Bensam Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 Wednesday 12.30pm. Mentioned in an earlier post that Bob (Vet) was treating for a spinal infection. He phoned me late last evening, new blood tests had come back with lower enzymes than the morning tests, so that was good. More done early this am. lower again, and Ben a bit brighter. Bob suggested that I bring him home as he would benefit from home comforts. So dashed over and Ben is walking slowly and his hearing is improving. Eyesight very bad, Bob cannot tell if the retinas have detached because of severe odema so will have to wait until this clears, hoping it will be OK. Ben is on large dosage of Prednisolone, decreasing gradually over 3 weeks. I'm not real happy about using it but it appears to be working and at the moment I'd walk on fire to get results. He is sleeping in his trolley at the moment. Had a little walk when we came home, small meal, big drink and settled down in the lounge. A long way to go but this is the best he has been since yesterday week. Thank you my friends, I know all the good thoughts have helped Ben and me. It really helps to tell someone. Mei Mei, things going OK for you, I hope? Quote
wildbunch Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 Oh thank Dog BenSam! I am so very happy for you. I'm going to keep sending all my positive energy and thoughts your way. I feel like jumping for joy for you and Mei-Mei. Hang in there Ben, Apollo and Artemis, be strong!!!! Will keep praying for full recovery for all. Quote
behle Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 I'm so happy to hear your encouraging post about Ben. :D I'll keep him in my prayers! Quote
Hobbit Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 Great to hear he's better. Bensam, any idea how he contracted this? Sorry, to pry --- but it helps to know symptoms/causes in case it ever happens to anyone else, maybe they will remember this post and can act accordingly. Quote
Bensam Posted January 22, 2003 Author Posted January 22, 2003 Ben had been a bit quieter for about a week which I was putting down to the extremely hot weather we were having and he is heading for 10years. On the Sunday he was reluctant to get up, had to call him twice. Much the same Monday am. so headed for the Vet. Saw one of the young ones, Ben showed discomfort when his neck was turned and just behind his shoulders on the spine was tender. Didn't yelp with pain, just flinched. Probable arthritis, put on Rimadyl. Was worse Tuesday, back to Vet, saw Bob this time, xrays taken, trouble with 3 discs (from Vet note:- Thoric(?) 8/9. T5/6 and T5/4. These appear to be associated with a chronic arthritic condition of the back called ossifying spondy?osis. developing over a long period and now only showing symptoms). At no time has he had a temperature. On returning to Vets on Thursday, Bob queried if he had had any trauma, falls etc. a couple of other things which I cant remember but Ben had not had any of them. Bob's assumption of infection is an educated guess as he couldn't do the spinal tap to confirm it. He was down to last options having tested for all manner of things. I would never have imagined it could happen so quickly Poor Ben may still not recover but at least he is home and Bob cant do any more. Quote
Hobbit Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 Do you have West Nile Virus there? It sounds like Encephalitis or Encephalomyelitis. Puzzling. Quote
bk_blue Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 Glad to hear Ben is improving... bk sends a big stinky-breathed heeler kiss to him (you probably don't want it :wink: ) :angel: Quote
Hobbit Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/distemper/ This is pretty interesting --- MeiMei, this is for you, also. Quote
Bensam Posted January 22, 2003 Author Posted January 22, 2003 Hobbit, West Nile Virus, I haven't heard of it. Is it mosquito borne, We have a Ross River Fever contacted from Mossies. Presents differently. Somewhere along the line Bob ruled out Encephalitis, the other one I dont remember being mentioned but have heard so many medical terms this last week anything may have passed me by. Quote
Hobbit Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 The other is spinal and brain inflamation and has symptoms as you described for Ben. Quote
Bensam Posted January 22, 2003 Author Posted January 22, 2003 Interesting - The symptoms do sound the same. In the article it is a possible follow-on from Distemper, can it be a condition on it's own? Ben did not have any of the other symptoms for distemper and would not any virus show in the blood work? He has had blood done about 6/8 times over about a week. Quote
eggrolyn1223 Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 Yay for Ben!! :kciuki: COme on, keep improving!!We know you can do it!! Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 we have been on the edge of our seats for days waiting for news sending thoughts to all three looks like it is working :D good boy BEN :D Quote
Carolk9s Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 Glad to hear Ben is home and improving, hope he continues to do so! Jesse has ossifying spondylosis. It does cause him daily pain, currently he is on Ascripton and Glyco-Flex III. Here are some links for more info: http://www.eudaemonic.net/rvi-cani.htm http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article143.html?source=overture http://www.spinaldisorders.com/spondylosis.htm Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted January 22, 2003 Posted January 22, 2003 :thumbs: Way to go Ben!! Prayers and thoughts still coming!! Okay and everyone is sending kisses!! :D Quote
Hobbit Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 Bensam napisał(a):Interesting - The symptoms do sound the same. In the article it is a possible follow-on from Distemper, can it be a condition on it's own? Ben did not have any of the other symptoms for distemper and would not any virus show in the blood work? He has had blood done about 6/8 times over about a week. It must have a cause. Or, must have been the result of something else. Like after a mare foals, she could contract a bacteria and this could bring it on. A dog can also contract it after being vaccinated for distemper, I think I read that right. I was in a hurry when I read it. Was his white blood count up at any time? Quote
Ickle Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 Way to go Ben keep getting better lttle man . We are all behind you God bless Ickle :) Quote
Bensam Posted January 23, 2003 Author Posted January 23, 2003 Hobbit, all his blood tests were fine, ones I can remember Vet telling me - red and white cells, liver, kidneys, enzymes, others I cant remember. The only thing that was picked up was slight muscle trauma in an early test, but that had decreased in the later tests. Apparently this could have been from the arthritis in his back or heart strain but his heart sounded fine. Hasn't had any recent vacs. for distemper or anything else. Vet. queried me on all manner of things, falls, bites, cuts, etc. everything had a 'no' answer. Whatever it actually is has come from somewhere/something but will probably remain a puzzle. At the moment I'm on a roller coaster, one minute I wonder if I have done the right thing, next I think I can see a slight improvement. His hearing has improved, opened the cupboard where the biscuits are and his head went up, ears forward, so the brain in working and tonight, I hope I'm not kidding myself, moved my hand beside his left eye and he turned his head, did this twice, wasn't game to go for three in a row. He is walking slowly in the morning, not so good by evening but it's very hot and long days. Quote
eggrolyn1223 Posted January 23, 2003 Posted January 23, 2003 OH!!I'm wishing with all my heart that Ben will keep getting better..PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE.. :modla: Quote
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