Please Help!! Many tests, No results .. Very sick Rotty

Im very sorry to hear about your girl and I hope someone here can help you more than I can.... which shouldnt be hard[].  It seems strange that no one can figure this out with all of those tests!! 
 
This site suggests not feeding potatoes to dogs with symptoms like yours... not that I think that is the problem... but its the only help I can offer.
 
[linkhttp://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#addfood]http://www.dogaware.com/dogfeeding.html#addfood[/link]
"Warning: If your animal is having any symptoms of arthritis, inflammation, respiratory problems or any other conditions that involve swelling or mucous, stay away from the nightshade family (potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant)."
 
I sure do hope you can figure this out!   Good luck!

I am sorry to hear about your girl, and I may be way off base as to what is wrong with her, but here in the USA,  so many dogs had problems with the ProHeart6 and so many died, including one of my golden retrievers, that the FDA (Food and Drug Adminstration) "requested" that Fort Dodge take it off the market.  My Hunter died after his 3rd injection.  he died oct. 16, 2003 and it was pulled from the market on Sept. 3, 2004.
 
The 6 month injection had adverse reactions of autoimmune hemolytic anemia, liver damage, seizures, neuro problems that included lameness and paralisis plus a few other bad reactions.  In the 3 years it was on the market here, over 6000 adverse reactions were reported to the FDa and 599 deaths, and I know of some who have died since, that fought for up to 2 years before dying.  And the FDA says only 10 to 15% are reported.
 
We have had many people come to American boards from down there becuase they could not get the information they wanted.  According to what they say, any adverse reaction is reported to the proper government agency, but that agency turns the case over to the manuracture to investigagte, and naturally with the zillions of dollars it brings in down there, they are not going to find their product caused the illness/death.  One in Sydney who almost lost his "best mate" (the dog is still crippled in one rear leg),Fort Dodge "never finds anything wrong".
 
Five months after it was pulled from the market, Fort Dodge tried  t0p get it back on the market.  At the hearing many who lost or almost lost their dogs testified.  FD was not able to prove it was as safe as they had claimed.  They were turned down.  This was Jan. 31, 2005.  At that hearing they testified that they don't have the "complaints" in Australia that they do here and that the SR12 used there is THREE TIMES THE DOSAGE USED IN THE 6 MONTHS VERSION THAT WAS USED HERE..  If it was causing so many reactions here, I have to wonder what triple the dosage is doing to dogs in Australia--oh, I am assuming you are in Australia as you mentioned that yukky vegemite.  My Mom was Australia war bride, married my Dad in Perth back in 44, and I was born there in 45, and Mom and I came to the states in 46.  Mom brought some of that stuff back when she went to visit and I didn't l ike it AT ALL.
 
Anyway, here are a couple of questions.  How many injections of the 12 month heartworm preventative has your dog had.  Also, how soon did the symptoms start after the last injection.  As I said, I may be totally wrong, but since none of the tests reveal anything, this is something to really consider.  If you want to read more on what it did to our dogs, go to [linkhttp://www.dogsadversereactions.com]www.dogsadversereactions.com[/link] and click on the moxidectin section.  Once there, click on Memorials and that are several, probaly 30 or so , stories of dogs that either got sick or died after Proheart and maybe one of them will click with you baby's symptons.

Thanks sooo much for your replies so far.
 
I am looking at the websites suggested and can discuss her diet with the vet further to see what they think re potatoes. Generally would be the skins and only once a week, so I hope this has not been detrimental to her
 
As far as the Heartworm Injection, she received her last injection in Feb 06 and it is the Proheart like you mentioned. I will look into that further as well. (You are right I am in Australia Vegemite is GREAT haha)
 
Still have not heard from vet as yet re Joint and Lumbar Tests .. hopefully will hear soon   

Oh my gosh!  I was reading your post,,,thinking I wonder if  it could be a weakened immune system because of vaccinations and drugs,,,UNTIL I got to the HW shot.   I don't have to tell you anymore about that, since Sandra did...and when you read that link she gave you, you will see its much too too great of a possibility that it is the shot.   
People at that link will help you on what to do now.  Its so sad that there is any drug that stays in ones body, whether it be human or animal,  for 12 months.  How do we ever know when a drug will cause adverse reaction???  We don't! So to have it in your body for 12 months is terrible!    Please go to that website and look for help from people there that know more,,,that have been thru is as Sandra has.  I feel very very lucky that I found this forum when PH6 was just starting...because we had a Dane that was having allergy problems and I went searching the Internet for help and came across Idog where people were writing that their dog was very very sick or died after getting the 6 months shot....We knew to NEVER get it and sure enough Ollies vet tried to push it on us...but NO WAY!  Maybe that is not what the problem is,,,,but it sure is a good chance. He seems to have too many things going wrong with him, and it seems it is from a weakened system. 
Good luck!   I sure hope you can get lots of help...your Rottie needs it!!

Hi Suzanne,
 
So sorry to hear of your sick baby and all my good thoughts and wishes are being sent to you both.
 
To follow up on Sandra and Dyan's comments regarding proheart.  Here in the USA any toxic product requires an MSDS sheet (Material Safety Data Sheet).  The one for the 6 month verison that was approved here in the USA states that moxidectin targets are the gastrointestional and neurological systems.  One memorial that may hit home as it is another Rottie is about "Mack" [linkhttp://www.dogsadversereactions.com/moxidectin/memorial21.htm#mack]http://www.dogsadversereactions.com/moxidectin/memorial21.htm#mack[/link]
 
I hope this is helpful!

OH MY GOD!! I am getting more scared and angry reading about HW Injections. I have looked at the Australian Statistics of this drug including the reaction and sysmptoms and ALL her symptoms are covered. If anyone has a website that assists in information on how to reverse the actions of this drug please let me know. I am frantically looking into it at the moment in preparation on calling the vet who is looking after Keisha at present. My goodness time if of the essence and Im very very worried!!
 
After more thought, this is her third injection!!!
 
Thanks so much to those who replied, i think we may have something!
 
 

Suzanne, have you gone to the link that Sandra posted?  I ask because yes,, you need to find out right away what you can do to help reverse the actions to that drug,,,and that link has the people with those answers if there is any.
Laurryn, who posted above is the leader of that group, she knows so much and know people that know so much about this. Please go there, perhaps you can email Laurryn or PM her...she will answer you as soon as she read you are looking for help.    Many dogs in the US had gotten one, two or three of the 6 month shots before having major problems,,,,that was one of the reasons that so many people figured it was not the injection,,because it didn't happen right away all the time.  I don't blame you for being worried,,, we went thru this here for a few years...thank God they took it off the market here.

Hi Dyan,
 
I have been looking through the website, i just cant seem to locate the info that tells me how to reverse the effects. I sent an email to Laurryn like you suggested so will wait to hear. In the interim im still looking.
 
At the present im also waiting for my vet to call me so I can discuss this with him further? Im concerned that due to the nature of this they may not agree or listen to my concerns. Any ideas on how to go about getting them to get somethign started and listen to someone with no medical knowledge, just love for their dog??

Suzanne, I have faith that Laurry will get a hold of you soon. just that its 11 PM here,,,she could be down for the night, not sure. But I emailed her also. 
I don't know that there is way to reverse the medicine, but there used to be things that were suggested to help with the symptoms.  Plus there are others there to help,, people who went thru what you are now.  If you can find a place to write to anyone there...
Don't be at all surprised if your vet says its not possible that your dog is sick from that shot...because that is what many of them said here for the 6 month shot. Beware, and be prepared. Get together as much information as you can and take it to him, or take it to anyother vet if yours won't listen. 
But Larryn knows so much more,,she will help, I am sure!

Unfortunately there is nothing that can remove the drug or reverse anything.  It just has to wear off.  I remember one person saying their vet told them their dog would be okay if "it lived until the proHeart was out of it's body."  It didn't make it.
 
But now we don't know that the Proheart is the trouble here.  It came to mind as none of the test run showed anything and the vets seemed a little stumped as to what it is.  We aren't trying to scare you or anything, but it is something to talk over with your vet.
 
There are a few whose dog never left the hospital after getting their ProHeart--went into seizure or shock right then and died.  BUT Fort Dodge says it can't be the Proheart because it happened to soon.  Well, forgive my stuipdness, but if I take a dog into the vet's, he gets a shot or drug and within minutes is in seizure or shock, I am going to believe 100% it was that drug or shot.  There were some who actually got home and then their dog had the seizure or whatever and they rushed them back in. Fort Dodge says it can't be the injection as it is to soon.  It takes 7 days to get into the system.  Others had dogs have seizures or other problem starting 9-10 days later and Fort Dodge says it couldn't be the ProHeart because it would have happened sooner.
 
When it comes to liver and autoimmune disease, it takes weeks or even months to show up.  I live in a town of just a little under 9400 and I know of 4 other cases right here in my town where the dog had a reaction.  One was a great dane who went into shock before leaving the hospital, but was broughtr around.  Another was a chihuahua that belonged the former receptionist of my insurnace man.  That dog had an injection site reaction, plus was sick and they had to take it to the vet several times during the week following the injection.  The 3rd is a standard poodle that belongs to a lady at my church.  Amber started passing blood and throwing up blood after her 4th injection.  She is on meds the rest of her life.  If she goes off, she starts to bleed again.  The 4th is an aussie shepherd and she almost died.    My vet's assistant told me of her.  When she got sick after the lst proheart, they didn't think it was the proheart.  BUT she was really sick with an autoimmune disease after the 2ed one and as the vet told me, she was skin and bones before they got her turned around.  Quite by accident I ran into her owner over in Walmart in the next town.  I had a shirt made up, and if it is still in my puter, I will post the picture, with Hunter's picture on the front and over his picture, HE GOT PROHEART6, and under his picture AND HE DIED>  On the back I had a picture of a border collie mix that died in Wisconsin the same day my Hunter died here in Texas with the same wording.  Bandit was 7 year olds and it was his 4th PH6.  Ten hours after the injection he went into seizures that couldn't be stopped and 26 hours later he was dead.  But Fort Dodge told Sue it wasn't the ProHeart6.  I mean, Bandit was 7, never had a seizure, gets a PH6 injection and only that, and 36 hours later he is dead.  Sue gave me permission to use Bandit on the shirt.  Anway, I wore it every time I was in a area with lots of people and I carried fliers I made with info and if anyone asked me, I told them the story of Hunter & Bandit and gave the flier with where to find information.  Well there I was walking thru Walmart and this guy stops me and says "That stuff almost killed my dog."  Well, as he told the story I realized it was the same one the vet assit. had told me.   However, this guy had settled with Fort Dodge and once you sign that release you can not go on the web and tell your story, etc.  In fact, you aren't suppose to even talk about it at all.
 
As I said, we do not know that it is the ProHeart, but that is something to be checked into since all other tests were negative.  I am wishing you the very best for your baby.  My niece has an old rottie that has gone grey on top of her head and she looks like she is wearing a grey toupee.  Please keep us updated.

Its true that we don't know if it is infact the injection that is making your dog ill.
Certainly take all of his symptoms and compare them to the symptoms of the adverse reactions,,, and take that information to your vet.
 
I thought in the past there were things that were suggested by those that had gone thru this, to help, such as past treatments...or what to ask or tell your vet, etc etc.
This is why I suggested Laurryn or one of the others.   Sandra you included!

Thankyou so much Sandra,
 
The symptoms that have alarmed me the most are :-

• Vomiting - The vet cannot determine why this is happening
  
• Lethargy
  
• Depression
  
• Anaphyylaxis or similar as her immune system has been completely compromised (nausea)
  
• Shaking
  
• Panting
  
• Ataxia - involuntary movement of muscles
  
• Dyspnoea - shortness of breath
  
• CNS Dysfunction - There is very very strong evidence that is showing that her Central Nervous System is affected
  
• Behavioural Change - Gone from a loving caring cuddly happy dog, to very distant, uninterested. A very obedient dog, no longer listens to commands. Knew if she being Miss cheeky was in trouble, now there is no concern for reprimand. used to have anxiety with storms and would run around the yard like crazy ... now thunder and lightening does not cause her to blink an eyelid hence the next symptom ....
  
• Deafness - does not seem to hear anything anymore
  
• Distress
  
• Auto Immune Haemolytic Anaemia - Skin scabs (one appeared on her nose the minute she became ill) Lamess, Dandruff, Enlarged Lymph Nodes (The vet has not been able to explain why she has enlarged lymph nodes in her abdomen, which I now see is a part of AIHA)
  
• Spasms - Keisha has spasms in her neck muscles
  
• Inflammation - Is apparent as Steroids seem to help
  
• Disorientation - has walked into walls and doors
  
• Pain - The pain she is in is soo intense that not only can you see the physical pain she is in but also ...
  
• Vocalisation is occuring, her letting me know she is apprehensive to being touched, the thought of moving which I have read can be related to back and neck pain, all vets agree there are very clear signs of
  
• Neck and Back pain
  
• Myasthenia Gravis - Muscular Weakness and general weakness causing defect in the immune system - also affects the oesophagus and regurgitation (which is occuring many times a day)
  
• Slight signs of anaemia
  
• Rash - she has had a rash on her body at different times.
  
• Abdominal Pain - Walks like she is on egg shells, body is hunched up and wheezing shortness of breathe i assume due to the pain

Due to the Vomiting, regurgitating, enlarged lymph nodes, neck and back pain seemingly not being able to be addressed together as the same disease(?) by the specialists and theories up in the air that there may be more than one thing going on, seeing all these reactions together in one place really does lead me to believe that this injection must be playing a part. No where in the 8 months of me searching many websites have I seen all these symptoms come together in the one place.
 
Whilst this still has to be determined, i still feel i am closer now to finding out whats going on than ever ....
 
 
 
 

Many dogs had several of those symptoms.    One I can think of off hand is Murphy.  Her entire story can be found at [linkhttp://www.thepetguardian.com]www.thepetguardian.com[/link].  You can go there and click on Proheart Victims and the story of a few, including my Hunter, is told there.  You can just click on Murphy's Story and read  about all the symptoms she had.  She battled about a year from the onset of her problems until they finally decided to let her go.
 
When Proheart6 first came out, Fort Dodge said it was safe to give to dogs that were heartworm positive.  But then heart worm positive dogs started dying and the FDA told them to change that.  So they added to their label that if a dog tested positive for heartworms, treat the worms before starting on the PH6.   I believe that in 3 years, the FDA had them change the label 3 times, and the last one I know of, death was included in the adverse reactions and  that letter was written the day my Hunter got his fatal injection.
 
Canada became a little worried and told them to prove it was as safe as they claimed, and apparently they couldn't do.  Just a short time ago Canada had them change the label that PH6 was only indicated for dogs that no other  heartowrm preventative was effective on.  That warning and the letter is posted on Laurryn's site, [linkhttp://www.dogsadversereactions.com]www.dogsadversereactions.com[/link]. 
 
I have to believe if a 6 month dose here had such a high number of reactions, then the 12 month, which is TRIPLE the dose of the 6 month used here (and this is Fort Dodge's words, Dr. Rami Cobb has repeated it a number of times) then the 12 month has to much harder on dogs.
 
It is to bad the Australian government doesn't investigate the reports themself like our FDA does.  If so, it am willing to bet my last dollar the amount of reactions and deaths are MUCH higher than what Fort Dodge reports.  After all, they say most of the reactions/deaths here are not due to Proheart even if vets and FDA say they are.
 
Here many vets refused to believe it was the Proheart6 that caused the problem. Other believed it and stopped using it, and some never used it to begin with as they didn't feel there had been enough testing. 
 
I really hope it is not the ProHeart and that someother very treatable ailment can be found for your baby.  I would very much like to see a picture, so how about posting one?

Heres my baby girl, sorry it took me a bit to figure out how to get it loaded ...