Sorry its been so long (2 weeks) since my last post, work has been crazy and so has home!
We’re now 48 days post-amp if I did the math right. 8/2 follow up with surgeon went well, amputation site looks like its totally healed up and the hair has already grown over enough to hide the scar. Lab work shows her kidneys and liver are handling the itraconazole well, all other abs were also normal. Unfortunately, what looked like a bit of arthritis pre-amp appears to be fungal in origin. So we’ve got a neurology consult tomorrow morning to determine a further course of action. Sheba has already out lived all the dogs in the literature we’ve scoured and she’s got a lot of fight, but there’s no precedent for surviving disseminated fungal infections past 6 months to a year. And if the Penicillium spp. diagnosis sticks we could have far less time. Yes, we’re still waiting for a complete ID!
In the meantime, we’re back on gabapentin to control the spinal pain, and she refuses to eat. We’ve stocked up on can food, dehydrated raw food, and Honest Kitchen’s Popper Toppers. Dang brat won’t even touch the ground meats we’ve prepared: bison, venison, rabbit, chicken…at least Buster has been able to enjoy the exotic meats! Feeding her just about every hours, or at least trying. We may resort to baby food soon. She must be eating just enough because she’s only lost pound in 2 weeks. More to come after tomorrow’s appointment!
Poor little girl. I know we all celebrated with you that this wasn’t cancer, but in honesty, it almost seems worse. Can’t believe you still don’t know the type of fungal infection! Hopefully the neurologist can give you a better path forward.
The lack of fungal speciation has been a HUGE source of frustration! I mean, we’ve paid over a thousand dollars on fungal identification alone, they should be able to figure it out. We’re on pathology lab #3. Having worked with immunosuppressed humans and being one myself, I knew the typical disease course in humans. We knew right off the bat that cancer would have a much better prognosis than a systemic fungal infection. she probably would have been better off if it was just localized to the knee, but things didn’t work out that way.
Aw, Sheba is such a fighter! I’m glad to hear she’s doing better than what you’ve read – that’s always encouraging. Incredible she’s only lost 2 lbs given her lack of appetite, you must be doing something right! Keep us updated, always love hearing about this tough girl and especially with the unique battle you have!
doc said not to worry, refusing food is normal for even healthy shepherds. His dog does it all the time. she’s obviously getting enough food in his mind
Just shaking my head. The fact that you have any sanity left at all is commendable!
Just a suggestion. Post the pertinent facts under the “Aak the Vet” thread. Don’t know if she can offer any insight, but it’s worth a try.
Sheba certainly is a fighter and not a statistic! And she has a wonderful advocate in you!!
Her pictures are so sweet. She is a lovely gal!
Lots of love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Its definitely been a crazy ride so far! After we see what the internist has to say today I’ll think about posting to the Ask A Vet thread.
Beautiful Sheba – I am sorry to hear there is still such mystery and will keep thinking positive thoughts for her to keep defying odds. Have you looked at occasional appetite stimulant? Mirtazapine can work to stimulate appetite for a day or so – usually decreases in effectiveness after a few days, but with ongoing illness, I have found it very effective used once or twice a week. Just to get calories in her.
Lisa and Pofi
We’ll be meeting with both neuro and internal med docs this afternoon to review the MRI and medications. I’ll definitely mention the mirtrazapine!