My Poor Dog

[Nancy60]

She survived Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia several years ago. She almost died, had to have blood transfusions, was on Azathioprine(sp) and prednisone for 6 months.  I no longer get her vaccinated, am careful what I feed her and what she is exposed to because I don't want to set her immune system off.  Well I knew her teeth were getting bad. She doesn't let me in her mouth to clean them. I've been putting off having the vet do a dental cleaning because I was afraid of her being put under anesthesia. But she's not been eating as well and acting like they hurt her so I finally decided I had to do it. I got a call from the vet and he couldn't save any of her teeth. He said most of them just fell out when he barely put pressure on them. She has ulcers all over her mouth from the massive infection. Stomatitis. He said with her autoimmune history he really suspects it was an autoimmune process that has caused all the tooth decay. I asked him about Sjogrens, he said it was possible and he mentioned Lupus. 

What a weird coincidence to have a dog with similar health problems. Poor thing is curled up next to me without a tooth in her mouth

Nancy

[Sleepy In Seattle]

  Awwwwww poor thing! I hate, hate HATE to see animals suffer. Sounds like you are taking care of her, though. 

It's funny - my dog has this weird thing on her nose - it's like a little cut. It gets better and worse, but it never heals completely. They did a biopsy - it was inconclusive. The vet thinks it might be lupus-related. (So far her teeth are normal - just the usual age-related tartar, etc - she's about 9 years old).

I wish our beloved animals didn't have to suffer from this awful stuff, too!

[Cassi307]

Oh Nancy how awful for the poor thing.

I feel for you. It is hard to watch them be sick. I have to bring my golden to the vet next week because I suspect he may now be a diabetic and my 12 yr old cocker spaniel seems to be losing her vision and hearing and I have to coax her to eat.

Poor things seem to suffer the same ailments as humans. I hope your fur baby feels better soon.

[Nancy60]

I got her to eat but had to hand feed her wet food initially. I needed her to eat so I could give her a antibiotic and anti inflammatory med. she went right back to sleep. Will probably feel better in then AM.  I feel so bad for her. 

Nancy

[finallyadx]

Oh so sorry to hear about your dog, but sounds like she could not have a better owner.  It is amazing what we do for our pets, isn't it??

She is in great hands with you, it sounds. 

Sending positive thoughts and healing prayers.

[Daisy1234]

Nancy,

First, I'm so sorry that your poor pup is suffering so.  I do hope that she recovers quickly from the dental work and that the oral infections clear up and she feels better.

I too have a dog that has a lot of autoimmune problems and has really bad arthritis issues as well as skin sores and oral issues.  Right now, my pup has things under control, but its so hard to keep up with an autoimmune disease as we all know. 

One suggestion, for the mouth sores that your dog has, perhaps you might wish to ask your vet if a chlorhexidine rinse might help her.  I actually use the one that I get prescribed for me by my dentist that I use after I have dental work.  I just dab it with a Q-tip on my dog's oral sores/oral infections and it really helps.

Hugs to the poor pup,

Daisy 

[Katybarstool]

Nancy

HOw's your fur baby today?

Kathyx

[Nancy60]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your reply and concerns.  She seems to be doing better.

Yesterday I almost took her to the emergency vet though because she hadn't pooped yet and was so distended. They told me not to be surprised if she didn't poop for 2 or3 days due to the anesthesia. I rubbed and massaged her poor tummy and eventually she started having grumbly sounds and this morning she did her business! 

She's been running around like she feels better. Her mouth is still sore looking but not as bad and she is eating and drinking ok. I'll try the chlorhexadine rinse dabbed on the sores. I have some from my dentist, thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks for your concern. I might mention it to my Rheumy, she'll probably think I'm nuts. LOL.

Nancy

[debbie]

I am glad to read, that your baby is doing a little better.
Do you want to hear something weird? I had Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and almost died. My Hemoglobin was 2.6 and normal is 14-15. I received 22 blood transfusions and had to take a very high dose of prednisone.

Debbie

[susanep]

I am glad to read your fur baby is improving.

I still miss my big ole Jo Jo so badly. He would snuggle up to us and wait to be petted.

We still have 3 bigger babies, and one little part Yorkie a yappy little girl named Bonnie.

Matilda has arthritis, and poor Buddy is blind, but does very well, and my part golden retriever  Li'l Anne has cataracts.

Oh, and our big white cat Charlie is a little slower getting around, but he is quite old.

susanep

[Nancy60]

I guess we all have our issues, even our pets!  Sounds like you have a houseful Susan.

Debbie, it sounds like you were pretty bad with the Hemolytic Anemia. I know the vet said it can get life threatening very fast, and it did for my dog Mushi. My vet at the time had to call around to find a vet that had the set up and available donor to transfuse her. Luckily there was one close o me but I had to drive her myself over there, she was almost dead when I walked in there. She is a Shih Tzu and he used his own dog, a golden retriever, as a donor. It was touch and go for a fee months and she remained on high dose Prednisone for several months, very slowly weaned her off watching for any signs of relapse. She did relapse but we upped her prednisone for a while and then slowly weaned her again. Overall it was well over a 6 month process.  She is not on any meds anymore. I am so thankful for my vet, he is my hero!

Nancy

[Pisces24]

I wonder how much pets are "tuned in" to us.
I am on Claritin for allergies and my cat, LilliBelle, is too. 

[Nancy60]

Mushi is continuing to improve. She let me look in her mouth and it looks good, healing well. And her breath doesn't have a bad smell anymore!  I mention this because I always thought dogs always had bad breath, but now that her teeth are out and ulcers healed, her breath has no odor at all!  Kind of makes me wonder about my dogs in the past! 

Nancy

[Cassi307]

Nancy it sounds like your baby is improving. It must be a big relief.

I am going thru health issues with my 9 yr old golden. He has gained 30 lbs in 7 months. I know I may give him extra sometimes but it should not have been reason to gain so much in a short time. He has been drinking and urinating much more than normal. She thinks he has a thyroid problem or Cushings. He looks so miserable. Can't wait for the results of his lab work.

[Nancy60]

Mushi had the weight gain from prednisone and gained about 5 pounds(she only typically weighs 12 pounds so that was a lot). Since she is off her meds her weight is back to where it should be.

I'm sorry about your fur baby. It is hard seeing them suffer.   I hope they figure it out soon and can get him feeling better! 

Nancy