Brandi is not feeling well at all. Just returned from vet.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by dawn27

Thank you Linda and I hear your suggestions loud and clear, I do, I want what is best for her. Now that she is being seen by her regular vet I feel very confident that she is getting nothing but the best of care and that she will no doubt find the answers that we need !!

Don't mean to annoy you, Dawn. It's just that you spoke so highly of the vet before and said that two of them concurred...and now this?? It just scares me. These little pups cannot withstand illnesses that go on and on without proper care. Also, if she is uncomfortable, please call your vet...I have never heard of not medicating a pup for pain when a steroid is given. They cannot give Metacam or Rimadyl .. but those are not really *pain* meds. They are anti inflammatories and yes, the are contraindicated with steroids. There are pain meds that would not be contraindicated.
Brandi is in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your poor baby is better soon.

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Don't mean to annoy you, Dawn. It's just that you spoke so highly of the vet before and said that two of them concurred...and now this?? It just scares me. These little pups cannot withstand illnesses that go on and on without proper care. Also, if she is uncomfortable, please call your vet...I have never heard of not medicating a pup for pain when a steroid is given. They cannot give Metacam or Rimadyl .. but those are not really *pain* meds. They are anti inflammatories and yes, the are contraindicated with steroids. There are pain meds that would not be contraindicated.
Brandi is in my thoughts and prayers. I hope your poor baby is better soon.

You are not annoying me Ms. Linda I know that you care and I really do appreciate that about you! Brandi does not seem to be in any pain at the moment. It has been 24 hrs since her last dose was given but like before if I feel that she is in any discomfort what so ever off to the vet we will go. If need be to the emergency vet which is moments away from my home.

[lynzy420]

Specialist, this has gone on long enough. I trust my vets too but even still as in today...sending results to Cornell for assurance. These pups don't often show pain, she surely can't feel just fine with what is going on here. Just thinking with all the visits to the vet wouldn't a second opinion from a specialist just to verify, concur? Prayers for Brandi...very sad.

[Cherie6446]

A narcotic can be given for pain. At this point I would get a second opinion from a specialist. This is a very scary situation for your little one. I pray that a solution will be found ASAP.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by dawn27

Update: Inflammation around her mouth is mostly gone, inside her mouth and her throat are still very red and irritated. Now I know why my baby wont eat hard kibble. I also found out that the sours around her mouth are ulcers and that they can worsen and spread to the inside of her mouth if not treated. I cant imagine what that would be like for her. She has been prescribed another round of both antibiotics and two more meds. Steroids and PepcidAD to help with stomach upset that the Steroids can cause. If this next treatment of steroids does not help we will than need to do a biopsy of the inside of her mouth.

Well when I called to schedule I asked that she be seen by our regular vet Andrea. Something just seemed off to me with the other vet and I'm not sure how I even got switched her. I just couldn't take the baby talk and the painful looks when she was talking to me. It was just very strange. Anyways Andrea walks into the room take one look at Brandi's mouth and says those are ulcers! Ok caused by what ? Right off the bat she says One of Two things: Vasculitis caused by ticks or an Auto Immune Disease that attacks her immune system from within. If is the A.I.D it can be long term. Really, now why wasn't I told any of this before now. So on to the next step in finding out why my baby is so sick and to stop her from getting worse.

Other than her mouth, nose and eyes there are no other signs of this thank goodness but this part did catch my eye /

Prevention: Because there are many potential underlying causes of vasculitis, prevention is not usually possible. However, in dogs with rabies vaccine-induced vasculitis, further vaccinations should be avoided if possible, as they may exacerbate disease.

Vasculitis | Dermatology for Animals

Not sure about this one:

Autoimmune Skin Disease in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals

The vasculitis thing grabbed my attention in your post. I don't know much about health problems, but I do know about vasculitis because of Piccolo. My regular vets were not able to diagnosis her problem connected with the symptoms, and the symptoms were many. (paw licking, scabs, nose licking, losing weight, funny breathing, but the biggest symptom was being lethargic.) When we finally made it to a vet dermatologist, after tests, I found out that Piccolo had vasculitis and she also had a secondary infection around her mouth. (Which the vet said was common with vasculitis) Kind of like the ulcers you are talking about. They put her on antibiotics, prednisone, and pentoxifyline. All is well now, but it was a very long journey.

[cummins]

I agree I think you need a second vet to take a look hopefully a specialist

[dawn27]

Originally Posted by Lisa and Pic

The vasculitis thing grabbed my attention in your post. I don't know much about health problems, but I do know about vasculitis because of Piccolo. My regular vets were not able to diagnosis her problem connected with the symptoms, and the symptoms were many. (paw licking, scabs, nose licking, losing weight, funny breathing, but the biggest symptom was being lethargic.) When we finally made it to a vet dermatologist, after tests, I found out that Piccolo had vasculitis and she also had a secondary infection around her mouth. (Which the vet said was common with vasculitis) Kind of like the ulcers you are talking about. They put her on antibiotics, prednisone, and pentoxifyline. All is well now, but it was a very long journey.

Oh that poor baby . . I can imagine how confused and scary that must have been for both of you. Thankfully Brandi has no dead skin on or around any parts of her body which is a huge relief. I'm thinking that we caught whatever this is in time. Unless it is the autoimmune issue in which case we deal with it long term.

[MomtoJasper]

I'm so sorry that you and Brandi are going through such an ordeal. Keeping Brandi in my prayers.

[jeane]

keeping you and Brandi in my prayers

[dawn27]

Thanks ladies prayers are always helpful !

[wemple2]

I just am concerned that she may have these ulcers in her throat or esophagus. Does the vet think she does? Hope they heal up quickly and completely.

[dawn27]

No she checked yesterday when we were there for her follow up visit. She/Brandi still had some redness inside her mouth and back of her throat but no ulcers. Its looking a little better today and she has been able to eat every bit of her food (soft). She try's to eat her regular food but cant. We just started the steroids this afternoon so I will check in with an update in a few days after they have had time to enter her system.

Since I have to give her 6 pill per day for the next 10 days I found a great way to get her to take them with no problem. She is one of those dogs that swallows thing whole and worries about what is was later. So I just roll them up in a pinch of Bread and done. Its the liquids we have issues with.

Work great !!

[dawn27]

Update: We started the steroids yesterday afternoon and by the end of the night Brand's mouth and from what I can see her throat are no longer red or inflamed. Not sure how much of that had to do with the steroids or if second round of the antibiotics just took over in full force. Ether way I am very pleased. Her lips/around her mouth continues to remain healthy, no redness and no inflammation. I can see sings of where the ulcers around the outside of her mouth are almost completely healed. Her eyes are looking much much better, most of the green goo is gone and there is no puffiness what so ever. I have been using saline to clean them and she is still on the eye med.

She is still eating moistened kibble and I throw some dry kibble in with is. Of course she still continues to expect to be fed her special meals in the cage in her own special bowel that all of the dogs go crazy when they see it, Silly pups. I'm sure if she tried she could even eat all dry kibble. But I am happy to continue to spoil her if I must .....

One thing that I have noticed is that she has not been barking as much and when she does it is not as strong as it usefully is. I'm sure that that is some reaction to the pain she has been experiencing .

We are not 100% yet but we are getting there.

[Cherie6446]

Dawn, I know we all appreciate your updates. So often someone posts about a hurt/sick pup and then we have to beg for updates. We are are praying for a full recovery for little Brandi.

[kjc]

Thanks for the update... prayers for a speedy diagnosis and recovery.