rocketdoc

First part of the bloodwork is back.

Thyroid normal (full panel run, she is above the mid-point)

Only 1 thing came back out of range - Eosinophils, normal range is up to 1000, Pula's was 2800. She had the lab repeat the test to confirm.
She said that can be allergies (which we suspect in Pula, but not sure exactly what they are), intestinal parasites, and a few other things. We are looking at what else to do do differentiate this number. Allergies is my #1 guess so far, but I don't want to rule things out yet.

Her hormone level tests take 7 days I think, so they are not yet back.

We are still trying to find a pain source. She is on crate rest and leash only for now while I try to work this out and anti-inflammatories (not steroids). She is able to do nose work and basic training. I am working on massaging her myself and in general working on touching and trust. I feel bad for her.

So, nothing concrete at this time. I only got a voicemail. I will go look at the test results myself tomorrow and get my copy.

Lisa

Q734

(((Lisa/Pula))))

Amelia_

Wishing you all the best

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alwayshadpets

Hope all turns out well for Ms. Pula

jdd

Poor girl and poor you! So sorry you are both going thru this. Wish I knew the answer. Something new every day!

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Darkevs

Hugz to Pula.

here is a looooong but very interesting read, a human study, but blood is blood, .................. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...45/pdf/511.pdf

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

SoCalGirl

I don't know if this will help at all, but I was talking to a work friend who has had lots of pain in her esophagus for a long time. They have recently diagnosed her with "eosinophilitis" or something like that which manifests in her with sores in the esophagus. Apparently there is new recognition of the damage that a high eosinophil count can do in the body and it is an emerging area of medicine. I don't know if that relates at all to what is happening with Pula or where her pain may be coming from, but I thought I'd mention it.

Hugs to you and your girl!

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Amanda

www.dobermanassistance.org

Audrey1

Rocketdoc, I went back to look at your other threads on Pula. Pula had/has an issue with her spine and that's why she wasn't running or jumping. Massaging may or may not feel good depending on her pain and also the amount of pressure and if it is done correctly. If you have her on a leash, you might want to not hook it to a collar but to a front harness to avoid any pressure on her neck and I think limiting her interaction with other dogs is helpful, so that she doesn't do things that might delay her recovery.

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rocketdoc

Thanks everyone. Interesting read, Darkevs.

Yes, poor me and Pula. I am not patient, really. I just want a specific answer so we can deal with it and move on. For a dog that is working on being confident and secure, having pain doesn't help. And not being able to train at the level she is used to is probably wearing on her. We are making up games and still doing easy training, but that is not her norm. I miss it too. We were really starting to get in to a rhythm and work better together.

I am going to ask about allergy tests, but I may just do a food trial. Hard part is there are not a lot of proteins that she has not had before, whether in a treat or food. We may also try 100% raw if need be, but that is not my preference. She gets some raw now (sardines, bones, occasional other things).

Thanks again.

dax0402

Have nothing to add but sending lots of good thoughts for Pula that you find an answer.

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Lois and Baron

Adara

Has she seen a specialist - neuro or ortho? Has anyone suggested an MRI yet?

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Colleen
Flirt, ADAMAS All the Girls Do It, OA, NAJ, CL2-F, CL2-H
Gabby, Ch Gold Run's Token of Rumor, JH, NA, OAJ, NF, NJP, CL2,CL3-H, CL3-F Vizsla
Havoc, GCh HRQ Guess Who's In Trouble, JH, OA, OAJ, CL2-H, CL2-S, CL2-F Vizsla
Envy, Kizmar's Bailey HotShot of Adara, Vizsla

rocketdoc

Thanks. She has seen a chiropractic specialist already and the first time showed a lot of improvement from this adjustment/laser treatment. But not ortho or neuro. I am looking for referral to good ortho from people I train with. I have some calls in.

That is next up. I am the one suggesting an MRI (based on things I read here in DT for other dogs), since we haven't pinpointed the actual problem.

Lisa

rocketdoc

Her first injury, back in September, was different we think. This one I am working with now seems to be in a different place.

She was cleared to go back into training, after her 10 weeks off. She may not have really been ready, although she sure acted like it. She was good for 2-3 weeks, then this new thing. The question is whether this is new or the same thing...

The Traumeel seems to be helping. I suspect I am being impatient due to the stress of not knowing EXACTLY what is wrong.

As with all things like this, she has poor timing. I am currently on layoff from my old job and am working to start a new company with a friend (no pay). Yikes.

Thanks for letting me vent my concerns and receive your advice.

brw1982

I hope you guys get this figured out soon. It's so frustrating to not have an answer. I understand being impatient. If you knew what was wrong for sure then you could at least form a plan of action to deal with it purposefully. You're both in my thoughts.

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Old Drum's Crimson Crisp, "Fiona"
Old Drum's Fiery Rumors of Taliesin, "Tali"

rocketdoc

Thanks. She has seen a chiropractic specialist already and the first time showed a lot of improvement from this adjustment/laser treatment. But not ortho or neuro. I am looking for referral to good ortho from people I train with. I have some calls in.

That is next up. I am the one suggesting an MRI (based on things I read here in DT for other dogs), since we haven't pinpointed the actual problem.

Lisa

MeadowCat

Poor Pula. Give her a (gentle) hug from me. It's so hard because they can't tell us what's wrong. I'm sure she's as frustrated as you. I sure hope your vets can get it figured out soon.

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HarvestMoon

I'm so sorry you and Pula are going through this. Sending lots of positive thoughts for her improvement!

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rocketdoc

Yes. I want to know what to do for her, so we can
1. make a plan to get her back up and running and
2. be sure she is ok to go back to activity
3. make sure there is not something underlying problem that is making this more likely

Lisa

rocketdoc

Pula is acting a little more lively. Which is good and bad - she is wanting to play now with the other dog, which she hasn't really wanted to do. So, harder to keep apart.

But, I was able to get into the ortho vet tomorrow. Yea! He was recommended by a friend who has not 1 but 2 ACL surgeries there with her dog.

I am hopeful for a diagnosis that is specific and then to rehab. The fact that she seems playful today and yesterday is good. She has not been that way for two weeks.

Merry Christmas and fingers crossed.

Darkevs

glad she thinks she feels better!

here is another good read........ http://www.eiwc.org/pdf/Physiotherapy_for_dogs.pdf

i found another page with ifo. on a muscle 'tear' injury that just proceeded to get worse because of all the secondary issues that arose.......initial injury bled into surrounding muscle tissue which then set off inflammatory reaction that cause more pain, etc. ect. I will back track my googling and see if i can find it again.

Hugz to Pula!

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Thanks for making this signature for me Amelia!

brw1982

Hoping for good news at the ortho vet tomorrow! It'd be great if you had answers for a fresh start in 2012!

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Old Drum's Crimson Crisp, "Fiona"
Old Drum's Fiery Rumors of Taliesin, "Tali"

rocketdoc

Nice thing is that this office also has neurology also. 1 stop shopping. Hopefully, I will hear good news. It's amazing that as she starts to look better, I feel better.

Right now she is sleeping after a nice easy walk and some time relaxing in the sun. It is sunny and 68 right now, so I am heading back outside.

Lisa

rocketdoc

Back from Ortho vet. No joint issues or conformation issues. Confirmed favoring of right hind leg, but not significant (note - she has been getting better so far). Back appeared fine. She did not respond to any of the manipulations, no pain response, or knees, back, hips, neck, etc. I was advised that I can 1. rest and read for 2-3 more weeks and then resume training slowly or 2. schedule bone scan (which shows both soft and bone tissue issues before you would see on other scans, I guess. Did not thing x-rays would show anything).

Pula was well behaved. Not very nervous in the waiting room. IN fact was very curious at the spraying of water on the windows from the window washers outside. Willing to accept small pets from the intern as well as doctor. She went with them to be checked without me (I concurred that she is better without me in the room for things like this. I think my energy is not helpful.) She did express her anal glands due to being scared with multiple folks working her over, but she took it like a trooper and came back to me and responded nicely to obedience commands.

She seems to be feeling much better, but I am cautious with her. She is now outside in the sun enjoying a raw bone. I am calling the imaging place to see if the can ballpark the cost.

Lisa

rocketdoc

Update - scan is $575-1000. Went ahead and made an appointment for Tuesday. Figured that was less $ than to let her make what might be an injury that will heal with no extra treatment worse since we did not know specifically the area.

For anyone who cares to see what she is going to have:
http://www.avmi.net/NewFiles/Scintig...tigraphy1.html

Only bad thing is she has to be there all day, and it is 1 hour drive away. I will need to find someone to watch the other dogs and then keep myself busy all day down there. Traffic can make this a 2 hour drive, so it is better to just hang out and wait.

Lisa

dax0402

Thanks for the update and best of luck with the scane.

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