Eddy P. – AIHA

[Vally]

Carol, I’ve just sent you a Chart.

PS, You’ve certainly been through the ringer with Eddy and then your appendix and lung dramas. Make sure you take care of yourself.

Vally & Bingo
xxx

[Carol]

Hello,
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted about Eddy. Right now I’m at a loss as to what to do. My heart is breaking for my sweet boy. Eddy has been holding steady with his PVC around 43-44. His weight has dropped to 34 lbs. We haven’t been able to do much in reducing his medications with the exception of the prednisone and that was reduced from 20 mg per day, 1/2 in the am, 1/2 in the pm to 1/2 in the am to 1/4 in the pm. He seemed to be doing pretty good and then in March he came down with some sort of virus that had him throwing up and had diarrhea. We were able to get that resolved but he just hasn’t been the same. About 3-4 weeks ago I noticed that he was favoring his right front leg when walking. Then I noticed difficulty with his right rear leg. I took him in right away and my veterinarian said it looked like Eddy had a slipped disc, most likely due to the muscle wasting from the prednisone. Eddy was given tramadol and has been on strict bed rest. I carry him everywhere he needs to go and he eats a drinks while laying in his bed. Two weeks ago he felt very warm and sure enough, he was running a fever. He was prescribed doxycycline. He is just about finished with it but I know he is running a fever again right now. The last three days haven’t been good ones for him. His appetite isn’t good, he has trouble getting comfortable and the last two nights he is up most of the night. Tonight, well right now at 1:40am, his breathing is very deep and wheezy, that’s how I would best describe it. He’s a bit restless and doesn’t want water. The last two nights I have wrestled with my emotions wondering if this is the life Eddy wants or am I keeping him here with my because I don’t want to lose him. Two days ago he couldn’t support his own weight when he went out to potty. Today was better though and then I tell myself he is fine. But now I’m sitting with him here watching him struggle just to fall asleep. I’m sorry to be rambling on. I just want to do whats best for my Eddy and I’m not sure what to do.

[Sheena]

Hi Carol

Sorry to hear about Eddy feeling so poorly – good to hear he was doing well before this infection though.

I think Eddy needs hospital care if he’s weak, not eating or drinking properly. Can you get a Snap4dx tick test, a Lyme Disease test (suspicious in case this is the joint pain issue) & a poo test done? It sounds like Eddy has picked up something very nasty & he also sounds like he has a chest infection, bless him. Doxycycline is effective for most infections, but it needs to be high dose & for around 6 weeks to get rid of a tick disease. Getting an infection really knocks them for six with these drugs because they are immune suppressed & it’s vital your vet finds out exactly what he has, so that an appropriate antibiotic can be given.

Worzel caught what we guess was Giardia a while back – he was really ill with diarrhoea & went off his food. The vet gave him metronidazole until I could get hold of some Tylan Powder, which got him better. I was worried sick (nothing new there then!) & I know you are worried sick too. You just have to think of these infections as a glitch that must be dealt with I’m afraid. If you think he still has a fever, he needs to see the vet as soon as you can get him there. They need to get him back on track – the poor boy needs to eat, especially as he is still on a lot of medications. They also may need to re-hydrate him on a drip if he’s not drinking – that’s really important as dehydration is not what you want.

Carol, do you have any blood tests or any other tests/reports that the vet has done since Eddy has had this infection? If so, pop them on the Urgent Advice to us:

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/urgent-advice/

Everything seems much more terrible with this disease – we all feel for you. He sounds very weak & I really think the vets might need to keep him in until he’s feeling better.

Love & hugs
Sheena, Worzel & Ollie xxxxx

[Vally]

Hi Carol, I know you’re really upset watching Eddy.

I agree with Sheena that I think he may need vet attention without delay to sort out what’s going on. Yes ask for a copy of all tests and send them through.

Love Vally

[Patrice]

Carol,
This sounds like either canine influenza, leptospirosis or tick disease (erlichiosis?).

“Doxycycline” is specifically used for most tick diseases. And some tick diseases only respond to this drug. It has become very expensive recently due to shortages. So it is usually not prescribed unless absolutely needed.

This drug is very harsh on dogs and can make them feel very ill. This may account for his significant discomfort. Tick-L forum recommends that it only be given with food, preferably halfway through a meal, hidden in a very delicious treat. They also recommend that a dog not lie down after this dose, but remain upright and active. The usual supplements that are used to protect the stomach from ulcers by prednisone should also be used with doxy.

Treating evasive and clever tick diseases can require high doses for long periods of time.

Lyme is one of several tick diseases that can lead to symptoms of shifting lameness and neurological symptoms like facial paralysis. The spirochettes go deep into body tissues and into joints. It can also invade the blood brain border and that is when neurological symptoms begin.

Question your vet closely about the reasoning behind the use of doxy. Do they believe it is one of the three different diseases I mentioned? Have they done a SNAP4DX test? Sent out blood for more sophisticated testing?

I am guessing a lot of his discomfort is due to doxy and you can help him be less uncomfortable by trying some of the tips I mentioned. This seems to be the most common behavior dogs exhibit when taking doxy for tick disease. I promise that this treatment can be very effective so please don’t lapse dosing him until follow up tests show he is negative.

My best Patrice

[Carol]

Thank you so much for all of your input and information. I took Eddy to the ER today and his fever was elevated, heart rate was 160 beats/minute and respiration was 80/minute. He was alert but in obvious pain which I thought was because of the slipped disc. After being evaluated and having x-rays and blood work done, the ER doctor said that Eddy had cancer. This was something that my veterinarian had suspected about 2 months ago because we just couldn’t get Eddy into remission. I could not let my baby continue to battle one devastating disease and then have to tackle another one at the same time.

I found Eddy in a bush when he was maybe an hour old on April 21, 2005 at about 5:30 pm on an overcast, windy day. Eddy left his life on earth at 5:30 pm today. Eddy not only survived but he thrived! He has had a piece of my heart from the moment I found him and he will always have that piece of my heart. Eddy is now with his furry family members who were waiting for him on the other side of the rainbow bridge. I know he is rolling in the grass, barking at the wind and more importantly, healthy again.

Thank you again for all the advice, help and especially the guidance and support you have given, not only to me but to countless others who have had to journey through AIHA. We were able to spend seven more months with my sweet boy thanks to all of you. <3

[Vally]

Dear Carol, I’m so sorry you’ve lost your Eddy. What a story to have been with him since forever.

Being creatures of the moment, you’re right, he’s happy and healthy now, and keeping an eye on you, as you’ve said, he is in your heart, knowing he was a very very loved friend.

My condolences,
Vally
xxx

[Sheena]

Dearest Carol

I’m dreadfully upset to hear such sad news, but you could not have done anything at all,other than make that right decision to let him go & be at peace. He was a very poorly boy.

He was so dearly loved & you were lucky to have each other – I am glad you can think of him runing about happily – I bet he’s said hello to my old Sprockett & Millie who are running around there too.

Sending my sincere sympathy, Carol,

Sheena xxxxx