Our First Grey Struggling With Chronic Ehrlichia

[Guest Lochshumans]

We are new to this forum, but it was recommended by some great people we met walking our pups the other day. Loch is our first greyhound and we adopted him in October 2012. His stool has never been great since the day we brought him home. He got very sick right before Thanksgiving and it landed him the the emergency vet for 2 nights. He was diagnosed with Ehrlichia at that point and he did 3 weeks on Doxy. As soon as he started the meds, we could see a huge difference in him. He got better very quickly. Since finishing the meds, he has started going downhill again. He is having accidents in his crate during the day while we're at work. His stool is loose and 3 times a day is having diarrea, sometimes in his crate. He is also having an increase in thirst and therefore urination. And he's even having accidents in the house, which he has never done until all of these symptoms started. To top it all off, he is steadily losing weight as well. Everything I'm reading online seems like Loch is in the chronic stage of ehrlichia, but the vet doesn't think so. The vet believes it is a GI issue, but the vet also claims that they haven't seen much ehrlichia because of ourlocation (Northeast PA). The rescue where we adopted him feels Loch is in the chronic stage of Ehrlichia as well and recommended we bring him to their vet who has more knowledge of it due to working so much with Greys. We have already spent over $2000 in vet bills since November and can't afford much more. Does anyone have any experience with this? Any feedback or insight would be great! Loch needs some positive energy and healing sent his way. We don't want to see our boy so sick anymore. Thanks!

[turbotaina]

Hm. You might want to run a PCR and see if the Erlichia is still present in the blood. NCSU does this: http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/vhc/csds/ticklab.html You may need a longer course of doxy, too. Perhaps consult with OSU for further advice? http://www.greyhound.osu.edu/

Also, I'd take your group's advice and see their vet if s/he has more experience with TBDs. You really can't play with those things.

[a_daerr]

I'm so sorry! I would suspect ehrlichia if he has other symptoms in conjunction with the weight loss and diarrhea. Things to watch out for are fever, swelling, bruising, and neurological symptoms. Although not very common, it's definitely possible (I live in Southwest PA and ticks were rampant last summer). I'm confused why the vet put Loch on Doxy for only three weeks? If he originally diagnosed ehrlichia, I've always heard that Doxy is done for at least 6-8 weeks (and usually a steroid as well). I would follow the group's advice and have him evaluated by a different vet. Maybe your rescue group could help with the cost of the bills, seeing as you've only had him since October and it would be a shame to rehome him due to money reasons. Whatever you decide to do, make a decision ASAP. If it is ehrlichia, his condition will get worse the longer you wait. Preliminary treatment and bloodwork is going to be less expensive than blood transfusions and surgery.

 

If Loch doesn't have any other symptoms besides the diarrhea and weight loss, then I would consider the liklihood of a GI problem. One of my friends recently went through a terrible time with her grey, and it took several rounds of medication and a diet change before the diarrhea finally cleared up. I believe the dog lost close to 10 pounds by the time everything was all said and done. A few more questions. Has the vet given you Flagyl or any other prescription (Sulfsalazine, Endurosyn) to help with the diarrhea? Also, are you doing bland diet and Pedialyte to replenish fluids? Have you considered prescription diet? What kind of kibble are you feeding? Do you give Heartguard?

[greyhead]

https://sites.google.com/site/tickbornediseaseindogs/

 

I also think you should see the group's vet. In my experience, vets who have little experience with TBD's aren't as good at treating them. Above is an excellent web site on TBD's, written by a man who's prominent on the Tick List. Ehrlichiosis is a clickable link in the column on the right.

 

I'd also add that some of the symptoms generally cited for a given TBD are dire and only seen when the disease is very advanced. However, dogs that have the less florid symptoms are also sick and deserve treatment. One of ours had Babesia and Lyme and led what I'd call a less than optimal life for several years until we ran TBD tests and found them. Our vets hadn't thought to test because there aren't many TBD problems in our state. But TBD's can be contracted anywhere from the farm to the track and be dormant for years, so state of current residence is pretty much irrelevant.

[hidoey]

Hi Jill,

 

This is Jackie - we met you, Loch, Teagan and Scott in Green Lane on Sunday. So glad you found this site! I'm sure you will get some good advice for your sweet Loch. He truly is a gorgeous boy, and we were happy to meet you.

 

I'm sorry Loch is not feeling well, and am hoping for better news to come. Give him a hug from us.

 

Jackie, Ty, Dazzle and Tangerine

[Guest mowreyAZ]

Great information here and I had to read it because our amber has had many of the same symptoms since Going north from the gulf coast on vacation. I will have to investigate erlichia more our vet original diagnosised her as diabetic and with irriatatiable bowel disease.

 

Best of luck with Loch he sounds like a wonderful happy guy

[Burpdog]

doxy not long enough should be 5mg per # of body weight twice a day for 8 weeks.

[tbhounds]

I second the idea to consult with Osu. How was his CBC? Platelets and WBC decreased??

[Charlies_Dad]

You've gotten some good advice so far. Sounds like it would be a good thing to bring your boy to the group's vet and/or consult with OSU. Based on the reaction of Loch, it seems he was not on Doxy long enough but it would best to obtain another vet's opinion.

[tbhounds]

doxy not long enough should be 5mg per # of body weight twice a day for 8 weeks.

I have seen data showing it should be 10mgs/# for 6-8 weeks (dosage can be divided throughout the day into 2 or 3 times daily). So, a 60# dog would give 600mgs daily. It can be given 300mgs twice daily or 200mgs three times daily. Always given with food

[dobelvr]

My Stosh has been treated several times for ehrlichia. Three Weeks on doxy is definitely not long enough. Try to take him to your groups vet. Its important for the treating vet to be knowledgeable about TBD. Stosh is going to see the the vet tonight for a swollen foot. We believe it is related to this dx. A round of doxy clears it up pretty fast. There is lots of good info here on ways to support him during this crisis. My dogs always liked vanilla ensure. I buy the generic brand. Since

Stosh was only two when diagnosed we always look at this dx first when he has a problem. He's nine and other than the occasional swollen foot pretty happy and healthy. We live in Reading,Pa but Stosh came from Fla. Hope he starts feeling better.

[Guest Lochshumans]

Thanks for all of this great information, we're going to reach out to the rescue to see if they can help with costs. The rescue spoke directly with our vet today and they would like to try him on 400mg on doxy for 4 weeks and a heavy dose of Batril for 2 weeks. They believe the Batril will knock it out of his system. Loch too has had swelling on his legs that his initial round of doxy took care of. He also has a viral tumor on his neck that we were told is not cancerous at this time

 

Stosh is going to see the the vet tonight for a swollen foot. We believe it is related to this dx. A round of doxy clears it up pretty fast. There is lots of good info here on ways to support him during this crisis.

 

. he's also more lethargic than he was when we first got him home. He is currently on prescription I/D and is taking 5-6 cups daily and is still losing weight.

 

I second the idea to consult with Osu. How was his CBC? Platelets and WBC decreased??

 

His WBC from his most recent test was low, but the vet didn't feel it was significant enough to indicate anything.

Hi Jill,

 

This is Jackie - we met you, Loch, Teagan and Scott in Green Lane on Sunday. So glad you found this site! I'm sure you will get some good advice for your sweet Loch. He truly is a gorgeous boy, and we were happy to meet you.

 

I'm sorry Loch is not feeling well, and am hoping for better news to come. Give him a hug from us.

 

Jackie, Ty, Dazzle and Tangerine

It was great to meet you too! Thanks so much for the forum recommendation, we feel like we're getting a lot of great info so far.

[Guest Mom2Comet]

Just went through this with Jit (Jit Black Bear). He was on doxycycline for 8 weeks, 400 mg a day. He's 90 lbs. Doxy is cheap! Baytril is very expensive. Nup (Pre Nup) was on it for several weeks for a bacterial blood infection this summer. Ohio State treated them both (they were both altered at OSU as part of their research they are doing).

 

You need to find a vet that is familiar with greyhounds. We have a medical packet posted on our website, www.greyhoundadoptionofoh.org under the resources section compiled by Bill Feeman III, DVM who is active in greyhound care and works with Dr. Couto at Ohio State.

 

Best wishes!

[Guest Lochshumans]

Update on Loch

We began the Baytril and Doxy recently. On Thursday we noticed Loch's gait changed slightly, but we couldn't identify which leg was bothering him. For 2 days things seemed to be ok, however when we woke up this morning his back hip and leg was swollen and very red and hot to the touch. We ended up at the emergency clinic today and aside from adding amoxicillan to the list of meds, they didn't know what else to do with him. Loch has also lost about 3 more pounds in the past 2.5 weeks since he was at the vet getting his bloodwork done. We don't know where to go from here with our sweet boy, but he is struggling. How would I go about using Ohio State? Our vet has admitted they don't know what to do and have even reached out to a grehound specialist in CA, but still don't seem to know what is going on. Our rescue continues to feel this is chronic ehlichia and don't believe there is much more we can do because it can be fatal in the chronic stage. They also informed us that they found out 5 other dogs that came from his farm have ehrlichia, not sure their status. Any advice would be great.

[Batmom]

Here is the website for Ohio State's consultation service: https://greyhound.osu.edu/consultationservice/

 

I'm so sorry your pup isn't well.

[mychip1]

So sorry.....many prayers.....

[LadyGrey]

My fervent prayers are going up for Loch right now. I am sorry you are going through such a time with the vet and this condition. Positive prayers for complete solutions and health for sweet Loch. This is a wonderful forum with a wealth of information - and good information and people who truly care. Please keep up posted.

[RedHead]

Wow, I really don't have any suggestions, but what an ordeal to go through with your first grey! You are amazing for taking on a dog with all of these problems. I really hope OSU can help you out.

[sweetdogs]

I'm so sorry Loch is struggling so. Have you joined the tick list (Tick L)? Some of the info is the same as the on the link greyhead posted but I hope you find something here to help too: http://saluqi.home.netcom.com/ticklinks.htm

 

I will say that in certain diseases (lyme & inflammatory arthritis & tick-borne disease), the patient often gets much worse before they get better (called a jarisch herxheimer reaction http://www.lymediseaseblog.com/jarisch-herxheimer-reaction-lyme-disease/ ) & it can be very severe. I fervently hope that's what's happening with Loch, as painful as it might be for him. So don't give up yet, even if your vet does. Get in touch with OSU & post on the tick-L & keep reading. My very best wishes for your boy.

[Guest OurLacyandJax]

Our Jax had severe GI issues when we first got him - poor thing could not hold it in, and had to let go of his bowels quite a few times before we could get him outside. He was suffering and lost a lot of weight also. But the Hill's I/D food changed all that, and stabilized it. That was about 4.5 years ago. He has his loose poop every now and then, but he gained all his weight back pretty much right after that. So - if at all, it is GI related, I/D should help.

 

OSU is wonderful - start the consult right away. They might direct you to send the sample to North Carolina State Univ's Vector Borne Disease Diagnostic Lab. (I'd say, you might have to wait till you are done with Doxy though, for the sample to be taken).

 

What is his WBC at right now? You are doing all the right things with the Doxy.

 

Just hang in there with Loch. Thoughts and prayers.

[Guest Lefty]

Hi! I'm looking for an update on Loch. We got a dog from the same rescue and are also having issues with erlichia. Our girl, Joppa seemed fine in every way when we picked her up the day after Thanksgiving. However, during her routine bloodwork at the vet, they could not get her blood draw area to stop bleeding. They put a pressure bandage on and sent her home with us. A few days later they called and told us to bring her in immediately. Her platelets were so low the feared she may start to spontaneously bleed. She was tested for and came back positive for erlichia. The assumption is that it is chronic because she has no outward symptoms at all. We did four weeks of doxy. Her platelets came up beautifully. As soon as she was off the doxy, they crashed. We are now on four more weeks of doxy. We were also told by the rescue to try baytril with doxy, but our vet did not think the baytril was necessary.

 

I have, and you should, request Loch's medical records from the animal hospital that treated him while he was at the kennel. I am waiting for them to come in the mail. When I get them, I am going to pay the $50 for a consult with OSU. It seem like a small price to pay on top of the $1500 we have already spent. I absolutely love my girl to death and just want her to be well. I hope Loch is doing better. Please feel free to email me if you want to talk further mkomlosy@msn.com

 

As far as the GI issue goes, Joppa is our third greyhound and the only one who makes gorgeous poop. LOL Our first boy, Lefty, who passed from lymphoma, always had terrible stool. Our boy, Dothan, is on Hill's because if he eats any type of high protein anything, he immediately has diarrhea and loses weight. I think poop is a big issue with this breed in general, and probably is not related to erlichia.

 

Marie

[Guest IrskasMom]

I recomment highly as others have to contact OSU . DVM Bill Feeman was a regular here on GT.

[forevergrey]

I believe Imidocarb is also sometimes used in conjunction with doxy. http://www.vetinfo.com/treating-canine-ehrlichiosis-with-imidocarb-imizol.html#b

[cozmicdog]

Please keep us updated on how Loch and Joppa are doing! My boy had an acute presentation of ehrlichia and was treated successfully with Doxy, but it was a scary time. Now I'm a little paranoid and will probably continue to have blood work done on him on a regular basis just to be safe (and hope for no recurrence.) I feel for both of you!