Not a good day today :(

[Squawksx3]

I had to take two of my dogs to the vet today. Skippy, my 9 yr old Lab mix rescue was bleeding from the nose again. I took him in a month ago for the same reason. The vet thinks it may be cancer but the prior tests came back inconclusive, so they kept him overnight to run more tests. Samson, my 8 yr old purebred German Shepherd rescue was having problems with his back legs... it came on all the sudden, they found out he has Hip Dysplasia :( . I'm so upset. Because he's 8 yrs old, the vet said it would be better to treat with meds instead of surgery.. and make him as confortable as possible. Unknown how much time is left, but as soon as he is unable to get around and function, we'll have to make the most difficult decision a pet owner has to make. This just isn't a good day :( .

['too crazy]

I am so sorry for you. What kind of meds did your vet put Samson? If it's Glucosamine and Chondroitin, you can get it cheaper at the store. My dog was misdiagnoised with it but that is what she was put on. So you get skippy back today? I hope you find out it's nothing bad. Keep us posted. I'll be praying for you and your dogs.

[dlaura]

Jan,
I am so very sorry to hear about your dogs. However, hip displaysia usually isn't a death sentence, usually meds help the animal and make them more comfortable that their hips don't ache and allows them to get around easier. Did your German Shepherd's legs go out completely or is he just having trouble and discomfort while trying to move around? I sincerely hope that the meds alleviate the problem there. As far as the Lab, I don't know what to think................. maybe the tests will help there and hopefully it will turn to be less serious then suspected. I really feel for you and your family. Take care and keep us updated.

[Squawksx3]

Thx guys. I remember when you were told your dog had it 'too, Im so happy it was misdiagnosed. I'll get the meds today when I pick up Skippy. They also recommended therapy with the water treadmill and accupunture. He only has about 50% use of his back legs Diane :( . I cant believe how fast it happened. I guess its been coming on for awhile now, He has been a little lame in the leg he blew out over a year ago.. that leg has never fully recovered anyway. Animals dont show signs of sickness or weakness many times because it would mean death in the wild. Guess we'll just take it one day at a time.

[dlaura]

I was thinking about it and wondered if it happened so quickly because of abuse he suffered in past. Think you had said both of your dogs were rescues. It is horrible when they are sick and you feel so helpless..............but to have two with problems at same time is just not fair!!!!!!!!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[Squawksx3]

I thought about the same thing in regards to possible prior abuse... yes, both are rescues. German Shepherds and Labs are known for having HD, so Im not sure if it could be due to abuse or neglect. I do feel a little overwhelmed with two being sick at the same time, especially so soon after losing our cat to cancer :( . I'm waiting for the vet to call about Skippy... I hate waiting!. Thank you for your prayers, I've been praying alot too.

[Squawksx3]

Well, Skippy is home. The vet said that the mass is too far up his nostril for him to get a good look, but he did see that blood and puss were coming from it. We still dont know for sure whats causing this :( . He put him on Baytril, Trithalmic and Yunnan. Hopefully we can stop the bleeding.
Sam is now on Deramaxx for the Dysplasia. If this doesn't help, we'll try something else. I'm thinking of changing to the nursing profession with all the meds I now have to shove down the throats and nose. My poor boys...

['too crazy]

What is this medicine Skippy's on supossed to do? Will they do surgury? My dog is on the Deramax to for 3 weeks. The vet said for inflamation and if she is still limping, she'll do an x-ray. So far she's not limping but a few days ago she was in the kitchen running around like a nut and then she started wimpering and came hobbling to the living room. She hardley put her leg on the ground. I had her lay down and I massaged lightly for a bit and she got up and went and played. I don't know what that was all about. Well, keep us posted on how they are doing. I'm sending hugs and prayers your way. Sherry

[Redstorm1721]

I am so sorry to all of you. I hope and pray that all your baby's get well! Gail

[Squawksx3]

Thank you Gail. Sherry, the vet didn't mention surgery for Skippy, he's hoping the meds will help... I put the Trithalmic and Yunnan down his nostril to help with the bleeding and puss along with the antibiotic. I'm kinda wondering about my vet. He's been awesome in the past, but seems to be overworked and have too much on his plate lately. I hate to leave him, but may have to look for another vet :( . Prayers to you and your girl.

[dlaura]

Jan, are things any better today with your dogs. I know you started the meds............wondering if you see any improvement. I hope so.

[Squawksx3]

Thx Diane...Skippy's nose has stopped bleeding .. YAY!... and he is acting normal again. Sam is still the same, he has a hard time using his back legs and getting around, but it will take time for the meds to kick in with him, I think he is in less pain.... I sure hope so.

[Graciethelab]

Jan~

I am so sorry for Skippy and Sam. I'll pray for you and them and I hope they feel better! Gracie does too!

[dlaura]

Jan, glad to hear that Skippy's nose has stopped bleeding. That must have been awful for both of you. Hope you see more improvement in Sam as the meds get a chance to take effect!

[RWDVM]

Dear Jan:

I am a vetrinarian. With regard to your lab, chronic bleeding from the nose occurs from one of four causes: resistent bacterial infection, fungal infection, cancer, or blood coagulation disorders. I suggest that you begin by having a coagulation profile blood test performed. If that comes back normal, the next logical diagnostic I would perform is rhinoscopy. Rhinoscopy consists of a long, thin scope with a camera on the end, inserted up the nasal cavity under general anesthesia. It enables us to physically see what is going on up the nose, and take samples. These samples can be analysed for cancer, bacterial cultured, and fungal cultured.

With regard to your shepherd, before the arthritis becomes severe, I strongly recommend beginning a glucosamine/perna caniculus root/MSM/anti-oxidant combination supplement. These products combine to increase joint fluid production, regenerate damaged cartilage, and decrease inflammation. Please refer to the arthritis management page of my veterinary advice website for information on the supplement that provides this combo at http://www.askdvm.com Best of luck tou you.

Roger L. Welton, DVM

[Squawksx3]

Thank you so much Roger.
My vet has run a series of tests on my Lab, he has done the Rhinoscopy and said that the mass is too far up for the camera to reach. He said he sent in what samples he could get and the tests came back inconclusive... he seems to think it may be cancer, but is unable to verify. He had him on Baytril, Yunnan and trithalmic drops. The Baytril is done and he's been fiine, but I have noticed him bleeding from the nose again in the last couple days... its just the left nostril. He acts normal, is alert and eating/drinking fine. What would you suggest?.
My GSD is currently on Prednisone, 20 mg twice a day.. and we have him in therapy with the water treadmill. He is doing better but still is very week in both rear legs. With being on Prednisone, would you still recommend putting him on glucosamine/perna caniculus root/MSM/anti-oxidant combination supplement?.

Jan :)