Izzy Not Well - Help Needed

[jeffmack]

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Izzy is a 2 year old whippet full of beans and energy. Last week she seemed very unwell, lethargic, no energy and yelped when lifted.

She was taken to the vet who gave her a painkilling injection and sent home. Next day there was no improvement so we took her back. The vet thinks she has some kind of virus but can not find where it is. She was in for 3 nights and had blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound and xrays. Nothing was revealed, all of her major organs looked ok. During this time she was on a drip and anti biotics, but no improvement. they gave her some steroids which they dont like to do and she improved and was let home. During this time at the vets her temperture was very high, 40c, but the steroids bought it down to normal.

She seemed well last night and had a walk and was more lively, her temperture was normal. This morning she was unwell again and her temperture was high. She had more blood tests, xrays and ultrasound and the only new thing they see is a closing of the 8/9 and 9/10 vertibrae, so maybe a back/bone problem.

They now recommend an MRI, but if that is clear they are no nearer to finding the cause.

Any ideas K9's

 

[Hula]

Have a read through the section under whippets entitled Tia , see if any of the symptoms sound familiar .

 

[AnnSa]

I can't offer any advice but i hope

you get Izzy sorted :huggles:

 

[jinnyfizz]

Have a read through the section under whippets entitled Tia , see if any of the symptoms sound familiar .

Here is the link for Tia's thread

http://www.k9community.co.uk/forums/index....c=56634&hl=

The symptoms do sound similar.

I hope Izzy is on the road to recovery very soon :thumbsup: :luck: :luck:

 

[jeffmack]

Thank you for pointing me to Tia's thread. I thought the symtoms of Steroid Responsive Meningitis were very similar to what Izzy has. I looked further on the internet and it seemed very similar.

I called my vet and he agrees that while the symptoms are similar he still feels the tests they have done so far point to an infection rather than something neurological.

The only test is a lumber puncture which is not very nice and he says often the results are inconclusive.

I asked him to think about it again, so we will see.

They have referred Izzy's condition to a number of other vets but so far they are stumped.

 

[Hula]

I don't think the lumbar puncture is often done . I think the diagnosis is often based on the symptoms and the fact that other things have been ruled out .

 

[jayp]

Thank you for pointing me to Tia's thread. I thought the symtoms of Steroid Responsive Meningitis were very similar to what Izzy has. I looked further on the internet and it seemed very similar.
I called my vet and he agrees that while the symptoms are similar he still feels the tests they have done so far point to an infection rather than something neurological.

The only test is a lumber puncture which is not very nice and he says often the results are inconclusive.

I asked him to think about it again, so we will see.

They have referred Izzy's condition to a number of other vets but so far they are stumped.

I would say if the steroids worked and the Abs didnt it would point to an immune mediated condition rather than an infection, steroids tend to make any infection much worse as they supress the immune system. if your vet is unsure then She needs to be referred to a specialist, as they will know exactly the steroid dose to give if necessary, they cannot afford to mess about with this. Good luck,it must be such a worry

 

[nicky12]

Thank you for pointing me to Tia's thread. I thought the symtoms of Steroid Responsive Meningitis were very similar to what Izzy has. I looked further on the internet and it seemed very similar.
I called my vet and he agrees that while the symptoms are similar he still feels the tests they have done so far point to an infection rather than something neurological.

The only test is a lumber puncture which is not very nice and he says often the results are inconclusive.

I asked him to think about it again, so we will see.

They have referred Izzy's condition to a number of other vets but so far they are stumped.

hi yep sounds just like my tia ,get a second opinion ,i wish i had sooner ,i went throu two vets before my current vet actually said she thought it was Meningitis even thou i mentioned my concern to the other two vets ,shes been like this for months and could have been treated sooner had the prievouse vets paid any attention to what i was saying ,hope izzy is feeling better soon :huggles:

 

[whippet wonder]

has izzy had a lot of free running? she may have acidosis.........does she dip if you put pressure on the muscles either side of her spinal cord........the bit usually affected is just by the pin bones above the rump ........if so its very easily treated.....pm if you have/want more info

 

[jeffmack]

Hi Nicky

There are 5 vets at this practice looking at Izzy's case. I still think the symptoms are too similar to Tia to be a coincidence.

How was is finally diagnosed by the third vet when the other 2 couldnt recognise it as Meningitis. Did she do any specific test to confirm Meningitis.

 

[Crystal]

Hi Jeffmack - I am also having the same problems with my 6 year old bitch Fleur and have been amazed at the coincidences of Nicky's Tia and my Fleur. The weight loss has been horrifying on Wednesday evening we were back at the vets and I mentioned to my vet about 'steroid response meningitis' , she has taken bloods talked about x-rays but to identify the meningitis apparently spinal tap is the only way, although the vet was very upbeat and approachable when I mentioned the meningitis she did not put her on steroids and wants the blood results before doing so. When we were at the vets on 19th December Fleur weighed in at 10.15 kg and had already lost weight on Weds she weighed only 8.80kg but has been eating very well although I had to hand feed her to start with until I realised that she could not bend down to her feeding bowl - have now highered this and she eats on her own.

Fleur did pick up after the course of antibiotics but is nowhere near her normal self. In our case I think there are so many similarities . Good Luck :luck: it's very worrying Sue

 

[moonlake]

Hi Jeffmack - I am also having the same problems with my 6 year old bitch Fleur and have been amazed at the coincidences of Nicky's Tia and my Fleur. The weight loss has been horrifying on Wednesday evening we were back at the vets and I mentioned to my vet about 'steroid response meningitis' , she has taken bloods talked about x-rays but to identify the meningitis apparently spinal tap is the only way, although the vet was very upbeat and approachable when I mentioned the meningitis she did not put her on steroids and wants the blood results before doing so. When we were at the vets on 19th December Fleur weighed in at 10.15 kg and had already lost weight on Weds she weighed only 8.80kg but has been eating very well although I had to hand feed her to start with until I realised that she could not bend down to her feeding bowl - have now highered this and she eats on her own.Fleur did pick up after the course of antibiotics but is nowhere near her normal self. In our case I think there are so many similarities . Good Luck :luck: it's very worrying Sue

Have your vets ruled out tick borne diseases - e.g. Lyme and others? If so, I think you should ask for specialist advice via Dick White referrals (Newmarket) or if that is too far, a similar top clinic. Also, make sure you get copies of the blood tests so that you can get advice as I did, prompted by Cathie, from K9Auto-ImmuneSupport@yahoogroups.com . They are very helpful, knowledgeable people who between them have experience of all sorts of immune mediated diseases but you will have to type in the results of the blood tests for them to be able to help you. For example, one thing that vets often miss is that sick dogs often become hypothyroid so their medication doesn't work properly (I am not suggesting this is Izzy's case, just giving an example). If none of the five vetds in your practice has experience of Izzy's problem, then you need to find someone who has and as quickly as possible (and the same goes for others in the same distressing situation).

Best of luck,

Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk

 

[nicky12]

Hi NickyThere are 5 vets at this practice looking at Izzy's case. I still think the symptoms are too similar to Tia to be a coincidence.

How was is finally diagnosed by the third vet when the other 2 couldnt recognise it as Meningitis. Did she do any specific test to confirm Meningitis.

hi jeff ,well first vet prescribed anti biots and anti inflamitory meds then took xray and bloods and raidiographs ...

second vet gave stong pain relief and xray,all these tests came back clear .

then the third vet seen her tia was in pretty bad shape by this time she has lost loads of weight and could hardly move as soon as she looked at her ,she said im pretty shure she has menagituse but i want to take an xray and start her on some aniti biotics becaus she has high temp just to make shure she didnt have any infection before giving steriods ,i know this sounds silly and i didnt want her to have menagitus but i was almost relfieved as somone had actualy gave us some sort of diagnosis that could be treated ,any way they also said they would do a spin tap if needed ,but after her xray and very long chat ,shes almost 100%shure that tia has menangituse so is now on a course of steriods and anti biotic , id like to say she is doing loads better i have to keep locking her in a crate so she doesnt over do it she full off life this morning runing up and down the garden and eating everything in sight ,just wish id gone to this vets soon :unsure: i hope they can sort your izzy out soon :huggles:

 

[~Annie~]

Nothing to add to what's already been said ... just wanted to wish Izzy a speedy recovery.

Annie

 

[whippetmad]

Hope you get Izzy sorted very soon :luck: :luck: Lots of good advice on here :thumbsup:

 

[jeffmack]

Thank you for all the replies

Izzy has been referred to the Animal Health Trust near Newmarket. They have the results of all the tests that have been conducted so far and will be doing an MRI and and probably a spinal tap.

Fingers cross they find something as our little princess is very distressed about the whole thing.

 

[jayp]

Well done for getting her in, and good luck she is now in the best hands. Its not an easy time :luck: Izzy

 

[jeffmack]

And a word of advice for others. Luckily Izzy is insured, the bill so far is just short of £5,000. Even if she wasnt insured I am in a position to pay whatever to get her well, but for others I'm sure it could be a struggle.

 

[moonlake]

Thank you for all the replies
Izzy has been referred to the Animal Health Trust near Newmarket. They have the results of all the tests that have been conducted so far and will be doing an MRI and and probably a spinal tap.

Fingers cross they find something as our little princess is very distressed about the whole thing.

I am so glad - I am sure she is in the right place and they will do all the right things. Fingers and paws crossed here that she is back home and on the mend in no time. Better start preparing those treats!

Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk

 

[jeffmack]

MRI has been done and results are clear, like every other test.

The vet there thinks its likely to be Meningitis, spinal tap will be done tonight and results analysed in the morning.