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kimlouise
03-03-2012, 09:18 AM
If anyone could give me any advice in helping my beloved pet i would be most grateful. I purchased her from a Brisbane breeder, her line is all grand champions,champions, she has just turned 9 and is ill and we are devestated. Her friend our other sheltie luke, nearly 8 is more devestated. She is my sons dog who has had leukaemia, in the early days she never left his side, he named her charlotte after charlotte in charlotte's web. She is the most loving,sensitive animal I have ever known besides our beloved luke.

Her current history:-
Allergies-to queensland grass? courses of niralone over the years.
Always vacinated yearly heartworm vaccinations yearly also, (unfortunately),
The last three to six months her personallity has changed. She has become anxious, crys and lot, demanding and extremely hungry. The last six months we do not put them outside because of the horrid mosquitoes (live on the bayside) when lights out she lays beside our bed on my side. The last month she has been hiding, extremely anxious and sleeping behind our behead every night and the last month has not left my side for anything.
Medical history:- one month ago limping badly on back hind left leg in pain, attended vet, told arthritis, given previcox for anti-inflammatory, to return for weekly injections (told no side affects) presume to build the leg up, put on jointguard glucosamine, fish oil,etc. After third injection, could not walk at all, normal vet returned from absence, said straight away reptured ligament, referred for specialist. Specialist did ultrasound, bloods, put her on tramadol, morphine for pain in hospital, said ruptured ligaments both legs, feet collapsed, signs of cushings disease, cannot test for one month until steriods out of her system. Send home on tramadol which affected her so badly I thought she would die. Spent last monday night in hospital with I think pancreatits, blown up abdo, crossing legs, in pain, crying, writhing in pain at home, put her on drip for night and pain relief, did another abdo ultrasound, bloods, I now also think it was the tramadol affecting her (human drug).

No support from specialist, not returned calls, told me on phone to take her off tramadol, so she has been at home last week, both legs collapsed, in pain with no veterinary drugs at all. For weeks I have been researching her problems and am not one to give in as she has only just turned nine.

Signs are:- extremely swollen abdo, increased drinking, panting, losing hair off face and nuzzle, pot bulging belly, belly gone from pink to white, blackheads on belly, lumps on skin, seeking cold tile floor instead of bed, increased anxiety. Pain, only able to weightbear on legs initially, feet bowed, collapsing underneath her, in very dire straights. I have been devestated and desperate but that gets you nowhere. The vet I phoned saying she wasnt doing well, spoke of ligament surgery on legs, but now cannot test for cushings for another two weeks.

After seeing her so sick I thought she was going to die whether right or wrong, on testing for cushings I thought she would have to have more steroids which would probably kill her she is that sick I took matters in my own hands.

I started her on:- HOMEOPATHY for animals
Cushings disease set even though not diagnosed, includes cushings tonic, (herbal drops), cushings support, relax tonic.
For her ruptured ligaments- tear repair, homeopathy pain relief for her legs,
jointguard glucosamine formula powder,
slowly adding BARF raw food diet, blowing off huge amounts,
she is constipated extremely, awaiting homeopathy constipation remedy,
Ester Vitamin C tablets
Vitamin B
natural yoghurt (no preservaties etc)
raws foods, gently steamed organic veges sometimes (carrot/sweet potato/pumpkin/brocoli, grated zucchini, organic apple.
Just ordered shark cartlige, have a friend who has a son with a brain tumour with 15 per cent chance at survival, his therapy was shark cartilege and he is now 15 years old in May, got sick when 3-4 years old.

Mozart and string music throughout the day softly for relaxation.
Trying to keep the house (teenager) as quiet as possible and stress free,
massage (t touch)
monitoring drinking and urination

It is like an at-home intensive care ward, I have taken turns in sleeping on the floor on cushions every night for a week with my husband as she wants to be near us (understandable),
Took her to beach (just sat and watched water) take her in car to get out of the house (taking son to school), bought new ball, to nudge gently with nose only

In the week on homeothapy, I might be jumping the gun but she has been walking every day both legs, some days trying to run, climbing in the garden, paineze is helping wonderfully, when she wants to play and run, (limited visits outside) so she can rest limbs, yet when sleeps, sometimes cannot stand up due to the ligaments ruptured.

Have been researching ligament ruptures, I dont think she will survive surgery, have found a doctor who does cutting edge adipose stem cell transplants for dogs for ligament repair, about one hour from home. Bit the bullet, rang up without our two vets knowing, asked for her bloods, ultrasound, history to be faxed over yesterday, got appointment for opinion on this tuesday morning 6th March. They may or may not be able to do anything but I have nothing to lose. If she was old age I could accept, but at only just turning nine is extremely hard given her best friend luke is inseparable from her, when she was in hospital he was frantic for two days searching for her. I have given him homepathy, stress release and relax tonic.
Our beautiful girl has had the first sleep in a week, and a few rough nights, one night I sat up all night with wet washers as she was very hot. Each day her legs are improving, and she is getting more rest each day. It seems only five days of the homeopathy she has improved from being at deaths door out of site. Of a day, although unable she wants to play soccer, run and jump, wags her tail, is full of spirit and life and is improving, I can only pray and have faith. I tried homeopathy as my son got leukaemia when 2 years old and had chemotherapy every single day for just over two and a half years. The oncologist told me a lot of the chemo drugs were herbs, such as periwinkle and many others, I think what have we got to loose.
We are trying to keep the faith, I pray and pray, and ask for help, even though I sob my heart out each night, I know that we have a very small window to do something. I cannot wait two weeks to get tested for cushings despite many of the signs and the specialist stating with quite a few of the signs our angel would probably have cushings.

If anyone could offer any help, opinions, advice, it would be very welcome and I would be so very grateful. Our two shelties are like our children and charlotte is my best friend. She is at my feet while I am writing this thread. Please pray for her.:)

labblab
03-03-2012, 10:25 AM
Welcome to you and Charlotte, and without a doubt, she already has my prayers flowing to her!

I only have a moment to post right now, but I am so glad you have found us and we will do whatever we can to support you and your girl. I am very relieved that Charlotte seems to be perking up a bit, but I do understand why you are so very worried about her serious issues.

I'm afraid I don't have enough knowledge to comment on the ligament ruptures, or the specialist with whom you'll be consulting next week. But as far as possible Cushing's -- I see that in Australia, Niralone contains prednisolone in addition to an antihistamine. So if Charlotte has been on an extended course of Niralone recently, it may be the case that at least some of her apparent Cushing's symptoms will improve all on their own now that the steroid has been stopped. Can you give us some more details about the Niralone treatment -- how recently and for how long?

Thanks so much in advance, and once again, welcome to you and your sweet girl. I know how heart-breaking it is to watch your dog sufering in any way. I hope we can collectively come up with some helpful suggestions. But as I said earlier -- first and foremost, we can definitely help with our prayers!

Marianne

jmac
03-03-2012, 01:48 PM
Hello and welcome from me as well!

As Marianne said, you have found a wonderful place and we are here to help support you and Charlotte. I can understand how upset you must be, as it sounds like Charlotte is dealing with an awful lot!

I don't have any help to offer you on her ligaments, but as Marianne said if you can tell us more about the Niralone, we may be able to help, since any steroid can cause Cushing's symptoms in dogs.

I'm sorry you are struggling and not receiving much support from your vet, but we are here to answer questions and offer suggestions, and of course to support you and Charlotte.

Julie & Hannah

StarDeb55
03-03-2012, 03:16 PM
Welcome to both you & Charlotte! As Marianne has already mentioned long term use of any steroid containing meds can cause a type of Cushing's called iatrogenic. The only solution is to slowly wean the pup off the steroid containing medication. We need some more specific information about the niralone history, & did Charlotte's symptoms develop while on niralone?

Now, I will tell you cruciate ligament ruptures aren't as horrible as they sound, & neither is the surgery. I have now been through this surgery with 2 of my boys, one of which was one of my Cushing's boys. The last time I went through it was about 18 months ago with my then 10 year old Lhasa, & he is absolutely fine. He had a TPLO procedure done by an experience orthopedic vet surgeon, & everything went great. The big secret to treating this injury, even if you choose not to do surgery, is the pup absolutely must have at least 6 weeks of crate rest. This means no running, jumping, especially on furniture, no play. You will even need to leash Charlotte to go outside for potty breaks. You would have to do this after surgery, also.

A lot of us have had very ugly experiences with tramadol use for our pups, & have found out that using 1/2 the suggested dose that the vet has given usually provides pain relief without the horrible side effects. There are alternatives to tramadol, but I can't remember what they are at the moment, & not sure if they would be available down under. If I come up the name of the drugs, I will post back.

Debbie

marie adams
03-03-2012, 04:43 PM
Welcome to you and Charlotte:),

You have come to a wonderful to help you your questions. I can see Marianne and Debbie are helping already. Please give us as much information about testing results as possible. This will help figure out some of what is happening with Charlotte.

You are definitely in good hands so asks as many questions that you may have because the experts are here to answer them or research to find answers.

Take care and hang in there!!! :)

BestBuddy
03-03-2012, 06:31 PM
Welcome to you and Charlotte from another Aussie.

My first thoughts are that you are doing everything you can to get improvement, some helping and others draining your purse. I do understand the reasons.

Have you considered changing vets/specialists, there are so many good ones and you pay whether they are any good or not.


Until you get a diagnosis of cushings you can't start any of the recommended drugs so waiting is going to be part of the plan for that.

I have never dealt with the surgery but Deb has given her views and it is something I would not rule out.

Jenny

mytil
03-04-2012, 07:17 AM
Hi and welcome from me too.

I am sorry your Charlotte is having these horrible troubles but am very happy she has you as her advocate.

I would certainly look at the use of steroids as the culprit here too.

My little Aussie (this was years ago) ruptured her ligament when she was almost 10 and I opted for surgery. She pulled through with no problems - although the recuperation time took a bit longer than if she were younger and for about a month she was not allowed to jump, run around and was leashed for potty breaks. The first week was really tough on her with the pain and inflammation, but we took one day at a time with physical therapy (at home). At that time I used Rymadil for the pain.

Sending healing thoughts and prayers and please keep us posted.
Terry

kimlouise
03-04-2012, 06:59 PM
Thankyou so much to everyone, it means so much to us that there are such caring people,I am so grateful for all of your prayers for charlotte. She is improving, this morning (monday 5th March in Australia).

The niralone course was started about five years ago, on and off, mainly in summer with the extreme brisbane humidity, I think she has chewed her feet and had the reaction from the grass, as even now she is off niralone completely, we are having lots of rain and when going outside she is chewing like crazy. She has been off the niralone for approximately 9 months until about January this year as the condition was settling down. Six months ago a horrible group of crows moved into the neighbour, huge and black and about a dozen of them, this has severely stressed her, they get on our roof, in our yard and she hates them, since they moved into the neighbourhood she has deteriorated, the problem is when she hears them she wants to get up and chase them and it is becoming extremely difficult. Someone has been poisioning them in the next town as they are everywhere, we have never even seen a crow the last 12 years and now they are thousands of them moved into our local suburbs, as they are a native bird, they are protected. I dont know how you could move them on. The vet started her on niralone this January the dose, one and half tablets (small green) every second day. She had only about ten tablets this year in total and then they were stopped about three weeks ago when she started getting really sick.
I only have some bloodwork results from the emergency hospital when she was hospitalised overnight, the specialist has all her ultrasound results and full bloodwork, what I have to hand is as follows:-

Packed cell volume - 52%
TP - 70g/dl

Blood gas analysis results - venous
pH 7.40 range _ (7.35-7.45)
pCO2 38 (35-38mmHg
pO2 38 (30-40 mmHg)
Na+ 145 (142-150mmol/L
K+ 3.5 (3.4-4.9mmol/L
Ca2+ 1.27 (1.12-1.40 mmol/L)
Glu 6.3 (3.0-6.0mmol/L)
Lac 3.9* (0.5-2.0 mmol/L
Hct 50 (35-50)

HCO3 23.5* (15.0-23.0 mmol/L)
TCO2 24.7 (17.0-25.0mmol/L
BE ecf -1.3* (0.0-6.0mmol/L
SO2c 72 ((90-100%)
THbc 15.5 (12.0-17.0 g/dL

Interpretation - pH normal, Mild hyperlactemia (causing the negative base excess) indicating decreased tissue persfusion, mild
hyperglycaemia likely stress related.

ystematic Abdominal Ultrasound findings:- urogenital tract (kidneys,bladder,prostate,uterus) bladder small. Kidneys have normal size and architecture
Hepato-Biliary system (liver, gallbladder - mild generalised hyperechocity of hepatic parenchyma
gastro-intestinal tract (stomach,small intesting, large intestine - nad)
pancreas - not visualised
spleen - normal homogenous parenchyma
adrenals - left adrenal visualised 6mm across
abdominal lymph nodes - no lymphodenopthy noted
messentary - normal
intra abdominal fluid - none.
assessment - no significant findings.

Medications in hospital
Methone 2.5 mg
fluid therapy.
dated of tests, 28/02/2012.

Seeing new vet tomorrow for ligaments in both legs (Tuesday 6th March) has new technology - adipose stem cell therapy. getting opinion. The specialist to my knowledge has not taken any xrays of her legs, I cannot understand this, the stem cell vet (his nurse) said they will xray her legs and do a cancer screen tomorrow.

You have all given me a boost in hope for healing for charlotte, thankyou everyone.
ps: marie, the photo of the beautiful black sheltie, my little tri-colour luke who is seven looks identical to your dog. Shelties are beautiful!

Roxee's Dad
03-06-2012, 01:57 AM
Hi and a belated welcome to you and Charlotte from me too.

Just wanted to let you know one of mine (Roxee) who also had Cushing's had ruptured cruciate ligament and went thru the surgery very well. Her litter mate sister (Rozee) also sprained her knee then damaged her other cruciate ligament a day later because she was 3 legging it. At her age (15), I didn't want to put her through the surgery so we opted for conservative management.

We had a custom wheelchair made for her and we did daily swimming therapy. After about 22 weeks she was able to run around like a puppy.

Here is a few You tube video's of her in her wheelchair. She will be 17 this July :D

Rozee in her wheelchair
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLk-SgpEAdQ

Rozee Swimming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwwlYXPm4OE

Rozee's First walk after coming out of the wheelchair:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEAguwS74vY

labblab
03-06-2012, 08:52 AM
Good luck today with the specialty vet visit!!

We'll really be anxious to find how what he/she says.

Please give Charlotte a big hug for us,
Marianne

kimlouise
03-07-2012, 10:13 PM
Hello everyone, thankyou all for contacting us. Some good news. Charlotte has had a new lot of bloods at a new vet and has seen him on Tuesday 6th March, the vet that does the new technology for stem cell therapy. We were meant to go to this vet, we have renewed hope. If she has cushings he said it is mild, cannot test for a while longer until all of the steroids are out of her body.

Day by day she is improving with the homeopathy and vitamin C.
Wanting to run around, playing ball, she has even started to rudely jump on top of my male sheltie and knock him over showing whos boss. Finding it hard not to let her do these things as she crys when she wants to play and cannot.

Charlottes blood were all within the normal range except lactase which was only two points over (borderline). the vet was very happy with her, she does not have diabetes.

Next tuesday 13 March she is going in for surgery on her left hind cruciate, the vet is doing deangelis sugery, when recovered he will do right cruciate ligament if all well in time, and will then depending on cushings outcome seriously consider stem cell therapy which will be very beneficial.
We are keeping faith, off of your prayers are helping. kind regards, charlottes mum, kim.

Harley PoMMom
03-08-2012, 01:36 AM
Hi Kim,

Thanks so much for the update. I will be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers especially with the surgery, hoping all goes well.

Please do keep us posted.

Love and hugs,
Lori

kimlouise
03-08-2012, 01:50 AM
thanks Lori, that means a lot,best wishes to you too,Kim

Squirt's Mom
03-08-2012, 09:22 AM
Hi Kim,

Thanks for the update! It sounds like Charlotte is in good hands for her legs. My Squirt had both her knees redone when she was about 1 1/2 then summer of '10 we had to redo her right knee since a pin came out. She has a back-end worth about $5000! :eek:;) Wonder if we could insure our babies parts...ya know, like boxers insure their hands? :p

I looked into the stem cell therapy for Squirt but just couldn't afford it. It sounds like it has real promise for our babies, tho, and I wish you the best of luck if you go that route. I would be very interested in following Charlotte's treatment.

We are here for you anytime you wish to talk, vent, or question, Kim. You and Charlotte do not have to go through this alone. Several here have been through ligament surgeries and will be happy to share their experiences with you, I'm sure.

Thoughts, prayers, and healing white light flying your way!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

kimlouise
03-08-2012, 11:07 PM
Thankyou Leslie, I have been praying for the healing white light and the wonderful healing green light big time.
I will let you know how charley goes and will keep in touch. You are lovely, the inspiration has given my courage.
Kim

kimlouise
03-15-2012, 01:16 AM
Hello everyone, Charlotte is now home and had her left cruciate operated on two days ago (13th March), everything went well. She was the perfect patient. She is tolerating everything well and has had the elizabethan collar off since the first night as she was stressed with it. Charlotte has not attempted to touch the dressings and bandages, we are so proud of her. Her leg is as stiff as a board and she is finding it very hard to get comfortable, tossing and turning all night and day. Toiletting is a problem but we will get there. We cant test for cushings until another ten days. It seems she definitely has that, she has decreased urine output and is drinking lots since theatre, I am keeping an eye on it. The vet did a double de angelis cruciate procedure just for extra support incase anything happens with the first one. She is trying hard to be happy and getting her to rest is proving hard. Things are looking good though and after about 6 weeks if ok, the vet will consider doing the right cruciate the same way depending on the cushings outcome and then the stem cell therapy. It is all positive, your prayers are helping immensely and we appreciate all your help so much.

lauraperla
03-15-2012, 05:58 AM
Good to hear Charlotte is through the surgery. Good luck with restricting her movement, I'm thinking you may need to have a few mum & pup sofa days! Our household record for keeping an elizabethan collar on is 8 minutes!

Squirt's Mom
03-15-2012, 11:04 AM
Hi,

So glad the surgery went well and Charlotte is back home! :) I know how nerve-wracking these things are. My Squirt has had both her knees done, the right one re-done in July of '10 when a pin came out. The recovery period will pass before you know it! What is out of the ordinary today will soon become routine.

I also had a pitty who had numerous skeletal problems due to starvation as a puppy and a group call Conservative Management helped me with her a great deal. They have some great tips for keeping a pup under activity restrictions stimulated as well as help in many other areas. You can find them at -

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ConservativeManagement/

Another group that deals with these type surgeries that has been helpful to me is the Orthopedic dog group on Yahoo!. You can find them at -

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogsot/

Keep in touch and let us know how things are going!

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

Harley PoMMom
03-15-2012, 11:13 AM
I, too, am so happy to hear that Charlotte's surgery went well and continuing to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

Love and hugs,
Lori

mytil
03-16-2012, 07:36 AM
I, too, am happy to hear she went through the surgery fine and is home.

Did your vet send you home with some physical therapy instructions? Day 2 was the day we started with Mytilda on this along with alternating warm and cold compresses.

We used a towel wrapped around her waist to take her to the bathroom. It was slow doing but this helped her a lot.

Keep us posted and gentle ((hugs)) to Charlotte.
Terry

kimlouise
03-22-2012, 09:29 AM
Thankyou everyone to all the prayers and love sent out to charlotte, today she had her stitches out and is doing ok so far. Still to test for cushings.
We are starting hydrotherapy as soon as I can get an appointment, and we are towel walking her at the moment, she also has a lot of arthritis in the hips. Her vet may start her on cartrophen injections next week, not this week as she somewhat had a large type of seizure on tuesday so we are going through the epilepsy testing next week, I am being positive. She has been such a good girl, is getting rest and we bought a travel port-a-cot to put her in with her toys when I have to go to the clothesline, do housework or the school run etc. for short periods, she is getting used to it.
Regarding the cushings, she has lost 1kg but is drinking a lot of water. Will keep you all posted.
Love and best wishes to you all.xx:

Harley PoMMom
03-22-2012, 12:21 PM
Keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers and will be waiting anxiously for your next update.

jmac
03-25-2012, 11:32 AM
Hi there,

I am so glad to hear the surgery went well and that Charlotte is resting peacefully. I'm sorry to hear about the seizure, and am hopeful you will have some information about it and what to do soon. Thanks for the update. I hope she will continue to do well.

Julie & Hannah