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Originally Posted by ejmick  she was diagnosed w encephalitis three weeks ago. tested positive for RMSF last Friday but they started her on antibiotics a day before the test results came back. she's got a follow up appt w neurologist and ophthalmologist Friday. just when I thought I saw some improvement yesterday...this morning she was constantly shaking (which is probably the most unnerving part) and staring w eyes wide open. following me w her eyes only not moving her head. for two hours. I woke up to find her that way. I don't know if I can wait until Friday. I'm tempted to take her to another highly rated animal hospital but they'll want to do another MRI, spinal tap, blood work, etc. she's only 4 lbs and I don't know how she'll fare. only positive note is that she has maintained a healthy appetite. but the constant shaking is killing me. |
Don't wait until Friday. You should be able to get her in on an emergency basis. They shouldn't need to do another MRI or spinal tap. The records can be transferred from one vet to the other. RMSF is very serious and can progress rapidly if it is not properly treated. They may need to change antibiotics, or give extra treatment to alleviate symptoms. Here is an excerpt from a veterninary journal (Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Ronald D. Warner and Wallace W. Marsh. JAVMA, Vol 221, No. 10, November 15, 2002. Vet Med Today: Zoonosis Update):
Treatment of RMSF in Dogs
The antibiotics of choice for treating RMSF in dogs are tetracycline (25 to 30 mg/kg [11.3 to 13.6 mg/lb]), doxycycline (10 to 20 mg/kg [4.5 to 9.1 mg/lb]), or chloramphenicol (15 to 30 mg/kg [6.8 to 13.6 mg/lb]). Of course, adequate supportive care must be provided if the dog has evidence of dehydration, kidney failure, shock, or a hemorrhagic diathesis. In dogs, mortality from RMSF is directly related to incorrect treatment, delayed diagnosis, or both. Appropriate antibiotics promptly reduce the severity of illness only if they are given before tissue necrosis (thrombotic lesions) or coagulation disorders develop. Naturally acquired immunity most likely plays a role in limiting or protecting against clinical illness. Healthy dogs from endemic areas often possess anti-SFG antibodies, possibly a result of prior R rickettsii infection or exposure to nonpathogenic SFG rickettsiae.