Need help for puppy - Page 1

We have an amazing puppy, who was raised by a breeder who has abandoned us and has actually become hostile and aggressive to us since he was diagnosed.  They have manipulated Cabek's pedigree 17 times, and they have engaged foreigner friends who have made changes to his pedigree 13 times.  Our summer has been that of 300 years.

Both other dogs (GSD/little mutt) are certified therapy dogs with Delta/Pet Partners.  This puppy will certify too, but ---  maybe not for 6 more mos.

In view of the difficulties that we have had with our puppy, one of our friends made the page for us to help us with our vet bills.  Our puppy was 7 mos. old and almost lost his life from bone marrow failure that resulted from overwhelming infection from his own gut:  he was diagnosed with Congenital Microvascular Dysplasia.  We left our vet of 32 years because, he would have died without aggressive treatment.  We were sent to internal medicine specialist, and he was finally dianosed.  Cabek's vet bills have long passed $21K, and every bit helps us try to pay off the bills!  Also, our little mutt - the GSD CEO blew his anterior cruciate ligament and had knee surgery 3 weeks ago!

It's been an emotionally and financially traumatic summer for sure.  Cabek is doing much better, with prescription food and medications for life and will reach his first birthday this coming Saturday!

If this is not appropriate, Admin: please remove!  If anybody can help us with a small donation or sharing in social media we would appreciate to the ends of the earth!  Please watch the video at the gofundme link ---- CMD is rare in large breed dogs and our puppy has it AND he has UAP but, surgery will be a last resort because his liver cannot metabolize anesthetics like a normal liver - and he will likely be 2-3 nights in critical care recovery till the anesthetic clears. Additionally, we sent his DNA for DM:  he is A/A.  There is one puppy N/N from this litter, and one A/N.  Clearly, both parents are A/N.  We asked for results, and never received.

In advance thank you for helping us, or sharing in social media - and Admin - please remove post if it is not allowed.

http://www.gofundme.com/ax9jvg

Thank you -

Terry/Cabek

What kind of quality of life does this dog face with multiple problems, $21k later? I am NOT talking about the A/A thing...that'd be the least of my concerns...

It is the least of our worries.  His quality is so far very good.  He eats l/d food, takes medications twice daily, swims, plays, trains.  He goes to classes, he plays with other dogs, and has a gentle personality.  He has put on weight, almost 10 lb. since being diagnosed and treatment started.  His liver cannot metabolize nitrogenous protein, and his food is 18% protein, very low, so his weight gain has been slow/stable.  He is doing amazing in terms of focus and attention which were both less than great prior to diagnosis/treatment.  His life expectancy is that of any other now that he is eating the right kind of food and taking the medications. 

Problems can arise, with infection because his liver does not metabolize medications like a healthy liver.  Elective surgeries will not happen unless absolutely necessary - for the same reason:  his liver cannot metabolize anesthetics like a normal liver.

Prior to diagnosis, I fed him very high quality large breed puppy food (Orijen).  When he refused to eat but a few bites, I made him ground beef, ground turkey breast, ground chicken breast etc.  I never understood why he loved raw vegetables from a very young age, and would wait by the fridge for some raw vegetable treats.  Since learning about liver disease in dogs, it seems like common knowledge, but it wasn't to us.  I thought I was giving him good food, with high quality ground meat - but, I was increasing the load on his liver.  He is allowed to eat cottage cheese, quinoa, black beans - non nitrogenous protein - but no meat.

He is like a different dog since treatment started.  I have read about other dogs - some with a single, operable shunt and others with CMD etc.  All the anecdotes are the same.  Like a different dog since either surgery, or treatment initiation.  For me, it was amazing that he survived bone marrow paralysis.  He has always had life in his eyes - and I am by no means a person who would allow him to suffer.  We think that he is nothing short of amazing - to fight through his puppyhood, eating his food and feeling terrible after.... probably feeling great with a full tummy of raw veg.  I felt so guilty for giving him the lean meats that I did when he wouldn't eat: in other words, giving him even higher nitrogenous protein.... probably making him feel worse.  To see a puppy with life in his eyes through all that:  he deserved a chance, and we are so glad that we got a diagnosis and treatment plan.

This guy is an Ambassador for his breed, and he is loved everywhere he goes. So, to answer your question - his quality is amazing, he was worth getting a diagnosis, and he has a great chance to live his life with the right food and medications.  It was a terrible summer, worse than any other - but - like all bad things (and good), it is over, and it did not last forever.  Seeing a liver dog before/after ---- is like night/day, good/bad, black/white.  He will never get a big filet on his birthday, or a hamburgery patty, or even a bully stick or marrow bone.  But - he gets plenty of everything else that he loves and that he needs.  Thank you for asking -