[Cody D]

Essentially back to the original topic at hand… My Husky boy has started his hypoallergenic diet (hydrolyzed protein deit from Royal Canin). Problem is he hates the food (I mean of course!). He has always been a finicky eater, spoiled rotten most of his life cause he is very lean. Anyone know what we can add to his food to get him to eat that would still work for his diet? Kinda of a tough one. Of course we are asking the vet as well to see what is okay for him. We’re hoping a protein he has never had will be alright, but then I guess it’ll be more an elimination diet than anything with a hydrolyzed protein food. Grrr. Hopefully the lil butthead will have an interest in eating it today.

And for the record I know it’s not just him not wanting to eat because he has all the interest in the world at his food being prepared, at us eating, at trying to steal his brothers food… Just doesn’t want his. Takes a handful of kibble per sitting and thats about it.

[Cody D]

Did a scraping which is why I we know it wasnt the demodectic mange. She scraped in 4 different spots. As for antibiotics, I thought he needed some, but she didnt think he had an infection. To me the sore that burst would indicate that, but idk. Yeah, I plan on giving it a while before pursuing anything else unless he gets worse. It is a mild case all things considered at this point. Was milder when we caught it and tried to help, so hopefully that will lead to good results. Apoquel does seem like good stuff. If we can bring it down even back to what it was long term that won’t be so bad. I’m hopeful, but only time will tell. Obviously my main priority is getting my poor Husky back up and healthy/happy. Just didn’t want to neglect the other because of stress with one. I imagine that stress is what caused my big guy to flare up anyhow. Hopefully getting back on a routine will be good for all of us.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.

[Cody D]

I get the 16 mg, being my dog is 100 pounds and needs 1 and 1/2 tablets a day. It was 160 for the month, but from Chewy it’ll only be about 75 so not as bad. I’m not overly concerned at this point. He really doesnt itch THAT much, but when he does he attacks with licking. I was more worried about the scabs becoming infected and the loss of hair. Thanks for the suggestions. Do you recommend seeing a dermatologist vet if it gets that far? Or are they basically just going to offer the things you just said?

[Cody D]

So back from the vet for my dog. They thought demodectic mange like I did. BUT it isn’t. No excess in mites on his skin. Which means a type of allergy, so you’re likely right anon and it’s atopic dermatitis. Good news is I didn’t even have to ask they gave me apoquel. Pricey from them though so I’ll have to try chewy or something. How long before you saw the apoquel starting to work? And any other advice for dealing with this? We’re gunna stay on his special diet for another month and a half to see if that still maybe helps, and if not try one other or go to a dermatologist-vet. Ad for the topic of this thread, my husky Zeus, got his new hypoallergenic food today too. Now just slowly switch him over and hope that just this allows alot of improvement. Wait and see game now. My least favorite activity.

[Cody D]

Oh no worries there. Back to the vet tomorrow. I am tired of that place with all my being at this point. Hopefully they will have a good idea of whats going on. Grrrrrr…. I was looking at alopecia x and that seemed to be the best description I can find. Plus affects his breed. A unique sign is it seems to me symmetrical? It’s the same leg on both sides, in almost the exact same spot. The one lleg has an extra spot that popped up today, I fully expect it to happen to the other. On both sides of his tail, and a stripe down his back. From what I read that points to certain things over others so good I guess.

I really do like my vet, but I get tired of going in there and getting a different person everytime I go in. Wish the same doc would see us tomorrow. *sigh* Man I’m tired of this complaining.

[Cody D]

I know this is getting off topic here but I’m doubting atopic dermatitis in my other dog. Unless he somehow doesn’t have the traditional clinical signs and it is manifesting in other ways (heck I guess that’s what happened to my Husky boy according to the vet!). I just checked him over and his scabs are spreading for sure though. Two on one leg, one on another. Multiple on his lower back where they started, and they’ve moved to the base of his tail. hum…. When it rains it pours…. Hairloss all areas except a few, and I expect that to follow soon. When inspecting one on his lower leg (almost his foot) yesterday I realized tuffs of fur just come off with the scab. It’s not quite bald in the spot, but close too. He’s a malamute cross so the scabs can be hard to find through all that fur until we see the bald spots or him attacking it. Ugh.

[Cody D]

Fun stuff! I’ll inquire about the Apoquel during our next apt. He has already had ear issues, that cleared up with a special cleaner and some drops we were given to massage into his ear. Had the ear issues and back scabs at the same time. The original thing we ran into that led to us realizing is he has skin issues was a bout of stud tail that we deal with every now and then. Basically his tail is getting pretty ugly lol Dang dogs… Love them endlessly though. I also hate hate the cone. We just don’t know how to get him to stop licking/biting at the side of his tail. He actually doesn’t do it often, a couple times a day. But when he does it licks it raw. Thus the cone (which honestly he can still lick it if he really REALLY tries). Anyway, like I said, fun stuff. Guess all we can do is laugh.

[Cody D]

He had antibiotics about about 2 months ago because the vet thought it was an infection. The scabs went away. Looked great for a while, then after a bit they came back. Idk how long before they came back my wife is actually the one who took him in for it both times. That was when we went to the diet he is on. Hills derm defense. Fights environmental allergies I guess. Not working a month or so in now. Oh well, I pine for the days where we jsut worried about stuff like that.

[Cody D]

I’m happy for you and your pup! Hopefully that is not a road I have to go down with my other dog! (scabs lower back, just found two on his lower leg(s) a couple days ago). Itchy for him, bites the base of his tail and locks it obsessively. Coned up right now!)

[Cody D]

Hum.. That’s interesting. I’l look into playing with that if we get to the point where it would seem worthwhile. I guess I should had used the a different term, not just forum. A different topic of interest in this forum is what I meant.

[Cody D]

Thanks Anon. I’ll look at all of that. Only fear with the fish based is he (and my other dog who I say is his brother, but not) was on Orijen six fish before this all started. So fish has been his main staple. It was great! Everything up to this point was so healthy with him, and he is a picky little **** head though the strong fish odor really helped in the beginning. This appeared to be the best kibble on the market IMO at the time of starting it. Maybe the protein/fat content was too much for him? Or maybe this is just a chicken allergy (has had chicken breast with most of his meals for a couple years. Cut into pieces, mixed in. Spoiled rotten, has his mom wrapped around his paw). Anyway, I guess we can only wait and see!

SIDE NOTE: Is there a better forum to now post this too? Maybe one with people who have had dogs with IBD that might have some suggestions. I’m being lazy honestly and haven’t looked yet. I’m sure there is.

[Cody D]

UPDATE: Received the biopsy results and new blood work (that tested for two vitamin deficiencies basically). My boy has IBD. From all our vet visits this was the middle road. Worse than IBS (I think? I don’t know enough yet. But isn’t IBS an IBD?), but better than Lymphoma or whatever else would had meant death. His folate levels are “low,” so we are getting him a supplement (the GreenMin he was on previously did not have any. If anyone wants a ingredient list I’ll write it up) for the Folate until he is back to normal there. The vet recommended switching to a hypoallergenic diet or low ingredient diet dog food, though that would be hard because he has had most protein sources in his life, so hypoallergenic would likely be the choice unless we can come up with something (he’s had chicken, lamb, venison, salmon, I’m sure he has had beef somewhere in his life, and although a very small amount of it that he has stolen from his brother, duck. Idea guys?). Still a long road ahead of us, but were just starting with changing his diet to see how he does, reevaluation in about 3-4 weeks. If he is still experiencing issues, a steroid would be the next step, though the vet is being cautious with that because she stated most dogs then need the steroid the rest of their lives. I believe the steroid mentioned was budesonide. If anyone has any experience with this, feel free to share anything you may know that would be helpful. Brands of food anyone likes that would fit my boy? Words of encouragement? Is he going to ever regain his energy is my biggest concern… Just want him to be happy and is isn’t right now (understandably). Thanks everyone (mostly anon who has messaged me every step of the way. Whoever you are, it helped distract me if nothing else).

[Cody D]

If you mean me I actually thought I responded to your comment my guess is I typed it out on my phone and did not hit submit before closing the tab. I 100% agree that my vet needs to be aware and my local vet has actually been informed of these supplements before though I’m sure you know how that goes as far as relaying that information to current health problems so the information will be repeated to everyone involved. No opinion was gave by the vet about the supplements when the information was originally brought up but I do know she added notes to his chart.

Oh actually I noticed that not only is my comment missing but one of yours as well I think I see what you were hinting at now lol. I will hopefully be getting results on my dog’s biopsy today so hopefully I will have an update in the near future with only good news.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.

[Cody D]

Thanks Steve I will look into them. Did your dog ever return to a pretty regular lifestyle? That’s my even if ibd or Ibd is “all it is.” I just don’t want him to be in pain and so out of it. As you know, not how that breed is built.

[Cody D]

Hard day. Since about 3 my boy has been spitting up just the mucus-y like crap. Not vomiting, more of a acid reflux regurgitation. He has eaten a little, not alot of interest but I was told that would be normal after the scope. I’ve been told the Cerenia can’t do anything about that… They said there really isn’t anything they can do about it. I’m hoping it’s just due to a hard day and the fact that he hasn’t had his prilosec in two days now, or his sucrulfate. You really seem to know your stuff anon. I would be happy with any one of those things at this point. Thank you for the well wishes. I may not update again until I get results unless something dramatically changes.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.

[Cody D]

They did not rule anything of that sort from what I understand. Basically they are playing it close to the vest. Yes, that does sound like what we are doing with it then. Once a day at most. When he has had issues holding food down it really does work. As it should, It’s almost $10 a pill from my vet! But I did think it was prescription. I’ll have to order from petmeds if I need more. I didn’t know what diverticulitis was off the top of my head, but from a quick search basically an IBD? I’ll look it up a bit.
My wife did just get home, and I have a summary sheet. “The Duodernum (first part of the small intestine) was entered and was inflamed with mild bleeding…increase in bile.” So far, that’s basically what we know.

[Cody D]

Thank you. And yes, cerenia is what he is prescribed for the anti vomiting I believe. “Used as prescribed” ? Is there a certain time to give it to him besides “hey he just threw up” ? We weren’t given any instructions with it other than it’s a break glass in an emergency type of thing. Thank you again. I honestly didn’t come on here to share like this, but at the very least it helps ground my thoughts. Whoever you are, you’re awesome.

[Cody D]

Update: Scope is done. They got it done early. Good for my peace of mind I guess. Stomach looked great, then she got to the small intestine. When she touched the intestine it would bleed, so pretty inflamed. My wife took the call so I have no idea how severe the bleeding was or what it means. She did not offer an opinion. I asked my wife upon pick up of our boy to ask what the vet is thinking, even if bad, so we can start to cope now on an off day and not get the news Tuesday when were both at work. She said keep giving him the sucralfate (wife didn’t ask about prilosec but I told her to ask that as well) and the anti vomiting meds as needed. All in all, I don’t know if this is good news or not. I do know that it is news, and will lead to some solid answers when the biopsies come back. From my hours of research on Dr. Google (yeah I know, always a bad idea but just trying to figure something out) Mast Cell Tumor, lymphoma, really any cancer, are the concern now. The hope is IBS or an IBD in general ONLY. If you guys have any thoughts feel free to share even if not positive.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.

[Cody D]

We hope not too. Thank you for that info. To keep myself occupied I’ll look into that more. I’m sorry about your Corgi. You’re a brave soul. I love animals, and especially dogs, but I think after this ordeal I’m done. I’m just not built to handle these things, never have been. Especially since my boy is just 4 years old. I should have an idea of how the scope went in a few hours. I will update then.

[Cody D]

Sorry anon I crashed when I hit my bed yesterday. So nothing new was done other than a blood test to check for a vitamin deficiency. The tech who made the apt forgot about a doctor’s meeting so a scope wasn’t able to be done. We have had some bad luck with this kind of stuff >.< good news was they could fit us in today. I work, so my wife is on the way now. It sounded like the vet we spoke to is thinking along the lines of IBS or any IBD of sort. Biopsies will of course be done. The tech did mention lymphoma as a possibility too. So not so bad or we lose our boy bad. We should have results on the biopsy and bloodwork by Tuesday I believe they said.
Turned put a urinalysis was done and the specialist and it wasnt mentioned. It was part of the bloodwork pricing so it wasn’t real obvious to us. It was clean. I guess the specialist also noticed my boys stomach lining… “looking thicker” I think was the description. Again, something not told to me at all. So maybe that points to ibs? I don’t know.
On a side note: we didn’t give him any medications yesterday just in case it interfered with anything. My boy was much more alert. Tail wagging. Not near 100% but Moore like 60% rather than the 20%. Also ate without the anti vomiting meds, held everything down fine. Water too. No vomit throughout the day. Makes me wonder if the sulcrafate is/was the source of some of his symptoms. Quick research shows that as being possible. Though obviously we went to the vet originally for a reason, so something is still amiss. I unfortunately feel in my gut it’ll be lymphoma. This just hit so fast as and hard.

[Cody D]

Completely possible. We even have neighbors we’ve had issues with. I did ask about poisoning, chances of it and whether blood work would turn it up. They thought it unlikely for a couple reasons. If rat poison they thought hed be much worse or dead. They also believed that they would had saw something fishy on the bloodwork. With all that said, I’m planning on letting my neighbors know I suspect poisoning, true or not, and that I have cameras to see if I catch anything. So their dogs don’t get poisoned as well. Hopefully that would stop any possible issues.

[Cody D]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Hopefully we will learn something today. If nothing else it is a second/third opinion. After reading some symptoms of sulcrafate (vomiting, nausea, low energy) part of me wonders if part of his issue is the meds itself at this point. He won’t be on any for half the day at least so we’ll see what happens.

[Cody D]

Hi Melissa. They haven’t done a urinalysis. IT was mentioned once about doing so. Then it was never part of the “treatment plan.” That would be amazing though I’m not holding my breath (so frustrated). In your case was it simple to get one done? Like just catch the pee or was a catheter or something like that needed? Either way I’ll mention it to who I see today, 9 hours from now, and who knows? Thank you so much for the suggestion for my boy.

[Cody D]

Nothing. Literally nothing. Before all the procedures she suggested Addison’s disease, and did inject him with cortisol just to see. I imagine the bloodwork didn’t show anything that would suggest that was a good thing to look into since it came back “perfect.” Her word. She did not offer an opinion of what the issue is. Wanted to do the scope a week later, and take it from there. She is leaving the country after the scope (horrible timing obviously) which is also part of the reason I’m going to another location to get it done. I don’t want to wait a month which is how long she would be gone. She did seem to think, per a conversation she had with my local vet, that he was stable enough to not need to rush anything. I understand that sentiment, though my wife and I would disagree. For whatever reason he is more active at the vet. Nerves and adrenaline I presume. AT home he is practically a piece of furniture, except when I try to pick him up (always hated that) and during feeding time (though if he isn’t on his antivomiting pills he won’t eat, he just throws it up. He knows that). He is being spoiled, and is excited for that. So he is capable of moving around, and the vet said she saw no reason to restrict his activities if he is willing to exercise (though he’s mostly not). But yeah… No hint as to what she thought it would be other than to say it isn’t “structural.” What a little research it looks like a colonoscopy is the next step after scope? But I don’t know. I’m hoping to get more of something from who I see tomorrow. Last two stools were solid and didn’t appear to have any blood. So there’s that. The specialist did mention what my vet thought was blood may have been a medication they gave me darkening the stool, while the blood in the vomit sounded like broken vessels from retching to much. So maybe good news?

What are your symptoms for your boy? On a side note my other dog is currently on a elimination diet to see if these scabs that are forming on his back are from food allergies. Originally they had him take an antibiotic and they went away, but came back. I really hope it isn’t something similar to what you’re going through… That’s the last thing I need right now. I hope your guy is doing well. Thank you for the well wishes.

EDIT: I did think of something else. After the ultrasound the specialist showed me something kinda weird and in her opinion unrelated. My boy has these interesting red splotches on his scrotum. Almost covering the whole thing except the bottom portion. Looks like when you pinch your skin and blood raises to leave a cluster of small red dots. Almost like a bruise. I’m kinda hoping another opinion on that tomorrow maybe points to something. He is still attached. She ultrasounded down there even for the heck of it. Saw nothing. Doesn’t hurt him. Doesn’t appear to be swollen. I know if I hurt down there, it wouldn’t be out of the question for me to vomit!

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.

[Cody D]

Blood work was “perfect,” fecal showed no signs of parasites. After some prodding by a local dog treats store owner, I’m going to get a scope done tomorrow at a place about 2 hours away. He had nothing good to say about the specialist I went too, though personally I feel like he had a really bad experience with the place itself and it was not the normal. Different dept too. Besides the cost, I liked the specialist. But at least with this new place I can get in a week sooner to try and get some piece of mind… A little nervous about having someone who hasn’t seen anything yet doing new work, but I imagine with the completely clean view they had, and being that the specialist was the director of her dept and highly regarded that it doesn’t matter too much. We will see how the scope goes… I’m keeping the apt for a scope at the specialist office the week later and hope to call after tomorrow to change it to whatever else needs to be done if anything (hopefully they find something!). My wife and I just can’t keep doing this. Up all night, can’t eat, barely functioning. For all of you who have been through this I Don’t know how you all did it.

[Cody D]

Hi Anon. With the original blood work pancreatitis was indeed ruled out. Today more blood work was done, a fecal test for parasites, x rays, and an ultrasound all by the specialist. Good news! Nothing abnormal… Waiting on the results for the labwork on the blood and fecal, testing however. I assume this bloodwork is more extensive since it is taking at least a day to get results, meanwhile before I had the results within the hour. Makes me wonder what the heck my normal vet did… Depending on the results of the testing will determine the next step. I’m picking up some dewormer tomorrow to just treat that just in case even if there is nothing on the testing. Specialist thought that would be simple enough. Meanwhile my boy is miserable still… Hasn’t vomited today, though he hasn’t had much chance too since he wasn’t allowed to eat until recently. Current line of thought by the specialist is something like Addison’s disease and while she didn’t say it, some type of organ failure. Basically she believes anything structurally wrong is ruled out, and now it’s just finding out why his body is fighting against him. If anyone has any sort of clue, feel free to comment.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Cody D.

[Cody D]

Visit with the specialist in 2 hours… Hopefully something will be figured out since my boy had a rough night Saturday (unable to hold anything down).

[Cody D]

Well that I have. And they will get a call Monday, hoping they can get me in Tuesday. And fortunately only an hr and a half away from me. Thank you again.

[Cody D]

I completely get that. I just don’t know why my vet hasn’t prioritized getting this done if normally that would be the next logical step, which I do agree with you there. What I’ve been trying to do is listen to the vet who is the expert, over telling the vet what to do when I’m the amateur. But again, that would seem to be the next logical step to take. Thank you for your responses.

[Cody D]

No xrays or ultrasounds were done. I don’t know why. Originally it was brought up, then never to be heard again. In theory (I could be wrong) I believe the scope would show tumors or anything of that sort making the ultrasound/xray unneeded? Don’t worry, that fear, tumors, has already been realized and unfortunately what I’m leaning to it being… He is young though, just turned 4! No fecal testing has been done either, which is the one that really surprised me. Never been mentioned by anyone. I will add this is a very reputable local vet who many people have a high regard for. At first they were very conservative about treatment, though I’m hoping they take this more seriously now that were at 3 weeks of the same issues… He is taking prilosec (they told me to get) and the sucralfate that you mentioned Jennifer. This is what really seems to make him feel better and what he was one when he was acting fine for a week. Running around like a puppy. Solid stools, though turned black when dry. Within 3 days of him running out of that (they gave me 5 days worth) he started acting up again. I now have another 5 days worth. Not actively vomiting, just happens when he runs out of medicine. What is the Tylan? Thanks for the kindness guys.

[Cody D]

Thanks anon101. I’m not sure what our emergency vet could tell us however? Complete blood work has been done, nothing abnormal was found. Just a bit dehydrated due to vomiting I’m sure. There was something slightly off with one of the things they measured to check his kidneys, but they were not concerned just wanted to investigate further in the future. They don’t do scopes at the emergency vet, I already called about that. That I guess is the next step, to scope him and find out what is going on in/down there. Thanks for the well wishes.

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