rascalsmom Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 He has intestinal lymphangiectasia. Good news: we may be able to 'manage' it. Bad news: we may not be able to manage it. The vet says we should know in a month or two. He will be on an 'ultra low fat' diet, and nothing else. We will be monitoring his albumin levels, starting Tuesday. He may get B12 shots. He will likely start on prednisolone--depending on his recovery from surgery; not sure when that will start, since prednisolone can compromise healing. The mass was 'clogged lymphatics and necrosis'. I suppose it isn't as good as I'd hoped for, but not as bad as what I feared. At least with this, we have a shot at managing it. 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...
Ullaluv Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 So much better a diagnosis than what it might have been! Hopefully, now that you know what you're dealing with, you'll be able to control it well and Jack will have many more happy years with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Well it's better than what a lot of us were thinking. Now that you know what it is you can work to control it. Will still be keeping Jack in our prayers. 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...
tbhounds Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 You bet it could have been worse--many of us have trotted down that path before. Please do some research on Budesonide. In my experience ghs handle the budesonide much better than prednisone or prednisolone. Low fat will be a huge benefit--perhaps a novel protein diet too? Don't forget there are other medications that can be added to your current protocol such as azathrioprine. It won't be easy to manage this disease but, with true dedication and a blessing on your shoulder I hope you'll have a long, long stable life with your boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scouts_mom Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 At least you now know what the problem is--much better than not knowing. Enjoy every day you have with your Jack and may you have many. Hugs and scritches for Jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 that you are able to manage it and you have many years together. 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...
DesiRayMom Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Wowser....that's a mouthful. I had to google it to see exactly what it was. But what I read sounded pretty optimistic for management. Certainly better than no chance at all. Prayers for you & Jack to find your way. Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I'm sad to hear this, but hoping for the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Here's hoping it is manageable and you have lots and lots of time together. Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 Happy to report that Jack likes the new food. he even likes the kibble as a treat. 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 October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Continued good thought for you and Jack! Linda, Keeva and Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maryz Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Sending prayers that this is manageable and Jack will have many more years with you. 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...
MachosMom Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Sending good thoughts that you can manage this and have many,many more years together. Mom to Macho (JS XtremeMachine 1/12/2007 -8/17/2012 ... Gotcha day 9/2/2011. I miss you BigMan)Moonbeam (Ninos Full Moon 11/1/2009, Gotcha day 9/2/2012), Hattie (Kiowa Hats Off 4/14/2011, Gotcha day 10/13/2012), Keiva (JS Igotyourbooty 1/12/2007, Gotcha Day 1/8/2014)Jimmy (Blu Too James 06/26/2014, Gotcha day 09/12/2015), a shepard mix named Tista, some cats, and some reptiles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Sorry it wasn't better news, but at least it can be managed. Hopefully, he will be with you for a long time to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseyGirlInOz Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Was hoping for better news, but at least it's manageable. That's great that he likes the new food, I'm sure that's a huge weight off. Hugs to Jack, and to you "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 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 You bet it could have been worse--many of us have trotted down that path before. Please do some research on Budesonide. In my experience ghs handle the budesonide much better than prednisone or prednisolone. Low fat will be a huge benefit--perhaps a novel protein diet too? Don't forget there are other medications that can be added to your current protocol such as azathrioprine. It won't be easy to manage this disease but, with true dedication and a blessing on your shoulder I hope you'll have a long, long stable life with your boy. I asked the vet about budesonide. She said she thought about that, too, but in her consultation with a vet gastroenterologist, they both agreed we had to get this under control FAST, and the prednisolone would work more quickly. Once it's under control we can consider altering the meds, based on Jack's response. Jack likes the low fat food--I swear, he will eat anything , fortunately--but the one day of almost-getting-some-kind-of-shape poop that he had has changed to diarrhea. Is this likely just the food change, or is this a sign that his disease is getting worse?? 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...
racindog Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Still praying. Hope you feel better SOON Jack! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 It could be the food change, Melissa. Maybe go half and half for a week and see if that serves both needs? 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...
rascalsmom Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 The vet didn't want me do do that. She was concerned with getting him on the ULTRA low fat diet. Today he pooped, and it was not so liquidy. Maybe we are making progress..... 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...
NeylasMom Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Can you add metamucil wafers to his meals for a day or two until he's back on track? They're mostly fiber, and low fat in and of themselves so I think it would be safe to add them, but of course you'd want to check with your vet. I am guessing it's just the diet change. I have to go google because I've never heard of this either, but hoping you have many more years together with just management. Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart "The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinw Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Better poop is good 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...
rascalsmom Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 Can you add metamucil wafers to his meals for a day or two until he's back on track? They're mostly fiber, and low fat in and of themselves so I think it would be safe to add them, but of course you'd want to check with your vet. I am guessing it's just the diet change. I have to go google because I've never heard of this either, but hoping you have many more years together with just management. I seriously doubt I could give him metamucil. The vet said that all he can have is the ultra low fat rx food. No treats, nothing else. fortunately he is happy with a handful of the kibble as a treat. Perhaps this will clear up once he is acclimated to the food. Hopefully. I can't even clean the yard up....it is rather disgusting. 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...
a_daerr Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Can you add metamucil wafers to his meals for a day or two until he's back on track? They're mostly fiber, and low fat in and of themselves so I think it would be safe to add them, but of course you'd want to check with your vet. I am guessing it's just the diet change. I have to go google because I've never heard of this either, but hoping you have many more years together with just management. I seriously doubt I could give him metamucil. The vet said that all he can have is the ultra low fat rx food. No treats, nothing else. fortunately he is happy with a handful of the kibble as a treat. Perhaps this will clear up once he is acclimated to the food. Hopefully. I can't even clean the yard up....it is rather disgusting. I'm thinking the diarrhea could be due to the food switch. Could you put Forti-Flora or some type of probiotic powder in his new food? That's always helped us during a food switch. You can buy usually it at the vet's office. I keep thinking about Jack and hoping he's on the upswing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 I did have him on Forti-flora, but the vet said to discontinue it. I will ask her about it again tomorrow at Jack's visit. 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...
RaineysMom Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 sending more hugs to you and Jack! 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...
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