Intestinal Lymphangiectasia: A Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE)
 

Greetings,
I had my 7 yr. old Yorkie baby, JaJa's, teeth cleaned & that went went very well. However, the vet did prelim. blood work prior to sedation & found a significant abnormality in her albumin count (1.5 where it should be 2.7 or higher) and sent her blood to a lab. The next day, Fri., the vet phoned w/the opening line "I'm not happy at all".... long story shorter --

she weighs 6.5 lbs, has lost .5 lbs in a month and 2 lbs in the past year, her albumin (protein), chol., calcium and wbc levels were Very low. The vet said not to delay in taking
her to a specialist because it's life threatening.... so I took her to an animal med center.

They did an intestinal ultrasound,
chest xray and took blood for specific tests to rule out/in bone marrow, addison's & liver disease etc. This vet (& my regular's)strong guess was that she has Intestinal Lymphangiectasia: A Protein-Losing Enteropathy,a form of severe ibd ( where the intestines are leaking lymph into body cavities- nutrients are not going where they are supposed to and severe edema could result.)

JaJa's diagnosis: she does have Intestinal Lymphangiectasia: A Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) ( supposedly a "common" Yorkie disease). Supposedly only an endoscopic biopsy gives a definite diagnosis, but since I can't afford that & don't want to put her through that (and the treatment would be virtually the same) the vet said he feels comfortable with this diagnosis without an endoscopy.

So, now she's on prednisone 2x/day (.5 mg & 2.5mg) and metronidaz (flagyl) (0.5ml liquid) 2x/day. Tomorrow 7/10/07 I'm taking her for another ultrasound and blood tests.
Despite all this, she has been and is acting normally and doesn't have any obvious side effects from the meds.

I don't like having her on prednisone and flagyl (metronidaz) especially "long term". I didn't have the luxury of time to explore holistic options and surprisingly there are no recommended holistic vets in New York City....

Any suggestions and comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks very much!

I don't have any experience with PLE. I'm sorry.:(

My Yorkie has the same disease
 

How is JaJa doing now?

My Vet told me today that Holly(6yrs old)Yorkie has this awlful thing and put her on steroids twice a day...I am worried about this long term. I was shocked to find this out...he had been treating her for loose stools that lasted 10 days.
When she became very bloated and had a hard time breathing yesterday morning I took her in for tests (x-rays) blood work.

Please let me know how your yorkie is doing now.
Is she doing well on a no fat diet?

Nikeann07

Re:Intestinal Lymphangiectasia: A Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE)
 

Hi,
Sorry to hear Holly is ill - hope she is doing better.
It's been 10 months and JaJa is in remission and seems to be fine.
Every month, then every 3 months she has had to have an abdominal ultrasound & blood work. Her 2x/day prednisone has recently been reduced to 1/4 pill prednisone every other day. She is no longer on oral flagyl.
That said, I am not happy that she will be on prednisone for at least another 4-6 months: her appetite is enormous and she urinates like a Great Dane..... Long term prednisone can cause alot of other issues, including UTI but I do think it's "saved her life".
btw, the only definitive diagnosis of Intestinal Lymphangiectasia is an endoscopy with biopsy. I didn't want to put JaJa through that procedure since the vet said the treatment (prednisone, ultrasounds) would be the same. But, her insurance, VPI, didn't pay a penny because I didn't consent to the endoscopy.
A couple of weeks ago she had difficulty urinating & I found blood in the urine. Took her the next morning to the vet and a urinary tract infection (UTI) was diagnosed and was instructed to give her 3/4 pill Clavamox (antibiotic) 2x/day for 1 week. I try to keep Ja off antibiotics because it's cause major digestive problems i the past but her not being able to urinate, & the bllod, were frightening.
Wll, 2 days after she finished the antibiotic she had the urninating urgency again but couldn't pee. I phone he vet who said she wasn't on a strong enough dose for long enough. So she's almost finished with 1 full pill 2x/day for 2 weeks. I'm supplementing that with CranActin cranberry tablets and FortiFlora probiotic powder. I plan on having her get another urinalyisis a week after she finishes the antibiotics.

10 months ago I almost lost my beloved Ja because her albumin count was so low. I never expected her to be on prednisone for so long but it probably saved her...
If you have any info. abut this disease or any other questions please be in touch.
Hope you & Holly are doing well,
Karen

Thank you thank you so much
 

Karen
I am so sorry for all your long trials in giving JaJa back the quality of life she deserves. I am happy she is still with you. My Vet said Holly will probably not be with me in two years even if she responds to treatment. This puts an ache in my heart you probably understand.

Has this illness changed JaJa's personality at all?
Holly sleeps a lot and sits in the sun. I have stopped taking her for walks
I think she misses it. Should I resume her normal routines?

I am on a fixed income, but, plan on cutting back on other things to see Holly through what sounds like a very expensive ordeal in recovering. I don't have dog insurance to cover some of it.

I am happy to have you to talk to about this...and appreciate you being here to let me know what Holly will be going through.

Hard part so far is she is always sooooo hungry and also pees like a Great Dane. The Vet is going to give me a list of what she can eat and it has to be strictly followed. Holly gets me up at night to go out to pee every 3 hours..yet there is pee puddles on the pee pads.

Give JaJa a hug from me.
She is so lucky to have you.


Nikeann07

Re: Thank you thank you so much
 

Hi Nikeann,
I have found that many, if not most, vets are such alarmists! One time I took Ja to an emergency hospital because she was not acting responsive after playing rough ball with a friend. the vet said he thought it might be a stroke & I should see a neurologist... well, it turned out she just strained her neck a bit & was better within a day.

I think vets are great and caring but I wish they wouldn't give us the worst case scenarios so often. When Ja's albumin count was so low, the 1st vet said it was immediately life threatening... Holly's vet doesn't have a crystal ball. Do you knw what her albumin count was... is? Ja's was so low but within a month on prednisone it was up to normal and continues to be. While I know that Ja is not "cured" but in a remission, Yorkies are very sensitive yet hardy and bounce back. I believe that a of of love, as with people, is powerful medicine.

Ja's personality has not changed. In fact, lately when we go for walks she wants to run. Holly's illness is new and until the meds kick in I think it's normal that she's lethargic. I was told that during the beginning of giving her prednisone I shouldn't take her out much because she would be more prone to not healing if she gets a cut etc. So, Holly might be telling you she needs to take it easy for awhile. Did Holly lose much weight before the diagnosis? Ja did, but is now at a good weight.

The vet tried to sell me on prescription food (Ja can only eat duck & potato food) but when I compared the ingredients of the prescip. food to what I've been giving her (Natural Balance Duck & Potato canned & dry) I felt the ingredients in Natural Balance were better... Ja constantly wants to eat...pee..eat etc. - it's tough on me but I love her so much that I will do anything for her. btw, a friend told me today about a product called "belly bands" - it's like a fancy diaper... I'm going to look into it.

Have you ever heard of the no-interest (if you follow the rules) credit card : Care Credit ( @ carecredit.com). Some vets accept it, & some do not. Basically, it allows you to spread the payments over 3 months interest free if the balance is paid on time. In the past year, Ja's vet bills have been about $5000-- 2 years before about $6000.

I hope Holly & JaJa ( and us) both come through this speedily& healthfully.
Don't give up on Holly's healing-- she's probably a fighter like Ja.

Thanks for your kind words. I do know what you're going through & it is scary.
best to you and Holly,
Karen & JaJa

I am so sorry for all your long trials in giving JaJa back the quality of life she deserves. I am happy she is still with you. My Vet said Holly will probably not be with me in two years even if she responds to treatment. This puts an ache in my heart you probably understand.

Has this illness changed JaJa's personality at all?
Holly sleeps a lot and sits in the sun. I have stopped taking her for walks
I think she misses it. Should I resume her normal routines?

I am on a fixed income, but, plan on cutting back on other things to see Holly through what sounds like a very expensive ordeal in recovering. I don't have dog insurance to cover some of it.

I am happy to have you to talk to about this...and appreciate you being here to let me know what Holly will be going through.

Hard part so far is she is always sooooo hungry and also pees like a Great Dane. The Vet is going to give me a list of what she can eat and it has to be strictly followed. Holly gets me up at night to go out to pee every 3 hours..yet there is pee puddles on the pee pads.

Give JaJa a hug from me.
She is so lucky to have you.


Nikeann07

I appreciate your help so much!
 

Karen ...
You are so right in reminding me that Vets do seem to give the worse that can happen.

Holly had me up every three hours last night wanting to go out an pee then eat.
I gave her about 2 tablespoons ID prescription diet

___________

Karen this note to you was interrupted by a call from my Vet
He wanted to know how Holly was doing ...I have an appt with him at 4 today...It is 8 am now.

When I said she passed about 2 tablespoons of Tapeworms in a bloody muscus stool. He was curious. When I said her mucus was gone and her stools were normal and the bloat was gone after the first pill (Lasix) for water....He now wants her on only one water pill a day....and 1 prednisolone a day ...saying he wants to discontinue that pill as soon as possible....and do another worming.

He also said changing her diet will be easier now...because she will eat anything due to her hunger on the steroid. He wants her off the ID prescription diet (to much fat in it)

I will let you know the results of today's appointment at 4 pm...Holly will have a weigh in. The boat caused her to weigh in at 7.8lbs

Holly is playful today and now acts like she has some energy...even more loving and her tail wags again.( Vet says it is because of the steriods that she is feeling better.)

I have a friend who has a Yorkie pup and she loves those pee bands..she uses them when she travels or visits friends. They are cute..You put a "lite days" pad in them.

Is it normal to be angry with the Breeder about all this? Should I let the breeder know? She has been in business for 24 years.

Holly had two litters of pups with the breeder before I got her. I then had her fixed.

I will ask the Vet about the easy payment guide you mentioned...that will be such a relief in worry for me.

I can't thank you enough
If I were there.... I would hug you!!

Nikeann

Here is an update on Holly
 

Hi Karen

I thought you might like to know that Holly was given a prescription can and dry dog food without fat in it. He insisted on it. He wants Holly to gain some ounces back and wants to see her in 7 days. He warned me that she came within hours of dying a few days ago. And things could change for the bad if I don't watch her eating habits and she gains water weight in her chest that will stop her heart.

The Vet took her off of the pills 2x's daily...to just once a day. It is important, he said, that she eats nothing other than this recommended food. If she fairs well on it he will then add some snacks. His goal now is to get her to just the pills once a day every other day. He says it will be easy to get her to like this new change in diet because she is sooo hungry she will eat anything at this point. He also gave me a cup to measure her food and feed her 6 times a day...very small amounts to get her system to process it easier.

Her stool sample I gave him was solid waste which he was happy to see...but, this morning I noticed she was straining to poop. The stool was very dry and hard.

Also she is not liking the new no fat stuff to eat and holding out for something else.....I am suppose to call the Vet if this was to happen...which I will do now. I am hand feeding her now...but is unhappy about it.

I have two other dogs. So I have to put her in a room to herself when I offer her food for the day. I will search the house today for dropped kibble from the other Yorkies.

Hope you and JAJA have a great day.

Nikeann

sounds like Holly is getting better rapidly, as Ja did. What is the prescription food? What meds is she on?
Ja gained her weight back ( about 2 lbs) rapidly once she was on predisone.
I think Holly will be fine - Ja's vet initially told me that she was "dying"... now 9 months after se seems fine . She finished her antibiotics for her UTI yesterday morning and so far no reoccurance.
Please keep me updated.
Hugs to you, Holly and your other pups,
Karen & JaJa

Hi again
 

Thanks for the hug from you and JaJa

I am coping okay about all of this now that I have guideline in Holly's recovery plan.

Answering your question about her food:

She is on z/d prescription food (can and kibble form)...it is high in fiber and no fat. Because of the prednisolone (5mg) she is okay with this diet change...There is no loose stools with her now. He wants her on 1 pill for 5 days...then every other day..until March 31 when he sees her again for a revaluation of her recovery.

She is on Latix for water retention (twice a day) for 5 days. Tomorrow will be the 5th day....Then the Vet wants her off of it. However since she lost the water very quickly and her stools were hard to pass and very dry..He changed the dose to just once a day on day 3.

She gets 2/3 cup of can food divided into 4 meals throughout the day.
She can pick on the kibble (1/4 cup) as a snack.

He said it would take 24 hours to see a change in her stool from eating this new diet. Today she pooped three times and the stool was firm and easy to pass. It is sooooo important (the Vet stressed this over and over) that she
gets nothing but this diet until her weight is up a few ounces and stays around 7 lbs. and gets used to the new food...then he says she may have
something like a small raw carrot to chew on.

He is going at this slowly for he wants her able to handle the disease with just diet alone (this is his goal and direction in caring for her) He wants me to call him before I make any changes in her diet or quits eating.

Today was a good day for Holly. She ate and pooped and played.
I still remember and re-read all of your advice and shared experiences to keep me focus on what's ahead.

Please tell me how JaJa is doing ...it helps me a lot. Things like setbacks and good times etc.

Hugs to you and JaJa
I will keep you posted if you like

Nikeann07

How is Holly doing/?
best,
Karen & JaJa

Hi Karen
 

I hope you and JaJa are doing fine.

I am hanging in there with Holly.
She gained 2 oz this week and the Vet was pleased. (7.4lbs) She looks very frail. She is the last to get up in the morning and the first to go to bed.
She is sitting in the sun right now...her favorite thing. She takes her meds readily and still on W/D formula diet...she is bored with this..but, Vet says to stay with it.

She got her B-12 shot again this week...2 more times before bloodwork again.

Vet suggested not giving her heartguard...but I did give it to my other two Yorkies.

Is there any more you can tell me?
Is JaJa doing well on a meds etc.?


thank you for sharing your experiences about this disease.:animal-pa

Nikeann07

update on Holly
 

Hi

I did a Google search for the use of Prednisone (steroid) and its effects on long term treatment use.

Very informative...

It's used in Holly's case: It's a steroid designed to break down stored fat, sugars, and proteins...so that they may be used as fuels in times of stress in my dog. Side effects...extreme thirst and plenty of pee...over long time use...may make a dog aggressive and jumpy.

The hope is to get Holly off daily use ..because ... over several months it ...will teach the body it can't be without Prednisone..


Nikeann07

Hi,
Hope Holly is continuing to do better- gaining weight is a good sign.
JaJa seems to be doing well-- she does have a massive appetite and pees like a Great Dane, but has alot of energy and seems happy.
Next month I have to take her for her annual exam and hope to hear I can get her off the 1/4 tab every other day of prednisone.
Ja is usually on Interceptor heartworm med (only during the warm months) - do you know why your vet said Not to give Holly Heartguard?

Some fun news to share - JaJa has been selected to be one of the stars of the upcoming (8/08) book "Doggie Style: I'm Too Sexy for My Collar ".

Currently, there's an online contest at*Untitled Document where you can vote for JaJa.

While all the dogs are very cute, I'd appreciate it if you would vote for JaJa (she's in row 9, third/right column wearing a hooded pink boa feather outfit). Thanks.

Let me know how Holly's doing.
best,
Karen & JaJa

I voted for JaJa!!
 

She really is sooo sweet looking...I hope she wins. Let me know the contest results when it happens.

Holly is still always hungry!! I gave her a raw carrot today as a treat...she loved it....I have taken her on trips to a friends house for a play-date with her yorkie pups and I took her to the pet store. It lifted both our spirits.

She looks good and acts happy. I was surprised the Vet trusted me to give her the b-12 injections for the next 6 weeks. but, it will save me about $500.
Then more blood work for her to see where she is at with her protein levels.

the pink boa is adorable on JaJa...thanks for sharing your fun news!!

:p

Good news about Holly! Seeing our babies happy makes us happy.
Yorkies are such fighters, so resilient!! Love is a great medicine.

My vet never mentioned giving Ja B-12 shots... Is it difficult to give them to her? I'm in NY, NY -- one would (mistakenly?) think the best vets are here... where do you live?

Thanks for your sweet words about JaJa and the contest.
I'll pray for excellent blood test results for Holly & JaJa,
Karen

thank you for your prayers!! they were answered!!
 

I give Holly the B-12 injections ...only because the vet showed me how ...he did not charge me in teaching me how...and how much in each dose...he made me give her a shot while he watched....he gave me all the syringes I will need...I am to put them in a plastic bag after each weeks injection and return them to the Vet for proper disposal...The injection goes into the back of Holly's neck...It is quick and simple and it is a very fine small needle...Holly does not even feel it. The B-12 prescription does not have to be refrigerated.... I live in California..it is an animal hospital that I go to. He gave her the first 3 shots...and I think it was only that she was doing so well on it...that he lets me do it now. The cost now is something I can handle.

I just paid the Visa bill on all this and it came to $975.00 ( 2 months of treatment....medications...vet appointments....change of food to Vet food...x-rays....bloodwork...and tests...and the big one...He did save her life
...which I am so grateful for....and all the Yorkie talk friends who said prayers for Holly.

Bless all of you for caring about Holly..I have hope now that she will continue to improve.

Please ask your Vet about B-12 injections for this condition

Nikeann07:):animal-pa

Hi,
How is Holly?
I'm taking JaJa to the vet on Fri. - time for her annual check-up... but have to say that since I had her groomed 2 weeks ago it really looks like she's lost weight ( can feel every inch of her spine and ribs) - I know this is not the best sign...
Do you have any suggestions re: things I should discuss with the vet? I was hoping to get her off prednisone after 11 months... just hope her blood tests are good etc.
thanks,
Karen

Hi Karen
 

I know what you mean about the ribs and spine showing...I think b-12 shots would help ..please ask your Vet on Friday when you go in for JaJa.
I pray her tests come back as improved. My prayer to you always.

B-12 is about $36.00 here in Ca. I gave Holly one weekly injection today...she does not even feel it. She is still on the steroid every other day. I go off the fragal this week..which she was getting twice daily.

I have added freeze dried chicken 97% fat-free. I crush a couple of small pieces over her food like sawdust. She gets 1 half can of Hill's W/d formula vet food total daily only...spread out over the day in 4 mini meals...because as you know, the steroid makes them sooooo hungry. Some days she eat all of the half can...and some days less.

I take her out for excercise or some play time twice daily to keep her from thinking of eating...it works. It makes me happy to see her eager to eat each day.

She still likes to lay out in the morning sun.

Karen I hope your Vet just gives JaJa more food allowance. Please let me know how the trip to the Vet goes for I am very interested in hearing how you and JaJa are doing.:animal-pa:p


Holly had a boney look to her..and now after 3 weeks of a once a week injection ...she has filled out...it gave her another 1/2 lb to her frame...to look at her she appears healthy. and not so breakable.

Hi,
I took JaJa to the vet today. She has lost approx. 1/2 lb - down to 6.8 lbs. The vet took 3 vials of blood - I'll have most, if not all, the results tomorrow afternoon. I discussed the B-12 injections (thank you) so he's testing her B-12 levels too. His guess is that even though I'm feeding her more and she's still losing weight it probably means that her body isn't absorbing nutrients ( especially protein). He suspects that 1/4 tab of prednisone every other day is not enough. The blood tests will show if she has major abnormalities because of the prednisone. He reiterated that this is a life long illness that can't be cured but can be managed.
We also discussed the vaccines that she's due for and mutually decided NOT to give her the distemper one - one of the blood tests is to see if she still has antibodies against rabies.
She also may need a broken tooth pulled because of a significant cavity...
So, I'll know more tomorrow. Hopefully, I'll accept that she may be on prednisone forever....
Thanks for your well wishes & prayers.
Hope you, Holly and your other Yorkies are doing well.
best,
Karen

Hi Karen
 

Wishing you both success in dealing with this tragic disease. So glad you found each other and that you can help and support each other.

Best wishes.

Karen and Nikeann,

Thanks for all your posts on this disease. Just a few days ago Annie was diagnose with LPE and your posts have helped me understand we have in store for us. (Actually before we got the diagonosis I had a good idea of what she had from your posts based on her blood results) We had taken her in to the ER vet when she started panting heavily and shaking. Which we were told were seizures and a hard time breathing. Prior to this she really didn't show any symptoms except for random boughts of diarhea which we just blamed on us giving her something or her getting into something... She is almost 4 years old and tomorrow we are to get back her biopsy results to see how far the disease has progressed. For the most part she acts like her normal self. The vet has started her on prednizone twice a day and the prescription hills r/d diet which I am not to found of...

The news was a bit devastating at first, but we are taking it one day at a time I suppose.

Shivani

Shivani
 

Hi Nikeann (& others with PLE babies).
I took JaJa to the vet on Fri. She was almost due for her annual
exam but I pushed it up because after she was groomed a couple of weeks ago & I really noticed that she had lost weight - could feel her spine & ribs.

Long story shorter, she's lost a bit more than 1/2 lb.-- supposedly though I've been feeding her more and despite her constant ravenous appetite - she's not absorbing nutrients well :(... and her blood tests showed that her albumin & total protein counts have dropped (but not nearly as low
as when she was 1st diagnosed with Intestinal Lymphangiectasia June '07). Her kidneys, liver etc. are fine and show no signs of Prednisone damage. Her thyroid is borderline low but her vet doesn't want
to treat that because it might make her lose more weight and complicate the main condition.

So, we're upping the Prednisone to 1/4 tab every day (as opposed to the current every other day - she initially was on a full pill 2x/day).

I can feed her up to 20% more food. I've been feeding her Natural Balance duck & potato- canned & dry for the past 2 yrs. because overuse of antibiotics made her have serious gastro problems for 5 months. I now also add some powder from Cranactin capsules (due to her recent urinary tract infection (UTI) - prednisone can make dogs more suseptible to infections). Every so often I give her a 3V Skin Cap (supposedly essential fatty acids are helpful but will double check if this is the best formula). I also give her bits of broccoli & sweet potato from my dinner.

We're going back to the vet in 3 weeks to weigh her and get albumin & protein blood tests. I'll know this week the results of her B-12 test and if she still has immunity from rabies. We decided Not to give her a booster shot for distemper.

Our vet reiterated that this is a life long illness that can't be cured but
hopefully can be managed. Ja will almost definitely be on Prednisone forever... Her huge appetite and constant peeing is a bit trying at times... as I'm sure you can relate to. Otherwise, Ja appears healthy & happy and normal in all other ways.

The news could've been much worse, so I am thankful. Please keep sweet JaJa in your thoughts & prayers.

I will continue to have the most positive thoughts for the health of your sweet Yorkies.

Please let me know how Holly & you are doing and if you have any questions you'd like me to ask our vet.
best,
Karen

Karen
 

Thank you once again for your kind & thoughtful note.

Just a couple of days on 1/4 prednisone Every day, Ja's appetite is totally out of control - she's constantly crying for more & more food. Being as smart as she is, like most Yorkies, she has, in the past "played" me for food - but I keep on giving her snacks because of her delicate condition.

Did Holly have a Rabies Antibodies blood test? it's expensive (in NYC $136...) but last year she showed immunity to rabies so I didn't give her the shot. It's the law here, too, but if the blood test shows immunity I think it's ok....

Ja's vet thought I should give her Interceptor (anti-heartworm) for 6 months - 1 pill every 60 days- in case I travel out of manhattan or she can get something from another dog on the street. He said its "safe"-- why did your vet say Not to give Holly the heartworm med.? (btw, as a kid I had a mini schanuzer who actually was infested with heartworm and needed surgery.....).

As I've mentioned, I'll know Ja's B-12 levels in a day or so -- the vet said that B-12 usually increases hunger & weight loss...

Glad to hear Holly's poops are normal - Ja was on liquid Flagyl for months -- supposedly it's very safe so would add that again if necessary.

When I was at the vet, I gave Ja treats & he looked to see if she was chewing on the side of her bad tooth - she was-- so he said we can just watch it for now.

One more thing, I think the the "specialty" vet at the animal hospital that was giving Ja ultrasounds & adjusting the prednisone probably made an error. Her last visit w/ him was in Feb. and she was doing well, so he dropped the prednisone to 1/4 every other day & said Ja needed to be checked by our reg. vet in 3-4 months . Obviously, the drop in prednisone was not a good idea - he should have suggested a check-up sooner...

My prayers and thoughts that Holly's check up on the 21st shows improvement or at least stability.
I'll let you know about the B-12 & rabies tests.
Until then-- let's be as positive as possible. wishing great health to you , your family and all yorkies!!!!!

Best,
Karen & JaJa

Karen
 

Hi...I am wondering how you and JaJa are doing now...any new information from the Vet about the B-12 test?

Nikeann:)

update on Holly
 

[COLOR="DarkSlateGray"]

Holly will be in for a Vet check on thursday this week. Her dog license is due for renewal...but she needs a Rabies shot for this...and the Vet told me over the phone that he will NOT give her one and he will write a waver for the City's dog licencing program for me to send in. (it's to read Holly has too many health issues.)

Holly has been doing fine...except she now appears to have a bit of a pot-belly in the evenings...this concerns me.[/COLOR]

I will keep you informed as to what the Vet says about this...and her upcoming blood work on thursday.

Nikeann07

Hi,
How was Holly's vet appt. and her blood tests?

Last weekend, JaJa was peeing blood again (v.scary)... so phoned the vet on Mon. , then collected a urine sample (I can tell you how to do this if you don't know) and brought it to the vet.

Well, Ja had elevated WBCs and bacteria, but no blood, in her urine- the vet said she needed to go on antibiotics AGAIN 2x/day for 2 weeks. I really don't like her on antibiotics but the vet said it had to be treated. I'm also giving her FortiFlora to prevent stomach problems.
So now, I have to give Ja 3 pills/day - 1/4 prednisone & 2 antibiotics.
Ja's B-12 tests were normal - vet said when she comes in for her next check up in 2 weeks we'll see if she's gained weight before deciding on the B-12.

Still haven't got Ja's Rabies immunity tests back - good that your vet will write a letter about this. I didn't give Ja her DHP-PV booster shots and don't want to give her a rabies shot. Am giving her Interceptor for heartworm and Frontline, though.

JaJa SEEMS happy and healthy. (of course, v. hungry and peeing alot still).
I pray for more normal blood tests, that she's gaining and maintaining weight & no more UTI's.

Please let me know how you & Holly are doing and if you have any new info.
Hugs,
Karen & JaJa