Just wanted to fill y'all in about Savage (Ripken)

This was from 2-4-2008:

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.

 

From 2-6-2008:

Well, it's been 3 days of Prednisone therapy for Ripken's myositis and lupus and OMG if I didn't think someone replaced my dog in the middle of the night!

Tuesday morning he came bounding out of the kennel like propelled from a slingshot. This rmorning he nearly took out my kneecaps and sent me sprawling on my tush!

He's doing much, much better and is eating like a champ, drinking well, and has energy to play. I'm doing 2 very short walks (I mean like 3 driveways down & back) a day just to keep him alert and moving. He is also getting time in the backyard just to himself and some inside time as well. However, stupid-head decided to climb into the dishwasher tonight and help clean dishes...nevermind that they were clean......and nearly pulled the dishwasher over & out from underneath the cabinet. So he got a few minutes of obedience work and then back into his kennel.

He's also barking and vocalizing a lot which is a good thing. However, he won't let me check his jaw and I don't have anyone to hold him down for me. It's obvious that it still doesn't open all the way, and it never will, but he has regained use of it again and that is great!

I know that this sudden change can be attributed to the Prednisone treatment, so the big test will be when the 1st 2 weeks of BID treatment is done and we go to SID (once a day). If he goes downhill when the amount of pred is reduced, then we will still probably have to euthanize him. I just can't force a dog to live in pain just because I want him to be here. It's not fair.

But for the time being, he and Cole will play their days away until it's time to say good-bye. I'm determined to minimize the sorrow, and build lasting memories of joy and happiness.

I'll continue to update this thread as the days go by and things progress.

 

From 2-20-2008:


I'm here.

Ripken has been doing amazingly well.........that is until this morning.

Last night he went to bed a bouncing bundle of energy and this morning he could barely walk. He seems to have overall joint pain and stiffness and honestly, I'm not sure there is anything left to do. And I'm not sure trying to prolong his life is ethical or kind at this point in time.

He was bumped down to just 1 20mg Pred tablet a day as of last Friday. And since then his energy has slowly declined. But seeing him this morning just standing in the kitchen with his tail between his legs, his head hung low with those sad eyes, well.......I can't put him through any more.

I've been dealing with my own health issues the past week & a half (in the hospital) and I know how it feels to be in pain and feel crappy overall. But at least I can understand things. He cannot.

So we've got an appointment for tomorrow to say good-bye. For me, the timing sucks. But for him, it's necessary. I don't know what else to do.....I refuse to force a dog to live in pain all because I'm to selfish to say good-bye.

Tonight Ripken will sleep inside with us. We will love him and spoil him and make him promises that sadly we will never keep. But he will not suffer another day.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and support. It has meant a lot. I never imagined in 100 yrs that "anonymous" people on the internet would mean so much to me & my family.

 

Ripken was euthanized on 2-21-2008.....just a few days before his 1st birthday. It was so hard to let him go, yet somehow reassuring at the same time as he was in pain and there is no cure whatsoever for either disorder. He was very happy that day and that's how we will always remember him.

I've got many a pics of him and some of him and Cole already put into Cole's scrapbook. The scrapbook is composed of the dogs that he played with but passed on way before their time. This way he can get to know about them when he's older.

We miss our tiny bundle of energy, but he's no longer suffering. We'll always remember the joy he brought not just to us, but to Cole, in the little amount of time he was with us.

**I wanted to put this all here as I've had several people from here ask me how he was doing as I realized only 1 or 2 people on here knew about what was going on. So I wanted to give everyone an update.

 

im sorry for your loss. some things cant be helped and its better to put him out of his suffering now than later.

 

Oh, no.

Mia, you and your family have gone through so much... and yet always come through strong. I really admire that

RIP Savage...

 

It's just been a tough year. Lost Mia in August, euthanized Sukari in December, found Whiskey his forever home in December, and euthanized Ripken in February. I swear if I lose another dog this year I will be the one to lose it. But the good news is that all the other dogs are happy and healthy...even Paw-Paw at 15-years-old.

 

Sorry for your loss. Its clear to see... that you have done everything in you power to help this puppy. Its tough to let go. However, sometimes its the only option. I know things are tought at the moment. I pray for you & your family during these difficult times.

 

Damn. That absolutely sucks. I have to go hug my Loki now. I hope the rest of this year is bad shit-free for you.

 

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

Im sorry for your loss Mia, dont know what to say but a big hug to you and Cole.

 

S- sorry for your loss.

you did all you could do, but that just seemed to be beyond your control.

i'll keep you and yours in my thoughts.

at least you weren't selfish, and let him go with some respect.

my in-laws neighbors have a poor mutt that can't see or walk, and empties out all over itself several times a day, but those f-in idiots refuse to put her down. she's an 8 yr old viscila (sp?) with more health issues that you can shake a stick at. :mad:

 

I'm sooo sorry for your loss. Hopefully this upcoming year will be better than last, you've been through way too much suffering lately.

 

Mia, I pray that the year treats you and the family better. I don't know what better to say except I'm sorry you've had to endure all the heartbreak in the recent months. You're a strong lady, keep on being that way.

 

Mia you did all yo could have done. His quality of life was not in the best intrest to keep going. You done the best thing fo rhim. Stay strong as we need people like you in this breed for many years to come!

Tony

RIP Savage

 

Sorry for your loss... Have you spoken to 50?

 

OH SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
was just wondering was your dog from one of the western states I had a dog with the same jaw symptoms but it was vally fever it attacked his jaw and joints had trouble walking and if you touched his jaw he would scream out in pain

 

Hey Girl!!!!!

Just got through a bad couple of years myself...it does get better. I am so sorry for your loss. But I am glad to see your name up on this Board!!!!!

 

OMG, i had been wondering where you were... My deppest heartfelt sympathys to you! He was such a cute/silly little guy, just try and remember the great life that you did give him!

I have one myself that i need to euthanize that i am stalling doing... shes not in any pain or sick, but for other reasons. Its a hard thing to do when you are attached, but feel good inside that you made the right decision for his sake.

 

I am very sorry for your loss,and with everything everyone else said,you did all the right things.Just sorry you had to go through it,but now you are only stronger for having to deal with it.....