kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833 
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Post by kskatt on Jul 20, 2015 19:12:04 GMT
This am when I went to feed, my bouncy Lab mix who usually bounces in anticipation, didn't come out of the doghouse. Once I was in the pen, she slowly stepped out and headed my way. No interest in eating. Later she did take a treat, not with any enthusiasm.
She got a 3 year rabies vaccine on Feb. 8,2014.
I have to admit that I would usually keep an eye on a dog, cat, horse for the day and see how he/she acted the next day. Losing Sky probably has made me more sensitive to everything, but there have been reports of a slightly higher rate of rabies this year, there are all kinds of critters, including skunks. The last few nights, when I go out to do a final check (after dark) there has been a smell. Not like skunk spray exactly, but it reminds me of the odor in a shed that skunks lived in.
The vet appointment is for 3:15, I need to get ready to go.
Am I being paranoid? I'm not panicking by any means, but I am more worried than I would normally be.
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Valhallanite
Junior Member
Dutchess County, New York
Posts: 826
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Post by Valhallanite on Jul 20, 2015 19:18:08 GMT
I hope they check for Lyme disease too. Don't know if there is Lyme where you are, but that is part of what they do when they have it.
Good luck
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jul 20, 2015 19:29:41 GMT
Good luck at your appointment. I think I would be more worried about something like Lyme since it is spread through ticks. I would think that your dog would need to have had an encounter with an animal with an active rabies infection to get rabies. And since she was vaccinated just last year, she should be covered in that respect.
I hope she's just having an off day and nothing is really wrong.
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Post by horselady on Jul 20, 2015 19:44:40 GMT
Is she spayed?? if not could be infected uterus. pyrometria. and no you are not paranoid. could be a infection of other types and not rabies. and in my area i am not concerned but a rabies shot is necessary for riding on parks and off your property. so coggins and rabies certificate are needed for each horse before heading off in the woods.
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 20, 2015 22:07:10 GMT
We get our dogs rabies and other shots done but I think a dog here has a better chance of winning the lottery. Good to get your dog checked out anyway, though. I'd really worry about any dog that was showing that much lethargy.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jul 21, 2015 1:04:05 GMT
How'd the appointment go kskatt?
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Jul 21, 2015 1:20:31 GMT
Ditto?^^
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Jul 21, 2015 2:36:29 GMT
Try Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. The more I looked at Holly the more concerned I became, her face is slightly swollen. It wasn't just a sad expression, the swelling looks really sad. It's not huge, you do have to look squarely at her pretty close up. Anyhow, fever of 104, very anemic. Her blood even looked thin. She is staying overnight to get IV fluids, yes dehydrated, not seriously but enough. Very treatable, just needs heavy duty antibiotics that are very pricey. Just what we need.  She needs exercise. She gets a half cup of dry and one regular size can. Well, she does get one and a half large size basted bones each day,keep them busy while I pick up bowls. I can break the one in half and eliminate the other half bone. I do have some good, fresh hoof clippings to use! That pic isn't that recent, she's heavier now. I will not worry about food until she is well though! |
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Valhallanite
Junior Member
Dutchess County, New York
Posts: 826
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Post by Valhallanite on Jul 21, 2015 4:06:03 GMT
Thank goodness you got her in right away, that is so serious.  |
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Post by horselady on Jul 21, 2015 11:12:19 GMT
thankfully you caught it in time. never heard of a dog getting that. but perhaps it is something just in your area of the country.
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Post by carshon on Jul 21, 2015 13:33:12 GMT
So glad to hear that this is treatable. Hope her road to recovery is smooth
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jul 21, 2015 18:49:19 GMT
Ah, another tick borne disease. Those nasty, yucky ticks always cause problems. I'm glad you caught it quickly and you are able to treat her for it. She's a cutie for sure.
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Jul 21, 2015 18:59:37 GMT
Finally got the call, Holly's fever is way down and she is eating with gusto! I am headed out to pick her up now. I will get new pics as soon as I find my camera. I misplace everything!  |
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nhg
Junior Member
Posts: 2,429
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Post by nhg on Jul 21, 2015 20:35:08 GMT
Yay Holly's better! That was fast! I've heard of that but I know nothing about it and I also didn't know dogs could get it. Ticks are a bugger, hey? We haven't had to deal with them, thank goodness. And knock on wood.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Jul 22, 2015 0:20:15 GMT
Glad everything worked out for Holly!!!  |
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Jul 24, 2015 4:11:29 GMT
Brought her home and she stayed pretty quiet. I expect she wouldn't be active being so anemic. At supper she ate about a quarter of her food. I had put her pills in her food, she ate one pill. So, I dug out the other three, rolled them up in a little cat food, she ate that. Wed am she took two licks and quit. Back to the vet. Jess said it was that the steroids had worn off and we weren't necessarily off track. I left Holly there to get back on the steroids. This morning Holly is not doing so well. Red blood cells way down, gums almost white. We had hit Holly up with the antibiotics as treatment and as diagnosis. It is looking like it is not RMSF, but Hemolytic Anemia. I have two articles that were the best I could find on both. First is the RMSF link, pg.2 under treatment, talks about starting antibiotics first and how fast results should be, serious improvement.
www.petwave.com/Dogs/Health/Rocky-Mountain-Spotted-Fever/Treatment.aspx
Since the antibiotics aren't working, Jess is sure we are looking at Hemolytic Anemia, she was hoping for RMSF since antibiotics can work miracles. This is not so easy. Here is a link for it.
www.petwave.com/Dogs/Health/AIHA.aspx
I'm finishing this in an edit because I lost internet, had to disconnect and reconnect. Every part of my world is insane.
The anemia article is pretty self explanatory. Anything else that might fit these symptoms are just as bad. Something is destroying her red blood cells, something is killing her. Jess promised that she would not put either Holly or me through unnecessary pain. She is giving the treatment one more night with a little hope. I am opting to prepare for the worst, doing otherwise risks being devastating, I've had enough of that.
I would love being happily surprised. Please pray for Holly, she desperately needs it.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749
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Post by mistersmom on Jul 24, 2015 14:17:44 GMT
Oh wow kskatt, you have been through so much already. I'm so sorry that Holly is more sick than originally thought. Praying for both of you.
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Jul 24, 2015 14:46:00 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this! From the earlier posts it seemed like a diagnosis had been made and she was making improvement. I'm sorry to hear that she's taken such a turn, and that things may be worse than originally thought. You've certainly been through a lot lately. I'll keep you and Holly in my prayers.
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Valhallanite
Junior Member
Dutchess County, New York
Posts: 826
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Post by Valhallanite on Jul 24, 2015 15:51:07 GMT
Aww, I'm sorry to hear things are taking a different direction. Hoping, hoping hoping for a good outcome! She looks so sweet.
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kskatt
Junior Member
Posts: 833
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Post by kskatt on Jul 24, 2015 17:31:24 GMT
The articles are pretty short, very informative.
I should start with Holly being gone. Jess went in and did blood work and Holly's red blood cells were pretty much non existent. She was definitely in distress, Jess treated her to keep her comfortable until I could get there to say good bye. I kept it together long enough to tell Holly she is such a good girl, she is beautiful, I love her and she will be free soon. I always thought it was always best for the owner to be there. Some time ago I read an article that said if the owner is stressed, that will pass on to the pet. The owner being upset can terrify the pet, certainly not good. I know the people at the clinic will hold her, pet her and tell her she will be all right. I know that there is no way I would be able to keep it together, so I told Holly good bye and left. I should say everything in past tense, Holly is gone by now.
The test for Rocky Mountain Spotted fever is expensive and takes time. It is vital to start treatment immediately, so it is recommended to not wait for test results. Since the antibiotics work very quickly, that can be a "diagnosis". Unfortunately the improvement was just the steroids. There are more things that could fit those symptoms, none good. So RMSF was what we hoped for.
There is more, but I need to take a break.
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