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 Expert
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Location: Never in one place long | ampratt - 2015-08-05 3:52 PM
Thank you for giving her a chance. You are an angel.
Edited: I don't want this be taken as depressing, although it is. We fostered a dog from our local shelter for this very reason, family he had known all his life, dumped him. He was very stressed and you could tell something was wrong with him medically. He came and stayed with us and did pass away in a few weeks, still not sure why but at least he passed with my family around him and not alone in a shelter kennel.
Thank you. I understand this is a possibility and am prepared for it if it is. I've been through quite a few dog deaths in my volunteering so I know it happens and although I mourn each and it breaks my heart, I know I'm doing the right thing being involved even if it does break my heart sometimes. |
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  Warmblood with Wings
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Location: Florida.. | can ask did they do bloodwork? |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | PM you shipping address and I will send a dog food that will answer the food allergy question. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | Hey there!
I first off think what you are doing is fantastic.
I'm not quite sure that Addisons is the culprit here cause usually on presentation there is complete anorexia adding to the weight loss. Alopecia is a common sign as well, but all dogs are different, but it would be lower on my list.
Depending what type of parasite check you did I'd consider giardia? Did you do a fecal float or the giardia snap test as well?
The next would be tumors of course. Splenic tumors are the most common, but ones on the liver could also be a culprit, though 6 years old is a bit young, but not impossible.
Hemangiosarcomas are the most common type of tumor (basically blood vessel tumors) when they burst is when you get into trouble.
Signs are weight loss, abdominal distension, sometimes you will see inappetence, other times you won't.
X-rays could help, ultrasound for sure will, blood work - maybe. Sometimes the red cell count might be up or the hematacrit (which is the packed cell volume) because the pet is bleeding somewhere.
Hopefully you get some answers, but don't count her out. If it is a splenic tumor you can get a splenectomy done and remove the spleen as long as it hasn't metastasized into the lungs - in which case I would make the humane decision.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | DLV - 2015-08-05 4:23 PM
ampratt - 2015-08-05 3:52 PM
Thank you for giving her a chance. You are an angel.
Edited: I don't want this be taken as depressing, although it is. We fostered a dog from our local shelter for this very reason, family he had known all his life, dumped him. He was very stressed and you could tell something was wrong with him medically. He came and stayed with us and did pass away in a few weeks, still not sure why but at least he passed with my family around him and not alone in a shelter kennel.
Thank you. I understand this is a possibility and am prepared for it if it is. I've been through quite a few dog deaths in my volunteering so I know it happens and although I mourn each and it breaks my heart, I know I'm doing the right thing being involved even if it does break my heart sometimes.
Yes you are doing the right thing! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| I forgot about Addisons! Actually one of my grandmother's Basset hounds was just diagnosed with it earlier this year. I forget all of her symptoms but I know that she was having a hard time breathing and was just miserable. She's now on a monthly shot and is good as new. Good for you for saving this baby, prayers everything turns out alright! |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Just wanted to give an update on Hilda,
She does have quite the appetite and is eating well, she is on probiotics and a kind lady has offered to send me a bag of Forco to add into her food as well.
We did do a blood test and everything turned up negative, no issues we see there. She has had three fecal floats and all looked fine, the vet said he doesn't think she has giardia either. He didn't think an xray would help because it wouldn't show soft tissue? I still need to ask him about an intestinal infection and we're looking into an ultrasound if I can come up with the funds for it. The lowest I've found was $200, I think I can make it happen but we're ruling out everything else first and of course, now that she is at my house in a lower stress environment, we're hoping to see a difference there too.
THank you for ALL your comments and suggestions, this is really helping us check for things to get a better idea of what MIGHT be going on! I appreciate prayers for this tough girl! |
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 Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | DLV - 2015-08-06 10:47 AM Just wanted to give an update on Hilda, She does have quite the appetite and is eating well, she is on probiotics and a kind lady has offered to send me a bag of Forco to add into her food as well. We did do a blood test and everything turned up negative, no issues we see there. She has had three fecal floats and all looked fine, the vet said he doesn't think she has giardia either. He didn't think an xray would help because it wouldn't show soft tissue? I still need to ask him about an intestinal infection and we're looking into an ultrasound if I can come up with the funds for it. The lowest I've found was $200, I think I can make it happen but we're ruling out everything else first and of course, now that she is at my house in a lower stress environment, we're hoping to see a difference there too. THank you for ALL your comments and suggestions, this is really helping us check for things to get a better idea of what MIGHT be going on! I appreciate prayers for this tough girl!
What part of the country are you located in?
I think an ultrasound will give you the best image of her abdomen. |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | Just Let Me Run - 2015-08-06 11:24 AM
DLV - 2015-08-06 10:47 AM Just wanted to give an update on Hilda, She does have quite the appetite and is eating well, she is on probiotics and a kind lady has offered to send me a bag of Forco to add into her food as well. We did do a blood test and everything turned up negative, no issues we see there. She has had three fecal floats and all looked fine, the vet said he doesn't think she has giardia either. He didn't think an xray would help because it wouldn't show soft tissue? I still need to ask him about an intestinal infection and we're looking into an ultrasound if I can come up with the funds for it. The lowest I've found was $200, I think I can make it happen but we're ruling out everything else first and of course, now that she is at my house in a lower stress environment, we're hoping to see a difference there too. THank you for ALL your comments and suggestions, this is really helping us check for things to get a better idea of what MIGHT be going on! I appreciate prayers for this tough girl!
What part of the country are you located in?
I think an ultrasound will give you the best image of her abdomen.
Wichita, KS area |
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Expert
Posts: 1432
Location: Never in one place long | I updated the status but she was adopted today, we will continue to search for answers with her new family. |
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Expert
Posts: 1695
Location: Willows, CA | I sent dog food to your address today. Please pass it along and give them my phone number (530) 518-8254, if they have any questions when they get it. |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | DLV - 2015-08-07 3:32 PM
I updated the status but she was adopted today, we will continue to search for answers with her new family.
Please please keep us updated. And God bless you for what you do----you have the biggest heart. . .
ETA that those adopters are wonderful too for taking on your girl even with her problems.
Edited by Chandler's Mom 2015-08-08 1:02 AM
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