Guest Mom2Shiloh Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Have to agree with all below as well as adding my prayers -- as someone with an autoimmune disease (R.A.) caused by a TBD (Lyme) and also having lost my husband to Babesia 2 years ago-- my 'reading up' tells me (even with no medical training) that this is right on. Much white light and many prayers from RI. If the cytology you're referring to is fluid from a joint aspirate, that should be your ticket to a diagnosis. They can culture this fluid directly to r/o infection (including spirochetes and any other TBD), as well as a bacterial infection causing a septic arthritis. I most definitely agree with starting the doxycycline empirically while waiting for the analysis to come back. Can't hurt, may well help, and you'll usually know within a couple of days whether it's helping. I'd also give thought to the fact that, with his IBD, Beau is already an "autoimmune" dog. Just as in humans, an autoimmune disease may present in other organ systems, and with what you've described as a migrating pattern of joint pain/swelling, this might be classic for an autoimmune (or immune mediated) polyarthritis. Type III: - IPA associated with gastrointestinal disease (enteropathic form). The diseased gut may show an increased permeability to potential antigens which could stimulate the production of immune complexes. Hepatopathic arthropathies have been described as well. The joint fluid analysis should show particular changes that go along with systemic inflammation. An immune mediated polyarthritis would also present with fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and generalized owie-ness. BTDT with my iggie, who my vet and I were sure had disseminated Lyme. Months on antibiotics still resulted in relapse until it was pointed out by a specialist that it was the steroids giving her brief remissions, not the antibiotics. Her Lyme titre at Protatek was low positive (1:640, per their values) so we kept treating for Lyme, until repeat titres showed a decreased rather than an increase. A joint aspiration and careful re-evaluation of her symptoms confirmed the diagnosis of immune-mediated polyarthritis. Can't hurt to mention to your vet the possibility of Beau's current symptoms being a part of the overall constellation of symptoms asso. with an autoimmune syndrome. (see above) I apologize in advance for saying this and contradicting your vet, but I have to suggest that combining any NSAID with a steroid, especially in a dog with IBD and an already-compromised gut, is potentially disastrous. If Beau is having a great deal of pain, either the vet should bump up the steroids if she feels this is inflammatory, or add on narcotic pain meds for better pain control. OK, I'll shut my big yap now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Glad to hear Beau is back home and doing well all things considered. Hope you were able to get more calories in him before day's end. Sending more prayers that you get to the bottom of this. Quote ...............Chase (FTH Smooth Talker), Morgan (Cata), Reggie (Gable Caney), Rufus (Reward RJ). Fosters check in, but they don't check out. Forever loved -- Cosmo (System Br Mynoel), March 11, 2002 - October 8, 2009.Miss Cosmo was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Robin, this is just unbelievable! My prayers and hugs for you. Come on sweet Beau, please get better. Since I'll be away this week, please email me if you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 We had a very good night. He was very content and comfortable. We managed to get over 1400 calories in food in him before last night was over. He looks better and is moving better. I put warm / hot wet compresses on hin throught out the evening. He ate breakfast at 5AM so we did not feed him before we left for work, but left him with 1/2 cup of kibble in a kong should he decide to eat. He wanted to go upstairs which is something he hadn't wanted to do earlier. We are praying we are on to something here. I will see him for lunch, let him out feed him and update. thank you for your continued prayers and support. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 That is EXCELLENT news! I'm hoping for another good update at lunchtime! :goodluck Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I can't beleive the problems you're having. ANd poor Beau, he can't be enjoying this either. If he has to come off pred for the antibiotics can he at least have injectiable antibiotics to save what little of his intestines he has instead of pills? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Keeping Beau and his family in my thoughts and prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IrskasMom Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Checking in for an Update . Good News Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pipi5 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I'm so sorry you're going through all of this .... you're in my thoughts & prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NevadasMom Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 If the cytology you're referring to is fluid from a joint aspirate, that should be your ticket to a diagnosis. They can culture this fluid directly to r/o infection (including spirochetes and any other TBD), as well as a bacterial infection causing a septic arthritis. I most definitely agree with starting the doxycycline empirically while waiting for the analysis to come back. Can't hurt, may well help, and you'll usually know within a couple of days whether it's helping. I'd also give thought to the fact that, with his IBD, Beau is already an "autoimmune" dog. Just as in humans, an autoimmune disease may present in other organ systems, and with what you've described as a migrating pattern of joint pain/swelling, this might be classic for an autoimmune (or immune mediated) polyarthritis. Type III: - IPA associated with gastrointestinal disease (enteropathic form). The diseased gut may show an increased permeability to potential antigens which could stimulate the production of immune complexes. Hepatopathic arthropathies have been described as well. The joint fluid analysis should show particular changes that go along with systemic inflammation. An immune mediated polyarthritis would also present with fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, and generalized owie-ness. BTDT with my iggie, who my vet and I were sure had disseminated Lyme. Months on antibiotics still resulted in relapse until it was pointed out by a specialist that it was the steroids giving her brief remissions, not the antibiotics. Her Lyme titre at Protatek was low positive (1:640, per their values) so we kept treating for Lyme, until repeat titres showed a decreased rather than an increase. A joint aspiration and careful re-evaluation of her symptoms confirmed the diagnosis of immune-mediated polyarthritis. Can't hurt to mention to your vet the possibility of Beau's current symptoms being a part of the overall constellation of symptoms asso. with an autoimmune syndrome. (see above) I apologize in advance for saying this and contradicting your vet, but I have to suggest that combining any NSAID with a steroid, especially in a dog with IBD and an already-compromised gut, is potentially disastrous. If Beau is having a great deal of pain, either the vet should bump up the steroids if she feels this is inflammatory, or add on narcotic pain meds for better pain control. OK, I'll shut my big yap now. I keep thinking septic arthritis too.... Quote Carol-Glendale, AZ Trolley (Figsiza Trollyn) Nevada 1992-2008...always in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BoogieDown Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I'm glad that sweet boy is home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spencers_Greyt Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I'm so glad that Beau is back home now! I'm sure he's a much happier boy! I hope he continues to eat well and that your get results back soon! Give Beau a hug for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ullaluv Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Wonderful news that he's back home and doing better. Keep it up, Beau! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Sending more prayers for Beau! This must be so hard on you and your DH, Robin. Sending gentle hugs for you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Oh my....I can't imagine the stress you guys are under..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracey Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Glad to hear Beau had a good night and morning. Hope it was more good news when you went home for lunch. Quote ...............Chase (FTH Smooth Talker), Morgan (Cata), Reggie (Gable Caney), Rufus (Reward RJ). Fosters check in, but they don't check out. Forever loved -- Cosmo (System Br Mynoel), March 11, 2002 - October 8, 2009.Miss Cosmo was a lady. And a lady always knows when to leave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TippyTy Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryz Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 I am so glad to hear that he is feeling better and that, hopefully, you were able to get some rest. Still praying for your boy. Quote Mary, mom to kitty Rebel.Always missing Sherri (SO DELICIOUS) (12/6/2005-8/29/2018) kitties Marley (4/2000-12/3/2015) and Beady (4/1998-2/24/2006) and Dalmatian Daisy (7/25/1984-5/13/1999). The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not - Thomas Jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest poopsie1 Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Just now reading this, Robin. So glad that Beau is home but it sure has been a roller coaster ride for all of you. He's just so young to have all these problems. Many prayers and healing light for this precious baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hollys2hounds Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Checking in on you and Beau... Hope you are continuing to have a good day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Positive healing prayers for Beau... Quote Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinggreysslp Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Continued prayers that Beau keeps having a good day. It is wonderful that he is eating well through all of this. Quote Cosmo (Fuzz Face Cosmos), Holmes (He's a Dream), Boomer (USS Baby Boomer), Ella and missing our angels Clay (Red Clay), Train (Nite Train), Trip (Bock's Teddy Bear),Larry (Bohemian Frigid) and Jimmy (Bohemian Raw) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted March 23, 2009 Author Share Posted March 23, 2009 Beau refused his lunch out of the bowl, but ate the equivilent of the same thing in 4 filled kongs. Plus he ate 1/4 can of the z/d so he did well. He seems more interested in life today, is getting up with less difficultly, but stll gingerly. He ate diinner. We have one more meal at 10PM then at 3AM and our day starts all over again!!!! Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Beau refused his lunch out of the bowl, but ate the equivilent of the same thing in 4 filled kongs. Keep fighting Beau... we're all rooting for you buddy! We want to see you get back to your old self again! Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Flysmom Posted March 23, 2009 Share Posted March 23, 2009 Sending positive thoughts and hope that the vets find out soon what is going on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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