Guest crazy4greys Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 (edited) WAG is caring for Becky a 15 month old greyhound. Becky was treated for Heart worm back in July. She was in Mississippi then went to Oklahoma before coming to us. Apparently her sister went to the vet to for the same thing this week. She was taken to an Orthopedic Specialist on Friday because she is having problems with her joints. The vet is testing for all TBD and beyond. Here are her symptoms: Fluid and swelling in all of her joints Very hard time getting up Dragging her back legs and hind end when trying to get up . It is almost like she is paralyzed. (this started a few days ago) She still has good spirits and is feeling a bit better on Doxy. Has anyone had any experience with this before? Becky needs all your good thoughts and prayers. She is one sick girl. Edited September 19, 2008 by crazy4greys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreysAndMoreGreys Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 (edited) I was talking with my vet about TBD and she mentioned Hepatozoonosis Might want to check it out and find out some info on it. I don't recall the tell tail signs but it's worth looking into. On just a quick search found this Diseased dogs are often febrile, stiff, lethargic, and depressed. Gait abnormalities and muscle wasting are usually obvious, as is copious mucopurulent ocular discharge. Atrophy of head muscles is especially noticeable. Dogs may eat readily when food is placed immediately in front of them, but they often refuse to move to food and water, presumably owing to intense pain, which derives in part from periosteal bone proliferation and inflamed muscles site found was here site Edited September 1, 2008 by GreysAndMoreGreys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Winterwish Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Gee I don't know. Some kind of inflammatory crisis? Sending prayers and thoughts of healing for Becky! Here is a link to Joint Effusion: Joint Effusion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts to Becky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LadyChester Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Sending healing thoughts to Becky and her caretakers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 (edited) What about tick or parasite diseases? Here's hoping Becky gets better soon. Edited September 1, 2008 by Charlies_Dad Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhndz Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 It certainly could be any of the TBDs, and hopefully the vet has her on a large enough dose of doxycycline to adequately cover Lyme, ehrlichiosis and anaplasma. If she has fluid in her joints, it would be helpful if the orthopaedist could aspirate some of that fluid for analysis. This can be used to identify infection (including TBD) as well as inflammation. Another possible diagnosis would be immune-mediated polyarthritis which can present with lethargy, migratatory lameness, swollen joints, fever, etc. My iggy is being treated for this, and it took 3 months to reach the correct diagnosis. But first and foremost, have your vet pursue tick panels - and repeat them every couple of weeks to see if any of the titres are increasing. Your vet can also send blood down to NC State for PCR testing. Good luck with this little sweetie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazy4greys Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 (edited) She did have a temp of 103.8 when she had this a week and a half ago. It was drained by WAG's usual vet. Thanks for all the advice, I will pass it on. Edited September 1, 2008 by crazy4greys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Poor baby, I hope they find out what's causing her problems and she gets better soon. Dang, it's bad enough she had to go through heart worm treatment and now this! Many prayers for this sweet baby. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jerrybird Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Poor pup, maybe the DVM treating her sister and your vets can consult with each other? Hope they both improve quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeForHounds Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Have both vet's get in touch with the Greyhound Health and Wellness team at OSU. greyosu@osu.edu Quote Casual Bling & Hope for HoundsJanet & the hounds Maggie and Allen Missing my baby girl Peanut, old soul Jake, quirky Jet, Mama Grandy and my old Diva Miz Foxy; my angel, my inspiration. You all brought so much into my light, and taught me so much about the power of love, you are with me always.If you get the chance to sit it out or dance.......... I hope you dance! Missing our littlest girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2hounds Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 YES! This is exactly what we went through with Mia Bella. She had erlichea, which after we got that treated turned into immune mediated polyarthritis. She is still on a low dose of prednisone and azathiaprine and it has been over 16 months ago that she was treated. Talk to Dr. Couto, he offered to consult on Mia's case and he gave us some more ideas for tests to run. Quote 2 Hounds Design Martingale Collars | 2 Hounds Design Facebook PageAlisha, Bob, Livvie (the 2.5 year old!) plus Mia Bella, Tippy, + Wahoo and Diesel the crazy kitties (and missing sweet Iceman, Paradise, Bandit, Cujo & Sebastian) in Indian Trail, NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4greyhounds Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Poor Baby, Sending lots of prayers and white light. I am sorry I have no advise. Quote Darlene Mom to: Aladdin, Sophie ,Pongo, Jasmine, Relic Forever in our Hearts Champ at the Rainbow Bridge. Let a greyhound race into your heart Adopt Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions INC. Naples/ Fort Myers Chapter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazy4greys Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 YES! This is exactly what we went through with Mia Bella. She had erlichea, which after we got that treated turned into immune mediated polyarthritis. She is still on a low dose of prednisone and azathiaprine and it has been over 16 months ago that she was treated. Talk to Dr. Couto, he offered to consult on Mia's case and he gave us some more ideas for tests to run. Thanks Alisha! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Luvgreys Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 It certainly could be any of the TBDs, and hopefully the vet has her on a large enough dose of doxycycline to adequately cover Lyme, ehrlichiosis and anaplasma. If she has fluid in her joints, it would be helpful if the orthopaedist could aspirate some of that fluid for analysis. This can be used to identify infection (including TBD) as well as inflammation. Another possible diagnosis would be immune-mediated polyarthritis which can present with lethargy, migratatory lameness, swollen joints, fever, etc. My iggy is being treated for this, and it took 3 months to reach the correct diagnosis. But first and foremost, have your vet pursue tick panels - and repeat them every couple of weeks to see if any of the titres are increasing. Your vet can also send blood down to NC State for PCR testing. Good luck with this little sweetie! Becky was seen by Dr. Dudley at VCA Northboro in MA and Dr. D did aspirate fluids from two of Becky's joints and she started Becky on a pretty high dose of Doxy. Dr. Dudely also send out blood for a complete tick panel (checking for 12 different tick borne diseases). I just went to see Becky to let her out for her foster Mom who is away today and it's just heartbreaking to see her. Becky can only barely get up on her own, she collapses back down after just a couple of wobbly steps, she has to be carried outside to potty She really wants to interact with people but just does not have the strength. She is being fed as much food as we can get into her little body. Please send white light Becky's way, she really needs it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Poor lil' pupster. Sending loads of prayers and light her way. Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Shanti had a lot of these symptoms (and still does). She had Babesia, IMPA and now we are medicating for Valley Fever. Have them run a full panel. A joint tap may help finding any infection in the joint. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted September 1, 2008 Share Posted September 1, 2008 Thanks for the replies everyone. I hope we can get Becky healthy soon. I totally fell for her when we picked her up at the hauler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SoulsMom Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 (edited) Oh, poor little girl Sending lots of gentle, healing thoughts Edited September 2, 2008 by SoulsMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 This is heartbreaking... wishing all the best for the little sweetheart... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvAPuppy Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 It doesn't sound like any of these, but these are the large/giant breed diseases I know from Danes so I'll throw them out there. Maybe they'll cause someone to think of something else they've heard of! Panosteitis Osteochondritis Dissecans Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Quote Angie, Pewter, and Storm-puppy Forever missing Misty-Mousie (9/9/99 - 10/5/15)Fort Wayne, Indiana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Many prayers for sweet Becky and her sister. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest crazy4greys Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 An update from Becky's foster mom. Becky’s bloodwork has not revealed any answers. Her CBC was w/in normal limits, the 4DX test was negative (other than heartworm which was expected), the fluid tap was negative for infection, and the TBD panel was all negative. John just brought over more Rimadyl, and he carried her outside. She was able to pee while I supported her w/a towel under her belly. Without that, she really can’t walk. I’ll bring her to Bolton tomorrow & will ask they contact Dr. Couto at Ohio State. Please send good thoughts her way. The tech at VCA Northboro just called to say her stool sample was positive for giardia. This wouldn’t be causing her problems, but something that obviously needs to be treated. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Sending lots and lots of prayers for Becky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LindsaySF Posted September 2, 2008 Share Posted September 2, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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