ShantisMom Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Well, we have given the immune suppression with Imuran 3 months. It has done NOTHING good for Shanti. We are no better today with all the additional medication than we were 3 months ago. We go back on Thursday to see what next. I am starting to get discouraged. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Oh for God's sakes. Shanti is way too young for all this crap. Not that I would wish it on an older dog, but you know what I mean. I just have a hard time accepting that they can't be helped in this day and age. That little girl is in our prayers Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LadyChester Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I feel so bad for your precious baby girl. You have tried everything, I think. She goes back on my prayer list. Hugs to you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tricolorhounds Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Oh dear... I'm sooooo very sorry... You've worked so hard and tried so many things... Something has just got to work. Lots of for You and for Shanti. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Oh for God's sakes. Shanti is way too young for all this crap. Not that I would wish it on an older dog, but you know what I mean. I just have a hard time accepting that they can't be helped in this day and age. That little girl is in our prayers When the contract $ starts coming in, I may take her up to LA. But the vets working and consulting on her are good. She is just stumping us! Dr. Eich said you have to try Imuran for 3 months before you can rule it a failure. Well, she is still DEAD lame. I consider it a failure. We are still working on her, we just have to slow the pace for a month or two. They want to retest the Babesia titer. She was treated in December. I may hold off on that for a month or two. I doubt that changes anything for us. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Crap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Oh for God's sakes. Shanti is way too young for all this crap. Not that I would wish it on an older dog, but you know what I mean. I just have a hard time accepting that they can't be helped in this day and age. That little girl is in our prayers When the contract $ starts coming in, I may take her up to LA. But the vets working and consulting on her are good. She is just stumping us! Dr. Eich said you have to try Imuran for 3 months before you can rule it a failure. Well, she is still DEAD lame. I consider it a failure. We are still working on her, we just have to slow the pace for a month or two. They want to retest the Babesia titer. She was treated in December. I may hold off on that for a month or two. I doubt that changes anything for us. The vets Shanti sees, and the consulting vet have an excellent reputation. I just don't understand. She deserves to be helped!! Something just has to work Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vinnie Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Sending hugs and adding prayers from us along with extra scritches for Shanti. So sorry that nothing seems to be working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newgreymom Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear this! Have you consulted with Dr. Couto at OSU? When Daisy was very ill, I contacted him and sent him all her records, biopsies etc., and he responded right away. He's a very loving, caring Dr. and knows a lot about greyhounds. Just a thought. I will pray for her..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear this! Have you consulted with Dr. Couto at OSU? When Daisy was very ill, I contacted him and sent him all her records, biopsies etc., and he responded right away. He's a very loving, caring Dr. and knows a lot about greyhounds. Just a thought. I will pray for her..... We have considered it many times. Others with the same problem have consulted with him, but tend to get pushed off. It is not cancer. We have consulted with specialist out here. Several of them. There is thought of doing a bone biopsy, but NOTHING in the xrays show need for it. We will see what they say on Thursday. I know she keeps my vet up at night. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear this! Have you consulted with Dr. Couto at OSU? When Daisy was very ill, I contacted him and sent him all her records, biopsies etc., and he responded right away. He's a very loving, caring Dr. and knows a lot about greyhounds. Just a thought. I will pray for her..... We have considered it many times. Others with the same problem have consulted with him, but tend to get pushed off. It is not cancer. We have consulted with specialist out here. Several of them. There is thought of doing a bone biopsy, but NOTHING in the xrays show need for it. We will see what they say on Thursday. I know she keeps my vet up at night. poor Shanti! what about Dr. Feeman? have you emailed him? he's always been willing to listen and advise.... Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Have you tested for Valley Fever and some of the other tick diseases? Sending prayers. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Prayers for Shanti. The answer, and a good solution just have to be found soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted July 2, 2008 Author Share Posted July 2, 2008 Have you tested for Valley Fever and some of the other tick diseases? Sending prayers. Yes. We tested for all of them that I am aware of. Tested for fungal infections too. I will double check tomorrow. Our newest problem is that her right back leg is starting to bother her too. I don't know if it is something new or part of the progression of IMPA. Another thing to have checked tomorrow. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RileysLegacy Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 (edited) Oh no, I am so sorry to hear this I was really hoping this would work for sweet Shanti. I hope you guys get some answers soon. You have been through so much. The boys and I send our love. Please give her a big kiss from me. Edited July 2, 2008 by RileysMomma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Back from the vets. We are considering the Imuran a failure. Upping her tramadol for now. We took more xrays. The joint looks the same. We xrayed her rear leg that she is now favoring. It looks fine bone wise. Rest (like she does anything else) for now. It must be a soft tissue or muscle strain. She has some strange infection on her tail so that got shaved a bit. Blisters are back on her belly. That is the return of the staph infection from immune suppression. More drugs for that. We talked about cyclosporine, but not convinced it will do the job. We will be making a appointment to meet the surgeon shortly. He has a GREAT reputation and has been involved with Shanti for a while now. It is time to meet in person and see what his thoughts are. The 2 options that have been talked about are amputation and arthrodesis (joint fusion). So we keep plugging away at this. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted July 3, 2008 Share Posted July 3, 2008 (edited) Jenny, as I recall, cyclosporine hasn't proven effective with IMPA so isn't an option. I've discussed this with Dr. Sisson, as Imuran ---> severe drug-induced hepatitis after Lexi was on it only a week. I can't recall if Shanti is still on steroids, but I believe he said there were a couple of other immunomodulatory options: CCNU (Lomustine) and Leflunamide. If you want more details, I can send you his article. I'm sorry that Imuran wasn't successful for Shanti. You've both been fighting this for a long time, and I can imagine how frustrated and sad you must feel right now. Shanti had a joint tap to confirm IMPA, didn't she? Hugs to you and your sweet baby Jordan and Lexi, her partner in IMPA ETA: I'd be curious to hear if they've done any veterinary trials of human biologic (anti-TNF) agents, such as Remicade, Enbrel, Humira, etc., or if they'd considered this for Shanti. Methotrexate is often used for rheumatoid arthritis in humans, but I don't know if it's been tested in dogs. Edited July 3, 2008 by houndznigz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted July 3, 2008 Author Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thanks Jordan! Yes, we have done several joint taps. She is on prednisone every other day. If you have the article, I would love it! I remember you mentioning these drugs, I remember looking them up for cost. But if it works, worth a try. I just may have to wait a month or two to get going on it. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted July 4, 2008 Share Posted July 4, 2008 so frustrating for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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