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#1
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serious infection - FOXTAIL?
About 3 weeks ago our 6-year-old border collie, Buddy, began showing
strange symptoms that something was wrong. Mostly it was his gait -- his rear legs just didn't coordinate the way they should, and for a border collie that is VERY unusual. He had a slight fever (although we didn't take a rectal temp, we could tell from his nose and demeanor). Then his gait got worse. The best way I could describe it is "jello legs," like he just temporarily lost control of them and they gave out. This is a dog who has never had any trouble with arthritis or anything like that. He has had tick protection, too, so it shouldn't be Lyme's. But after the jello legs, he would immediately get right up again and take off merrily on his walk. He has always been such a happy, wonderful dog. His fever seemed to get worse, too, and then he developed a "gag" which sounded like he wanted to expel something but couldn't. The gag was most noticeable during activity, excitement or eating, and rarely noticeable when at rest. And his abdomen was distended, as if there were excess fluid in it. So we made an appointment with the vet. Since we live in a remote area in Alaska, it meant that my husband had to drive him through the mountains (on a road that was no longer being maintained through the winter), about a 10-hour drive one-way. We knew Buddy had been eating grass this summer, and we also knew that we have foxtail growing in our yard. This year in particular, the dry (most dangerous) foxtail has been quite profuse because we didn't have early snow and it remained accessible. I collected a sample of the foxtail from our yard and sent it with my husband to show the vet. The vet took blood tests, x-rays, tubed his esophagus, fed him IV's, gave him antibiotics, and said he thought he had an infection or fungus, but he didn't know where or what kind. Sent him home with Zeniquin for 14 days. He didn't really think foxtail was the problem. At that point, I think he did all he could with the symptoms he could see or measure. That was 2 weeks ago. We have been administering the Zeniquin and feeding him with defatted unsalted chicken with boiled rice and carrots. (He LOVES it.) He has continuously eaten really good, although the cough has never gone away. Meanwhile, it became increasingly difficult for him to move his hind legs. Strangely, he continued to REALLY want to go for a walk, but he would get out there and just give out. It became more and more difficult for him to go up and down stairs. About 5 days ago he stopped drinking water entirely -- maybe that was because he was getting lots of chicken broth with his food -- but we wondered. He wasn't pooping normally either - seemed constipated, and when he did poop it was just a few little balls. And for a couple days he has been obsessively licking his belly. We decided to take him back to the vet. THIS time it meant putting him on the plane, because our road is no longer passable. Today Buddy and my husband left on the little 4-seater plane. Both passengers got Dramanine in respective doses. They made it just fine, although Buddy slightly chewed up the sleeping bag in his crate. Just before they left, we were petting Buddy, I was crying (thinking I might not ever see him again), and he rolled over on his back for more pets. For the first time we noticed an area near his groin near the upper leg that had some nasty blackish areas. It's a location you don't normally see unless you pull the leg out and look into the fold. I am wondering if maybe it could be a foxtail. PLEASE -- if anyone has had a similar experience, let me know. Mostly I would like to know what the point of entry looks like ... if the foxtail has been in the dog for a while, could there be a blackish looking area under the skin? It's not spots, like skin cancer -- more like blood vessels. Sorry for the long story, but wanted to try to include most of his saga. The poor little guy has been through so much. I told my husband to make sure they do absolutely EVERYTHING they can to make him well again. We hope it's not too late. We think we have a pretty good vet, but still we know WE are responsible for our baby, and if we have to demand the best care, we will! |
#2
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"JeanT" wrote in message om... About 3 weeks ago our 6-year-old border collie, Buddy, began showing strange symptoms that something was wrong. Mostly it was his gait -- his rear legs just didn't coordinate the way they should, and for a border collie that is VERY unusual. He had a slight fever (although we didn't take a rectal temp, we could tell from his nose and demeanor). Then his gait got worse. The best way I could describe it is "jello legs Meanwhile, it became increasingly difficult for him to move his hind legs. About 5 days ago he stopped drinking water entirely -- maybe that was because he was getting lots of chicken broth with his food -- but we wondered. He wasn't pooping normally either - seemed constipated, and when he did poop it was just a few little balls. For the first time we noticed an area near his groin near the upper leg that had some nasty blackish areas Look around here if the items below don't ring a bell: http://www.vetinfo.com http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dthrombo...rombocytopenia Endocrine disorders - might be worth an ACTH stimulation test for Addison's. I had a dog with Addison's and walking problems and inappetance were symptoms, though with this disease the symptoms can be vague and diffuse and first blood tests may not reveal an imbalance in Na and K: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/daddison.html Cushings can cause pendulous belly http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dcushing.html Lameness: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/doglame.html Tick diseaes other than Lyme: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/derlick.html Ehrlichia infection can cause a number of clinical signs. It can be extremely hard to diagnose due to the wide range of symptoms that can occur. Most dogs infected with this organism will have be lethargic, lose weight, show less interest in food and become anemic. Other possible clinical signs include hemorrhages under the skin or in around the gums, swollen lymph nodes, muscular or joint soreness, nasal discharges or nosebleeds, severe neck or back pain, blood in the urine and eye problems ranging from exudates to severe inflammation of the internal eye structures. Neurologic signs such as seizures and difficulty walking can occur. Respiratory or heart related signs can occur due to hemorrhaging and compensation for anemia if it becomes severe. Hemorrhaging occurs primarly due to decrease in platelet counts from the infection. While most dogs show a number of symptoms when first infected with Ehrlichia, there is also a chronic infection that can occur if the acute infection is not treated. In this case, the dog may appear to be normal or may show vague signs of illness occasionally. This is one cause of the complaint that "my dog just isn't doing right". The chronic illness can suddenly become very severe again if the dog is stressed in some manner or become less immune competent for some reason. The best method of diagnosing this disease is through testing of serum from the dog using an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Unfortunately, a positive test only indicates exposure Side effects of Zeniquin: http://www.zeniquin.com/body_04.htm Studies on Zeniquin: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/efoi/section2/141-151062699.pdf. Good luck to you and your pup. Let us know what happens please! buglady take out the dog before replying |
#3
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"JeanT" wrote in message om... About 3 weeks ago our 6-year-old border collie, Buddy, began showing strange symptoms that something was wrong. Mostly it was his gait -- his rear legs just didn't coordinate the way they should, and for a border collie that is VERY unusual. He had a slight fever (although we didn't take a rectal temp, we could tell from his nose and demeanor). Then his gait got worse. The best way I could describe it is "jello legs Meanwhile, it became increasingly difficult for him to move his hind legs. About 5 days ago he stopped drinking water entirely -- maybe that was because he was getting lots of chicken broth with his food -- but we wondered. He wasn't pooping normally either - seemed constipated, and when he did poop it was just a few little balls. For the first time we noticed an area near his groin near the upper leg that had some nasty blackish areas Look around here if the items below don't ring a bell: http://www.vetinfo.com http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dthrombo...rombocytopenia Endocrine disorders - might be worth an ACTH stimulation test for Addison's. I had a dog with Addison's and walking problems and inappetance were symptoms, though with this disease the symptoms can be vague and diffuse and first blood tests may not reveal an imbalance in Na and K: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/daddison.html Cushings can cause pendulous belly http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dcushing.html Lameness: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/doglame.html Tick diseaes other than Lyme: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/derlick.html Ehrlichia infection can cause a number of clinical signs. It can be extremely hard to diagnose due to the wide range of symptoms that can occur. Most dogs infected with this organism will have be lethargic, lose weight, show less interest in food and become anemic. Other possible clinical signs include hemorrhages under the skin or in around the gums, swollen lymph nodes, muscular or joint soreness, nasal discharges or nosebleeds, severe neck or back pain, blood in the urine and eye problems ranging from exudates to severe inflammation of the internal eye structures. Neurologic signs such as seizures and difficulty walking can occur. Respiratory or heart related signs can occur due to hemorrhaging and compensation for anemia if it becomes severe. Hemorrhaging occurs primarly due to decrease in platelet counts from the infection. While most dogs show a number of symptoms when first infected with Ehrlichia, there is also a chronic infection that can occur if the acute infection is not treated. In this case, the dog may appear to be normal or may show vague signs of illness occasionally. This is one cause of the complaint that "my dog just isn't doing right". The chronic illness can suddenly become very severe again if the dog is stressed in some manner or become less immune competent for some reason. The best method of diagnosing this disease is through testing of serum from the dog using an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Unfortunately, a positive test only indicates exposure Side effects of Zeniquin: http://www.zeniquin.com/body_04.htm Studies on Zeniquin: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/efoi/section2/141-151062699.pdf. Good luck to you and your pup. Let us know what happens please! buglady take out the dog before replying |
#4
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"buglady" wrote in message ink.net...
snipped here groin near the upper leg that had some nasty blackish areas Look around here if the items below don't ring a bell: http://www.vetinfo.com http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dthrombo...rombocytopenia Endocrine disorders - might be worth an ACTH stimulation test for Addison's. I had a dog with Addison's and walking problems and inappetance were symptoms, though with this disease the symptoms can be vague and diffuse and first blood tests may not reveal an imbalance in Na and K: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/daddison.html Cushings can cause pendulous belly http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dcushing.html Lameness: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/doglame.html Tick diseaes other than Lyme: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/derlick.html Ehrlichia infection can cause a number of clinical signs. It can be extremely hard to diagnose due to the wide range of symptoms that can occur. Most dogs infected with this organism will have be lethargic, lose weight, show less interest in food and become anemic. Other possible clinical signs include hemorrhages under the skin or in around the gums, swollen lymph nodes, muscular or joint soreness, nasal discharges or nosebleeds, severe neck or back pain, blood in the urine and eye problems ranging from exudates to severe inflammation of the internal eye structures. Neurologic signs such as seizures and difficulty walking can occur. Respiratory or heart related signs can occur due to hemorrhaging and compensation for anemia if it becomes severe. Hemorrhaging occurs primarly due to decrease in platelet counts from the infection. While most dogs show a number of symptoms when first infected with Ehrlichia, there is also a chronic infection that can occur if the acute infection is not treated. In this case, the dog may appear to be normal or may show vague signs of illness occasionally. This is one cause of the complaint that "my dog just isn't doing right". The chronic illness can suddenly become very severe again if the dog is stressed in some manner or become less immune competent for some reason. The best method of diagnosing this disease is through testing of serum from the dog using an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Unfortunately, a positive test only indicates exposure Side effects of Zeniquin: http://www.zeniquin.com/body_04.htm Studies on Zeniquin: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/efoi/section2/141-151062699.pdf. Good luck to you and your pup. Let us know what happens please! buglady take out the dog before replying Very thorough!! As for foxtails....usually they get embedded in the skin, under the nails, and then abcess. Draining the abcess and removing the foreign body is usually sufficient. Sounds like this dog has something systemic, at this point in time. Hope he improves. Linda H. |
#5
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"buglady" wrote in message ink.net...
snipped here groin near the upper leg that had some nasty blackish areas Look around here if the items below don't ring a bell: http://www.vetinfo.com http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dthrombo...rombocytopenia Endocrine disorders - might be worth an ACTH stimulation test for Addison's. I had a dog with Addison's and walking problems and inappetance were symptoms, though with this disease the symptoms can be vague and diffuse and first blood tests may not reveal an imbalance in Na and K: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/daddison.html Cushings can cause pendulous belly http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dcushing.html Lameness: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/doglame.html Tick diseaes other than Lyme: http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/derlick.html Ehrlichia infection can cause a number of clinical signs. It can be extremely hard to diagnose due to the wide range of symptoms that can occur. Most dogs infected with this organism will have be lethargic, lose weight, show less interest in food and become anemic. Other possible clinical signs include hemorrhages under the skin or in around the gums, swollen lymph nodes, muscular or joint soreness, nasal discharges or nosebleeds, severe neck or back pain, blood in the urine and eye problems ranging from exudates to severe inflammation of the internal eye structures. Neurologic signs such as seizures and difficulty walking can occur. Respiratory or heart related signs can occur due to hemorrhaging and compensation for anemia if it becomes severe. Hemorrhaging occurs primarly due to decrease in platelet counts from the infection. While most dogs show a number of symptoms when first infected with Ehrlichia, there is also a chronic infection that can occur if the acute infection is not treated. In this case, the dog may appear to be normal or may show vague signs of illness occasionally. This is one cause of the complaint that "my dog just isn't doing right". The chronic illness can suddenly become very severe again if the dog is stressed in some manner or become less immune competent for some reason. The best method of diagnosing this disease is through testing of serum from the dog using an immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test. Unfortunately, a positive test only indicates exposure Side effects of Zeniquin: http://www.zeniquin.com/body_04.htm Studies on Zeniquin: http://www.fda.gov/cvm/efoi/section2/141-151062699.pdf. Good luck to you and your pup. Let us know what happens please! buglady take out the dog before replying Very thorough!! As for foxtails....usually they get embedded in the skin, under the nails, and then abcess. Draining the abcess and removing the foreign body is usually sufficient. Sounds like this dog has something systemic, at this point in time. Hope he improves. Linda H. |
#6
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Posting this again, because I just realized my target is reading from
google, and I posted no-archive. I just recieved an email asking me to respond to a post on Foxtails and dogs. I missed the thread, and therefore am starting one of my own, as I have not been a regular reader of this group, and until I got the heads up, I had already cleared and tossed out all unread threads After having a dog suffer from a grass seed (fox tail awn) that he contacted a year ago, but finally showed signs last August (2003)that something was wrong (It took nine months! And it showed dark black skin and puffiness in his armpit, general maliase, and droopy eyelids. His temperature was normal. His bloodwork was normal. His organ profiles were normal.. He was shallow panting. His exrays showed he had a lung problem and surgery scheduled the following day. This was the surgery http://shell2.lomag.net/~moosedog/surgery/ |
#7
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Posting this again, because I just realized my target is reading from
google, and I posted no-archive. I just recieved an email asking me to respond to a post on Foxtails and dogs. I missed the thread, and therefore am starting one of my own, as I have not been a regular reader of this group, and until I got the heads up, I had already cleared and tossed out all unread threads After having a dog suffer from a grass seed (fox tail awn) that he contacted a year ago, but finally showed signs last August (2003)that something was wrong (It took nine months! And it showed dark black skin and puffiness in his armpit, general maliase, and droopy eyelids. His temperature was normal. His bloodwork was normal. His organ profiles were normal.. He was shallow panting. His exrays showed he had a lung problem and surgery scheduled the following day. This was the surgery http://shell2.lomag.net/~moosedog/surgery/ |
#8
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MANY THANKS to you, Buglady, and you too, Linda. My eyes are now
crossed from all of that reading! Erlichia sounded the closest, but still there were so many symptoms he didn't have, or even had the exact opposite. But as it said, that disease can be hard to pin down. Buddy saw the vet today. Some things are encouraging -- his heart is good, he didn't need any immediate shots or IV's, and he had gained weight since there 2 weeks ago. Vet now thinks it could be tick-related, possibly causing neuro problems. (Other possibilities are a fungus or even cancer.) Again, he didn't think foxtail was the problem. He took LOTS of blood (from both front legs) and sent out a number of tests. Buddy was put on Doxycycl HYC, Prednisone, and Carafate. From what I understand, they are an antibiotic typically used for tick-borne diseases, an anti-inflammatory steroid, and something to settle his stomach when he takes the Prednisone. He goes back again tomorrow. I don't know if they will have the test results done yet. Anyway, Buddy and Nick are going to stay there until they and the vet feel pretty confident that something is going to work. I don't understand why it would affect only the hind limbs, but suppose a neuro problem would depend upon which nerves were attacked. We live in an area that doesn't have ticks (Alaska) -- sounds pretty good to all of you down there who live with them, eh? We used to live in Wisconsin, so believe me, I remember the little suckers. Anyway, the last time Bud could have been exposed to them was this past June when he and Nick went back to Wisconsin. At that time the vet recommended a flea/tick collar, and he wore it the whole time..... Thanks to everyone for lighting candles for our sweetheart, and for all of your good thoughts. Jean |
#9
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MANY THANKS to you, Buglady, and you too, Linda. My eyes are now
crossed from all of that reading! Erlichia sounded the closest, but still there were so many symptoms he didn't have, or even had the exact opposite. But as it said, that disease can be hard to pin down. Buddy saw the vet today. Some things are encouraging -- his heart is good, he didn't need any immediate shots or IV's, and he had gained weight since there 2 weeks ago. Vet now thinks it could be tick-related, possibly causing neuro problems. (Other possibilities are a fungus or even cancer.) Again, he didn't think foxtail was the problem. He took LOTS of blood (from both front legs) and sent out a number of tests. Buddy was put on Doxycycl HYC, Prednisone, and Carafate. From what I understand, they are an antibiotic typically used for tick-borne diseases, an anti-inflammatory steroid, and something to settle his stomach when he takes the Prednisone. He goes back again tomorrow. I don't know if they will have the test results done yet. Anyway, Buddy and Nick are going to stay there until they and the vet feel pretty confident that something is going to work. I don't understand why it would affect only the hind limbs, but suppose a neuro problem would depend upon which nerves were attacked. We live in an area that doesn't have ticks (Alaska) -- sounds pretty good to all of you down there who live with them, eh? We used to live in Wisconsin, so believe me, I remember the little suckers. Anyway, the last time Bud could have been exposed to them was this past June when he and Nick went back to Wisconsin. At that time the vet recommended a flea/tick collar, and he wore it the whole time..... Thanks to everyone for lighting candles for our sweetheart, and for all of your good thoughts. Jean |
#10
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"JeanT" wrote in message
om... Vet now thinks it could be tick-related, possibly causing neuro problems. (Other possibilities are a fungus or even cancer.) Again, he didn't think foxtail was the problem. .......I would still keep Addison's disease in the back of your head. If it's Addison's the pred may make things better temporarily. Untreated Addison's can lead to a crash, which is life threatening. Might be worth asking for a test while you're there to rule it out if he hasn't already done that. I don't understand why it would affect only the hind limbs, but suppose a neuro problem would depend upon which nerves were attacked. ......I'm assuming that X-rays were taken initially? ..........Hoping they get it figured out and your pup recovers. buglady take out the dog before replying |
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