retiredracers Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 (edited) I received the following email from an adopter and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to what might be making him sooooooooo sick. I'll inform the adopters with any ideas. Hi, Duke has had some health troubles, and we would like any advice you might have. He has had very bloody diarrhea for over a month. He has been tested for all of the usual causes and he doesn't have parasites, kidney or organ malfunctions, and has tried antibiotics. He has steadily lost weight since June. He has become so emaciated that he was on an IV for 2 days and looks terrible. He has lost all muscle tone and has trouble with his eyes. He seems to loose muscle control sometimes in his eyes; his inner eyelid closes, or his eyes look in opposite directions. He's been in to the vet a couple times, and all they can figure is that he is not able to break down protein from his food. He has a good appetite, but looks like he is starving to death. His diarrhea has gotten somewhat better the past few days, but we are very worried about him. Thanks!!! Updated to add that Duke will be 9 years old next month. Edited November 20, 2007 by retiredracers Quote Elphie, Kulee, Amanda, Harmony, Alex (hound mix), Phantom, Norbet, Willis (dsh), Autumn (Siamese) & Max (OSH) & mama rat, LaLa & baby Poppy! My bridge kids: Crooke & Mouse (always in my heart), Flake, Buzz, Snake, Prince (GSD), Justin & Gentry (Siamese), Belle (Aussie/Dalmatian mix), Rupert (amstaff) and Fred, Sirius, Severus, Albus, George, Hagrid, Hermione, Minerva, Marilyn, Wren, Molly, Luna, Tonks, Fleur, Ginny, Neville, Bill, Percy, Rose & Charlie (rats) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 (edited) Inflammatory Bowel Disease or cancer of the bowels, perhaps. He'd need scoping and biopsy if it's not too late already. Edited November 20, 2007 by ZoomDoggy Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 What are they feeding him? I'm wondering if going to a raw diet might not be the right choice for this fella. Good luck!! Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredracers Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share Posted November 20, 2007 Inflammatory Bowel Disease or cancer of the bowels, perhaps. He'd need scoping and biopsy if it's not too late already. I'll mention have an endoscopy done but they may be hesitant to do so since he is so thin. Quote Elphie, Kulee, Amanda, Harmony, Alex (hound mix), Phantom, Norbet, Willis (dsh), Autumn (Siamese) & Max (OSH) & mama rat, LaLa & baby Poppy! My bridge kids: Crooke & Mouse (always in my heart), Flake, Buzz, Snake, Prince (GSD), Justin & Gentry (Siamese), Belle (Aussie/Dalmatian mix), Rupert (amstaff) and Fred, Sirius, Severus, Albus, George, Hagrid, Hermione, Minerva, Marilyn, Wren, Molly, Luna, Tonks, Fleur, Ginny, Neville, Bill, Percy, Rose & Charlie (rats) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZoomDoggy Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 (edited) Has he had an abdominal ultrasound to look for tumors or other abnormalities? Edited November 20, 2007 by ZoomDoggy Quote ~Aimee, with Flower, Alan, Queenie, & Spodee Odee! And forever in my heart: Tipper, Sissy, Chancy, Marla, Dazzle, Alimony, and Boo. This list is too damned long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retiredracers Posted November 20, 2007 Author Share Posted November 20, 2007 What are they feeding him? I'm wondering if going to a raw diet might not be the right choice for this fella. Good luck!! I'll email and find out what they are feeding. I would think the vet would have them feeding a bland diet. Quote Elphie, Kulee, Amanda, Harmony, Alex (hound mix), Phantom, Norbet, Willis (dsh), Autumn (Siamese) & Max (OSH) & mama rat, LaLa & baby Poppy! My bridge kids: Crooke & Mouse (always in my heart), Flake, Buzz, Snake, Prince (GSD), Justin & Gentry (Siamese), Belle (Aussie/Dalmatian mix), Rupert (amstaff) and Fred, Sirius, Severus, Albus, George, Hagrid, Hermione, Minerva, Marilyn, Wren, Molly, Luna, Tonks, Fleur, Ginny, Neville, Bill, Percy, Rose & Charlie (rats) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Sending prayers for this little sweetheart. Please keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FrostyBottoms Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Awww...poor guy! :grouphug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahicks51 Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 What are they feeding him? I'm wondering if going to a raw diet might not be the right choice for this fella. Good luck!! I'll email and find out what they are feeding. I would think the vet would have them feeding a bland diet. Something with novel proteins, in case it's a whopper of a food allergy. Quote Coco (Maze Cocodrillo) Minerva (Kid's Snipper) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trudy Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I was also thinking allergies, even if he is on a bland diet, he could be very allergic to something they are feeding him with that diet. What happens if they withhold food for a day with meds to help with the D - does it get unbloody or firm up at all? It doesn't sound like he can do long without food, but may be worth a try if they give him some IV nutrients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LennysMom Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I've been going through a lot of digestive trouble with Lenny and my best advice is to go to an internal specialist. It's the best advice I got (and I got a lot of good advice). I have a wonderful vet but she just doesn't have the same training. hugs for Duke Quote Kris & Lenny (B L Lessie) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ola Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Wow, how scary! Have they tried a vet school? This sounds very serious and it sounds like going to the vet "a couple times" is not cutting it. I would be pushing the vet for a diagnosis or referral. This might be stretching it for a grey, since it's mostly a GSD disease, but have they checked for Pancreatic Insufficiency? http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cl...p;articleid=331 http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_exocr...insufficie.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicocat Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 If he is losing protein, they need to attack this very aggressively before it is too late. Quote Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I'd be worried it's the C word...eating and still losing weight is not good. He needs to have an ultrasound in the least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trudy Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 I missed the protein blurb. Get thee to a specialist - internal medicine. Ask their vet for a reference or call the nearest vet school to get a name and have their vet make the call and get them squeezed in ASAP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trudy Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 Is he on any supplements? How were they able to determine he can't break down protein? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trudy Posted November 20, 2007 Share Posted November 20, 2007 This might be stretching it for a grey, since it's mostly a GSD disease, but have they checked for Pancreatic Insufficiency? It is most frequently found in GSDs, but it is common in other breeds as well. Very much worth looking into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 They need to make an appointment with an Internal medicine Dr. Could be intestinal parasites, IBD/food intolerance, Pancreatic Insuff, stress colitis etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KateWantsaGrey Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 wow... let us know how it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Internal Specialist and a TLI (which is the test for pancreatic insuffiency). However, the blood in the stool is not good. I doubt that is coming from an insufficiency (but, anything is possible). TBD panel--has one been done? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Becky Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 This is Becky, the sickly pups owner. Thanks for all of your feedback and thoughtful advice. I'll give you a more detailed update soon, Becky A Few Duke Pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Ola Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Duke looks gorgeous! Welcome to the board, and let us know if we can help more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peanut Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 What are they feeding him? I'm wondering if going to a raw diet might not be the right choice for this fella. Good luck!! DITTO THAT! My Brooklyn could not process protein out of kibble as a puppy. Completely stopped growing. We switched her over to raw and she started growing again. Raw provides the protein in the whole form and is less work for the body to break down. Hoping this fella starts improving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAVED2 Posted November 21, 2007 Share Posted November 21, 2007 Hope he has not been on RIMADYL it can cause this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted November 22, 2007 Share Posted November 22, 2007 Checking in for a pupdate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.