Oct 25, 2009

Lucie, Vasculitis and Poop in my Brand New SUV

Last Tuesday evening on October 20th, I was rubbing Lucie's ears and noticed lumps that started at the tips of her ears and ran up both sides of her ears. She was not scratching her ears or acting like she was not feeling well. Since Zoe had lots of lumps and bumps as she aged that we needed to keep an eye on, I got in the habit of thoroughly checking our dogs. To place my mind at ease I scheduled an appointment with our favorite Vet Dr. Johnson. 




 Lucie was the first to ride in my new FJ Cruiser SUV. On the ride out there I noticed a smell in the car. My husband said he didn't smell anything so I thought it was just my over-active nose at work. Once we arrived at the Neighborhood Pet Health Center and were waiting in the examination room I noticed the smell again. I immediately looked at the bottom of my shoes, nothing there. My husband looked at his shoes and BINGO there was dog poop on the bottom of his shoe! Oh well, I wanted this SUV as my fun dog car so what better way to break it in.



 


It was great to see Dr. Johnson! He got down on the floor with Lucie so they could get reacquainted. Lucie made sure she gave him lots and lots of kisses. She is a sucker for a good belly rub! Then he started examining her and started asking many questions. From this preliminary examination without any blood tests or biopsies, Dr. Johnson believes that she may have Vasculitis.  He said he does not see this very often and that it can be related to other underlying conditions. He mentioned something about immune mediated something or other at this point I started to get concerned.


Don't know what it is? Neither did I, but I am learning now.


  • Besides hair loss, there are lesions, which can be cluster like and then the skin on the ear margins can begin to die (looking like an injury with a scab) and slough off. 
  • The only definitive way to know is with an ear biopsy. 
  • Vasculitis is not common in dogs, but can occur most frequently in short haired dogs and can be found in the Dachshund breed.
 I was not ready to hear the words, "I don't see this very often and immune medated" from Dr. Johnson. The last time I heard these words was when K-8 was diagnosed with Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia and Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. Dr. Johnson reassured me that Lucie's condition is different than what K-8 had and that a "normal" person probably would not have even caught these lumps on Lucie's ears. This made me laugh, he knows me very well at this point. I pay close attention to any changes in our dogs. I believe if I can catch an issue early enough, the better off my pups will be.

So where do we go from here? It is possible that Lucie will grow out of this, but we need to keep an eye on her for any changes. We will watch for any sores in or around her mouth and eyes. We will make sure she is eating and playing like she should. If the lumps don't go away or show changes of any kind within the next three weeks, Dr. Johnson wants to see Lucie back to re-evaluate her.

What is Lucie doing right now? She is sprinting around outside after Hailey, rolling her in the dirt in the yard!

30 comments:

  1. If we didn't know better that this is a serious topic, we might suggest that Lucie has some dried mud on her ears. But all joking aside, you are so wise to have her checked early and know what you might be dealing with than to ignore and have a real problem. Paws crossed that this is a minor issue and that Lucie will continue to have fun in the mud:)

    Tail wags, the OP Pack

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  2. Oh no, about the vasculitis and the poop. I hope Lucie grows out of the vasculitis and that everything goes back to normal quickly.
    Sending lots of puggy hugs and kisses!!
    xo
    P.S. If I remember correctly, you lived in Germany for a while, and I wondered if you had any tips for my sister who just moved there and is having a difficult time adjusting...I would appreciate any advice you might have! Thanks. :)

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  3. That first picture looks like a professional portrait. She's such a beauty.

    As long as she's pushing Hailey around, all is well ;-)

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  4. This sound not great i hope for the best.
    bye bye ....take care Lucie,Misty.

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  5. We are sorry to hear what Doc. had to say, but glad you are watchful of everyone. Also glad your new ride is broken in!!!

    high five paws,
    Cookie and crew

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  6. Sadly, all dog cars must be broken in some time, but it's always better after the new car smell is gone. ;0 Nice catch on the lumps. Hopefully they will be outgrown.

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  7. I pray that those lumps will go away by itself. Lucy, hugs hugs, your mom loves you very much, so do we.

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  8. Early detection is SO important! We hope she'll grow out of it - you are so smart to catch it so you can keep an eye on it!!!
    Zoomies are always a good sign.
    Love the new ride - sorry about the poopers.
    Tail wags,
    Storms

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  9. Hope everything works out.

    Smelly cars, its a a dog thing ;-)

    Wizz :-)

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  10. Sounds like a good DR that you are going to, and I'm sure he will make things right! Sorry about the poop too....

    Elizabeth & Luna

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  11. I hope Lucie does outgrow the vasculitis. And what a way to break in a new car! Whew!!

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  12. Hi, You Guys...

    My paws are crossed for Lucie & I'm sending lots of Good Lhasa Vibes...

    Oh, And, itt's not a "Fun Dog Car" until it has a little poop in it...HaHa...

    Abby xxxooo

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  13. I hope Lucie grows out of this quickly! At least she's not sick.

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  14. Good for you for keeping such a close eye on the pups and catching this early. We hope it wil indeed be something that Lucie grows out of. Please keep us posted.

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  15. What a great way to break in a new car, he he, I should do it to moms new car too. =) I am glad you caught the thing early with Lucie

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  16. been there with the poop in the car! Hope Lucie's vet can get her over this hump! :)

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  17. What a great pawrent woo are!

    We'll be sending SibeVibes that she'll outgrow this and it is nothing serious -

    As fur the 'khristening', poop happens!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  18. WE are thinking of Lucie and hoping it goes away!! :) Bummer about the poop but like you said what better way to break it in. :)

    Nala

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  19. Addie, Lucie and Hailey...hi...and boo that Lucie has yucky stuff on her ears!!! But what a super mom you guys have-she found those yucky lumps!!! Mom says it's good if it's something she might grow out of!! I'm going to send out good doggie vibes to Lucie that she grows out of it and she's ok!!

    Both mom and I are sending healing thoughts and vibes your way!!

    Woof

    Velcro

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  20. What a wise Mamma you are, to have it checked out so quickly! We hope it is something that she will grow out of & will be keeping our paws crossed!
    Luv your new kritter carrier! It looks pawsome!

    ((hugs)) your friends
    Oskar, Schatzu & Xena

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  21. Ohhh poor Lucie!! We hope it's nothing too serious. It's a good thing that your mom is so observant and noticed it early!!

    Ummmm and I guess your dad isn't as observant as your mom or else he wouldn't have stepped on the poop!! LOL!!

    Thanks for including my Shrek-y pic in your contest!! (((hugs)))..

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  22. Poor Lucie! And sorry about that poop stuffs.

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  23. We are sure glad you caught it early. We are so hoping that it is nothing and will go away in time... Big Heeler vibes go out to you lucie..
    Raining again... will it ever quit? We went to the lake on Sunday and it is way up. Hopefully they won't close it on us...

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

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  24. Thank doGness you were on top of things! We hope Lucie outgrows the vasculitis.

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  25. we are praying that it turns out to be nothing! and that your car doesn't smell like poop anymore! :)

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  26. We are crossing paws that this goes away - in fact, we are makin' the cats cross paws, too☺

    We have posted about you's contest on our bloggy. Come on over an' take a look. PURRty cute!

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  27. Good thing you keep such a close eye on your babies. Sounds like a fun trip to the vet and love your new car!

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  28. Lucie looks quite serious in the back of your Cruiser. I think she could smell the poop, too!

    Seriously, we all said prayers that this ear thing/vasculitis/mediated something-or-other is a passing phase and nothing serious. Please keep us posted about your gorgeous girl!

    Your pal,
    Fenway

    PS: You have the BEST contest!!! Lots of fun pics and categories.

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  29. Good job checking your pups for lumps and bumps. I always do, too! Some of those bumps are deadly... as we've unfortunately learned.

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  30. I follow your blog and couldn't help noticing the title...I can't believe how many dogs I have heard of recently with Vasculitis. You will have to read my blog entry entitled "Dog Snoods for Healing Purposes". Since that entry two more people have contacted me for that very reason. I hope that Lucie is doing fine and that it just clears up and goes away. You sound like me...I, too, notice EVERY different thing on our dogs! I got a kick out of your vet saying that a "normal" person probably would not have noticed! Good luck with Lucie.
    Joan

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