URGENT!!! Adult Onset Hydrocephalus

[Momma2Bullies]

Hi there,
Thank you all for your comments and support. We are just over a week into the chlorambucil, and he had bloodwork yesterday. His white blood cell count has decreased which is good, but his liver values have increased (and he is on Milk Thistle extract as well as ursodial, so even with liver support the values are elevated). As a result my neurologist has decreased the prednisolone drastically, with just 10mg once a day (he was on 10mg twice a day). From everything Ive been told, the side effects I am seeing are mainly due to the steroid. We have had some really bad days, where I could see Wilbur was very uncomfortable, unable to get enough water and hardly able to move he was so bloated from drinking. Two days ago I nearly made the call to let him go....and then yesterday he was chasing squirrels and having conversations with the neighbour dog, chewing his bones and goofing around with his sister. It's impossible to know what to do.

Now that we've cut the prednisolone I am hoping to see some improvement... last night was the first night he wasn't up every hour needing to pee and drink more water. I am hopeful he feels better over the next few days and we will go from there. My vet called me last night to talk and I am so grateful for her support. The fact that I am facing is that Wilbur will succumb to the leukaemia, there is no cure and he will not get better. I am just hoping for more good days than bad.

 

[2BullyMama]

Hi there,
Thank you all for your comments and support. We are just over a week into the chlorambucil, and he had bloodwork yesterday. His white blood cell count has decreased which is good, but his liver values have increased (and he is on Milk Thistle extract as well as ursodial, so even with liver support the values are elevated). As a result my neurologist has decreased the prednisolone drastically, with just 10mg once a day (he was on 10mg twice a day). From everything Ive been told, the side effects I am seeing are mainly due to the steroid. We have had some really bad days, where I could see Wilbur was very uncomfortable, unable to get enough water and hardly able to move he was so bloated from drinking. Two days ago I nearly made the call to let him go....and then yesterday he was chasing squirrels and having conversations with the neighbour dog, chewing his bones and goofing around with his sister. It's impossible to know what to do.

Now that we've cut the prednisolone I am hoping to see some improvement... last night was the first night he wasn't up every hour needing to pee and drink more water. I am hopeful he feels better over the next few days and we will go from there. My vet called me last night to talk and I am so grateful for her support. The fact that I am facing is that Wilbur will succumb to the leukaemia, there is no cure and he will not get better. I am just hoping for more good days than bad.

Thank you for the update.... we will all keep you all in your thoughts and be sure to give him hugs from all his friends at EBN

 

[Momma2Bullies]

Hi guys,
just a quick update about Wilbur: today is Dec 22 2017 and I am happy to say that Wilbur is still with us. He is actually doing pretty good, considering. His leukaemia is still in remission, in fact his lymphocyte count is normal. His neutrophil count (the white blood cells fighting infection) were very high last check - we had him on a round of antibiotics because he was clearly fighting something. We also did urinalysis but it wasn't a bladder infection - possibly a blood infection... anyway, had new bloodwork this week and this has improved greatly.
Essentially, we've adjusted all of his medications. the major concern for us right now is back to his hydrocephalus. I am keeping an eye out for any signs that this is building up again (neurological symptoms). So far so good. His liver values have improved a lot even though they are still high.

All said, he is doing pretty good, he is still having a good quality of life.

His current meds:
Prednisolone (5mg - I wish he wasn't on this, but this keeps hydrocephalus as well as leukaemia under control), Omeprazole (this is Prilosec, and is for hydrocephalus), phenobarbital for seizures, Chlorambucil (this is the chemo drug), denamarin and ursodial (both are for liver support). I know it seems like a lot, but honestly he hasn't been this well and seeming like he feels better since the hydrocephalus first presented.

 

[2BullyMama]

Hi guys,
just a quick update about Wilbur: today is Dec 22 2017 and I am happy to say that Wilbur is still with us. He is actually doing pretty good, considering. His leukaemia is still in remission, in fact his lymphocyte count is normal. His neutrophil count (the white blood cells fighting infection) were very high last check - we had him on a round of antibiotics because he was clearly fighting something. We also did urinalysis but it wasn't a bladder infection - possibly a blood infection... anyway, had new bloodwork this week and this has improved greatly.
Essentially, we've adjusted all of his medications. the major concern for us right now is back to his hydrocephalus. I am keeping an eye out for any signs that this is building up again (neurological symptoms). So far so good. His liver values have improved a lot even though they are still high.

All said, he is doing pretty good, he is still having a good quality of life.

His current meds:
Prednisolone (5mg - I wish he wasn't on this, but this keeps hydrocephalus as well as leukaemia under control), Omeprazole (this is Prilosec, and is for hydrocephalus), phenobarbital for seizures, Chlorambucil (this is the chemo drug), denamarin and ursodial (both are for liver support). I know it seems like a lot, but honestly he hasn't been this well and seeming like he feels better since the hydrocephalus first presented.

Thank you so much for the update! that sweet boy wants to stick around.... continue to keep us posted and we will all continue to send lots of prayers and positive thoughts to him and you

 

[Manydogs]

[MENTION=5605]Momma2Bullies[/MENTION] It's good to hear this news about Wilbur. Praying that he continues doing better. This is a good Christmas gift for you to have him here. Enjoy your Christmas gift of Wilbur!

 

[Momma2Bullies]

Hi all, just a quick update on Wilbur for those following ... it’s July 29 2018 and he is still going strong. His leukaemia is in remission, managed by a daily chemo pill. His hydrocephalus doesn’t seem to be causing him any issues either, although he did have a seizure two weeks ago (which I hate but our neurologist told us that one seizure every 6-8 months is still ok and to be expected...). He is on 4 medications, his liver values are still elevated but so far we have been very lucky with him. In fact, you would never even know anything is wrong with him, he is 100% himself. We have routine bloodwork every 6-8 weeks to monitor him, and so far so good. Fingers crossed it keeps going this way.

 

[Hankster]

wow! blessings abound so good to hear and thanks for update!

 

[2BullyMama]

Hi all, just a quick update on Wilbur for those following ... it’s July 29 2018 and he is still going strong. His leukaemia is in remission, managed by a daily chemo pill. His hydrocephalus doesn’t seem to be causing him any issues either, although he did have a seizure two weeks ago (which I hate but our neurologist told us that one seizure every 6-8 months is still ok and to be expected...). He is on 4 medications, his liver values are still elevated but so far we have been very lucky with him. In fact, you would never even know anything is wrong with him, he is 100% himself. We have routine bloodwork every 6-8 weeks to monitor him, and so far so good. Fingers crossed it keeps going this way.

Continued prayers for your boy!

 

[Momma2Bullies]

Hi all - another update for those following. Today is August 29 2018.
We lost Layla 3 weeks ago (see my other thread on Lyme) and we are all having a very difficult time, and Wilbur especially. After about 9 months of being seizure-free, he has had 3 recently (July 15, aug 2 and 22). His latest bloodwork last week shows his liver values have spiked although his white cell count is still low (a little too low). He is tired and I would say depressed, and he is looking for Layla. It’s heartbreaking.
I had a checkup with his neurologist yesterday, and since he has started seizures again it is clear his hydrocephalus is gearing up. As a result, his prednisolone has been increased from 2.5mg daily to 10mg to get some of the excess fluid from his brain. We’ve also added ursodial back in to help his liver along with the denamarin (milk thistle).
his lymph glands in his neck are also swollen, which the specialist feels is his leukaemia. I’ll be speaking to my vet about that and possibly getting an aspirate done.

for right now, Wilbur is alright (in fact he is barking at the neighbors dogs) and my goal is to make sure he is comfortable and happy. Last September I was told he had a year or year and a half, and I fear this is the beginning of the end. Losing Layla has been a devastation to all of us, and Wilbur feels her loss too.

 

[oscarmayer]

Prayers for you and your family to get through these most difficult times.

 

[Cbrugs]

Re: ADULT ONSET HYDROCEPHALUS

So heartbreaking. Have you tried CBD oil?


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[Manydogs]

[MENTION=5605]Momma2Bullies[/MENTION] My heart hurts for you,all you are going through. So sorry that you lost Layla, and poor Wilbur is failing. We pay a difficult and sad price,when we love them so much. I am sending prayers for you to be strong,and for Wilbur to not suffer. We are usually the ones to suffer the most,due to how much we love our pets.

 

[Texas Carol]

Bree, give beloved Wilbur hugs n kisses from me, I'm sad to read
this post and pray he rebounds yet again. Loss is so difficult and
near impossible to endure but cruel to lose Layla & Wilbur so close
together. Holding all of you in daily prayers for comfort & strength to
sustain you, XOXO

 

[2BullyMama]

Re: ADULT ONSET HYDROCEPHALUS

Continued prayers and positive thoughts for you all


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[Momma2Bullies]

Hi everyone,
Wilbur’s sister Layla waited 6 weeks for him to join her at the bridge, and now her wait is over. Last Tuesday I said goodbye to my sweet little man, at home and in my arms. In the end, he started to display many signs that his hydrocephalus was increasing, he started to vomit (very unusual for him) 2 weeks ago and was stumbling as he walked. He seemed so tired. I thought he had a stomach bug, and had bloodwork completed but it showed no sign of anything and his cancer was still in remission. Faced with the necessity of increasing his prednisolone to combat the fluid building in his brain, and knowing all too well how he suffered with any higher dose, I had to make the most difficult decision. It has been devastating and I nearly failed as he was having a good day when his vet came over. He was so happy to see her. But I knew it would be short lived, and if I didn’t put him through another round of ever-increasing medications and discomfort, his hydrocephalus would soon begin to cause him excruciating pain (if it wasn’t already). It was an impossible choice. He died surrounded by his family, and joined his sister.
For a year after his diagnosis of hydrocephalus (and leukaemia), he lived a happy and normal life, a lot of meds but he was good. But losing his sister to Lyme (August 7) caused a decline he would never come back from. My heart is so broken I can barely see to write this. My house (and life) is silent and empty, and I am devastated that they are both gone. They were my whole world. My only solace is that they have each other, until we are together again.
thank you all for your help and kindness through the years xo
Wilbur & Layla
2011-2018
Together Forever