Our boxer is 3 years old and has been sick for several months. We have taken him to multiple vets and internal specialists all are stumped. Last Friday he had a prolapsed rectum which the vet put back in. She tested material from her glove and found that Indy has no flora in his bowel. He was started on yougart, cottage cheese, chicken, and rice. She is also treating him like a Chron's patient with steroids, flaggyl and an enzyme to jump start his bowel again. He is starving but not gaining weight. Our neighbors watched him over the weekend for us and when we got home today he has what looks like a goiter under his neck. He is not having any breathing problems but this thing has grown since we have been home (8 hours). He has an appointment tomorrow for a follow up with the vet. Has anyone had any problems like this. Indy had exploratory abdominal surgery 1 1/5 months ago for vomitting and diarhea (he lost 20 pounds and hasn't gained it back yet). The vets are stumped and I think we are loosing our battle. He is still entergetic and playful. He eats and drinks but if he comes off the prednizone his stools are pure blood and he vomits everything he eats. We need any and all suggestions or I am afraid we will have to put him to sleep. Our vet made it sound on Friday that we will try these meds and hope for the best but we may have to make some hard decisions soon. Please help.
Please help! The vets are stumped!
- Thread starter Indybones
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LuVsHeRBoXeR
Banned
hmmmm...
First things first..I am pretty sure you have had a full blood panel run on him yes? If not, do that right away. What about auto immune disease? Have you thought about going to a veterinary university near you? I don't know where you are located, but I know around the bay area...a lot of people go to davis medical center to have specialists look at the animals. Just a suggestion. I have no idea what it could be. Auto immune disease causes them to lose weight and become immune to their own immunity. Therefore, causing them to lose weight, get all kinds of things etc. Just a thought..
Good luck
~Kat
First things first..I am pretty sure you have had a full blood panel run on him yes? If not, do that right away. What about auto immune disease? Have you thought about going to a veterinary university near you? I don't know where you are located, but I know around the bay area...a lot of people go to davis medical center to have specialists look at the animals. Just a suggestion. I have no idea what it could be. Auto immune disease causes them to lose weight and become immune to their own immunity. Therefore, causing them to lose weight, get all kinds of things etc. Just a thought..
Good luck
~Kat
Since you are in Virginia, the closest place that could probably help is NCSU. They are a vet school and my friends daughter is studying there to be a vet tech. They also do testing for OFA`s and have been working with a Boxer that has cardiomyopathy. If you can make the trip I would try to get in touch with them and see if they can get you scheduled. That is North Carolina State University!
Sending TONS of healing vibes your way. Please keep us posted!
Sending TONS of healing vibes your way. Please keep us posted!
I know how frustrating it must be for you, especially since the vets have no clue as to what may be causing your furbaby's problems. This may seem far fetched, but before switching my dogs over to a raw diet, I did a lot of research and found that grains and yeast are responsible for causing a wide range of canine maladies (ie colitis, joint pain, skin problems, systemic yeast infections, etc). Our Thumper had chronic digestive and skin problems before finally switching her to raw. My thirteen year old mastiff (who was prone to intermittent diarrhea) is also thriving on it as well. If you haven't already, you may want to at least give it a try and see if your pup improves as well. Sending you healing thoughts and positive vibes in hopes that your furbaby feels better soon - Cathy
swatman
Boxer Booster
First I and Ramos send many healing vibes. I usually reserve judgement and don't say too much for fear of not unnecessarly worrying anyone. How quickly did your boxer lose the 20 lbs? When they did the exploritory did they check the alimentary lymph nodes? Was an ultrasound done before the surgery? I'm sure it could be a number of different things but it sounds all too familiar to my experience back in July. My boy was 5 1/2 when he died from alimentary lymphoma. What did his CBCs show? Has irritable bowel disease been ruled out? I don't like asking a lot of questions but I am hoping it isn't Lymphoma which I would be looking to rule out right away. Gunther had all of the symptoms you described but from beginning (onset of symptoms) to the end was five weeks. Again I don't want to worry you, and I hope it is something treatable but if your not getting the answers now I would also recommend going to the closest University that specializes in Vet, science. Good luck and keep us updated, we are hoping for the best for your baby.
Mike
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Gunther (1998-2004) Waiting at the bridge
Ramos (born 2004) Flashy brindle male
Mike
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Gunther (1998-2004) Waiting at the bridge
Ramos (born 2004) Flashy brindle male
Update on Indy
Thank you to all who have given advice and prayers.
Indy had an aspirate done of one of his lymph nodes on Tuesday morning as well as more blood tests. The aspirate came back showing lymphoma. The vet is 85% sure it is. She would like to do x-rays and send him to an oncologist for chemo. He has been through so much in the last few months I am not sure if we will do anything more. She had suggested increasing his prednisone if we decide against chemo. Indy is only 3 this is a difficult decision. The vet also said with chemo he may live only 1-2 more years.
Tracy
Thank you to all who have given advice and prayers.
Indy had an aspirate done of one of his lymph nodes on Tuesday morning as well as more blood tests. The aspirate came back showing lymphoma. The vet is 85% sure it is. She would like to do x-rays and send him to an oncologist for chemo. He has been through so much in the last few months I am not sure if we will do anything more. She had suggested increasing his prednisone if we decide against chemo. Indy is only 3 this is a difficult decision. The vet also said with chemo he may live only 1-2 more years.
Tracy
adobeboxers
Boxer Booster
I don't know where you are in Virginia but Virginia Tech also has a great vet school...located in Blacksburg. I know my uncle's lab had cancer and he would drive the 3 hours every few weeks to get check ups. I take my boys there and they are great!
Layla's Mum
Banned
I am so incrediably sorry for you. That is such a awful feeling, to have your baby be sick. I hope for the best for you in whatever decision you make. Good luck and give your baby a kiss and hug from me and Layla.
momstaxi
Completely Boxer Crazy
I am so sorry. What a difficult decision to have to make. I don't have advice for you but I'm sure you will do whatever is best for your furbaby. You know best how he is with quality of life,and everything. Any decision you make out of love for your baby will be the right one. You'll be in my thoughts & prayers
Michele
Michele
Austin's Mom
Boxer Insane
I'm so sorry for what you and your baby are going thru. Him being your baby only you know what's best for him. Good luck in whatever decision you make, and just love that boy for as long as you're blessed to have him.
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