Hi, I’m Cynthia, though my aunt Ruth will occasionally lurk around the site with my log in. We’re the owners of Sheba, a 5 year old female German Shepherd. Sheba was scheduled for a TPLO May 23. When the surgeon opened the joint capsule he saw something very unusual. A large amount of the cartilage had eroded to the bone and the whole thing looked “angry red”. He took some samples, closed up and called to prepare us for the journey ahead.
Initial testing was inconclusive. Pathology suggested either fungal infection or cancer but couldn’t pinpoint any further than that. So off to the specialty clinic. Friday 6/24 they took a fine needle aspirate. The results were a bit surprising – FUNGUS!!
Everything has been quite overwhelming, though we all agree we’ll do what ever it take to keep Sheba comfortable for as long as we have her. Prognosis will depend on the identification of microbe and specificity tests. Antifungals tend to carry risk of kidney or liver failure, but her organ function looks great right now so that should help!
The rest of our pack includes Grandma (hooman- the big boss lady), brudders Buster (5 yo GSD) and Nikko (~7 yo beagle mix), and sistah Dolly (ancient doxie mix). We also dog sit a lot for our friends…lotsa buddies to play with!
That’s puppy Q under the blanket by the TV, Sheba on the brown/purple cushion, then Zia and Buster. Nikko’s in the bottom left. And I think that’s Jude’s head poking up from the couch.