The Last Couple Of Months Have Been A Nightmare

cakana

Environmental allergens are the mites and they tested her on 3 types. She was 239, 229 and 99

  Yep; anything over 150 was considered high in the blood test Jessie had, and she tested 1423 for dust mites. But ,she tested higher than that for various weeds and grasses, and this was when there was still snow on the ground and nothing was growing.

 " They worked with MSU and were told she was one of the absolute worst cases they had every seen.  I've seen the pics and it was horrid.  I believe they eventually were able to manage her condition by strict management of her environment, an expensive drug (the name escapes me, I think it started with an A), and a diet of ostrich meat and sweet potato.  The dog died at age 14 but my friend still sings the praises of MSU and how thorough they were, not ever giving up.""

  14 isn't too bad for a GSD. My regular vet had a very difficult case a few years ago; it was a Newfoundland. They tried allergen immunotherapy, Atopica, and steroids and in spite of all that he only had a strip of hair growing along the top of his back because he wasn't able to reach that area to scratch.

This is the link for the lab that ran the tests on Sassy. They do both intradermal and serum analysis and there's a lot of information on the site.

http://www.greerlabs.com/vet/vet.testing.php

Until you've had a dog with serious allergies, you can't appreciate how frustrating it can be. I thought we'd never get Sassy's under control and there were a couple times when she had the worst infections that I thought we might lose her. I added up the costs in one 3 month period of time and between the cultures, biopsy and medications, we spent close to $3000. The saddest part was none of it had helped her and that's when we decided to do the allergy testing.

I really am thankful and greatful for all the input on this, I can not thankyou enough.  I just got off the phone with the vet, he is recommending about eight different tests ranging from $200 to $300 a piece.  This vet's office had me open a care credit account and I am still paying it off but they no longer accept care credit!  Ugh.  They have actually recommended bank financing.  I have given them all of my savings, I have about a combined total of $400 dollars I can use.  

The vet is telling me that he thinks we are dealing with an auto-immune disease, because by now Mack should have seen big improvement but instead we are having all these side affects but no clearing up.  We were/are already on a heavy-hitter antibiotic and a high dose of Pred will bring a different set of problems in addition to what we're dealing with.  The low dose was creating several problems but not reducing any swelling.

I didn't find out until this morning that Mack did not eat or drink anything last night.  I brought him a pan of warm beef vegetable soup with extra water and he wolfed it down.  I added two more cups of water and he drank all of that too.  I do realise that this means he is hungry and thirsty.  He is not able or willing to get up to eat, drink, or go outside.  At 120 pounds, I am not able to pick him up.  Possibly if I had help, but my little boy is not an option.

We are running out of time and optiopns and this breaks my heart.  Everytime I stroke his fur and talk to him he thumps his tail.  He is still in there, waiting for a solution.

My vet's solution?  Do a search on the internet on auto-immune diseases.

Translation:  If you come up with the money, call me.

The way I see it, any allergy condition is sort of an autoimmune disorder, so it's a pretty broad statement. I do agree in general though and I think Sassy and Jessie and all the other dogs have autoimmune issues. I also understand what you're going thru in terms of none of the meds working to clear this up. I went thru the same thing. We did cultures & sensitivities, changed meds several times and were using some of the most costly antibiotics imagineable and still nothing was helping. They finally did a biopsy of the area to check for lupus or pemphigus but it only came back "deep infection" - yeah, no kidding. I also felt at the end of my rope both financially and emotionally. I'm not suggesting you do this, but after about 3 months and about $3,000, I said "no more". Oddly enough, my derm vet agreed with me. I just wanted to take a break from all the meds. I still gave Sassy benadryl but no more antibiotics. Guess what? She got better. It's just my guess, but the vet agreed on this also, but I think Sassy's entire system had gotten whacked out between the infections and the antibiotics and was just spiraling out of control. It was a bit risky I guess, but I knew that I could put her back on anything or everything, but I had to see what would happen. Anyway - I honestly don't recommend this unless your vet is onboard and you'll have to monitor carefully but I did want to mention it.

I can't tell you how much hearing stories like yours breaks my heart. I know what it's like to be where you're at and I wish I could help. You have the support of some good people who've been where you're at though, so don't hesitate to lean on us all.

Everything you put was one hundred percent right on accurate.  That is exactly what is happening.

Callie helped me locate a local vet with a different approach and if she will see him then maybe we can get this under a manageable level with a good quality of living for Mack.  If not, well I am planning on doing exactly what you did. 

On the good side, I just coaxed him outside to pee and got him to drink water.  I'm going to get more of the same soup and take this one hour at a time.  Our kitty Blitz is staying nearby, who knows; maybe he loaned Mack one of his nine lives.  :)

julesmac8

Our kitty Blitz is staying nearby, who knows; maybe he loaned Mack one of his nine lives.  :)

Awww..sweet kitty :)

Callie is super knowledgeable about the alternative treatments, so she's a blessing to have around too. I was headed in that direction myself but my husband was out of work and I just couldn't afford a new/different vet and the bills. It's absolutely worth it if you can afford it though and I know so many people who've had great success. I hope you'll be one of them too.

julesmac8

Callie helped me locate a local vet with a different approach and if she will see him then maybe we can get this under a manageable level with a good quality of living for Mack.

  Even though I originally said you need to see a derm vet, I think Callie may be right when she says this could be more than allergies. Unless Mack's feet are so sore he doesn't want to stand there is probably something else going on. Not all vets are like the one you've been seeing; some vets will arrange payment plans or offer services in exchange for you doing work like cleaning out their kennels. Like Cathy, my heart really goes out to you. I really admire how determined you are to help Mack even though you're in difficult financial circumstances. There were two times when we thought we might lose Jessie; once when her left leg swelled up and stuff was draining from her foot and another when the left side of her head swelled, the skin on her nose turned red, and she had blisters on her nose and eyelids. We are definitely here to offer all our support. Give Mack some lovin' for me.

I just wanted to tell you I will be sending good thoughts your way. 

cakana

Liesje

an expensive drug (the name escapes me, I think it started with an A),

I'm sure it's Atopica. It's what we use for Sassy and it is pricey but not compared to what we spending to treat all the infections. More importantly, it has worked wonders for her.

Yep, that's it

 jules; have you seen this thread;   http://community.dog.com/forums/t/91713.aspx. It's in the Spiritual Circle and it's called the" What If" Committee.

  The idea is that idoggers can post there asking for help in caring for their dogs, including financial help.

 Yeah, Atopica was one of the drugs the vet wanted to use, but she truly just can't afford it, AND pred wasn't helping. They'll use Atopica in place of pred because it's less harmful long term -- but when pred, itself, isn't helping there's more going on, I fear.

My dog greeted me with a thumping tail tonight after work and all these wonderful posts were like an extra giant hug.  Thanks for propping me up and helping me to be brave.  Frankly this stuff scares the willies out of me and my entire household.  Callie you have been tremendous support yet again.  You got me through the heartworm ordeal , and you have given so much of your time to help dogs like mine over and over.  The world is a brighter place with you in it.

Prayers, crossed fingers, and good vibes are all appreciated.

 I'm sorry, Julie asked me to post for her and this is sad.

The TCVM vet worked her right in with Mack, but after looking at Mack, confirmed what I suspected -- Mack was very sick and truly beyond what that vet felt they could help.  So she sent Julie to an "internist" (the guy apparently is known all over the US).  Julie took the rest of her savings and Mack and went right over there.

That vet did ONE test to try to determine if Mack had *any* liver function at all and to see if there was anything that could be done.  I talked to her on the phone -- the prognosis was just really really poor and with no real hope that even if she threw all the money in the world at it that there would be any positive outcome.  

So she let Mack go at the vet's.  It was peaceful (the vet simply made sure he went to sleep *first*) but Jules is extremely upset.  She asked me to post simply because she has appreciated the support but really just couldn't face having to post about it (she has to go home and tell her son, which is going to be super difficult).  

Keep her in your prayers folks -- this was horrible for her.  But apparently this vet said that what was wrong with Mack pretty well had nothing to do with allergies.  So she really feels bad -- she didn't fail Mack, she did all that love possibly could have done.  My heart is just broken for her and her family.

Mack -- that little Mostlie Sheltie you found waiting for you at the bottom of Rainbow Bridge -- he'll listen to you and show you around.  And he'll let you know that these folks on here will take Good care of your Mom because she loved you tons and tons.  But it's ok for you to be there Over Rainbow Bridge and out of pain.  

 I have tears while posting this; I'm so very sorry. Callie is right Julie. You did everything you could for Mack, and letting him go was the right decision. He's free of pain now and waiting for you at the Bridge. Sending huge cyber hugs to you and your son.

Run free Mack