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Tasha is Sick  

post #1 of 47
2/18/12 at 7:41am
Thread Starter 
Tasha is in the vet hospital with suspected hemorragic gastro-enteritis. She has not been very well for a while, and is already under vet treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. She has been lethargic, off her food and limping slightly from time to time. But no-one could say what was wrong. Then this morning I came down to black and bloody diarrhea on the floor, and before I couold get dressed or call the vet, she did more. Anyway, she is now in hospital. I thought maybe she she had been kicked by a pony as she loves to chase them, or had eaten something bad, but the vet thinks it is more likely a viral thing. And he is also going to test her for giardiA. She is trembling and obviously miserable, though shows no sign of pain when she is touched or manipulated. I was planning a trip tot he UK this week, but that is obviously off for hte time being. I can't believe h ow awful this winter has been for animals getting sick. Anyone with any experience of these symptoms, please let me know your thoughts.
post #2 of 47
2/18/12 at 7:43am
Oh no. frown.gif. Sending vibes.gif for you both.
post #3 of 47
2/18/12 at 8:25am

How bright was the blood in the stool? What kind of dog is she (this is mostly for size and ability to hide pain)? How old is she? Does she like to chew and eat things she shouldn't? Sticks, rocks, hay, etc.

 

If she's older, the limping could be arthritis and unrelated to the blood in the stool. She could have also tripped when out chasing the ponies and sprained something. 

 

If she likes to chew on things, maybe she has a piece of something lodged in her stomach or intestines. If pieces of it are coming out when she poops, it could be scratching as it's coming out, resulting in the blood you're seeing even if you're not seeing what she actually ate in the stool. My two got into a bag of old dog bones that I was throwing away when I was moving, they both had diarrhea and bloody stool as they were pooping out the pieces (I never did see any pieces, I found one of the bones under the bed in their crate). 

 

Both of mine also hide pain very well. When I broke Sadie's tail (accident!), she yelped initially but after that showed no signs of pain even when her tail was manipulated. She also has back problems and doesn't show any pain when her back is being manipulated, the only way I can tell is because she sticks one of her legs out a bit when she stands. 

 

Is it possible that she was hit by a car? 

 

In addition to whatever the vet is doing, I would also have an xray done, at least on the leg that she's limping on, to rule out a fracture/break or arthritis. 

 

It could be something as simple as a virus and sore leg but it could also be something more serious. 

post #4 of 47
2/18/12 at 12:12pm
Poor Tasha. Hopefully it's "just" a virus that the vet can easily treat. The last experience I had with a pet with bloody stool, it did turn out to be giardia. Lots of vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif for her.
post #5 of 47
2/18/12 at 1:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by nerdrock View Post

How bright was the blood in the stool? What kind of dog is she (this is mostly for size and ability to hide pain)? How old is she? Does she like to chew and eat things she shouldn't? Sticks, rocks, hay, etc.

If she's older, the limping could be arthritis and unrelated to the blood in the stool. She could have also tripped when out chasing the ponies and sprained something. 

If she likes to chew on things, maybe she has a piece of something lodged in her stomach or intestines. If pieces of it are coming out when she poops, it could be scratching as it's coming out, resulting in the blood you're seeing even if you're not seeing what she actually ate in the stool. My two got into a bag of old dog bones that I was throwing away when I was moving, they both had diarrhea and bloody stool as they were pooping out the pieces (I never did see any pieces, I found one of the bones under the bed in their crate). 

Both of mine also hide pain very well. When I broke Sadie's tail (accident!), she yelped initially but after that showed no signs of pain even when her tail was manipulated. She also has back problems and doesn't show any pain when her back is being manipulated, the only way I can tell is because she sticks one of her legs out a bit when she stands. 

Is it possible that she was hit by a car? 

In addition to whatever the vet is doing, I would also have an xray done, at least on the leg that she's limping on, to rule out a fracture/break or arthritis. 

It could be something as simple as a virus and sore leg but it could also be something more serious. 

Thanks for the questions. She is a border collie cross, 2 years old, medium size (17 kg on Wed though she was only 15.6 today). She does chew on sticks, and gets things out of the rubbish occasionally. I have told the vet this, but he does not think there is an obstruction. There was certainly nothing solid in what she passed last night and htis morning - it was very black but soft, with red leaking out. Classic half-digested blood.

She was not hit by a car - we live at the end of a long traffic free lane, surrounded by fields and forest. If she has received an external injury it is almost certainly from a pony. She chases them, hanging onto a tail. I think they all see it as a game, though they do try to kick out sometimes. I cannot break her of that habit.

I had a chat to the vet tonight, and she has eaten something, which is good. He is now waiting to see what becomes of that meal - whether it comes out as diarrhea or not. That will be analysed and give them an idea as to treatment. Meanwhile she is being kept hydrated and quiet, though she is still very lethargic, he says. He may xray the leg tomorrow, depending on how she is in the morning. She will be kept in till at least Tuesday, maybe longer.
post #6 of 47
2/19/12 at 12:29am

Poor Tish tash  sending loads of vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif her way and big hugs hugs.gif

post #7 of 47
2/19/12 at 5:22am

Oh no hun,I can't offer you any advice just hope that she gets well soon.xxvibes.gifvibes.gif

post #8 of 47
2/19/12 at 9:13am
Thread Starter 
I spoke to the vet this afternoon who told me she is no worse, and has actually eaten a little. She has had no more diarrhea, but hasn't done anything else either, so he hopes something will appear tomorrow morning that they can test. SHe is still tired and lethargic and he wants to keep her in all week. So all I can do is wait.
post #9 of 47
2/19/12 at 9:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennyranson View Post

I spoke to the vet this afternoon who told me she is no worse, and has actually eaten a little. She has had no more diarrhea, but hasn't done anything else either, so he hopes something will appear tomorrow morning that they can test. SHe is still tired and lethargic and he wants to keep her in all week. So all I can do is wait.


Awww hun,hopefully her being No worse means that she will now start to improvevibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif hugs.gif xx

post #10 of 47
2/21/12 at 11:05am
All week? Poor Tasha. vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif for her!
post #11 of 47
2/21/12 at 11:27am

Any more updates? 

 

I hate getting a diagnosis of HGE, it's used to cover a variety of things including viruses, infections, etc when other things have been ruled out. It's also usually seen in miniature or toy breeds, but it can be found in every breed. 

 

Is there any way that she could have gotten into some rat poison? How close are you closest neighbours and do you know if they use rat poison? It's possible that a rat or mouse ate some, ran over to your property and she ate it. 

 

When was she last wormed? Do you have lepto there? If so, do you vaccinate her against it? Even if you do, there are different types of lepto and if she's been drinking from any puddles or ponds it's possible. Has she had any bloodwork done? If she's prone to eating sticks and things, maybe she has some ulcers? This may be a stretch, but what about Addison's disease?

 

I really hate to mention this one, and it does seem unlikely, but what about parvo? 

 

Do you have ticks there? Maybe Lyme disease? It presents with limping, lethargy, loss of appetite and sometimes bloody stool. 

post #12 of 47
2/22/12 at 2:18pm
Thread Starter 
She is out of hospital tonight and staying with Lynda (Milkmaid) as I am still in the UK with a broken down car. It never rains but it pours. She is eating a little. The vet has mentioned parvo but she is vaccinated against it, so it is unlikely. I thought of various tick diseases but again they think it unlikely. I am trying to do all I can to get home tomorrow to talk to the vet, even if I have to leave my car behind. But I know she is in very good hands with Lynda.
post #13 of 47
2/22/12 at 2:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jennyranson View Post

She is out of hospital tonight and staying with Lynda (Milkmaid) as I am still in the UK with a broken down car. It never rains but it pours. She is eating a little. The vet has mentioned parvo but she is vaccinated against it, so it is unlikely. I thought of various tick diseases but again they think it unlikely. I am trying to do all I can to get home tomorrow to talk to the vet, even if I have to leave my car behind. But I know she is in very good hands with Lynda.


Oh hun,I am so,sorry,what an awful thing with your car but I am so glad that Tasha is with Lynda. Where abouts in the UK are you?Just being nosy,being from there laughing02.gif I send you good wishes that you can get your car sorted out and back to Tasha very soon.xxvibes.gif

post #14 of 47
2/22/12 at 5:41pm
Trouble does tend to snowball sometimes! I hope your car gets fixed so you can get home easier. Poor Tasha. How wonderful of Lynda to take care of her though.
post #15 of 47
2/22/12 at 11:37pm
Thread Starter 
Right now I am in Oxshott, Surrye, with my brother, but the car is in Berkshire, at my daughter's garage. They can't seem to get hte new shock absorbers, because it is a French car ( only a Renault though - so I don't really understand what is going on.) I came over to deal with some paperwork after my father' death and to see friends. The garage lent me a car but I don't think I can take it back to to France! I am going htere thuis morning to sort out myu options. I have tog et back today for all sorts of reasons. I am just thankful Tasha is in good hands, and another friend staying at my house looking after hte cats.
post #16 of 47
2/23/12 at 12:31am
Just what you needed. At least Tasha is in good hands. vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif That your car is fixed soon and you can get back asap.
post #17 of 47
2/28/12 at 9:29am
How's Tasha doing now? Has there been any improvement?
post #18 of 47
2/28/12 at 10:57am
Thread Starter 
I returned from the UK this morning, still without my car, to find Tasha is still much the same - not eating and very lethargic, more so if anything, with a lot of shivering. I took her this afternoon to see another vet, further away from me but very good. She found her to be very constipated and managed to remove a lot of it. But she could not give an immediate diagnosis either. Tasha got an anti-inflammatory and I have some Nutri-cal gel to rub on her gums. Doing that three times a day will at least keep her from starving while we work on the problem. Tonight she ate a few turkey pieces but turned up her nose at everything else. I will take her back on Thursday. I have confidence in this vet, she is very highly regarded, and is taking the problem very seriously. So I am hoping. I still have to go back to the Uk to collect my car when it is ready, meanwhile I am driving a hire car.
post #19 of 47
2/28/12 at 11:44am

Oh hun,what a terrible time you've had off it hugs.gif I really hope that this vet can find out what s wrong with Tasha from what you say she sounds good. What a pain with your car aswell. Hope things start getting better soon.xxvibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif

post #20 of 47
2/28/12 at 12:24pm
You certainly are having a bad time of it lately. I hope the new vet can help Tasha.
post #21 of 47
2/29/12 at 12:09am

Poor Tasha, lets hope that this vet manages to sort things out its so sad seeing her in such a state and not knowing what to do :-(  Very worrying 

vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif

post #22 of 47
2/29/12 at 8:01am
Thread Starter 
Tasha is now in another veterinary hospital and has been diagnosed with acute renal failure. Her urea levels were so high they could not be measured. She has also been xrayed and there is no blockage in her system - I was so hoping that was the problem even if it meant an op. I have been told that in an older dog it would be a death sentence, as it is, her youth is the only thing she has going for her. She will be on dialysis for two days, while they try to find out the cause - could be parasitic, could be genetic (this I doubt), could be several things. My thoughts on the original vet are murderous - we have wasted three weeks of possible treatment that could have made all the difference. They told me only last night that all her blood and urine levels were normal. I can't say more right now, I feel so sick.
post #23 of 47
2/29/12 at 8:15am

Oh I'm so sorry! I don't know why I didn't think of that, my old dog had kidney failure. He was diagnosed when he was 6 and lived to the age of 13. He was part of the IAMS recall, it was horrible. 

 

Causes for kidney failure can be lyme disease, lepto, poisoning, shock, bladder stone obstruction, rupture of the bladder or urethra and heart failure. If you really doubt genetic disease, you can probably rule out heart failure, but we're still back at square one for what cause it - she still could have been kicked by a pony, gotten a tick and lyme, contracted lepto... 

 

Read up on kidney failure in dogs and talk to your vet about diet. For a very long time they were recommending low protein diets for animals with kidney problems, but the study that concluded that was done on rats. Many vets now are suggesting the exact opposite, high protein diets. If you can afford it, a raw diet might be the way to go when she comes back to you. 

 

Have you spoken to the other vet? I would call them up and let them know... they may even refund you some of the money you spent there... my old vet did when Sadie had to have surgery to remove bladder stones that they missed for 3 months.

post #24 of 47
2/29/12 at 12:00pm

I like you Jenny can not understand how the other vet missed this, I am so angry with them. I really hope the dialysis does the job and we can get the poor girl back to good health.  

post #25 of 47
2/29/12 at 12:06pm

Oh my word, really how could this have been missed,its awful. I would strongly complain. The main thing now though is that Tasha has been diagnosed and being treated, poor girl no wonder she felt so poorly.xxvibes.gifhugs.gif

post #26 of 47
2/29/12 at 1:39pm
Thread Starter 
I went over to a friend tonight, as I didn't want to be alone, and came home to a message from the vet. He had finished the analysis and microscopic blood exam and Tasha does have a tick-borne disease, though he did not say which one. I am going in tomorrow morning and will find out more, but hopefully that will be treatable, if it has not gone too far. It is strange though, she has always been frontlined or advantixed. But I feel more positive.
post #27 of 47
2/29/12 at 5:43pm
I am stunned that the original vet missed this for so long. Thank goodness you went for a second opinion. I hope they can figure out a treatment course for her now you know about the tick.
post #28 of 47
2/29/12 at 9:56pm
Poor Tasha. It's so fortunate you went for a second opinion! vibes.gif that it's treatable and she's doing better really soon!
post #29 of 47
3/1/12 at 12:08am

Fingers crossed Jenny, now they have found something lets hope they can sort it out  vibes.gifvibes.gifvibes.gif

post #30 of 47
3/1/12 at 9:45am
Thread Starter 
I went to see her this morning, and she was like a different dog! Alert, so happy to see me, and she gobbled up the chicken pieces I took her. She has the tick-borne disease, anaplasmosis, and is on doxycycline for 30 days. She has so far had 24 hours of dialysis to clean out her kidneys and is responding very well. But the crunch will come when she comes off dialysis, to see if her system can function without the drip, or if her kidneys are damaged. The vet says he will take her off it for a test tomorrow or Saturday, and if she tests Ok for 24 hours she can be allowed home for 6 days, when they will test her again. I phoned the previous vet today and told them what was happening, but I only got the receptionist, not the vet, so she will tell him. Whatever, I shall change vets, this place is 30 minutes' drive away as opposed to 15, but is a brand new facility with everything onsite, and the three vets there really know their stuff. Tasha is in a lovely cage that she can walk about in and there is a lawn outside to walk the dogs. Xray, ultrasound, blood testing is all done there so results are immediate. Yesterday the vet brought me her xray and full analysis for blood and urine in 30 minutes. So cautious optimism tonight as opposed to desperate worry.
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