Another Finn Update

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worriedparents
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by worriedparents » 25 Oct 2018, 13:42

Finn’s blood work and urinalysis look good. Kidney values are all normal, including SDMA. Cardiopet BNP was good too.

Items out of reference range were:
Magnesium was slightly high: 1.03 (0.7-1.0)
Total Bilirubin was slightly high: 5.7 (1-5.13) , but that’s not the highest it’s ever been tested for him in the past and then returned to normal again, and other liver values were normal.
Lymphocytes were low: 1.0 (1.1-5.0)

I keep records of all Finn’s blood work and see where his level compare with previous testing. In this latest one,
his platelets were the lowest they’ve been and just within the normal range: 143 (143-448). He’s on anti-clotting medication but that isn’t making his platelets too low.

Reticulocyte and WBC were normal, but the lowest yet.
Glucose was normal but the highest it’s been before.
Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Amylase and Lipase were all normal and the lowest values for him so far.
Creatine Kinase was also normal, but the highest he’s tested so far. A jump of of a 100 since the last time.

There are a couple values, like the CK and magnesium, I’d like to keep an eye on. And they didn’t run a thyroid test as part of the panel. I wish they would have.

Urine showed Positive 1+ protein but that could have been because we did a free catch collection. Bilirubin was Positive 1+ too. Specific gravity was 1.026

He’s back to normal from the allergic reaction. We wonder if it started with an insect bite because he’s back to his routine and exposed to the same things again with not even a hint of an itch, except he’s still eating turkey vs chicken. He sure seems to like that and very eager to eat. The turkey seems a little more constipating for him though. There were many days he didn’t want to go out into the backyard without a lot of coaxing. A fear or reluctance like something happened out there that he didn’t like, and that's why we think maybe a bite.

Still having some incontinence issues though. We bought a few large washable pee pads for his dog beds and a few belly bands. He’s wearing one today for a few hours because he was dribbling on the floor a bit, but I just checked it and he's not peed in it. He doesn’t seemed bothered to wear it but he does seem bothered when he pees on the floor. I don’t make a big deal about it and just wipe him down. The last couple days he remained pretty dry. So it comes and goes. His water intake is normal again for him too, which isn’t a lot. I still think it’s cause could be hormonal or spine related. But I don’t want him on a bunch more meds right now and many he probably couldn’t have any way.

Next testing will be another ultrasound, and review meds from there and look at the incontinence further. I can mention it to the vets who do the ultrasound maybe his bladder could be looked at, but he’s not having other symptoms like it would be stones.

Our vet didn’t hear a heart murmur and he felt a pulse on his rear leg, so that’s good. Not strong but it’s there. That holds true to what the last ultrasound showed. The Emerg vet who heard the murmur, didn’t feel a pulse in the rear leg and said therefore the clot is still there, was against the use of CBD oil ruling it the cause of Finn’s incontinence due to THC toxicity (which is not listed on the product and I realize it’s unregulated…but he’s a 145 lb dog who received about 3 drops), was also the one who said Finn had DM and would be paralyzed within 3 months (a year and a half ago), so take it with a grain of salt.

If you see anything I listed in his blood work that jumps out for anyone or have other ideas. Let me know. Thanks.
Adopted Finn 4 years ago. He's 7 maybe 8 years old? Reoccurring diarrhea, picky eater and loss of appetite from day 1. Low B12 causing hind-end weakness in July 2017. B12 injections didn't help his appetite, diarrhea or energy like we thought they should have. I found this wonderful forum and learned about EPI, which he doesn’t have, and SIBO/SID which he does have. On Tylosin and B12 pills with intrinsic factor long-term. Blood clot in his left femoral artery in July 2018, which Clopidogrel and Xareltro helped clear up, also long-term. Latest problems since fall 2018 are food sensitivities and (misdiagnosed) UTI causing incontinence.

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worriedparents
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by worriedparents » 01 Nov 2018, 21:59

We are going to get a bladder ultrasound at the same time he gets rechecked for the clot next week. Couldn't get a sooner appointment. He doesn't really urinate for as long as he used to.

He pawed at his face a couple days ago and I thought he had bumps over both eyes, so he got some Zyrtec and they went down pretty quickly. His ears and rest of his body didn't get red, so it was short lived. The thing we had reintroduced that day was tripe.

We've just realized he's lost hearing. Don't know if it was because of the meds or the shaking of his head or what, but he lays down on his side in the evening and should relax but barks regularly. Doesn't do it as often during the day. Evening is when the dishwasher or washer is running, or the TV may be on and he's more reactive with a bit more anxiety if we are in different rooms. He's ok once we go to bed and he sleeps in our room. Or could be pain related I suppose. We've noticed he doesn't react to the postal workers coming onto the porch like he did, or subtle noises like turning key in the front door. It's been a couple weeks since he had the severe allergy, so I don't know if this will be temporary or permanent. Is there anything we can do for that?
Adopted Finn 4 years ago. He's 7 maybe 8 years old? Reoccurring diarrhea, picky eater and loss of appetite from day 1. Low B12 causing hind-end weakness in July 2017. B12 injections didn't help his appetite, diarrhea or energy like we thought they should have. I found this wonderful forum and learned about EPI, which he doesn’t have, and SIBO/SID which he does have. On Tylosin and B12 pills with intrinsic factor long-term. Blood clot in his left femoral artery in July 2018, which Clopidogrel and Xareltro helped clear up, also long-term. Latest problems since fall 2018 are food sensitivities and (misdiagnosed) UTI causing incontinence.

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Madelon
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by Madelon » 03 Nov 2018, 16:02

I'm so sorry you're dealing with more issues. Have you talked with your vet about his behavior to see what they think?
Madelon, owned by DOC. DOC dx EPI 5/2015 = TLI < .4, B12 406; Folate >24. DOC taught me so much and together we battled and overcame EPI, food sensitivies, environmental allergies but we lost the cancer battle. DOC was dx with hemangiosarcoma 5/2022 and crossed the rainbow bridge July 24, 2022. He is and always will be the love of my life, my soulmate, my heart dog.

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worriedparents
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by worriedparents » 01 Dec 2018, 14:37

Finn went in for another ultrasound recheck in November. His clot didn’t return, but there is still an area with a thickened wall in the one femoral artery. His Xarelto dosage has been cut in half, which means 1/2 the cost. Yay! He will likely remain on the Clopidogrel forever and the dosage for Xarelto will vary based on further ultrasound tests.

He didn’t have stones and the Internist thinks the incontinence is Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence (USMI). Some days it’s very small amounts of leakage and other days, he soaks his leg and the floor when he’s napping as he did this morning. He wears a belly band on those days, but I don't like to keep in one too long as that can increase risk of UTI. The neurologist thinks how he empties his bladder may be involved too. He’s suppose to start PPA. We're always nervous to put him on new medication. The side affects can be hives, swelling of face, loss of appetite, which we've already experienced with him, among other more serious things.

He’s still on ground turkey as the main basis of his diet and his poops are better than they were on chicken. We’ve reduced his Tylosin and will likely reduce it even further soon. We tried that earlier but think we reduced too quickly and he developed gas. As far as allergies and food sensitivities we’ve been playing around with reintroducing food he’s had in the past and was fine with, like fish based kibble and tripe, but both brought on allergy symptoms of head shaking, panting, bothered to varying degrees. So primarily turkey it is for the time being. The vet wondered if inflammation that played a role in developing a clot has also changed his reaction to certain foods.

He still barks at nothing in the evenings sometimes, and it seems related to hearing loss. He seems to be getting used to the hearing change more now so less barking but really depends on the day and what noises are around. His behavior is so quirky that vets usually don't know what to make of him . Like we are into winter, so he's gone off water again and back to eating snow until there is a thaw and then begrudgingly will start drinking again. He knows what he wants and he's easy going in a lot of ways, like wearing his belly band, but is a stubborn St. Bernard in many other ways.
Adopted Finn 4 years ago. He's 7 maybe 8 years old? Reoccurring diarrhea, picky eater and loss of appetite from day 1. Low B12 causing hind-end weakness in July 2017. B12 injections didn't help his appetite, diarrhea or energy like we thought they should have. I found this wonderful forum and learned about EPI, which he doesn’t have, and SIBO/SID which he does have. On Tylosin and B12 pills with intrinsic factor long-term. Blood clot in his left femoral artery in July 2018, which Clopidogrel and Xareltro helped clear up, also long-term. Latest problems since fall 2018 are food sensitivities and (misdiagnosed) UTI causing incontinence.

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Olesia711
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by Olesia711 » 01 Dec 2018, 21:11

Geesh...... my heart goes out to you..... so much to deal with and it almost sounds like a lot of odd quirks, that thankfully, you are the caregiver, has been astute enough to pick up on and can help Finn feel / do better with his situation.

When i read your posts... i so want to help, but i am at a total loss. My gal Izzy leaked....big time..... but it turned out to be juvenile incontinence.... also the head shaking, and hearing issues, my gal had those symptoms too.... bu for her it turned out to be central brain inflammation/vestibular disease...... so although some of the symptoms are the same, the conditions are totally different ... so i can't offer anything useful.

What i can do is when i have time, i'll go and see if i can come up with any current research that i can forward to you jsut for informational reading.
Olesia, was owned by Izzy, a 35lb Spanish Water Dog (SWD), Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at 15 years old. She lived with EPI for 13+1/2 years. It was because of Izzy that Epi4Dogs was started... she was the inspiration. May her legacy of helping others with EPI continue for as long as needed.........

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worriedparents
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by worriedparents » 01 Dec 2018, 22:32

That would be great Olesia, I like reading research. I will keep my eyes open for vestibular symptoms like vomiting, dizziness, circling, nystagmus (I assume?). Never thought about that. That would have been hard to deal with. I've had other pets who've had that. Nothing like that seems to be happening to him, but I wonder about inflammation.

Luckily he's not totally deaf. My husband thinks he has some selective hearing if he doesn't want to listen to us. But it's definitely different than it was. I wondered about dementia with the evening barking, but doesn't seem to be that either, and it came on very suddenly after the severe allergy episode. He had more anxiety about it in the beginning but I think he's gotten used to it now so less of the barking and anxiety.

Yes has his quirks. When he wants outside he gets excited and does a full body shake. We hear tags rattle on his collar and know he wants to go outside. Now we are always checking, was that a head shake or a full body shake? They mean different things. When he first got here he would stand by the door and sneeze to get our attention. It was a signal to go out and have a poop. Was the only time he sneezed. Still don't know if a dog can sneeze voluntarily or why he only did it then.

We are going through a thaw so he's very disappointed the snow is gone. We bought a ice shaving machine a couple years ago to help with the transition back onto water and ensure he's getting a clean fake snow supply. People laugh when they hear we bought our dog a sno-cone machine. :lol:
Adopted Finn 4 years ago. He's 7 maybe 8 years old? Reoccurring diarrhea, picky eater and loss of appetite from day 1. Low B12 causing hind-end weakness in July 2017. B12 injections didn't help his appetite, diarrhea or energy like we thought they should have. I found this wonderful forum and learned about EPI, which he doesn’t have, and SIBO/SID which he does have. On Tylosin and B12 pills with intrinsic factor long-term. Blood clot in his left femoral artery in July 2018, which Clopidogrel and Xareltro helped clear up, also long-term. Latest problems since fall 2018 are food sensitivities and (misdiagnosed) UTI causing incontinence.

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Jean
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by Jean » 02 Dec 2018, 05:00

HI

You have a lot going on and it looks like you are riding the wave

he is one lucky boy

we have issues with Kara, she spent 6 days at the vet hospital here earlier in the year

MRI ultra sounds etc, the outcome she has a small liver, so is on medication for and various other issues, so I understand, you are in good hands with Olesia research, way over my head

Jean
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

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worriedparents
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by worriedparents » 02 Dec 2018, 07:47

Oh 6 days at the vet hospital would be nerve wracking. I hope Kara is better and the meds are working.

We are also looking after my elderly mother, who has incontinence and dementia symptoms. This week we were at the ER overnight with her and then had Finn's appointment with specialists the next day with only 2 hours sleep. When they are both having issues at the same time, it gets very overwhelming for us.
Adopted Finn 4 years ago. He's 7 maybe 8 years old? Reoccurring diarrhea, picky eater and loss of appetite from day 1. Low B12 causing hind-end weakness in July 2017. B12 injections didn't help his appetite, diarrhea or energy like we thought they should have. I found this wonderful forum and learned about EPI, which he doesn’t have, and SIBO/SID which he does have. On Tylosin and B12 pills with intrinsic factor long-term. Blood clot in his left femoral artery in July 2018, which Clopidogrel and Xareltro helped clear up, also long-term. Latest problems since fall 2018 are food sensitivities and (misdiagnosed) UTI causing incontinence.

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Olesia711
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Country: United States
State: North Carolina
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My name: olesia

Re: Another Finn Update

Post by Olesia711 » 02 Dec 2018, 14:09

YIKES.... we have a lot in common...... the universe must be telling us something :)

My mom lived with us for 11 years, and the last 2 yrs she developed dementia during the same time my husband landed in the hospital for 4 months with acute necrotizing pancreatiti/lost 90% of his pancreas along with uncontrolled diabetes ... people started asking me if he "caught it" from my dog Izzy who has EPI + Diabetes. And then my mom, was in and out of the hospital, towards the end .... things just don't go well when the dementia gets a little out of hand..........(she passed away this springtime at 97).

It's kind of crazy.... like when it rains it POURS!!!!!!!!!

I have a project to do today, but i wrote myself a note for this week to look up some research for you....
Olesia, was owned by Izzy, a 35lb Spanish Water Dog (SWD), Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at 15 years old. She lived with EPI for 13+1/2 years. It was because of Izzy that Epi4Dogs was started... she was the inspiration. May her legacy of helping others with EPI continue for as long as needed.........

Barb
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Re: Another Finn Update

Post by Barb » 02 Dec 2018, 17:10

Some people (and dogs) get more than their fair share of challenges. I am so sorry you are going through all this. Finn is really lucky to have you.

Our Bridge German Shepherd, Kip, (before Kolby and non EPI) came to us when he was 13 months. He was from a breeder of show dogs, but they couldn't show him because, he had some sort of urethral problem which was never fully explained to us.....he had difficulty peeing when he was born so they did surgery, I believe to widen the opening.....and, you guessed it. He then developed submissive peeing. We then spent many years training all of our family and friends not to make a fuss over him when they first came in the door. Like Finn, we never knew when he was just going to have minimal leakage or a full blown flood. Eventually, this subsided as he got older, but it never disappeared completely.

I hope you can get some of Finn's issues resolved so that you and he can get a little relief. You've taken wonderful care of him and that love is never lost.

Barb

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