rascalsmom Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I had Jack to the vet yesterday for his annual checkup. First thing that seemed odd was he'd lost weight--four pounds. Since we got him nearly three years ago, he's never been under 80 pounds, and yesterday he was 77. I told the vet about his very soft stool, and a little diarrhea he's had lately. Took a stool sample in, and it turns out he's got hooks. Before we knew about the hooks, she suggested a probiotic, since he's always had digestive issues, and has been on low-residue food for over a year. I also pointed out his extreme flakiness of his skin--she thinks that's due to the low fat food, but doesn't want to mess with the food for the sake of some flakes. He could stand to have a dental, so we did blood work and urinalysis to check that out before a dental. She called me today and said his protein is "drifting down", which could be due to chronic intestinal disease....or lymphoma. She suggested a first step of an ultrasound, and depending on what shows up there, an endoscopy. They set up the ultrasound for Monday. She seemed serious that we needed to investigate further, before he was in a 'critical' state.... She also said if they see a 'giant liver' on ultrasound, it's probably lymphoma; if they see a 'big puffy bowel', it's probably IBD. At any rate, this really stinks. Jack is seven years old today. What a terrible birthday present for him--at least he doesn't 'know' about the potentially bad news.... Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAJ2010 Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 (((HUGS))) I hope it's somehow just the hooks Quote ------ Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryz Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Oh no. I will be praying for and thinking of you and Jack on Monday. 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...
robinw Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Hoping that it's nothing too serious... 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...
Guest SparrowLake Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Hopefully the ultrasound will not show anything serious and he will feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I hope it is just the hooks, but even if it is IBD, that can be dealt with. Fletcher has had IBD since I got him a 2, and he is now 10 1/2, and has no idea he has anything wrong An ultrasound is a good idea for your peace of mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaineysMom Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 sending many prayers! :hope Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3DogNite Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 (edited) I'd do full blood work up and urinalysis with UPC as the first step BEFORE the ultrasound. It could be many other things --- ultra sound seems a bit much for the first step good luck!! I hope whatever it is,, it's something easily workable and fixable! etd - i just re-read that you are having the blood work and urinalysis done now.. that's good and will give you a place to start your investigation. what was the Albumin, BUN and Creatinine reading,, and what is the UPC /// protein in urine? etd - again --- HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACK!!! Edited September 28, 2012 by 3DogNite Quote lorinda, mom to the ever revolving door of Foster greyhounds Always in my heart: Teala (LC Sweet Dream) , Pepton, Darbee-Do (Hey Barb) , Rascal (Abitta Rascal), Power (Beyond the Power), and the miracle boy LAZER (2/21/14), Spirit (Bitter Almonds) 8/14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted September 28, 2012 Author Share Posted September 28, 2012 The vet said that other values were low, too...albumin may have been one of them....i was scribbling notes but didn't get it all. They changed the ultrasound to Friday. On Monday they have a lot of pets coming in, and don't want to put Jack in a cage in the basement...he gets very stressed at the vet so she wants him where she can keep an eye on him. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Sending good thougths for Jack! Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Is your vet aware that ghs have lower blood protein numbers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Since he has hookworms, why not just start with treating that before proceeding immediately to an ultrasound? It might be as simple as that. As long as Jack is acting fine and not sick otherwise, I'd consider starting there, then recheck weight and bloodwork in a month or two, and see if things are back on track. Also ditto tbhounds' question about greyhound bloodwork differences. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 Good thoughts for Jack. He is such a handsome pup, I truly hope it's not what your vet is suggesting. 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...
rascalsmom Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 Since he has hookworms, why not just start with treating that before proceeding immediately to an ultrasound? It might be as simple as that. As long as Jack is acting fine and not sick otherwise, I'd consider starting there, then recheck weight and bloodwork in a month or two, and see if things are back on track. Also ditto tbhounds' question about greyhound bloodwork differences. Good idea...I will call on Monday and see if waiting for the hooks to clear, then retesting, would be feasible. I know other blood values were low, too, though. But redoing bloodwork is way cheaper than ultrasound, and Jack *seems* to feel okay. Not to mention, it would save him from a very stressful day at the vet, waiting for an ultrasound. Considering that this isn't his first bout with hookworms, I wonder if they have been in there for a while....did they ever completely clear up before? And yes, our vet is thoroughly familiar with gh's differences. She does all the vetting for our adoption group, and in fact went to OSU, studied under Dr. Couto. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby172 Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 From one Jack to another, hope he's feeling better soon! Linda, Jack and Keeva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 I'm happy to report that Jack is feeling somewhat better--he had the first dose of dewormer, and already his poop is more formed. I put a call in to have our vet call me, see if we can retest after the hooks are gone....I want to get actual numbers from her, too--what his protein was at the last bloodwork, and what it is now. If she feels it isn't drastically worse, but just a little worse, maybe she'll be okay with a wait-and-retest approach. He's happily consuming the probiotics (Forti-Flora), too. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncan41 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Glad to hear Jack is feeling somewhat better! It might be worth your while to get a copy of his last 3 blood tests, apply the OSU values and see if there appears to be a trend. Once the hooks are gone, wait a few weeks and repeat blood work. I hope that you find that the hooks were at the root of the problem. Hugs for Jack! 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...
JerseyGirlInOz Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Hoping Jack is on the mend, Melissa! Sending (((HUGS))). Quote "Hurricane Sandi" (Baurna to Run). Forever missing my "Angel-With-A Crooked-Halo" Hailey, and "Mokkah" (Xpress Point) with all my heart. "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." ~~Will Rogers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 Talked to the vet last night. I got the numbers. Total protein in 3/11 was 5.7 (in the normal range); then it went to 4.3 in 10/11; now it is 3.6. She prefers not to wait, and risk the protein going even lower--says if it does, and he ends up needing 'scoping, the biopsy sites might not want to heal as well and he could end up with peritonitis. The 'scoping *could* cost around $1000, she isn't sure, since he's have to go elsewhere for that. The only other option would be an exploratory, and I'm not anxious to do something that invasive. This really sucks. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Can you post his numbers? All of them are really needed to get a fuller picture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 All she gave me was the history of the protein numbers. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kudzu Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 The fact that those are on a steady decline is significant. My suggestion is that you get copies of all his lab work, including blood, stool & urinalysis results, & make a spreadsheet. It can be quite beneficial. Good luck on getting to the bottom of it. It's very hard to not know what is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Did she suggest anything dietary to try to bring his protein levels up a bit? Bullitt's are still low also and we have added cottage cheese and egg whites to his food to see if it won't bring his levels up a bit before we do any more tests to see what's going on with him. 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...
rascalsmom Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 Judy, no she didn't suggest anything dietary. He has been on rx food--low residue--for almost 2 years. He has always had some digestive issues, since we got him. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Can you ask your vet for a copy of all his bloodwork? The steady drop in total protein is definitely worrisome, but even more important is looking at the albumin level. And I'd also be curious about his CBC results, especially his hematocrit (PCV). When interpreting bloodwork, it helps to look at the whole picture. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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