[Miakoda]

For those whom I haven't discussed the issues with, I'll start at the beginning.

I received Ripken (aka Savage Sam) last April. He was a gift to my son from a friend. When he arrived, he was a healthy & active puppy. I did notice that he had had a loose bowel movement in his kennel, but I attritbuted that to the stress of the plane ride. However, the over the following 3 days his stools got worse; they progressed to straight up diarrhea. Upon doing a fecal exam, we found coccidia...and that sucked.- I want to interject here that coccidia happens and I am not bashing where he came from by any means.- However, since it showed up so quickly upon his arrival, it is safe to say that he had it when he traveled and the stress of the trip lowered his immune response to the parasite. So we immediately started a 10-day regimen of oral Albon. Unfortunately, over the next 10 days his stools did not get any better. A fecal recheck still showed coccidia so we started another 10-day regimen of oral Albon.

Mind you that in the meantime I have bleached my entire yard twice and kept a close eye on all the other dogs. However, healthy adult dogs (& even older pups) do not get coccidia. And even if they do their immune system quickly acts to rid the body of the protozoa and the owners never know the dog had the parasite.

So after that second 10-day run, we didn't see any more coccidia on the fecal exam. However, this dog never had a normal bowel movement. At best it was the consistency of a cow-patty with an occasional obvious formation (aka semi-sold).

Fast forward a few months. Ripken went to bed a happy, playful dog but the next morning he could not even get up. He could barely hold his own head up. I rushed him to my clinic and we did a fecal, parvo test (although he'd been fully vaccinated) and complete bloodwork. A blood smear showed abnormal red blood cells and his platelet level was extremely low. And of course, a fecal test resulted in a 3-d look at coccidia eggs. So we did a blood transfusion on him that same day along with starting another round of oral Albon. While he was at the clinic, I took the chance to once again bleach everything including my entire yard. Thankfully he bounced back like an excited kangaroo.

But still no normal bowel movements.

A few months later, his semi-solid stools became liquid diarrhea again. Of course coccidia was present. So this time we did a stronger Albon treatment in injectable form. His normal semi-solid stools returned and his coat and body composition went back to normal. He was back to his playful self.

But still no normal bowel movements.

Fast forward to this weekend. Friday he was a happy dog playing fetch with the Kong and tossing it around everywhere. Saturday I noticed him a little bit tired and his jaw seemed tender to the touch. I just thought he might've overdone it playing, but I was determined to keep an eye on it. His stool was also very loose, but he was still eating and drinking like a champ. Then yesterday when out for a short walk down the street, he was done when we got to the end of the street. He then proceded to have diarrhea complete with mucous and a tinge of blood. So we walked right back home & I put him in his kennel. Upon feeding time, I noticed that he did not dig into his food like he normally does. But he did eat it all. When it came time to giving him his Panacur (as it was Ivomec and Panacur day), he yelped when I just tried to insert the normal syringe into his mouth. I knew then that something was wrong with his jaw. I also noticed a bit of swelling on the right side. So I brought him inside, bathed him, and babied him & let he & Cole play. He was somewhat lethargic as well then. And before going to bed, I gave him a treat. He ate it, but he wimpered the entire time.

So this morning I took him back to the clinic for yet another fecal and some bloodwork. His fecal was negative but his bloodwork wasn't all that great. It wasn't bady per say, but not entirely normal. His temp was also 104 degrees (normal is 101-102.5 with 103 being a high-normal for an overexcited dog). After a lengthy discussion of what he's gone through this past year, the vet finally said that her suspicions were correct in that he didn't just have a weakened immune system but rather an autoimmune disease.

Ripken has Autoimmune Myositis and Systemic lupus erythematosis (we have also sent off blood for an antinuclear antibody test). Irritable bowel disorders are also associated with lupus so it would defniitely explain his chronic diarrhea and semi-solid stools.

Basically his body has starting producing antibodies that is destroying his own muscle fibers. It is starting with the muscles of the jaw and will continue throughout the body. The only treatment is with Corticosteroids, such as Prednisone, so of course we have immediately begun him on a high-dose therapy of Pred. Now it's just a wait and see approach. We've got to get the antibody response under control before too much damage his done. It's especially urgent as if the muscles of his jaw are destroyed, then it will basically be "locked" and he will not be able to eat or drink. And not to mention the pain of it all.

Prognosis? He could have 2 weeks left or 5 years. It all depends on his body's reaction to the treatment.

And mind you he doesn't even turn a year old until the end of this month. So needless to say, I'm a mess. I can handle coccida. I can't handle watching a dog slowly die of a painful and debilitating disease.

[Purple]

Mia, I'm so sorry.

[jeoestreich]

Mia, I so sorry.

[scratchin dog]

oh no..this is terrible. I'm so sorry. I'm praying for him.

[MercedesMama]

That's terrible. Prayers on their way.

[DieselDawg]

Sorry to hear about the little guy. That is the same thing my Vets Dog just went thru...she made it out but lost a little of the spring in her step (she was 4 years old). Basically Prednisone and the waiting game with regular blood tests. If I remember correctly, it took about 2-3 weeks to see some improvement...but again: She did make it and so will Ripkin!

Another newer treatment they are trying is using Cyclosporin in place of or in junction with Prednisone. Cyclosporin has the same effect as Prednisone but far fewer short and long term side effects. You can start him on both and then ween him off the Prednisone and go with Cyclosporin. Hope this helps somehow.

[Patch O' Pits]

I'm so sorry . I hope the drug therapy helps and he is OK

Hugs and prayers. He is such a beautiful lil pup

[PNWPBR]

Oh Ripkin..... you are in my thoughts. Your mommy needs you and Cole needs you. Get well and be strong.

[CoolHandJean]

Very sorry to hear Mia. I remember when you got him. I will keep him in my prayers.

[luvapit]

very sorry to hear this, poor little guy

[babyreba]

oh, what a nightmare. hang in there, i hope the pred helps get him healthy again.

[Renee750il]

One day at a time . . . ((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))

[Maddie's Mom]

WOW I am so sorry to hear this.
Paws crossed for the pup and hugs to you

[debo-dumbo-ears]

Oh man, I'm so sorry Mia. I hope you're doing ok.

Man what a bummer! I hope he gets well! You're having some bad luck with dogs this year Mia. :-(

[maryellen]

Prayers to you and Ripken ...

[Miakoda]

Thanks everyone.

And DieselDawg, thanks for the encouragement. I know he has the chance to live many more years, it's just we've got to get his body to fight back against itself.

I HATE autoimmune diseases. It is depressing to know that your own body is what is killing you.

[Madeleinemom]

My thoughts are with you and Ripken.

[diva]

Poor Savage. I hope the treatment works and he gets better soon. My thoughts and prayers are with yall.

[monkeys23]

Poor guy. My thoughts are with you guys. Hope you are able to get it under control.