My 13 yr old just diagnosed

[terri]

Wow, thank you so much for the support. I so appreciate it as I have been a crying mess all day going through the euthanasia process in my head all over again.
My vet has already given up on him in so many words. I’m not ready to give up on him all I’ve gotten are “probablys”.
I have our phone conversation recorded. (thanks to a nifty little app on my phone) I will have to replay it and recall but from what I remember she said (and she never gave me doses or drug names other than prednisone and the stomach protector sucralfate) she will try a different antibiotic on him tomorrow to try to halt the rise but she is limited as to what she can use because she doesn’t want to damage his kidneys further (which values rose from yesterday) his liver # was elevated yesterday but back down to normal today.
She is very concerned about the rise in the wbc and wasn’t expecting it at all. Then she suggested Cancer and the prog was poor. After 24hrs!
I will ask for copies of tests, (which I usually do anyway, I just lost a kitty in October so they know me well.) but how can I go about that without them thinking I’m seeking a second opinion? Asking about his current meds and dosages and tests? I don’t want her getting defensive as if I don’t trust her. She said his red blood cells dropped but she expected that because he is now rehydrated on iv.
I’m supposed to go see him tomorrow but I don’t want to be an emotional basket case like I have been. I want to visit him but I don’t want him to see me such a wreck. I will get that info tomorrow when I go….weather permitting. Supposed to get hit with a bad storm here in the N.E.
I’m sure I’m all over the place and I apologize.
Wouldn’t the vet know that this treatment takes time? I asked her to please let’s give him a couple more days. What if the WBC goes even higher tomorrow? what do I do?
I’m working a 12 hr shift tonight…I just need to get through it and I’m off for 2 days.

[Patrice]

Terri,
I think you need to get a consultation with a specialist. Do you have a specialty vet clinic in your area? Tell me where you live, the city, and I will find a clinic for you that has a specialist.

I know exactly why she thinks this may be cancer, but with this condition there can be a very high white blood cell count for a few other reasons. I have seen this kind response by other vets. Those vets who don’t see this condition routinely are not as familiar with it. They may remember things from their clinical internships and their college education, or they may even quickly look up something. Lab results need interpretation in animals as much as they do in humans. It’s not straightforward.

Am I correct in thinking that the main problem has been that he was showing signs of limping or stiffness? Was he previously eating, pottying, walking and engaging in the household just prior to all this?
my best, patrice

[terri]

Koda was diagnosed, not officially, ( by me) as having discoid lupus. his nose has always been dry brittle with an ulcer. the vet concurred. I’ve always thought he was immune compromised and I stopped vaccines years ago.
He has always been strong and healthy otherwise. I had just videod at Christmas him and my other dog romping together in the living room as they always had daily. He started showing rear end weakness…never stiffness, never limping, just weakness. I thought he had the beginning stages of degenerative myelopathy.
When I took him in, he was not able to get up and when I did lift him, he was unstable to walk.
the vet just took his age and his trembling and awkward walking as arthritis and ran with it….it never sat well with me and when he continued to decline, after the meds were started he slowly quit eating. I called on Saturday and told them that and so she dropped the rimadyl and started metronidazole….no help and he was flat out by Monday morning.

I thank you for helping me and everyone else’s comments are so helpful.
I live about 30 minutes East of Cleveland in Chardon, Ohio.
xrays were done also and chest looked good and she saw two small shadows in the abdomen but couldnt determine what they were.
Should I be expecting to get him into a specialist in the following days?
I really just need a definitive diagnosis so I can make an informed decision. Even if the outcome isn’t good. :(

[Patrice]

Terri,
It’s always tough to find someone out of the blue to help you and be able to know you can trust them. When you have a very sick dog, it’s not always a good idea to go driving around trying out vets.

Veterinary Diplomates are the equivalent of human specialists. They not only go through up to 6 years of veterinary schooling, they also chose to specialize, taking brutal course work to become the best of the best. They can chose many areas of veterinary specialization.

I have found one person who I think, by looking at his background, education and specialization, that seems like he is “the ONE.” He has actually written textbooks in hematology! He’s been around long enough that he probably has a few tricks under his belt.
http://northcoastvetspecialist.com/dr_hammer
Alan S. Hammer, DVM, DACVIM
Board Certified in Small Animal Internal Medicine and Oncology
Dr. Hammer is a 1985 graduate of The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. After two years in general practice, he returned to Ohio State for his residency in internal medicine and oncology. Following his residency, Dr. Hammer stayed on the faculty as an assistant professor.

He has written over seventy scientific articles, book chapters, and abstracts on veterinary hematology, internal medicine and oncology. Additionally, Dr. Hammer has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally. Dr. Hammer and his wife, Barb, live with their miniature schnauzer, affenpincher, maltese and a black cat they rescued.

I can’t guarantee anything to you, but he is close to you and maybe he will even talk to you on the phone before you make the choice to move Koda. According to Google maps he is about 31 min away from you.
North Coast Veterinary Specialist
3375 Blackmore Road
Perry, Ohio 44081
Phone: (440) 259-0063
Fax: (440) 259-1022

Please let me know what you decide.
my very best
patrice

You will need a reference from your vet, and I suspect your vet already knows this fellow. Don’t burn your bridges with your own vet. Be polite and thank her/him for all the help they have given you. You only need to say you would like to see a specialist for a referral. Always be polite, but remain firm, with a smile, that you need to do the best for Koda. Avoid arguments.

[Terri]

So I should call the specialist first?
Then request the referral from my vet?

[Patrice]

Terri,
That’s a tough call. I guess if it was me, I would first talk with the vet in charge about taking Kodi to a specialist. Sometimes a vet will actually be relieved to have a client ask for another opinion. Other vets will find this offensive and make life even harder for you. You’ve been working with this vet, what do you think they will say about this?

If your current vet says it is not appropriate to move him right now, then a phone call is in order. Be prepared, have all that paperwork that Dr. Hammer is going to want to see and offer to bring it to him. Be polite and avoid being hysterical. He knows that you are upset, what he needs are facts. If he is the kind of vet I think he is, he will go out of his way to help you. You can tell him about our website and that we recommended you see a Veterinary Diplomate.
my best
patrice

[Terri]

Ok will do. I’ll let you all know how it plays out.
Thank you so much for taking the time to help me along. I sure do need it. I just don’t want any regrets. He deserves my all.
Terri

[Patrice]

Terri,
Good luck. I think this will go smoothly. It’s really a simple thing, a second opinion.

That is exactly why we do this for you, we want no regrets, we certainly have enough of our own to go around…. We want you to be able to make the best decisions you can with the knowledge you had at the time. That is all any of us can do. We understand how much Kodi means to you.

Seeing a specialist is a really good start. If this falters, then you can also contact Dr. Dodds, another specialist, who will consult with you and your vet long distance. Many of us have saved our dog’s lives with her help. The consultation fee is $100, very reasonable.

You can see the links to information about Dr. Dodds and Hemopet here:
https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/hemopetresources/

You are off work now for two days? That will be good for both of you. Kodi really does need to see you, as happy as you can be, it is good for his health.
my best, patrice