Boston Buddy
06-01-2006, 09:59 AM
Hi,
Not only am I new to this site, but I have never posted on any site before, so forgive any stupidity! I am an owner 4 Boston Terriers. I hate to start out right away with a concern, but I have never had a sick dog before. The dogs we have had in the past have passed from old age, never from a sickness. My oldest (but still only 8) Boston, Buddy, we rescued from an animal shelter about 4 years ago. He almost died then because he got an infection at the needle sites for his anesthesia for neutering him. Since then, he has been the best friend and companion to my family. 3 weeks ago, I noticed his gums were white, I mean white! I took him to the vet's office, assuming he had a case of worms that had caused him to be anemic, but instead the doc says he has autoimmune hemolytic anemia. She also says it could be a form of cancer. What's strange is there were no symptoms other than the white gums. His PCV was 20, with normal being 30. She started him on prednisone 20 mg twice a day, which has had no effect whatsoever. The purpose of this, as I understand it, was to encourage production of red blood cells, but after 3 weeks, his count is still at 20. In the past two weeks, he has become a bit clumsy and lethargic. His heart rate is elevated and his breathing seems more labored than usual. She also suggested giving him B complex vitamins, bottled water, and liver, raw or cooked, which we have done. Today, his stool was green and he has developed an infection in his eyes. The vet is out of the office today, so I can't get anything for his eyes until tomorrow. I would really like some advise from anyone who has dealt with this type problem before. I don't want him to suffer. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, but she says he could go into crisis fairly quickly or have a blood clot. Any ideas on how to help him and what to expect with this illness? Thanks and sorry to jump in with very little introduction!
Not only am I new to this site, but I have never posted on any site before, so forgive any stupidity! I am an owner 4 Boston Terriers. I hate to start out right away with a concern, but I have never had a sick dog before. The dogs we have had in the past have passed from old age, never from a sickness. My oldest (but still only 8) Boston, Buddy, we rescued from an animal shelter about 4 years ago. He almost died then because he got an infection at the needle sites for his anesthesia for neutering him. Since then, he has been the best friend and companion to my family. 3 weeks ago, I noticed his gums were white, I mean white! I took him to the vet's office, assuming he had a case of worms that had caused him to be anemic, but instead the doc says he has autoimmune hemolytic anemia. She also says it could be a form of cancer. What's strange is there were no symptoms other than the white gums. His PCV was 20, with normal being 30. She started him on prednisone 20 mg twice a day, which has had no effect whatsoever. The purpose of this, as I understand it, was to encourage production of red blood cells, but after 3 weeks, his count is still at 20. In the past two weeks, he has become a bit clumsy and lethargic. His heart rate is elevated and his breathing seems more labored than usual. She also suggested giving him B complex vitamins, bottled water, and liver, raw or cooked, which we have done. Today, his stool was green and he has developed an infection in his eyes. The vet is out of the office today, so I can't get anything for his eyes until tomorrow. I would really like some advise from anyone who has dealt with this type problem before. I don't want him to suffer. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, but she says he could go into crisis fairly quickly or have a blood clot. Any ideas on how to help him and what to expect with this illness? Thanks and sorry to jump in with very little introduction!