Nov 10, 2009

Update and Symptoms

I spoke with Dr. Johnson this morning and the tick panel came back negative. Now this test has been known to produce false results so that is being kept in mind. Since she is not improving, I am taking her back to Dr. Johnson tomorrow for X-rays on her back and back end. Once he reviews the X-rays we will discuss how to move forward.

Eva and Brice's mom recommended that we put a list together of all of her symptoms to see if anyone else has had the same type of experience.

Lucie's Symptoms
(Keep in mind that all of these symptoms my not be related to one illness. Her illness started with us finding bumps on the outside of both ears. Then we noticed her having a little trouble getting up from her back legs. As time went on it became more difficult for her to get up and her energy level went way down.)
  • Bumps on both ears that are losing skin (Vasculitis) She also has bumps on the backs of her front legs, elbow area.
  • Loss of energy (Rarely runs and plays any more. She will get a burst of energy every so often but after she is active she is completely worn out.)
  • Trouble getting up from a down position (You can see it's hard for her to lift her back legs(end) and then she is a little shaky while she walks until she has walked around for a little bit. This is at its worst after she has been sleeping for a while.) She also use to run up the steps but now she takes them slow most of the time.
  • She sleeps the majority of the day. While the other girls are playing, she is sleeping.
  • Her appetite is good. She use to always follow me into the kitchen to eat but now most times she does not. I believe it's not because she doesn't want to eat but that it must hurt to move sometimes more than others.
  • No diarrhea or vomiting.
  • There have been no changes in her diet.
  • She has not ingested anything out of the ordinary that we are aware of.
  • She is drinking plenty of water. 
  • She does nibble on some leaves and plants outside. I'm going to get a good picture of them to show Dr. Johnson what she snacks on.
  • She has not been de-wormed. She has also not been on any types of medications. 

The first blood tests that we did were fine. They did a complete workup and everything was normal. When this all started Dr. Johnson took a good look at her hips as well. He did not find any issues with movement, no clicking.


Typically she will greet me at the door when I come home with the other girls. Today when I got home she did not even get up off her couch. I was carrying in some groceries and when I started to go look for her I caught her trying to get down from the couch. It was like watching an 18 year old dog. It's things like this that scare me.

We did receive a comment from a blogging friend that has the same type of breed as Lucie. Her pup had a strange health issue as well.

Have you tried giving Lucie echinacea tablets? Leo (remember him-Addie's twin?) my dog was sick last January...he had bumps on his feet and no energy or appetite. We did TONS of tests and there was no solid answer for us...I did all the research I could on the internet and by asking other people with dogs and found that while no one will say that echinacea is effective, I gave Leo echinacea tablets twice a day (plus doggy vitamins) for 6 weeks and kept him away from other dogs while his immune system recovered and now he is doing fine! No more bumps on his feet and he has been normal happy and energetic Leo ever since. Might be worth a try. Our vet said it was fine to try and wouldn't hurt the cause....
Hope Lucie feels better soon!
:)Kate and Leo

I'm going to talk to Dr. Johnson about her recommendation tomorrow. 

I am so grateful to all of you for your support! This has been stressful and I just feel so helpless right now.  But I will not give up. She will get better. The answer is out there. We just have to find it.

32 comments:

  1. We so wish we had an answer for you. But not having a clue, all we can do is continue to send good vibes and thoughts and lots of prayers for some answers soon.

    Hugs, the OP Pack

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  2. Have you de-wormed recently? This study suggests that at least one dog has had a reaction with the exact same symptoms, the common name for the drug is Panacur:

    http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118736630/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

    The truth is, you can probably become an expert on these symptoms with a little study. Really now, how much time do you think they would have spent on this in Vet school? None?

    I'd start by googleing "Thrombo-ischaemic pinnal necrosis" and any other "official" medical terms you can find.

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  3. The trouble getting up and down reminds me of Tasha. She had some HD and arthritis and would appear to be better after she had moved around a little. Tasha was worse after she tore her ACL which we had fixed by an ortho specialist.

    Since Lucie is a bigger dog, she may be prone to the HD or back/hip/knee issues.

    Not sure about the bumps but the sleeping and loss of energy could be attributed to avoiding activity that causes her pain.

    Paws crossed that you get an answer soon!

    Princess Eva

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  4. Lucie has not been de-wormed or been on any types of medications. We have been researching and will continue until we find out what is wrong. Thank you so much!

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  5. We've been thinking about you so much -

    We are glad you are sharing the symptoms/etc - the more others khan read things just maybe someone will go WOO that is it!

    Paws khrossed and lots of Sibe Vibes heading to Texas!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra

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  6. We wish we had some ideas.... all we can do is let you know we're thinking about you and offer our prayers. Prayers that you find answers and solutions.
    Tail wags,
    Storms

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  7. I am sure you will find what is happening to Lucie!
    Paws crossed for her!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  8. I sure hope she's better very soon...

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  9. Thanks for keeping us updated. I hope you find out soon exactly what is causing this - AND what to do to fix it! We love Lucie and hope she is better soon.

    Kisses,
    Emma Rose

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  10. Dont know about dogs but i had a massive car accident and was put on echinacea tablets for healing... couldnt hurt...

    the trying to get up is scary as you know your dog so well and when to panic and when not too... hang in there love Im hoping an answer comes for you soon

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  11. The not knowing is so worrying. We've never seen all those symptoms at once, wish we had a clue as to what it could be. Hope someone recognizes the symptoms and you get some answers soon. We're pulling for Lucie!

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  12. I am praying for Lucie, I hope there is a solution very soon.

    Anne and Sasha

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  13. I'm so sorry for poor Lucie. And I'm really praying that you find some answers soon. The pictures of Hailey were so sweet. Thinking of you guys!

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  14. So sorry to hear about Lucie. Sending her healing vibes. Hang in there Lucie. Hope the echinacea works.

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  15. i'm so sorry we were not around for you and i'm so sorry we have no answers for you and Lucie.

    i know how confusing this can be, especially since the blood tests are fine.

    please do not give up and she WILL get better.....i feel so helpless but i will try to google and see whether i can chance on anything that may help you

    take care
    chikisses

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  16. I so dearly wish I had an answer for you. It sux when the tests do not yield any results/ clue as to what's possily wrong. :( (I know how that feels because MY own medical tests are the same)...

    Hope the echinacea works.. Guess it's no harm trying anyway and it's worth a shot.

    Sending more healing vibes to dear Lucie and hope she feels better soon. (((hugs)))


    Huskee's mom

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  17. I hope you find it for Lucie.
    take care,Lean&Misty.

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  18. We are so sorry that you are having such a tough time with sweet Lucie. We hope that you can figure it out soon. That echinacea suggestion sounds potentially promising.

    We're all rooting for you.

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  19. OHHHHHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
    Sorry sorry sorry dear dear friends for not being close to you in this terrible moment!!!!!!!
    I read about Lucie only today!!!
    OMD!!!!!!!
    Poor baby!!!
    And dear Staci....I can imagine your panic and your sadness watching your sweet Lucie feelings not well!!!!
    Awwwwwwww.....I would love to be there with you and give you a big hug!!
    I'm sure all will be better very very soon!!!!!!
    Today I must go to my vet....he is specialized in dogs rare disease.....I'll tell him about you....maybe he could help Lucie!!!!
    Lucie is in our prayers....paws and fingers crossed for her!!!!!!
    WE LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!

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  20. sounds like an allergic reaction.. what a puzzler. we hate when our bloggiepals are sick. get well soon sweet lucie!

    tula

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  21. Poor baby girl. We are sending much healing love right this second.

    And it sounds like the echinacea won't hurt.

    You must feel better tout de suite dear Lucie. There're sisters to chase!

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  22. My thoughts and prayers are with sweet Lucie. I know you will get this figured out, but the process of getting there and watching your girl in pain is very hard, I can imagine.
    Prayers for a definitive diagnosis and relief of her discomfort!!!! Keep your head up!
    xoxo
    Pearl

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  23. HEY Dear dear friends!!!!!!!
    I'm just came back from the Vet....
    he said me that could be an allergic reaction ( the symptom are those!!!!)and you would try with CORTISONE!!!!!!
    Very very soon before the symptom will be too serious!!!
    And he said me if you have done the LEISHMANIOSI TEST....he read that in Texas you have Leishmania and Lucie have some of the Symptoms!!!!
    Let me know!!!!!!!
    I'm thinking of you!!!!!!!!
    Staci.....if you need me....pleaseeeeeee....contact me ok??!!!!!!
    I LOVE YOUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!

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  24. We are praying for a quick diagnosis and speedy recovery for dear Lucie!

    We will be checking back often for continued updates.

    ((hugs)your friends
    Oskar, Schatzi & Xena

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  25. Love the new blog look. Thoughts and prayers are with Lucie. Hopefully this is just a mystery phase and not a decline in her health. Sam (he's almost 9) has had similar behavior, has a large lump on his side, but just a fatty tumor. We think he's just slowing down. What about a seizure? Or arthitis symptoms? It's good she's still eating normally. Also, what kind of food does she eat? Nutro dog food has a lot of law suits against them. Same with OTC flea prevention. Has she ever had that? Just curious. (((HUGS)))

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  26. Hugs aplenty for u and Lucie. Get better soon.

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  27. We are going to ask our friend, Putter, to stop by your blog! Her mom is very smart about these kinds of things! Our paws are crossed for Lucie!

    Love ya lots,
    Maggie and Mitch

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  28. Crossed paws and healing vibes are all we are able to send your way.

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  29. We came over from another blog that informed us of your mystery illness. Paws are crossed that it is solved and nothing serious.

    Winston

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  30. More big Heeler vibes are going out to you.. We sure hope they can figure out what is wrong..

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

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  31. I wish I had some ideas. I'll cross my paws and send Sibe Vibes to you.

    Mochi

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  32. Miss Khyra sent us over.

    When I was a teenager, my immune system shut off for a while and they never figured out why. I got a fever and big warts on my feet that had to be cut off and all my joints hurt and I also got the mange. But we had to go to the doggie specialist to get treatment. He was most puzzled, but he treated the symptoms and I got better.

    Good luck.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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