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-   -   Taking Merlin to University of Florida Vet Hospital tomorrow (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yorkie-health-diet/233077-taking-merlin-university-florida-vet-hospital-tomorrow.html)

Chrisdeelynn 08-24-2011 08:09 PM

Taking Merlin to University of Florida Vet Hospital tomorrow
 
I posted on here about 3 weeks ago concerning my Biewer Yorkie spinning in circles. We treated him with an anti-fungal and antibiotic and attributed it to an ear infection since it seemed to clear up and the circling stopped.

Everything has been fine until this past weekend. My boyfriend and I traveled up to see my mom in Georgia (we live in FL). Merlin seemed fine as he loves going on car rides and seemed to love every minute of traveling and got plenty of naps and lots of breaks on the way. The second day we were there Merlin started to have fly biting seizures (focal point seizures). They lasted about 5-10 seconds. He had 3 at the house and 1 on the way to the hospital.

When we got to the emergency animal hospital, the vet there told us that it was most likely a liver shunt. His bedside manner was lacking to say the least. He was talking about how the surgeries are not always successful and that the majority of these dogs usually end up getting euthanized shortly after. I was balling crying. I told him to just go ahead and do the bloodwork that he suggested so we know for sure if thats it or not. (I do have a small amount of knowledge about this due to reading up on them when we were having the previous health issues.)

After the bloodwork came back, he told us that his white blood cell count was abnormally high. He suggested that Merlin stay there for 5 days and that he get chemotherapy asap because he had juvenile leukemia. I would have done this but we were all getting a bad vibe from this place as we were overhearing other peoples issues in the waiting room and all the doctors were suggesting their dogs stay 5 days. The doc there didn't let me see any of his bloodwork paperwork until after they released him too. Which i thought was really strange.

I elected to take Merlin home and get him to his regular vet. We left for FL and made an appointment for the following day. They did bloodwork and a bile acid test. I just got his bloodwork back today and his white blood cell count is off the charts high. His bile acid test is extremely high too. My doctor suggested that we take him to an internal medicine specialist. We are taking him to University of Florida tomorrow morning.

As much as i don't want to jump to conclusions, right now we are looking at a possibility of Merlin having Leukemia and a liver shunt.

I put him on a low protein diet, but that's about all i can do right now until we know whats going on for sure.

Any input or experiences with either would be great thanks.

roseslevi 08-25-2011 03:25 AM

"bump" I have no eperience with this just sending prayers and well wishes that Merlin's health improves.

musiccitymom 08-25-2011 03:48 AM

So sorry you are going thru this, will be thinking of you

Maximo 08-25-2011 03:49 AM

I am very sorry Merlin and you are facing this. To the best of my knowledge, liver shunt surgeries are highly successful.

Sending positive thoughts for Merlin that the university doctors will have better news. Praying he isn't also facing leukemia.

Chrisdeelynn 08-25-2011 04:27 AM

Thanks everyone. We are on our way right now. I will let everyone know the prognosis.

107barney 08-25-2011 04:39 AM

I will be looking for your update, and I hope you have better service at this hospital and get all your questions answered. Hugs.

gemy 08-25-2011 04:52 AM

Keeping fingers crossed for Merlin. I'm glad you have sought second opinion, and hope that Merlin pulls through with whatever is going on with him.

Ringo1 08-25-2011 04:54 AM

I'm glad you are going to a different hospital - sometimes it's good to go with your gut instinct.

Liver shunt surgeries are frequently highly successful and with the right medications and diet - a liver shunt dog can live a very good life.

Fingers crossed for you and let us know what you find out.

Patti 08-25-2011 05:08 AM

I will keep Merlin in my prayers. I always go with my gut feelings they are usually right.

Lil Sis 08-25-2011 07:31 AM

I hope you get the help you need at uf... keep us posted and sending prayers:)

scrapindee 08-25-2011 08:14 PM

Hope you get some good news. Please post an update as soon as you can.

Chrisdeelynn 08-26-2011 08:00 AM

I'm am heartbroken right now. Merlin was diagnosed with leukemia. He has to stay in the hospital until Saturday and is undergoing chemotherapy.

We went to the University of FL small animal hospital and met with an internal medicine specialist.They did an ultrasound and he does not have a liver shunt so that is good news. They also did his blood work again. His white blood cell count just keeps going up. They checked for a rare tick-borne disease which came up negative.

They asked us if we wanted to meet with the oncologist there and I said yes. She suggested doing a light chemo and steroid therapy. They have called us twice since yesterday to let us know how hes doing. We get to visit him this afternoon and pick him up on Saturday, but we'll have to bring him back next week.

Since he's so young they are saying that it is definitely congenital, meaning he was born with it. Overall I'm happy with the way UF vets and student vets have handled this. They are compassionate, caring, and seem to really love animals.

Thanks for all the well wishes. You guys are all very sweet and it's nice for me to get my thoughts out here. I hope none of you ever have to go through what we're going through right now. Our little furbabies become a big part of our lives so quickly. Praying for Merlin right now is about all I can do.

IsabelleOllie 08-26-2011 12:56 PM

I'm so very sorry that Merlin has been diagnosed with leukemia. I'll say a prayer for him and for you.

AllDogBoots 08-26-2011 01:27 PM

I'm just reading this thread now. I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I do think that Merlin is in very good hands.

Sammy Mommy 08-26-2011 03:56 PM

I'm praying for Merlin and you too.


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