Well, my boy is home now! :thumb:
Sorry it has taken a while to post..... we've had our hands kind of full. The medical therapy (steroids and antibiotics) had stopped his fever and his platelet counts up back up in the normal range. He has another blood test on Wednesday, just to be sure. His diagnosis was: Immune mediated throbocytopenia due to drug reaction. Basically they believe a drug (possible sulfur from MSM) caused an allergic reaction which made his body destroy platelets and attack liver/kidneys, causing the bladder issues/bloody urine. Frank has had allergy issues in the past.... he has to have his yearly shots spaced out over weeks or he swells up so bad he looks like a Sharpei and he is allergic to red food dye (vomiting and diarrhea).
Its all pretty confusing for us and the doctors. He had been on a glucosamine/chondrotin supplement with MSM for years, with the approval from our vet and he didn't have any issues. Most of the commercial dog supplements for joint issues contain MSM and various other additives. We had recently (within the last 6 months, but I don't remember for sure) switched him from Dr Foster & Smith Joint care level 2 to Joint Care Level 3 because he was getting pretty stiff with the cold weather and it states in their catalog that it is good for severe arthritis and IVDD. Level 3 has lots of other "natural" additives like Boswella and Bromelain, which act as anti-inflammatories and things like perna mussel (could it be a shellfish allergy??). It really could be any of the ingredients. We have stopped all supplements for both of our kids. The specialist said that we could keep Frank on Glucosamine only (no other ingredients) at 500mg or less per day, but we are going to wait and see how he does without anything. He has 30 days of steroids, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories so I don't want to even think about adding anything else to his little body, considering the scare we had. We have a referral to certified holistic vet and and a chiropractor, if we decide to go that route.
He is doing really great. Other than having to go potty ever 3 hours he's back to his old fiesty, playful self. He's eating and playing normally and drinking a lot, but we have been down the steroid journey several times before with him.
Thank you all very much for the kind words and prayers. I have been pretty depressed and upset with myself because I feel responsible that we almost lost him. I am so very thankful that he is OK but it is sad for me that I was trying to help him have a better quality of life with the supplements but they almost killed him.
I would never recommend for anyone to either give or not give supplements but I would urge you to be sure and document everthing with your vet and be sure to carry a list of everything your fur-kids are taking.
Blessing to you all and wishing everyone good health and happiness.
:heart:
Dawn
Wow Dawn! You've been through it, huh? Glad Franky is doing much better. It's horrible when our li'l babies get sick. Thinking of you and Franky today. Extras dachsie rays comin' atcha....just in case.
Thanks for the update on Franky. One of the great things about this board is the support it provides when we need it most. Another benefit is the sharing of things like Franky has been going through. It might help save another dog when they are in need of information and clues.
Rays coming for his continued recovery.
It's so good to hear that Franky is on the road to recovery. We are still sending healing doxie rays your way. Dawn, don't blame yourself. None of us would knowingly give our furkids something that could hurt them. I lost my wirehire girl after a ProHeart6 injection. Her vet and I hadn't heard about the problem some dogs were having. ProHeart6 was eventually taken off the market.
Smoochies to Franky and hugs to you.
Annie & the New Jersey Gang