Guest KTPrime Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Optimus hasn't been doing well. It started with him not wanting to walk (he has always loved walks. I used to to say he would walk all day long if my schedule allowed), and then I noticed he seemed off balance and was tripping over things, and would occasionally bonk his head while turning around. Took him to the vet who said he might be losing his peripheral vision. After discussing his symptoms in more detail, she said it sounded like a central nervous system issue, and that he may have lesions in that part of his brain. All his outward vital signs are healthy, but it seems like he's aged 10 years in two months. He walks very very slowly, doesn't play with his toys, and just seems like a muted version of himself. I feel like I'm already mourning his loss even though he's still here. We're discussing options with the vet but basically it boils down to they can't really tell without an MRI (about 2.5k, a little hard for me to come up with right now, and even then we might not learn anything that could help him). Worst case scenario is a tumor, a slightly better scenario would be inflammation or infection, though we had him on antibiotics for a couple weeks and didn't really notice a difference. I have a follow-up call with my vet this week to discuss next steps, which very well may be just wait and see.I feel heartbroken. He just turned 7 in October, and I thought we had so much more time before we had to deal with stuff like this. I can't imagine going a single day without seeing my boy, and I just have no idea what to expect next. I'm trying to enjoy the good moments we have, but he just doesn't seem happy I guess, like he used to. I keep thinking back to when he had a vestibular event in August (vet says she can't say definitely that it was related to the current symptoms. He had completely recovered until now), and when I thought I was going to lose him, and there are no words for the complete and total devastation I felt. Hysterical is probably the best description for how I reacted. I just don't know how to deal with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opals_mom Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I'm so sorry - hugs to you and Optimus Quote Missing my bridge greys Opal and Eden and cat Bailey. Mom to Missy the Super Mutt and recent foster failure of Miley to mini-mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neighsayer Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Hugs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Check his thyroid--run a full panel then, see a neurologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest normaandburrell Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 I am so sorry you are going through this. Prayers for both you and Optimus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlc Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Sending good thoughts for you and Optimus. Quote Laura, mom to Luna (Boc's Duchess) and Nova (Atascocita Venus).Forever in my heart, Phantom (Tequila Nights) and Zippy (Iruska Monte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greypuppyluv Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Are you near a desert area or could he have raced near the desert? If other tests don't pan out, you could consider testing for tick diseases or Valley Fever. I hope you are able to figure out a cause and find a cure. Quote Paula & her pups--Paneer (WW Outlook Ladd), Kira & Rhett (the whippets)Forever in my heart...Tinsel (Born's Bounder - 11/9/90-12/18/01), Piper, Chevy, Keno, Zuma, Little One, Phaelin & WinnieGreyhound Adoption Center ~ So Cal rep for Whippet Rescue And Placement For beautiful beaded collars, check out my Facebook page: The Swanky Hound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Yes, a complete tick & VF panel (at Protatek in Arizona -- not expensive) and a complete panel (they can do both for around $100) Where are you located? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Looking at old posts - looks like they are in the DC metro area. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Rita the podenco maneta, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndmommy03 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I'm sorry. Hugs to you both. Quote <p>Kim and the hound - RumorMissing my angels Marlow, Silver, Holly and Lucky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Sending healing thoughts for Optimus and a hug for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 It's so hard, I know. I second what was suggested above about seeing an actual veterinary neurologist. General vets are great, but there's such specialized knowledge involved in neuro-sciences that a regular vet just can't keep up with everything. If nothing else they should be able to give you some treatment options. Good luck.......... Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I agree re: checking his thyroid and also for TBD and VF. And seeing a neurologist if indicated. I can just feel your pain reading your post. Sending good thoughts for the best possible outcome. 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...
ramonaghan Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 So sorry you're facing this. Good thoughts and hugs to you and your boy. Quote Rachel with littermates Doolin and Willa, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our beautiful, feisty, silly Sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 I agree with the suggestions to run a full thyroid panel. While hypothyroidism isn't common and often overdiagnosed/misdiagnosed in greyhounds, it can cause the symptoms you're describing. I recently diagnosed a 7-yr-old greyhound with hypothyroidism who was showing very similar signs - off balance, lethargic, not playing, poor appetite. After starting him on thyroid supplement, all of those signs resolved. You can't diagnose hypothyroidism in a greyhound just with a T4 - you need to at least run the T4, free T4, and TSH. 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...
Guest KTPrime Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Thank you all for your kind words. Just got a call from the vet, apparently my Optimus is a bit of a medical mystery. His platelets are low, but there's no clear indicator of why, and no external bleeding. His thyroid was also slightly low, but she doesn't think that's the main cause, but maybe being caused by whatever the main issue is. Ehrlichia is a possibility (wouldn't surprise me, as I have lyme myself). We're in Northern VA, which is becoming the worst place for ticks and lyme recently. She mentioned possibly putting him on doxy for ehrlichia. Another confusing thing is his symptoms wax and wane. Thursday and Friday he was practically tipping over and bonking his head on everything, today he's much better. It's so frustrating to not have answers.She's calling in a few colleagues to look at his case, since she can't find anything to clearly unite his symptoms. She wants me to come in this week and test his platelets again. Just hoping for the best. My poor guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Is your vet aware of the difference in gh blood values vs other non sighthounds?? Sighthounds typically have a lower platelet count. They also have lower T4's. I would definetly requset a cTSH. You may want to consider consulting with Dr Couto http://www.coutovetconsultants.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KTPrime Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 She said it was somewhere in the 70s and that normal would be 150ish. I'm bringing him in this week and will request the full thyroid panel included the cTSH you mention. Thanks for your input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Platelet range per Dr Stack 80,000-200,000 Platelet range per Dr Couto 110,000-205,000 Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Rita the podenco maneta, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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