 

 

 

[Burpdog]

Not sure why it has to be eye drops? Tablets obviously cheaper. Sorry==getting into this late.

 

Checked Costco site and generic for 30-60-100 pricing:

 

DESMOPRESSIN ACET 0.2 MG TAB(BRR)

Generic Alternative $57.79 $92.03 $173.91

 

Sending prayers!

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

Tablets obviously cheaper. Sorry==getting into this late.

 

Checked Costco site and generic for 30-60-100 pricing:

 

DESMOPRESSIN ACET 0.2 MG TAB(BRR)

Generic Alternative $57.79 $92.03 $173.91

 

Sending prayers!

 

Thanks. Yes, For his dose we would need at least 120 tablets per 30 days. And the pharmacist has already stated that the number of tablets may actually increase as opposed to the liquid eye drop form. I guess the eye drops are more potent. Not sure.

 

So, we'd still be looking at about $216 a month for the tablets at the low dose with fingers drossed that we didn't need to up them. Not realy any different than right now as we spend about $200 a month and upwards of $300 depending on monthly needs. But thanks.

 

All the suggestions help.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's mom

[Guest greytexplorer]

Have you thought of calling or writing Ferring Pharmaceuticals and tell them your/Ranger's story?

I wonder if they would be willing to help somehow, with a half-off coupon, or something?

This might push a Ferring PR person's button. Pharmaceutical companies are always looking for a way to make themselves "look good" in the public's eye.

[Devotion]

prayers for you and Ranger. this is heartbreaking.

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

prayers for you and Ranger. this is heartbreaking.

 

I have been told that the agency we got Ranger from is in touch with the Pharmaceutical Co. They have not heard back yet. But I will also try.

 

I got a list of celbrities w/ Greyhounds today and have contacted them to see if they know anyone who can give him a home.

 

Thanks again for all the emails, calls, posts, etc.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's mom

 

 

Have you thought of calling or writing Ferring Pharmaceuticals and tell them your/Ranger's story?

I wonder if they would be willing to help somehow, with a half-off coupon, or something?

This might push a Ferring PR person's button. Pharmaceutical companies are always looking for a way to make themselves "look good" in the public's eye.

 

Oops. Sorry. I posted my reply to the wrong poster. Here it is.

 

I have been told that the agency we got Ranger from is in touch with the Pharmaceutical Co. They have not heard back yet. But I will also try.

 

I got a list of celbrities w/ Greyhounds today and have contacted them to see if they know anyone who can give him a home.

 

Thanks again for all the emails, calls, posts, etc.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's mom

[cello]

Please try this pharmacy.

 

http://www.roadrunnerpharmacy.com/

 

I have heard from another group with a dog with this condition that this pharmacy has WAY cheaper prices for the quantities that you need. They will do a 15ml bottle for under $120. Still expensive, but cheaper then what you are getting now I think.

 

Carol Ann

[Guest lizmego]

Personally, with the way you've been "helped" by your adoption agency, I would contact the pharmaceutical firm that makes the medication directly and don't wait to hear from the adoption agency.

 

prayers for you and Ranger. this is heartbreaking.

 

I have been told that the agency we got Ranger from is in touch with the Pharmaceutical Co. They have not heard back yet. But I will also try.

 

I got a list of celbrities w/ Greyhounds today and have contacted them to see if they know anyone who can give him a home.

 

Thanks again for all the emails, calls, posts, etc.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's mom

 

 

Have you thought of calling or writing Ferring Pharmaceuticals and tell them your/Ranger's story?

I wonder if they would be willing to help somehow, with a half-off coupon, or something?

This might push a Ferring PR person's button. Pharmaceutical companies are always looking for a way to make themselves "look good" in the public's eye.

 

Oops. Sorry. I posted my reply to the wrong poster. Here it is.

 

I have been told that the agency we got Ranger from is in touch with the Pharmaceutical Co. They have not heard back yet. But I will also try.

 

I got a list of celbrities w/ Greyhounds today and have contacted them to see if they know anyone who can give him a home.

 

Thanks again for all the emails, calls, posts, etc.

 

-Lisa

Ranger's mom

 

[Guest boondog]

Please do call the pharmaceutical company. My neighbor had a rottie that was diagnosed with Addison's (I think). Apparently, the meds were very expensive. She called the company and explained the situation. I don't remember the name of the company, but they did give her a deal on the meds.

 

My thoughts are with you.

[Guest hazelhedge]

I found these on a canine medical site. Some are for other medical problems but I left them in for the benefit of others who may have the problems. I also don't want to compound your work or problems, only to help. I feel very blessed that I don't have to choose between my medication and Harry's - or spouse's or children's. Praying for a happy solution for you - Vicki

 

Financial Resources to help with Vet bills

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

http://imom.org/fa/ (IMOM)

 

Care Credit for Veterinary care

http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/whycc.html

 

American Animal Hospital Assn helping pets

http://www.aahahelpingpets.org

 

The Pet Fund

http://www.thepetfund.com

 

 

http://angels4animals.org

 

discount drug site

https://naco.advancerx.com/

 

Angels4Animals

http://www.angels4animals.org/

 

Farley Foundation (Ontario, Canada)

http://www.fborfw.com/features/ffoundation/

 

Goldstock general rescue fund

http://www.goldstockfund.org/TGF/MainGeneralFund.htm

 

HandicappedPets.com

http://www.handicappedpets.com/Articles/help/

 

Helen Redlus Memorial Fund

http://www.goldstockfund.org/TGF/HRMFund.htm

 

Help-A-Pet

http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html

 

Magic Bullet Fund (cancer)

http://www.themagicbulletfund.org/

 

NY S.A.V.E. (New York City only)

http://www.nysave.org/index_2.html

 

Orthodogs

http://www.oslf.org/index.htm

 

PDSA (British)

http://www.pdsa.org.uk

 

Pet Fund (includes exotics)

http://thepetfund.com/guidelines.htm

 

Senior Dogs list

http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/needhome...resources.html

 

Shakespeare Animal Fund

http://www.shakespeareanimalfund.org/

 

Sierra Fund - cancer

http://www.goldstockfund.org/TGF/mainSierraFund.htm

 

United Animal Nations

http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last edited by mytil : 08-18-2007 at 07:26 AM. Reason: duplicate listing & repairing links

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

Please do call the pharmaceutical company. My neighbor had a rottie that was diagnosed with Addison's (I think). Apparently, the meds were very expensive. She called the company and explained the situation. I don't remember the name of the company, but they did give her a deal on the meds.

 

My thoughts are with you.

 

Thanks. I will. But the issue right now is that we really can't afford any extra ongoing medical expenses due to my human ones.

 

-Lisa

 

 

I found these on a canine medical site. Some are for other medical problems but I left them in for the benefit of others who may have the problems. I also don't want to compound your work or problems, only to help. I feel very blessed that I don't have to choose between my medication and Harry's - or spouse's or children's. Praying for a happy solution for you - Vicki

 

Thanks Vicki. These look helpful. I'll look into them as soon as I can. I appreciate all your work compiling this list.

 

Dr. Susan Stack just told us that we can inject the eye drops for half the price. So, of course that's now an option for his new owner, if we can find one. But we still can't swing half price plus syringes.

 

-Lisa

[Guest Moebaaviva]

Not to hijack the thread, but can anyone point me to a resource that explains a bit more about Diabetes Insipidus? I'm curious about when it is generally seen/diagnosed so that I can decide whether I need to be vigilant in looking for signs of DI in Bella, as two of her six littermates (Ranger and Pg's Captain) have been diagnosed with it.

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

Not to hijack the thread, but can anyone point me to a resource that explains a bit more about Diabetes Insipidus? I'm curious about when it is generally seen/diagnosed so that I can decide whether I need to be vigilant in looking for signs of DI in Bella, as two of her six littermates (Ranger and Pg's Captain) have been diagnosed with it.

 

 

Susan Stack is a great resource and helped us with emails about Ranger's Ehrilichiosis http://www.arizonaadoptagreyhound.org/health/tick_fever.html

 

Here is another: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cl...p;articleid=430

 

-Lisa

Ranger's Mom

 

Not to hijack the thread, but can anyone point me to a resource that explains a bit more about Diabetes Insipidus? I'm curious about when it is generally seen/diagnosed so that I can decide whether I need to be vigilant in looking for signs of DI in Bella, as two of her six littermates (Ranger and Pg's Captain) have been diagnosed with it.

 

 

I'm sorry. I'm an idiot! So much going on here trying to find a home or help for Ranger that I misread.

 

Here is a good link for the DI: http://www.petdiabetes.org/diabetes_insipidus.htm

 

-Lisa (frazzled)

[Guest tapin2thefuture]

I got a call today from a lovely woman in San Diego, CA with a large pack of medical needs greys, salukis, etc. She offered to take Ranger if we found no one else. However, she is unable to actually monitor his water intake with such a big number of pups. But, she is there as a last resort and will be happy to wait for him - if needed. That is so nice.

 

Thanks to whomever emailed the info around. She said she got it from a friend with greys. See what spreading the word can do?

 

I also recieved a message while I was on the phone w/ her from Ferring Pharmeceuticals in NJ. They will call me back tomorrow with some sort of an offer on meds. Unsure what that means but free would be great! And discounted would be great too. At least with a discount, his new family would have less of an expense than us.

 

Free, would mean we could keep him. That would be perfect.

 

And no matter what, how cool of Ferring to make any offer? I'm in tears.

 

-Lisa (Ranger's very crazed, emotional, and crazed - did I mention that? mom)

 

 

[Guest Moebaaviva]

I'm sorry. I'm an idiot! So much going on here trying to find a home or help for Ranger that I misread.

 

Here is a good link for the DI: http://www.petdiabetes.org/diabetes_insipidus.htm

 

-Lisa (frazzled)

 

Thanks Lisa! And again, don't hesitate to let me know if I can help in transporting Ranger or the like. Hang in there!

[Guest trevdog]

I suggest contacting OSU, wouldn't hurt.....perhaps he could get the meds at a much reduced rate or be part of a trial or something? It's worth asking....they do more than treat greys with cancer....

[greyhoundgang]

Not to hijack the thread, but can anyone point me to a resource that explains a bit more about Diabetes Insipidus? I'm curious about when it is generally seen/diagnosed so that I can decide whether I need to be vigilant in looking for signs of DI in Bella, as two of her six littermates (Ranger and Pg's Captain) have been diagnosed with it.

 

 

http://www.petdiabetes.org/diabetes_insipidus.htm is a good link.

 

Diabetes Insipidus