grey14me Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Hoping everything goes well tomorrow :hope 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...
fsugrad Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 Hopefully the vet school will have some answers :hope I can't recall, but did you ever do a tick panel or SNAP test on him? Yes, although he was positive for ehrlichia (and received treatment) when he first came out of JCKC, he had a SNAP test done a month ago and it was negative for ehrlichia. Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 (edited) Just something to think about and possibly bring up with the vet school - Our boy Grandpa (fellow JCKC grad) had an auto-immune condition secondary to his tick disease. He was on a low dose of doxy his entire life. If he came off the doxy, his auto-immune issue would flair up and he'd get scabby, mostly around his orifices (eyes, nose, butt, ears, mouth), but also on his feet and chest...he'd go back on the doxy and it went away. Our vet at the time (in NC) consulted with one of the TBD experts at NC State and they advised that this can happen - auto-immune issues secondary to tick disease, even if there is no active infection from the tick disease itself. Also, there is thinking is that once infected with a ehrlichia, the dog may always be vulnerable to it, as it can reside deep in the tissues like bone marrow. And, of course, a SNAP can have a false negative. Edited September 16, 2010 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsugrad Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 Just something to think about and possibly bring up with the vet school - Our boy Grandpa (fellow JCKC grad) had an auto-immune condition secondary to his tick disease. He was on a low dose of doxy his entire life. If he came off the doxy, his auto-immune issue would flair up and he'd get scabby, mostly around his orifices (eyes, nose, butt, ears, mouth), but also on his feet and chest...he'd go back on the doxy and it went away. Our vet at the time (in NC) consulted with one of the TBD experts at NC State and they advised that this can happen - auto-immune issues secondary to tick disease, even if there is no active infection from the tick disease itself. Also, there is thinking is that once infected with a ehrlichia, the dog may always be vulnerable to it, as it can reside deep in the tissues like bone marrow. And, of course, a SNAP can have a false negative. Thanks for the input. Doxy is one of the things I actually want to talk to the UF vets about. Robin's on cephalexin and our vet didn't think he needed to be switched to Doxy and switching him to Doxy was one of Pam's suggestions as well. Your description of Grandpa sounds a lot like Robin. He's scabby (and bald) around his eyes, ears, the bridge of his nose, and insides of his legs. His chest was scabby but that seems to be healing up nicely. The rest of his body looks perfectly fine...albeit a bit skinny these days. Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 (edited) Oh yes, I forgot, Grandpa would scab up in his armpits too...I'll see if I can find a pic so you can see what that looked like I know I had more pics, but Lord only knows where I have them stored...Here's one that shows his eyes...and this was in the healing stage. The first time we ever saw it, they kinda burst out from no where. He was rubbing his face a lot one day, the next day he had a couple scabs and then the next day he looked like a lizard Grandpa could not tolerate prednisone...it turned him in to a skeleton. Edited September 16, 2010 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Rita, have you contacted Dr Couto? I wonder if he's ever seen anything similar in the galgo population in Spain, or in GHs in the US? How about the UF greyhound specialist? I agree with others that the pred could cause weight loss. It can also cause muscle wasting. Please give Robin a kiss for me. I love that beautiful cow doggie. Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsugrad Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 Rita, have you contacted Dr Couto? I wonder if he's ever seen anything similar in the galgo population in Spain, or in GHs in the US? How about the UF greyhound specialist? I agree with others that the pred could cause weight loss. It can also cause muscle wasting. Please give Robin a kiss for me. I love that beautiful cow doggie. Thanks Donna. I haven't contacted Dr Couto. Yes, Dr Crawford at UF knows what's going on. She recommended he come in for a dermatology consult. He is having a dermatology and an internal medicine consult tomorrow. Alas, Dr Crawford doesn't see patients. She is strictly a researcher. Well I would definitely say he's had muscle wasting. His back thigh muscles look rather deflated and flat, where they used to be defined. Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gert Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Rita, I'm so sorry that you still don't have any answers for Robin! Hopefully UF can get to the bottom of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 I'm sorry Robin isn't doing better and I hope today's appointment went well. The wasting away made me think of what happened to Phene because of babesia. Has Robin been tested for that? I'm sorry; it must be confusing to have so many people suggesting things Quote Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 :hope :hope Hoping and praying that UF will have an answer. Quote Linda, Mom to Fuzz, Barkley, and the felines Miss Kitty, Simon and Joseph.Waiting at The Bridge: Alex, Josh, Harley, Nikki, Beemer, Anna, Frank, Rachel, my heart & soul, Suze and the best boy ever, Dalton.<p> ....for all those hounds that are sick, hurt, lost or waiting for their forever homes. SENIORS ROCK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Thinking of you two this morning and hoping for good news today 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 Ohiogreymom Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Any word yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Just checking in for news... Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsugrad Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 Thanks everyone for your concern and your prayers and good thoughts. Robin spent most of the day at the UF Vet School. They were wonderful. They spent tons of time explaining everything to me and answering all my questions. He had extensive lab work done today, and they also did a biopsy. They didn't have to knock him out to do the biopsy. They just sedated him and then used lidocaine in the 3 areas they biopsied. All of his blood and urine work came out fine. We won't get the results of the biopsy til Wednesday, unfortunately. But after being looked at by several experts in internal medicine as well as dermatology, their best bet is that he has pemphigus. The biopsy results can tell us for sure if he has pemphigus, discoid lupus, or systemic lupus...maybe some other things but those are the big 3 I can remember. They biopsied his left ear, left side of his face, and the inside of one of his front legs. So for now he is continuing with his cephalexin and he's back on prednisone once a day to make sure he stays comfortable, and they gave him tramadol for pain if needed. And they told me that I should feed him more than his usual amt since he's lost 5 lbs. When he came home he would not eat his kibble but I thawed a steak out for him and he scarfed the whole thing down, along with a piece of bread and some cheese! I hope that's ok. I had to get food in him. He was hungry and just didn't feel like kibble. So hopefully we'll have some definitive diagnosis on Wed and then we can come up with a treatment plan. Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 Hoping the docs come up with some good news and good treatment options for you. I'd feed him whatever his system will tolerate, that you can afford . Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fsugrad Posted September 18, 2010 Author Share Posted September 18, 2010 Hoping the docs come up with some good news and good treatment options for you. I'd feed him whatever his system will tolerate, that you can afford . I just hope I'm not creating a monster that will only eat steak. And you know, pretty soon Toby will catch on to the steak thing and he won't be willing to eat kibble either! Quote Rita, mom to Dakota (Dakotas Dream) & Wish (Kiowa Wish Wish) and my angels Toby (Sol Marcus) and Robin (Greys Robin Hood) Forever missing our beloved Robin and Toby "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 FWIW, when Batman was ill and got all kinds of special meals (many times per day), I just reduced Zema's regular food a bit and gave her one bite (as in, a teaspoon) each time he was fed. When Zema developed an odd food sensitivity and began eating mostly beef, I used the same meat for Joseph's "canned" add-in. His food smelled like hers, so no problem. Then again, I seem to have dogs who will eat anything, any time, so YMMV. But I bet once he's feeling better he'll be back to his old hungry self. Fingers crossed! Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest racergirl435 Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Good thoughts for good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4greyhounds Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 Sending lots of prayers for Good Results.... :hope 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...
seeh2o Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 It must be a relief to have a working diagnosis and a great medical team behind you. Good boy, eating up all that yummy steak! Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissn333 Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 I'm glad you're on your way to something definitive. The treatment for all three is pretty much the same - prednisone to get it under control, then maintain with tetracycline and a bunch of vitamins. Course of pred for flareups. Not expensive at all. If he's not already, try to keep him grain free. Dogs and people with lupus have an easier time with their skin when grains aren't involved. Pinky does great on TOTW Pacific Stream. In the 3 years I've had her, she's had to take a course of prednisone twice to get a flare under control. As long as I keep her controlled with her meds she does great. Another thing would be to keep him out of the sun for extended periods of time. It can cause a flare up (plus being on prednisone + sun isn't a good idea). Hugs to you and your boy Quote Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13. A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
45MPHK9 Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 glad you guys are on the road to getting some answers. how lucky to have such a great vet school right in town. we'll look for more news from you next week. hugs to robin, one of our favorite cow doggies on GT. Quote Tricia with Kyle, our senior mutt dog Always missing Murray Maldives, Bee Wiseman, River, Hopper, Kaia, and Holly Oaks Holly“You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.“ -Bob Dylan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greytluv Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 I'm so glad you're getting some answers. Keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted September 18, 2010 Share Posted September 18, 2010 thank goodness you are on the road to an answer,,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted September 19, 2010 Share Posted September 19, 2010 U of F Medical School is great. We took Lola there to have her eye surgery (with Seminole license plate and all) back in 2007. I haven't read the entire thread, but regarding the food, I have a few suggestions. Both of my pups have had pancreatitis, although we thought we fed them right. Now I cook the "canned food" for them and they eat every morsel. I throw everything in a large pot, add water, bring it to a boil, then turn down the heat and let simmer. Also, they get Vanilla Ensure (2 docs have approved it) and it really puts weight back on them when they are down. Ingredients to mix and match (you can use any, all or just a few ingredients-even add others of your own choice) Beef hearts (ask the meat man to chop into small squares) lean ground beef ground turkey meat (light) brown rice wheat orzo white rice wheat pasta white pasta carrots green beans (canned unsalted) yellow squash any other dog-safe veggies Please keep us posted on how he's doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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