Jack's at the vet :(

[JeannieCO]

Ok, here's what I have so far, lets see if I can get this right. His fever may have broke due to the steroid shot he was given at his vet so they're still watching that. She said it's like putting bandaide on a wound, it's only "masking it." They're still running some diagnostic tests and his abdominal x-ray came back fine so there's definately not anything in his belly. His still on an IV and additional fluids and well as strong pain meds. The doc said that his wrist and joints on his legs are swollen and hot to the touch. This she said could be due to large breed growth pains in his bones. The pain isn't necessarily in the joint itself but at the end of the bone. They're going to do a full x-ray of his limbs. She said that large breeds dogs (like people) experience pain in growth spurts and sometimes require pain meds to get them through it. That would actually be the best case scenario. An additional blood test is also being done right now. If every checks out ok on the limb x-ray and this blood work, then the next step which hasn't been ruled out but is on the bottom of the list is meningitis. Keep your fingers crossed that's all it is. She said that he whimpers when moved but that he's a sweetheart - yes he is, he'll curl up like a little lamb at your side .

I'll know more later today. Wilson misses his brother-from- anutter-mother, he's so calm now. I sorta miss the chaos the two together created. .

 

[izstigspunks]

Thank you for the updates. We'll continue keeping Jack in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[JeannieCO]

Lets see if I can get this right. My hubby spoke to the specialist and it's a good thing because I would have forgotten half of what he wrote down. Jack has been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) = rapid bone growth. I've never heard of it myself but it's common in large breed dogs. Jack has been growing like a weed in the last two weeks and we've noticed that too. In short, he will remain at the hospital for the next 3-4 days. In short the prognosis is good and normally resolves itself in a week. And YIPPEE it's not menigitis!!! They're going to give him a feeding tube today because he still doesn't want to eat, not even hand fed. Thank gawd for pet insurance, we'll see how well it works now for the coverage we got. We would have done whatever was necessary within reason anyway but it's a nice relief.

Here's what I found on HOD.


Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy (HOD) is a bone disease that usually affects young, rapidly growing, large breed dogs. The disease has several names including skeletal scurvy, Moller-Barlow's disease, osteodystrophy II, and metaphyseal osteopathy. The disease produces severe lameness and pain and usually affects multiple limbs. The cause of the disease is currently unknown.

Who gets hypertrophic osteodystrophy?
HOD is a disease of young, rapidly growing dogs. It usually strikes puppies between the ages of 3 to 6 months. It is primarily a disease of large or giant breeds of dogs, although there can be exceptions to this rule. As with most of the young, large breed bone disorders, it affects males more commonly than females. There does not appear to be an increased incidence in any one large or giant breed. There does not appear to be a strong inherited or genetic link.

What are the symptoms of hypertrophic osteopathy?
Dogs that are stricken with HOD often show symptoms of mild to moderate painful swelling of the growth plates in the leg bones. It most commonly affects the ends of the radius, ulna, (long bones from the elbow to the wrist) and tibia (long bone from the knee to the hock). The dogs may show lameness and a reluctance to move. They may be lethargic and refuse to eat. A fever may come and go rising as high as 106 degrees. The disease usually affects both legs at the same time. The symptoms may wax and wane and resolve on their own or if the fever is very high for long periods and the bony involvement severe, the dogs may suffer permanent structural damage or even die.

How is hypertrophic osteodystrophy diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on the history, symptoms, physical exam showing pain and swelling at the growth plates, and with x-rays. The x-rays will show a thin radiolucent (dark) line at the metaphysis (growth plate) in the end of the ulna, radius, or tibia. Bony inflammation and bone remodeling may also be seen at these sites. Occasionally, there may be involvement and changes in the skull and teeth. Dogs often have a fever and occasionally a high white blood cell count.

What is the treatment?
The treatment is generally supportive. Since this is a very painful condition anti-inflammatories and painkillers such as buffered aspirin or carprofen (Rimadyl) are given. (Do NOT give your cat aspirin unless prescribed by your veterinarian.) In addition, the animals are usually given a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Strict rest on a comfortable warm bed is recommended. Feeding a nutritious, highly palatable food will help to encourage some dogs to eat. In severe cases steroids may need to be given to control the pain, but because of the possibility of this being a bacterial disease their use may be contraindicated due to their immunosuppressive qualities. Vitamin C is often supplemented though its benefit may be questionable.

What causes it and how is it prevented?
The prevention lies in understanding what causes this disease. Unfortunately, there is currently no agreement on the cause of this disease. One possible cause may be a bacterial infection. The bony changes and high fever support this possibility. The difficulty in obtaining a bacterial culture from the site and the sometimes-poor response to antibiotic therapy may fuel the argument against this possible cause.

Another suspect in the disease is vitamin C. It has been shown that dogs with this disease show very similar symptoms and bony changes as people with scurvy (vitamin C deficiency). In addition, these dogs often have a lowered blood vitamin C level. However, dogs synthesize their own vitamin C and do not have a nutritional requirement for this vitamin. In several studies and in practice, feeding affected dogs high doses of vitamin C does not always alter or cure the disease. Some researchers therefore speculate that the low blood level of vitamin C may be a result of the disease, not the cause.

Another possible cause of the disease may be nutritional. It has been suggested that several bone diseases in young puppies are linked to an excess of protein and calories in the diet leading to the development of these problems. The studies have not been done that confirm this, though many owners of large and giant breed puppies are currently feeding a diet lower in fat and protein to try to encourage moderate steady growth instead of rapid growth. It is possible that this disease may be caused by several factors. At this time, however, we do not know the cause or how to prevent it. Hopefully future studies will give us more information on the cause and prevention of this painful and debilitating disease.

 

[LucysMum]

Poor baby. Prayers and well wishes coming your way.

 

[lexterwayne]

Well I am so glad it's not meningitis. I have never heard of that before but so glad jack has such parents to give him the love he needs.

 

[kim n the guys]

thanks for the update and all the great information on HOD! I had never heard of it either. Here's hoping that when he comes home, he's back to his chaotic self before too long.

 

[kazzy220]

Thank goodness that it is something so simple.

He may have got it anyway, but it would be interesting to know if his bad treatment before he was rescued could have stalled his growth. And now that he is with you, surrounded with love, attention and the most excellent treatment he could need, that all of a sudden his little body is playing catch-up?

And YES ... being the parents of Maggie ... thank goodness for insurance!!!

Bit kisses and hugs for your sweet little baby!!

 

[JeannieCO]

...it would be interesting to know if his bad treatment before he was rescued could have stalled his growth. And now that he is with you, surrounded with love, attention and the most excellent treatment he could need, that all of a sudden his little body is playing catch-up?

You know we wondered the same thing earlier. He was crated most the time from 2-4 months, so skinny his vertabreas on his spine were protruding and was his hips and spinker, and he was on very crappy food and had a vitamin deficiency - all his toe nails were all white too. Then bring us into the picture and we start feeding him better food, more food, a higher protein food all why trying to bulk him up. It could our best intentions unknowingly contributed to a rapid bone growth.

We're off to go visit him now.

 

[GatorRay]

Oh goodness! I JUST saw this. Poor Jack! And poor you...I feel so bad that he is in so much pain. At least it seems they have figured out what the problem is. I sure hope he stabilizes soon and you are able to bring him home. Give him huge slobbery kisses from Gator, Lucy and Gypsy as well as from me of course. That poor, sweet, boy.

 

[JAKEISGREAT]

finally at least you know what you are dealing with! I actually have heard of this!! We had a dobie many moons ago..that would NOT stop growing! He showed symptoms of this and our vet immediately put him on a special food. He ended up being ok..but we had to be very careful of what he ate and also how much pressure was put on his growth plates. Poor Jack! The pain is pretty bad...give him big love from us. Boy..the doggie God sent him to the right place! YOU!!

 

[JeannieCO]

I gave him lots of kisses and he gave me lots of kisses. He was very happy to see us. He whimpered quite a bit but actually looked better, not that he is, but he looked it. He says Howdy to you all .

 

[JeannieCO]

finally at least you know what you are dealing with! I actually have heard of this!! We had a dobie many moons ago..that would NOT stop growing! He showed symptoms of this and our vet immediately put him on a special food. He ended up being ok..but we had to be very careful of what he ate and also how much pressure was put on his growth plates. Poor Jack! The pain is pretty bad...give him big love from us. Boy..the doggie God sent him to the right place! YOU!!

Yes the doggie God definately sent him to the right place. I told that to Mike last night when we thought we may lose him.

 

[Davidh]

Poor boy, glad they figured out what was wrong and now he can be on the road to recovery. bully hugs to him and you from all of us.

 

[JeannieCO]

Hello everyone. Here's an update on Jack. He's hanging in there but not too much improvement (which was to be expected since they said he'd be there for 3 to 4 days). I visited him on my way home from work for about 40 minutes - we even got our own room. He still can't walk or sit up really. He can lift his head and move side to side but that's about it. He whimpered most the time I was with him and then cried and yelped really loud when he moved at one point but then he settled down. His wrist are so swollen. They changed his pain meds to fentanyl. They were going to start increasing his feeding tube feeding to every four hours to hopefully entice him to eat real food. He still wants nothing to do with food and they said that's due to his pain and nausea. Here some pictures I took yesterday. The pictures don't show how swollen he is. His IV wrist is a bit more swollen due to the IV I suppose? The vet said that his back legs hurt him too but aren't swollen like the front. Poor thing, he broke my heart yesterday but I feel so much better after seeing him. Not sure when he'll be home.

This was going to be his weekend to have his first swim at the lake too. His life jacket just came in . We scraped our vacation for the best of Jack. We thought if he was walking and eating we'd be ok to go but he's have to improve 200% today and then 200% tomorrow for that to even be a consideration and after seeing him yesterday I don't see that happening. He'll have more time to swim later .

You know our neighbor who Jack and Wilson go to visit all the time commented last weekend when we took them over there how she couldn't get over how much Jack had grown in the last couple of weeks. He really sprouted up and in length

 

[GatorRay]

Oh, poor baby. I am still praying that he will recover. Please keep up the updates.