Guest SLH2 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 It's so hard trying to figure out what to do. Maybe try the Zithromax. If I remember correctly, it's been a few years, Bartonella was one of the diseases they tested my greyhound for. They said the symptoms fit, very low platelets & GI distress. My greyhound had also gone lame, but I don't remember if that was one of the Bartonella symptoms. Mainly, I think, it was the low platelet/GI distress combo. Thanks again for your input mandm. I don't think he was tested for Bartonella (the tick panel tested for lyme, ehrlicia, babesia and RMSF). As with most of these tick-borne diseases, he does match a lot of the symptoms for Bartonella. I'm going to talk with my DH tonight about trying him on another antibiotic. You're right, it is very hard figuring out what to do -- especially when they are at a stage where life overall seems downright miserable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest paulamariez Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Your poor sweet Scooby. I am keeping his tender heart in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that he makes it through this crisis. Nine is not old for a greyhound! Keeping Scooby in my prayers and Tiger, Bueller and Domino are sending him some healing doggie kisses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethGPAPS Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Hi Julie, It's great to see you back on GT, but not under these circumstances. Do you still live out on Bainbridge? It seems like you adopted Scooby a million years ago - I'm surprised to hear he's still so young! And 9 IS young! I don't recognize his symptoms, but I'm sending my best wishes and healing thoughts. I'll pray that it's something curable. Quote Rugrat's Rebel (Simon) 09/03/1995-03/22/2010, Silly Savannah 05/14/1995-02/13/2009, Isabella de Moreau the Sloughi 05/15/1993-10/14/2008, Hammy the IG 06/11/04 and ChiChi the Chihuahua 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jurishound Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Btw, is it safe to stop prednisone suddenly if they have been on it for a while? No - steroids MUST be tapered off. Best wishes again to you and Scooby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLH2 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 (edited) Thank you very much for the well-wishes, paulamariez. And, hi Elizabeth! There really is such an amazing wealth of experience and info here -- we went through the dogs 'middle age' years with no real issues at all, and now I find we are in need of help from the experts again! We're on Mercer Island now (have been for a couple of yrs -- nice to be back on the mainland! I did send you an email a while ago updating our address details with your group, but not sure if you got it). ETA: Thanks jurishound. I just realized I probably jumped to the wrong conclusion with Trudy's post: she probably meant to taper down the pred with a view to stopping it. Sorry my mind is a bit muddled at the moment! Edited March 29, 2008 by SLH2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Sending lots of prayers. You can stop pred suddenly depending on the amount of time he's been on it. It is something you MUST ask your vet about and not do on your own. He's not old for a greyhound Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Just seeing this thread, no ideas but sending lots of prayers and white light to Scooby. It's so hard when you don't know what's wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLH2 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 You can stop pred suddenly depending on the amount of time he's been on it. It is something you MUST ask your vet about and not do on your own. Yes, we most definitely wouldn't stop any of his medicines without consulting his specialist. Like I said, I'm reluctant to stop him on this anyway -- it is the only thing that stimulated his appetite a bit, and he hasn't had any more of the worrying symptoms I saw the other day. The blood work results came through and we're just waiting to hear back from his specialist. Our plan at this point is to see what those results say, and then probably try a different antibiotic in the chance it could help. ps Thanks for the good thoughts for Scooby, Rickiesmom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLH2 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Update: Scooby's blood work results all look pretty good. No anemia or platelet prob's, and his kidneys look good too. His liver enzymes are still quite elevated (some of that can be explained by the pred): but the one we were most worried about, the ALT, is going down. Scooby's specialist is pretty awesome, and has been available to us even on weekends: she's just called through a prescription for Zithromax to our local pharmacy, and we're going to give it a try (as well as adding Carafate back in to the regimen, for his stomach). She said that Bartonella is a pretty controversial topic in vet medicine right now, but it's worth giving this treatment a shot at this point. I can't thank you guys enough for your advice and input. Obviously, this is still a long shot, especially because Scooby is still declining, but it's good to feel that we are not out of options yet. Thanks again, - julie & scooby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Was he tested for babesia? Other than a tbd, I'm out of suggestions.... Sending prayers. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLH2 Posted March 29, 2008 Share Posted March 29, 2008 Was he tested for babesia? Other than a tbd, I'm out of suggestions.... Yes, he tested negative for Babesia. His weird list of symptoms (most of which I have not even listed here) definitely seem to suggest a TBD as a possibility. Could be Bartonella (takes at least 2 weeks to confirm via blood test): we've got nothing to lose at this point, so we're going to go ahead with a diff antibiotic and see what happens. I'll definitely post an update. Thanks again, Diane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLH2 Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Hey guys: I'm heart broken to report that we had to help Scooby pass yesterday evening. I am too raw to go into detail but it was clear that we needed to help him. We felt lucky that he was able to remain at home with us, and passed very quickly and so peacefully. We are trying hard to focus on the wonderful 6+ years we had with him, but at the present, are utterly grief stricken. We love and miss him so much. Thanks again for your advice and good thoughts for him during this difficult time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I was afraid of this I feel like I lost a friend... Many on this board have seen him, they just don't know it. Scooby is the birthday boy on my site. I hope the memories help you thru this. Happier times: Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I'm so sorry to read this......sending you hugs at this difficult time..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLH2 Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Thank you , Diane. I literally haven't seen those photos in years. My hard drive crashed a few yrs ago, and most of those photos went with it. Do you think you'd be able to email me a copy of them, if possible? Thanks for your kind thoughts, trevdog. I know these threads tend to get locked quickly, and I don't know if I'll be able to post in Remembrance for a while. I'll hopefully be back to post a few photos and memorial for Scooby at some point, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethGPAPS Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear this news, Julie. They do tend to go fast when they go. I hope in time you can feel comfort knowing that you gave him a great life and did everything you could for him at the end. Remind of what his racing name was? I never throw anything away and may have some old "right off the track" photos saved of him somewhere. I'll send them to you if I do. Again, my condolences to all of you. Godspeed, Scooby. Quote Rugrat's Rebel (Simon) 09/03/1995-03/22/2010, Silly Savannah 05/14/1995-02/13/2009, Isabella de Moreau the Sloughi 05/15/1993-10/14/2008, Hammy the IG 06/11/04 and ChiChi the Chihuahua 2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Machbragal Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I am so terribly sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I am so very sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLH2 Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear this news, Julie. They do tend to go fast when they go. I hope in time you can feel comfort knowing that you gave him a great life and did everything you could for him at the end. Remind of what his racing name was? I never throw anything away and may have some old "right off the track" photos saved of him somewhere. I'll send them to you if I do. Again, my condolences to all of you. Godspeed, Scooby. Thanks Elizabeth. We were just talking about the first day we met Scooby at the airport with you and the other greys that flew with him. We were so lucky to have him in our lives. He really did have a unique spirit. Scooby's racing name was 'System Rok Salt'. And, thanks also Rickiesmom and Machbragal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fritofeet Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 Oh I'm so so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted April 1, 2008 Share Posted April 1, 2008 I am so sorry! How devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mandm Posted April 2, 2008 Share Posted April 2, 2008 I am so very sorry to hear about your dear Scooby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyB Posted April 5, 2008 Share Posted April 5, 2008 Julie I'm so sorry to hear about Scooby Quote Nancy with Rocket, Umeko and Sasha Missing Albi, Kassie, Ramm, Ruby, my good boy Marvin and Mickey (BT) NANCY B'S COLLARS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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