My soon to be 13 yo best friend last week suffered a severe loss of balance coupled with mild (103F) fever. His vet ruled out organ failure, though he noted an elevated liver enzyme (SGPT) at 164 & where normal SGPT is ~100. Vet administered corticosteroids via injection and prescribed a three week 20 dosage prednisone regimen starting with twice daily 20 mg dosage for 3 days, then once daily for 11 days, then once every other day for the last 3 dosages.
It's now been 7 days since the first minor signs of trouble, 5 days since the severe attack/episode and 4 1/2 days since seeing the vet and commencing treatment. The good news is that my most beloved friend is virtually fully recovered; I could see significant progress every day and his fever has subsided. We unfortunately have not yet ruled out the possibility of a brain tumor, which is hanging over me like a dark cloud threatening doom. Especially after reading your comments on the "Liver Disease" topic about how a dog with a brain tumor will sometimes like to head press.
My buddy has, since he injured his left eye (scratched/slightly torn retina... now fully healed) months ago enjoyed pressing his left eye against my palm when I scratch his head/ears. I guess it could be a remnant from his eye injury, but I would like to know if there are any other telltale signs that might help distiguish his ailment as stroke versus brain tumor.
One other thing... his routine annual physical turned up a slight positive indicator for Ehrlichia. Vet put him on two weeks of 50mg once per day of antibiotic, cyclo-something or other. Though the recent blood test and normal kidney enzyme levels seem to indicate Ehrlichia is not a factor, just thought you should know the whole recent story.
Had also just begun to administer Rimadyl on trial basis one month ago, now discontinued while on Prednisone.
My buddy did exhibit some light vommiting during the past three weeks but with no discernable relation to any meds or pattern I could recognize. Vomit was usually yellowish and only on two occassions did it include small quantities of food, the other maybe 4 times were only liquids and stomach juices.
I'd appreciate any advice. My heart is breaking, but I'm hoping to have another year or two before having to say goodby to my very best friend on this planet.
Thank you for your consideration.
Blake & Roger (Border Collie)
It's now been 7 days since the first minor signs of trouble, 5 days since the severe attack/episode and 4 1/2 days since seeing the vet and commencing treatment. The good news is that my most beloved friend is virtually fully recovered; I could see significant progress every day and his fever has subsided. We unfortunately have not yet ruled out the possibility of a brain tumor, which is hanging over me like a dark cloud threatening doom. Especially after reading your comments on the "Liver Disease" topic about how a dog with a brain tumor will sometimes like to head press.
My buddy has, since he injured his left eye (scratched/slightly torn retina... now fully healed) months ago enjoyed pressing his left eye against my palm when I scratch his head/ears. I guess it could be a remnant from his eye injury, but I would like to know if there are any other telltale signs that might help distiguish his ailment as stroke versus brain tumor.
One other thing... his routine annual physical turned up a slight positive indicator for Ehrlichia. Vet put him on two weeks of 50mg once per day of antibiotic, cyclo-something or other. Though the recent blood test and normal kidney enzyme levels seem to indicate Ehrlichia is not a factor, just thought you should know the whole recent story.
Had also just begun to administer Rimadyl on trial basis one month ago, now discontinued while on Prednisone.
My buddy did exhibit some light vommiting during the past three weeks but with no discernable relation to any meds or pattern I could recognize. Vomit was usually yellowish and only on two occassions did it include small quantities of food, the other maybe 4 times were only liquids and stomach juices.
I'd appreciate any advice. My heart is breaking, but I'm hoping to have another year or two before having to say goodby to my very best friend on this planet.
Thank you for your consideration.
Blake & Roger (Border Collie)
