Kaiser update

 Thanks so much for all the support and well wishes, everyone...it really means a lot. I'm so worried about him. Amanda sent me a link to a support group for the disease, so i joined it and have been reading a lot. I just hate that he's so darn young and we're dealing with such a major disease. A friend of mine has a GSD with this disease as well, so i talked to her today. She said her GSD was on this exact same treatment and it really helped him, but it came back without the meds. All the meds are running me about $120-150/month, which kind of sucks but it's not too bad i don't guess. Thank goodness we have a veterinary compounding pharmacy where i can get my cyclosporine for only $80/month!

Make sure it's ... I *think* it's the "modified" one the dogs need.  That's not always specified correctly -- Val and Gratefuldawg BOTH have their dogs on it (they both have IMHA) -- the other one isn't absorbed as well and it just doesn't work properly.  You may want to check thru some of that huge IMHA thread because it's got a whole lot about the whole auto-immune and cyclosporine thing.

Age seems to be no deterrent to auto-immune.  Have you been able to figure out what may have actually triggered the auto-immune response?  I know your background and I'm sure that's not a popular question to ask you, but trying to figure out what may have triggered it can often help you get THRU the disease without relapses. 

If it makes you feel any better -- when Billy was in the throes of IMHA 3 years ago (3 years ago RIGHT NOW,in fact) his meds were more than my house payment a month. 

 I have no idea what could've caused it. Most of his life he's had anal gland problems. Just a few months ago he had an abcessed anal gland that was cleared up with antibiotics. I moved in March, and last month is when he started showing symptoms, so i'm not sure if that could've triggered it or not. It's so common in GSDs i bet it was a combo of genetics and the stress of moving...who knows maybe even Josie has had something to do with it (I hope not!). I know my friend's GSD wasn't diagnosed until she moved up here from Texas.

Kaiser good thoughts and healing vibes to you!!  Hang in there Megan!

 I agree with whoever said it might be worth getting a second opinion - can't hurt, might help! Do you have access to any holistic vets in your area?  I've had the most success treating tough problems using holistic approaches vs. solely conventional myself.

You've got our well wishes winging their way to you and Kaiser right now. :)  ((hugs))

Kaiser had a follow up at the vet today. She said his behind looks way better and we're gonna continue with the same regimen. The only thing that concerned her was his weight loss-he is down to 81 lbs, 93 was the most he has ever weighed. She mentioned testing for EPI, but said we will wait and try to take away the ketoconazole first. She told me to give it a few weeks without ketoconazole, then take away keflex, and slowly take away some of the other abx so we will be able to tell what's really helping and what's not. She also recommended that i pick up some lactobacillus. He has really been feeling good this past week, so i'm optimistic that the cyclosporine is working. I really hope he doesn't have EPI- hopefully it's just all the meds supressing his appetite.

Glad the meds seem to be doing the job.  Hope his appetite gets better once the meds are done.  Fingers and paws crossed for continued improvement for your gorgeous boy. :)

RidgebackGermansShep

I really hope he doesn't have EPI-

  Is that endocrine pancreatitic insuffiency? One of the symptoms is loose or very soft stools because of poor digestion, so if his poops are normal I wouldn't worry. I'm really glad the meds are helping; keep getting better Kaiser!!!

Yeah, glad to hear he is feeling better and the meds are working. Kord was put on keto and keflex today for his allergies, not a route I wanted to take, but for the summer we are going to try it.

You go Kaiser!

jessies_mom

RidgebackGermansShep

I really hope he doesn't have EPI-

 

  Is that endocrine pancreatitic insuffiency? One of the symptoms is loose or very soft stools because of poor digestion, so if his poops are normal I wouldn't worry. I'm really glad the meds are helping; keep getting better Kaiser!!!

Yes. He does have loose stools. From what i've read in the past, i thought EPI was kind of like cystic fibrosis (pancreatic part) and people with CF have large, greasy stools. We didn't discuss it too much, she just mentioned it and it kinda scared me.

EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency) is very common in German Shepherd Dogs.  Loose stools, loss of appetite, and weight loss are all indicators.  This site has some very good information on EPI

http://www.dogaware.com/specific.html#epi

 Thanks tzu_mom, according to that website dogs with EPI have an increased appetite. Kaiser has decreased.

You are correct-----I was thinking of SIBO---they can be similar.  Here's hoping he's on the mend, either way.

 I appreciate it! I'll update as he improves/gets worse (hopefully improves!!)