Need help!!! Both Yorkies sick with possible parasites

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

Hi KatysMom, unfortunately Pax has not had a temperature every time we've taken him to the vet....found that they both have elevated white blood cell count, which could possibly indicate an infection of some sort they have been fighting....I'm taking this information to the vet tomorrow.

I'm not experienced enough to interpret the results, but suspect the elevated white blood count means something. I'm impressed that you caught it.

So hoping you are able to rule out some on-going allergy.

Look forward to learning from you about comments from the vet. --KatysMom

[PILOTthePuppy]

Originally Posted by KatysMom

I'm not experienced enough to interpret the results, but suspect the elevated white blood count means something. I'm impressed that you caught it.

So hoping you are able to rule out some on-going allergy.

Look forward to learning from you about comments from the vet. --KatysMom

Thanks KatysMom!

The boys are struggling in the mornings to eat. They eventually do eat but we have to feed them by hand. It's very stressful for us right now.

They seem to eat ok in the afternoons and evenings.

They also won't touch the original food we use to feed earlier this year. I'm assuming because they got sick off it? Just like we do.

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

...The boys are struggling in the mornings to eat. They eventually do eat but we have to feed them by hand. It's very stressful for us right now...They seem to eat ok in the afternoons and evenings....

What happens if .... You put down the food you want them to eat now (I'm assuming this is a tweaked version of the original food). Pick up what ever hasn't been eaten after 10 minutes. Put the empty bowls back down. Feed them the afternoon meal as you normally would.

[PILOTthePuppy]

Originally Posted by KatysMom

What happens if .... You put down the food you want them to eat now (I'm assuming this is a tweaked version of the original food). Pick up what ever hasn't been eaten after 10 minutes. Put the empty bowls back down. Feed them the afternoon meal as you normally would.

In the last two weeks, they usually eat after a bit of time. I've not yet forced them to skip a meal, but I'm positive they would eat it.

They ate their lunch with no problems this afternoon.

We went to the vet today, and I laid everything out as in my previous post. We are running bloodwork on Pax to see where his numbers are now and we're going finish out the little bit of metronidazole that's left.

We've given Pax three doses of Drontal Plus and she said for parasites usually the symptoms are gone within 14 days.

If Pax's diarrhea returns we have Tylison powder on hand now which is a better long term antibiotic for diarrhea. The next step would be to start the prednisdone to reduce inflammation and tackle possible hypersensitivity or allergies.

The vet wants me to consult with a nutritionist and do a food trial. We currently home cook for another health concern, calcium oxolate stones. The diet has worked well for 4 years, so I'm looking for someone who will work with me and not try to change everything we've done to prevent the stones.

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

The vet wants me to consult with a nutritionist and do a food trial. We currently home cook for another health concern, calcium oxolate stones. The diet has worked well for 4 years, so I'm looking for someone who will work with me and not try to change everything we've done to prevent the stones.

You already prepare a nutrient rich diet, but maybe the nutritionalist will have good ideas.

Wylie's Mom worked with a pet nutritionist after her Marcel had been treated for giardia. See her post here. (Related thread is here.) She feeds Marcel raw now.

They seem to be doing so much better. I'm hoping you can manage this without the steroids, etc.

When will the bloodwork results come back?

Sending prayers.

[PILOTthePuppy]

Originally Posted by KatysMom

You already prepare a nutrient rich diet, but maybe the nutritionalist will have good ideas.

Wylie's Mom worked with a pet nutritionist after her Marcel had been treated for giardia. See her post here. (Related thread is here.) She feeds Marcel raw now.

They seem to be doing so much better. I'm hoping you can manage this without the steroids, etc.

When will the bloodwork results come back?

Sending prayers.

Hi there! wanted to provide another update.

I spoke to both our vet and the internal medicine vet and they agreed to hold off on the steroids since his diarrhea has not returned yet.

My normal vet wants me to stop the metronidazole and use Tylan going forward due to possible neurological side effects. However if the diarrhea comes back we're going to proabably have to try and control the inflammation using steriods.

Pax's blood work came back and has good and bad news.

The good news it that his WBC and Eosinophil values came down:

WBC is 8.9, down from 11.1
Eosinophil is 436, down from 1587.

The bad news is his ALT/AST have risen to 166/85, up from 33/44. I suspect this maybe from long term use of metronidazole.

The most worrying value is that his Creatine Kinase is now 1121, up from 407. This indicates some kind of muscle damage.

https://www.idexx.eu/globalassets/do...ve-summary.pdf

Perhaps it was from when the vet was holding him to examine his paws and heart? They had hold him tightly because he was wiggling so much.

He's not exhibiting any pain, panting, or signs of discomfort.]

Seems like this will never end!

Thanks for your support.

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

....I spoke to both our vet and the internal medicine vet and they agreed to hold off on the steroids since his diarrhea has not returned yet....My normal vet wants me to stop the metronidazole and use Tylan going forward due to possible neurological side effects. However if the diarrhea comes back we're going to proabably have to try and control the inflammation using steriods.

I'm unclear why they want to transition him from Tylan, as opposed to just stopping the metronidazole. (And starting up the Tylan only if the diarrhea returns.)

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

...Pax's blood work...The bad news is his ALT/AST have risen to 166/85, up from 33/44. I suspect this maybe from long term use of metronidazole.

Ouch. Is this something they will re-test after he is fully transitioned to Tylan or off the antibiotics all together?

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

...The most worrying value is that his Creatine Kinase is now 1121, up from 407. This indicates some kind of muscle damage....Perhaps it was from when the vet was holding him to examine his paws and heart? They had hold him tightly because he was wiggling so much....He's not exhibiting any pain, panting, or signs of discomfort.]

Very informative link. Thank you. I also read 2018 article "Dog and Cat Creatinine Levels 101," by Dr. Mike Paul, DVM on PetHealthNetwork. The article mentions that a high reading could mean various things, but does say "Veterinarians measure creatinine levels because it helps to identify kidney problems." (Also mentions different test "SDMA" that does a better job with kidney issues.)

It does sound as though Pax is doing much better--including that he was wiggling around! Did the vet comment to you about the high reading? I would surely ask...you guys have come too far to be caught off guard.

Please give all your little ones a hug from me (when they aren't wiggling too much)!

[KatysMom]

Hi again,

Possible the elevated creatine kinase would be worthy of a new YT thread to learn if others with more knowledge can chime in.

[PILOTthePuppy]

Originally Posted by KatysMom

I'm unclear why they want to transition him from Tylan, as opposed to just stopping the metronidazole. (And starting up the Tylan only if the diarrhea returns.)



Ouch. Is this something they will re-test after he is fully transitioned to Tylan or off the antibiotics all together?



Very informative link. Thank you. I also read 2018 article "Dog and Cat Creatinine Levels 101," by Dr. Mike Paul, DVM on PetHealthNetwork. The article mentions that a high reading could mean various things, but does say "Veterinarians measure creatinine levels because it helps to identify kidney problems." (Also mentions different test "SDMA" that does a better job with kidney issues.)

It does sound as though Pax is doing much better--including that he was wiggling around! Did the vet comment to you about the high reading? I would surely ask...you guys have come too far to be caught off guard.

Please give all your little ones a hug from me (when they aren't wiggling too much)!

Hi KatysMom, sorry to confuse you! We are stopping the metronidazole and have Tylan powder should the diarrhea return.

I think based on his WBC values he's not fighting an infection anymore, so I'm hoping his bodys natural defenses can take over at this point.

The vet seemed more concerned about his liver values as that could indicate the infection spread. I told her I suspect it's the medicine making his liver work overtime.

I'll be giving him milk thistle in food to help detox and restore his liver, starting tonight.

Tonight will also be the first time we stop the antibiotics in over a month, I'm a little anxious over it!

[KatysMom]

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

....We are stopping the metronidazole and have Tylan powder should the diarrhea return....The vet seemed more concerned about his liver values as that could indicate the infection spread. I told her I suspect it's the medicine making his liver work overtime....

Thank you for the additional information. That makes sense.

You wrote, "...milk thistle." You are the BEST BEST BEST pet parent.

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

Tonight will also be the first time we stop the antibiotics in over a month, I'm a little anxious over it!

That is such a good turn! I can understand your anxiousness. It's been one heck of a recovery period. The signs point to good things.

Let's hope this one is in the rear view mirror! Here's to Pax, Pilot, you and yours ALL getting a good nights sleep.

[PILOTthePuppy]

Originally Posted by KatysMom

Thank you for the additional information. That makes sense.

You wrote, "...milk thistle." You are the BEST BEST BEST pet parent.



That is such a good turn! I can understand your anxiousness. It's been one heck of a recovery period. The signs point to good things.

Let's hope this one is in the rear view mirror! Here's to Pax, Pilot, you and yours ALL getting a good nights sleep.

Thank you, I'll keep you all updated of the progress.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time out of your day to support and provide feedback along the way. It really does help when there are other people who care.

[Wylie's Mom]

I was on vacation and just trying to catch up here - can't believe allll that you are still going through . Was hoping to hear major improvements...but every little positive step is a BIG one .

[PILOTthePuppy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I was on vacation and just trying to catch up here - can't believe allll that you are still going through . Was hoping to hear major improvements...but every little positive step is a BIG one .

Hi Wylie's Mom! Hope you had an excellent time on your vacation.

Pax has been off antibiotics since Friday and continues to have normal stool.

He also hasn't vomited in several weeks like he was doing for the last few months.

He would occasionally vomit 4-5 hours after eating previously, and I could never figure out why. I'm wondering if it has to do with the infection or parasites he may have had this whole time?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by PILOTthePuppy

Hi Wylie's Mom! Hope you had an excellent time on your vacation.

Pax has been off antibiotics since Friday and continues to have normal stool.

He also hasn't vomited in several weeks like he was doing for the last few months.

He would occasionally vomit 4-5 hours after eating previously, and I could never figure out why. I'm wondering if it has to do with the infection or parasites he may have had this whole time?

This is all AMAZING new, yay !

Yes, that vomiting I'm sure was related to all that he had going on inside, no doubt!

[PILOTthePuppy]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

This is all AMAZING new, yay !

Yes, that vomiting I'm sure was related to all that he had going on inside, no doubt!

Hi there! The boys are still doing well. No diarrhea

I did give them their heartworm medicine last night (Tri-Heart Plus), praying there is no diarrhea or other issues from this. They've been OK in the past.