easywolf32 Posted April 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 Tom you're more than welcome, anything to help the cause! I wish I had a few funds to spend I'd send it your way . . . I'm glad you can find the info of use to you. Blessings! and all the best. Carmen OFM Thanks again, to everyone for all your support and advice, I realize how lucky I am to have found this company and to even have a good steady job and good credit to be able to pay this... Now they can can go all out and do whatever is necessary to save the Wolf! I'll report with what the doc says tomorrow or in 24-48 hrs after the MRI results and would appreciate any advice than! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted April 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2013 I'm happy to say that Wolf has no tumor!! I just brought him home, he was at the clinic for 12 hours for his MRI! The diagnosis reads: Seizures and neurological deficit secondary a meningoencephalomyelitis (auto-immune disease highly suspected) Nothing was found wrong in his brain, the cortisone given the last 3-4 days may have reduced whatever was there however the spinal fluid showed some inflammation in the spine and brain. (I think that's how they said it) They also told me that they will double the cortisone since it's working so well (He showed great improvement since last Friday) and if I want to eliminate any other possibility that I can have them do an Chest/Lung x-ray, complete abdominal ultrasound, a blood sampling 4DX Elisa idx (To see if any parvo, heartworm, etc virus) and also a urinalysis, all for around 750$ more which I agreed to do even though that chances are they will find nothing. At this point I may do that as well. Total bill is 3250$ which 60$ a month for 60 months... interest included. I thought it would have been much worse so I am very happy. Now he will be on: - Keppra 750mg (anti seizure med) 2x daily for who knows how long (This one's hurting me badly around 250$/month) - Prednisone 50mg (Anti-inflammatory cortisone) 1 tablet daily - Famotidine/Pepcid 10mg (antacid to help with the blood that he was pooping) 2 tablets daily for 2 weeks - Metronidazole 250mg (Antibiotic for the blood as well in the stools) 1.5 Tablets every 12 hrs for 2 weeks - Gabapentine 600mg (Pain Killer) 1/2 tablet every 12 hrs for 2 weeks - Gastro food for the next week - Re-Evaluation in 2 weeks They were very surprised he had nothing in the brain..!! He is back and already eating. I am going to look into his Encephalitis issue and would appreciate your feedback guys! Thank you so much, so far everything is going good! I have a very good feeling about all this! I am happy he does not need surgery as well. I did the best I could for him, taking him on nice early morning walks in the forest, getting nice sunshine, he should do very good! Thanks guys!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted April 24, 2013 Report Share Posted April 24, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr Carmen OFM Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 YEEEEEEEEES! GREAT NEWS!! Metronidazole is also known as Flagyl and is used for urinary infections as well a powerful broadspectrum antibiotic. You may want to consider putting some probiotic bacteria in with his food to counterbalance the effect on his bowels the antibiotic will have. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that animals need to properly digest food. We've got them they've got them even termites have them . . . can't digest wood without them (at least for the termites!) either capsules broken and poured onto the food or if he's OK with dairy products a 1/2 cup of yoghurt with active cultures /day will do the trick, really helps eliminate the diarrhea that can come with antibiotic regimens. you can ppurchase probiotics at the local Chemist's Shops or natural nutrition centers. Some herbal or apothecary shops will carry it as well. Enjoy the reprieve! Blessings on you both!! Carmen OFM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted April 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 I'm just glad to say Wolf is doing MUCH Better, best I've seen him in the last 2 months even! He is to the point where he is almost ready to run and has done some fast bursts again. People cannot believe it... Friday is his follow up, the neurologist will be surprised when she sees me coming in with him! Everything is going great! I will do his next exams, urinalysis, blood sample, etc next. I'll do the x ray and ultrasound too for peace of mind, but mostly because I want to know or have a better chance of knowing what it is/was or how it was caused. Will update, thank you all again for your support, that was one week and a half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted April 29, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 YEEEEEEEEES! GREAT NEWS!! Metronidazole is also known as Flagyl and is used for urinary infections as well a powerful broadspectrum antibiotic. You may want to consider putting some probiotic bacteria in with his food to counterbalance the effect on his bowels the antibiotic will have. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that animals need to properly digest food. We've got them they've got them even termites have them . . . can't digest wood without them (at least for the termites!) either capsules broken and poured onto the food or if he's OK with dairy products a 1/2 cup of yoghurt with active cultures /day will do the trick, really helps eliminate the diarrhea that can come with antibiotic regimens. you can ppurchase probiotics at the local Chemist's Shops or natural nutrition centers. Some herbal or apothecary shops will carry it as well. Enjoy the reprieve! Blessings on you both!! Carmen OFM Will this do? http://www.skotidakis.com/en/products/product-yogurt-plain-500g-0-percent.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted April 29, 2013 Report Share Posted April 29, 2013 Really glad to hear things have turned out well for you!! I feel you on the medication costs though...Suka's pain pills (for arthritis) are almost $200 a bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Have you searched here? http://www.pharmacychecker.com/m/ Hmmm my dog is breathing fast, after meds, panting also, anything I should do until his evaluation thus Friday? He wet his bed last night too.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted May 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Wolf is doing great!!! He is walking up and down the stairs almost normally, he even ran a bit yesterday, everyday he's looking better and better, almost to the point of being his normal self. The only issue now is that he's panting and breathing very fast at night, I give him his Keppra and Metronidazole at around 9pm and the Prednisone around 7pm. Pepcid every 2-3 days, the blood in the stool has completely stopped, stools are now like a soft-hard brownish hay like normal looking poo. I have also stopped giving him the Gabapentine because he does not seem in pain? Friday is his follow up, and than they will ask me if I want to do Chest Xrays, Belly Ultrasound (Expensive), blood sampling and Urinal Test and some other weird name with numbers thing... Should I do all these tests? I want to know what happened and if it's completely treatable, I want him to live for 10 more years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr Carmen OFM Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 Will this do? http://www.skotidakis.com/en/products/product-yogurt-plain-500g-0-percent.php PERFECTAMUNDO!!! I like your taste, nothing but the best!! Greek Yoghurt is the top-of-the-line. Now, will your little angel take nicely for you? If he does about a half-cup (4 oz., 200g? or so . . . ) on a daily basis should do the trick. If you need you can increase the dose without harm as long as he's not sensitive to dairy products. All the best! Carmen OFM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted May 2, 2013 Report Share Posted May 2, 2013 I would definitely do a full blood panel, and a full urine panel. He may be panting like that because he is in pain - I know when mine is in pain, he pants exactly how you described...fast and short pants. Mine hides his pain very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted May 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 I forgot to mention an important part, my dog has autoimmune disease..."Other symptoms, which otherwise might be overlooked in the larger picture of a dog's health, include itchy, flaky skin, inflamed ears, excessive licking of the front paws, and swelling of the toes. If any of these symptoms are present, a dog may suffer from Canine auto-immune disease, and should see a veterinarian immediately."I was reading this article, not sure about the treatment.. Auto-Immune Disease Treatment for Dogs - Longlife Pet Supplements Research LibraryAnyone have any advice on this? What do I call his disease? Meningoencephalitis or autoimmune disease? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr Carmen OFM Posted May 7, 2013 Report Share Posted May 7, 2013 Some of this data is beyond my scope. I'd refer to a reliable veterinarian and ask away! they're the one's qualified and if they don't know, they have the resources to research and find the answer. When you go for your next vet visit bring along a pad with all your questions written on it so you don't forget one or the other area in the heat of the moment. All the best. Fr Carmen OFM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted May 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2013 Wow...big turns of events... Wolf's chest xray and urinalysis were fine but he tested positive for lyme disease in his blood sampling... We sent it to the lab to confirm it with an Elysa test and I was just confirmed today that it was slightly positive (Over 30, it was 32)... I am glad that we have found the problem but am one mad camper with my original vet who refused to believe that it could be lyme disease when I told her...it would have costed me 120 to diagnose it instead of 4000... Now I am confused as to if I should still be giving him Prednisone and Keppra.. He was just prescribed Doxycycline..Some advice here is appreciated. After reading this I am convinced it's what he has because Late Stage lyme disease produces encyphalitis and mengintis and seizures etc.. After reading this I am almost convinced that Wolf has been having Lyme Disease all these weeks: Lyme Disease: The Great Imitator By Brad McKechnie, DC, DACAN Lyme disease is a multisystem disease with prominent neurological involvement. Lyme disease is caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi which is transmitted to humans through the bite of Ixodes ticks. The disease has been documented in 47 out of 50 states in the United States but is thought to be more common in New England, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and in the Pacific Coast area. The disease has been broken down into three distinct stages based on the presenting symptoms. Stage I Stage I of Lyme disease usually begins three days to one month after a tick bite with erythema migrans (a red papule or macula that starts at the site of the bite and expands outward to form an annular red lesion with central clearing) in approximately 50 percent of affected patients. The lesions average 15 centimeters in diameter, although some may be larger. The lesion is asymptomatic in two-thirds of affected patients and may cause itching or burning in the remaining third. The lesion usually fades in three to four weeks. In over one-half of untreated patients, multiple secondary lesions may develop within a few days of the primary lesion which are smaller, lack central induration, and may appear anywhere on the body, but generally spare the soles and palms. Additionally, the patient may manifest the following flu-lke symptoms which are associated with the skin lesion: polyarthralgia, myalgia, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, sore throat, fever, chills and lymphadenopathy. Approximately 10 percent will have nausea, vomiting, and right upper quadrant pain suggestive of hepatitis. Later, in Stage I, conjunctivitis, urticaria, and/or a malar rash may develop. Stage II Neurological manifestations and cardiac abnormalities are the hallmark of Stage II of Lyme disease. Nervous system symptoms may manifest while erythema migrans is present but usually begin one to six months after the erythema migrans has faded. Additionally, the following systemic symptoms and signs (in decreasing order of frequency) may be present at the onset of the neurological abnormalities associated with Stage II of the disease: headache, fatigue, fever, myalgia, neck stiffness, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, photophobia, and arthritis. The neural involvement in Lyme disease commonly takes the form of a triad of neurological complaints comprised of lymphocytic meningitis, cranial, and peripheral neuropathies, and radiculopathies. This triad of complaints is also known as Banwarth's syndrome. Neurological abnormalities are seen in 15 percent of Lyme disease patients and may occur in the absence of Stage I symptoms and signs. Lymphocytic meningitis is the most common neurological abnormality seen in Stage II of the disease and is preceded by erythema migrans in 40 percent of cases, may follow the erythema migrans by two to 10 weeks, or may be the presenting sign of the disease process. Headache is the most common symptom (seen in 50 percent) of the lymphocytic meningitis, with the patient complaining of frontal or occipital headache varying in intensity from mild to disabling. Extraocular eye movements may cause pain to be increased. The patient may also exhibit mild neck stiffness, seen usually on flexion, with Kernig's and Brudzinski's signs rarely seen. Photophobia has been noted in 10 percent of cases, nausea and vomiting in 25 percent, and low grade fever in 30 percent of cases. The symptoms may persist for up to one to two months and then resolve gradually over several weeks. Cerebral symptoms which may accompany the meningitis include somnolence, emotional liability, depression, impaired memory and concentration, behavioral changes, and fatigue. Associated cerebral symptoms are generally mild; however, more severe cerebral symptoms may result from encephalitis associated with the Lyme disease. In cases of encephalitis secondary to Lyme disease, the symptoms develop rapidly over hours to days. Patients may experience severe somnolence, hallucinatory delirium , disorientation, paranoid psychosis, catatonia, confusion, irritability, agitation, coma, as well as all types of seizures. Focal neurological signs in the form of hemiparesis, cerebellar ataxia, chorea, dystonia, athetosis, tremor, or possible Parkinsonia symptoms may accompany cerebral symptoms of encephalitis and may be gradual or sudden in onset. Myelitis is also associated with Lyme disease and is the most frequent severe central nervous system abnormality seen in Stage II of the disease process. The myelitis may take the form of an acute or subacute transverse myelitis which develops over hours to days. The symptoms of myelitis include: bilateral spastic paraparesis, Babinski signs, and loss of superficial reflexes; a sensory level between T4 and T10; and bowel and bladder incontinence or urinary retention. Cranial neuropathies develop in approximately 60 percent of Lyme disease patients and are commonly seen three weeks after the onset of the erythema migrans. Multiple cranial neuropathies are common. The most common cranial nerve involved is the facial nerve (CN VII). Facial nerve involvement accounts for 70-80 percent of all Stage II cranial nerve palsies. Weakness usually begins in the summer months over one to two days and proceeds to bilateral involvement in over one-third of affected patients, with both sides of the face becoming paralyzed within a few days to three weeks of each other. Outcome for this form of facial nerve paralysis is usually favorable with most patients experiencing a complete recovery within a one to two months period. The facial paralysis of Lyme disease is differentiated from that of Bell's palsy by the following three factors: Summer onset Bilateral involvement History of tick bite or erythema migranes The optic nerve (CN II) may be involved in Stage II of Lyme disease due to increased intracranial pressure, inflammation along the meninges of the optic nerve, or by optic neuritis. Recovery is incomplete if antibiotic therapy is delayed. Involvement of the trigeminal nerve (CN V) is in the form of sensory symptoms such as facial paresthesia, numbness, and pain that may resemble trigeminal neuralgia. The corneal reflex is generally unaffected and the patient usually recovers spontaneously within a few weeks to months. Cranial nerves III, IV, and VI involvement may lead to diplopia. Cranial nerve VIII involvement may lead to a hearing loss and vertigo. Permanent hearing losses have been reported, even with antibiotic treatment. There have also been reports of cranial nerve IX, X, XI, and XII, although incidences are extremely low. Radiculopathy is the last portion of the triad of neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease. Spinal and radicular pain associated with Lyme disease is generally worse at night and resistant to analgesics. The spinal pain has been characterized as having a generalized burning, gnawing or tearing quality that migrates. Once the pain is established it may last for months and eventually subside completely within a six weeks to three months period. Motor symptoms that may be associated with the intense radicular pain may include motor loss to the lower extremities twice as frequently as the upper extremities, diaphragm paralysis, cauda equina syndrome, or abdominal wall paralysis. Sensory losses are less common than motor losses and tend to be dermatomal and located in the lower cervical and in the T8-T12 regions. Stage III In this stage of Lyme disease, the patient may experience arthritis weeks to years after the initial onset of the disease. The rheumatological symptoms begin as migratory musculoskeletal discomfort involving the joints, bursae, and tendons. Joint swelling and pain appear several months later with the knee being the most affected joint. Destruction of cartilage and bone may occur in individuals with long-standing Lyme disease and lead to chronically enlarged joints. As one can see, Lyme disease presents a diagnostic dilemma to the chiropractic physician due to the myriad of neurological conditions that may be mimicked by the disease. An important aspect of the history in any patient with signs or symptoms similar to those discussed should be the investigation into the possibility of a tick bite in the recent past or the presence of the erythema migrans rash. Diagnostic testing for Lyme disease as well as available therapies will be discussed in my November article. http://www.thedoctorstv.com/forums/167-May-2-2-9-Avoid-the-Top-Five-Summer-Illnesses/topics/4333?page=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elyse Posted May 11, 2013 Report Share Posted May 11, 2013 Woah - that is a big turn of events! Don't know what to think. Maybe go to a specialist for their opinion? Get another lyme test done too - perhaps this one was a false positive, they can sometimes happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fr Carmen OFM Posted May 12, 2013 Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 Tom, Ihave to say I am really impressed with your level of research! Bravo!! I wish there were more out there who would take the time to investigate and not just matters Husky but in every aspect of life! It would save so much needless worry and speculation. Knowledge is power! Now, I suppose the question remains what to do about it . . . I really like Elyse's advice, it is very sage advice! Especially about the false positive that can happen. A lyme disease expert would be the source to investigate to get more insight should the repeat test prove positive for lyme's as well. All the best to you and your fur baby!! Prayers and blessings your way, Carmen OFM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easywolf32 Posted May 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2013 He is on Doxycycline medication now for lyme disease. Here's another good link: http://www.vintagegoldens.com/tick.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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