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by beetree on 12 October 2013 - 10:10
So happy for you and Cisco. 
by clc29 on 12 October 2013 - 11:10
Slamdunc....Ruger1....andhourspass....Jyl....Jenni....Beetree
You guys are very sweet....Thank you for your support, thinking of him and kind words......it means a lot.
Now we can focus on fixing his back so he can run and play like he badly wants to do. I have an appointment in 3 weeks to talk with a Neuro surgeon. Hopefully there is a way to fix the disk (L7-S1) without being as invasive as the first surgery to remove the growth (on same disk). I'll keep you informed.
Thanks Again.
You guys are very sweet....Thank you for your support, thinking of him and kind words......it means a lot.
Now we can focus on fixing his back so he can run and play like he badly wants to do. I have an appointment in 3 weeks to talk with a Neuro surgeon. Hopefully there is a way to fix the disk (L7-S1) without being as invasive as the first surgery to remove the growth (on same disk). I'll keep you informed.
Thanks Again
.by sunshine on 12 October 2013 - 11:10
Part1:
I have been meaning to write about my 10 year old dog Galaxy that had similar clinical signs as your dog Cisco. The cause however was different and now, it appears that the first clinical signs arose in January of this year when I brought him the first time to the Emergency Clinic thinking there was something wrong with his eyes. It was discovered that he had high pressure and was put on a steroid and I was sent to a canine opthamologist. He was diagnosed with uveitis and since it is difficult to ascertain the cause of the infection, no more extensive testing was done but he was put on an antibiotic as a precaution.
In May I brought my dog to our regular vet to have him checked. All in good order and he was given his 3 year rabies shot.
On 11 August (of course Sunday again), in the kitchen, as he rubs by me I think I heard a small cry. Was not sure and thought that maybe he had just slipped on the tile. I took him on a walk and he goes to the end of the leash checking out some squirrel and I call him to me and put my hand on the side of his face to reward him for coming back and he collapses within himself crying in pain. I immediately pack him into my car and take him to the Emergency Vet. Everytime anyone came close to his head, he would cry out. Thinking it was his ear, they had to poke in there and he was just screaming. Not having anything conclusive, they sent me home with antibiotic and tramadol.
On Monday I called my regular vet (and still thinking it was the ear) he recommended I administer some topical antibiotic and we scheduled an appointment for Wednesday. In the meantime Galaxy's condition continued to deteriorate. He would wake up in the middle of the night screaming. He was listless. Even stretching his legs out while lying, he would scream. Now it appeared that he had trouble eating. He could not open his mouth. I made broth for him to ensure that he remained hydrated.
On Tuesday his condition continued to deteriorate. On a walk I barely touched him near his rib cage, and again, he just collapsed in pain. I was horrified and felt so helpless. He was having trouble getting in and out of the car and I could not help him because just touching him would result in too much pain. Eating was very painful and administering any medication made me feel terribly evil and pained me as much as it did my dog.
What happened Tuesday was however important information for my vet. So now we are not dealing with an "ear infection". My vet took blood and also took extra blood to be stored in the event it would be needed for further testing He was given a prednisone shot. By the end of the week all the tests came back except one, all negative. The pred helped through Friday but Galaxy continued to deteriorate that weekend and I was asking myself if this was fair to him, to let him go through so much pain and already spoke with the vet that does in home euthanization. Galaxy continued to be on steroids and antibiotics and I continued to give him tramadol for pain.
I have been meaning to write about my 10 year old dog Galaxy that had similar clinical signs as your dog Cisco. The cause however was different and now, it appears that the first clinical signs arose in January of this year when I brought him the first time to the Emergency Clinic thinking there was something wrong with his eyes. It was discovered that he had high pressure and was put on a steroid and I was sent to a canine opthamologist. He was diagnosed with uveitis and since it is difficult to ascertain the cause of the infection, no more extensive testing was done but he was put on an antibiotic as a precaution.
In May I brought my dog to our regular vet to have him checked. All in good order and he was given his 3 year rabies shot.
On 11 August (of course Sunday again), in the kitchen, as he rubs by me I think I heard a small cry. Was not sure and thought that maybe he had just slipped on the tile. I took him on a walk and he goes to the end of the leash checking out some squirrel and I call him to me and put my hand on the side of his face to reward him for coming back and he collapses within himself crying in pain. I immediately pack him into my car and take him to the Emergency Vet. Everytime anyone came close to his head, he would cry out. Thinking it was his ear, they had to poke in there and he was just screaming. Not having anything conclusive, they sent me home with antibiotic and tramadol.
On Monday I called my regular vet (and still thinking it was the ear) he recommended I administer some topical antibiotic and we scheduled an appointment for Wednesday. In the meantime Galaxy's condition continued to deteriorate. He would wake up in the middle of the night screaming. He was listless. Even stretching his legs out while lying, he would scream. Now it appeared that he had trouble eating. He could not open his mouth. I made broth for him to ensure that he remained hydrated.
On Tuesday his condition continued to deteriorate. On a walk I barely touched him near his rib cage, and again, he just collapsed in pain. I was horrified and felt so helpless. He was having trouble getting in and out of the car and I could not help him because just touching him would result in too much pain. Eating was very painful and administering any medication made me feel terribly evil and pained me as much as it did my dog.
What happened Tuesday was however important information for my vet. So now we are not dealing with an "ear infection". My vet took blood and also took extra blood to be stored in the event it would be needed for further testing He was given a prednisone shot. By the end of the week all the tests came back except one, all negative. The pred helped through Friday but Galaxy continued to deteriorate that weekend and I was asking myself if this was fair to him, to let him go through so much pain and already spoke with the vet that does in home euthanization. Galaxy continued to be on steroids and antibiotics and I continued to give him tramadol for pain.
by sunshine on 12 October 2013 - 12:10
Part 2:
On the 21st of August, Galaxy's last test came back. He was Bartonella positive. Bartonella is also known as cat scratch fever (a vector borne disease). He was put on the antibiotic AZT and super Predenisone at a high dosage. Galaxy has had now 6 weeks of the antibiotic and is currently being weaned from the prednisone. He is once again full of life. The experience over the past few weeks is something I would not want to repeat. I feel an overwhelming thankfulness to our primary care Veterinarian for helping us get through this.
The assumption at this time is that the bartonella triggered Galaxy's autoimmune system (keeping also in mind that he was given his Rabies shot in May). This created the clinical signs for Galaxy of uveitis in his eyes (glaucoma) and a neuro muscular reaction resulting in excruciating pain and the beginning of muscle atrophy. At one point I had discussions with my vet to have muscle biopsies done of muscles in his head and thigh to confirm if he had Myasthenia Gravis. By that time Galaxy was already being treated as if he had it and the bartonella results had come in. Bartonella created the clinical signs of Myasthenia Gravis.
The testing facility in the US is at the University of North Carolina. It takes about 7 days for results to return as they need to cultivate the bacteria. I have found 2 videos on this subject that might emphasize the importance of recognizing this bacteria as the cause of clinical signs in both man and animal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZImyyRzi70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5g_PVSIA_0
So glad that Cisco, who went through something so similar is also doing well.
On the 21st of August, Galaxy's last test came back. He was Bartonella positive. Bartonella is also known as cat scratch fever (a vector borne disease). He was put on the antibiotic AZT and super Predenisone at a high dosage. Galaxy has had now 6 weeks of the antibiotic and is currently being weaned from the prednisone. He is once again full of life. The experience over the past few weeks is something I would not want to repeat. I feel an overwhelming thankfulness to our primary care Veterinarian for helping us get through this.
The assumption at this time is that the bartonella triggered Galaxy's autoimmune system (keeping also in mind that he was given his Rabies shot in May). This created the clinical signs for Galaxy of uveitis in his eyes (glaucoma) and a neuro muscular reaction resulting in excruciating pain and the beginning of muscle atrophy. At one point I had discussions with my vet to have muscle biopsies done of muscles in his head and thigh to confirm if he had Myasthenia Gravis. By that time Galaxy was already being treated as if he had it and the bartonella results had come in. Bartonella created the clinical signs of Myasthenia Gravis.
The testing facility in the US is at the University of North Carolina. It takes about 7 days for results to return as they need to cultivate the bacteria. I have found 2 videos on this subject that might emphasize the importance of recognizing this bacteria as the cause of clinical signs in both man and animal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZImyyRzi70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5g_PVSIA_0
So glad that Cisco, who went through something so similar is also doing well.
by starrchar on 12 October 2013 - 12:10
What fantastic news! I'm so happy for you and Cisco! Bless you for being such a loving and caring caregiver for your special boy!
by hexe on 12 October 2013 - 18:10
Whooohooo! I've been thinking about both Cisco and Galaxy the past few weeks and wondering how each was doing in their recovery. Both dogs were blindsided--as were their owners AND their vets!--by unusual ailments, and it took real persistence on the part of the latter two parties to finally get a handle on the problem. We all know the adage about hearing hoofbeats usually means horses, but can't forget that occasionally zebras do wander off the savannah and into the sheep meadow, too. So glad both dogs are getting back to normal!
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