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Keep my baby in your prayers

Luvmysphynx

Senior Lairian
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May 27, 2009
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One of these days my life will settle down enough I can get some sleep! Just when little Gemstone is finally doing better, my little princess, Aiyana, has become really ill again :( Just some back ground on her - I have shown Italian Greyhounds going on 6 years now, I have been doing rescue for almost as long. Aiyana and her sister, Ayasha, where born to my top show dog, my beautiful Piper - American, Canadian, Mexican, UKC, International, and Bahama champion, top 10 winner 3 years running in UKC, just a wonderful dog to show and to live with! Aiyana was the first in her litter, and I knew she was special from the moment she entered this world, she has always been my little princess!!! A year ago Aiyana became extremely ill right after a dog show, I thought I was going to loose her, thankfully she rallied around, but she has never really been well since. A couple months later she got really sick again, once again the vets did bloodwork, put her on IVs, and sent her home. 3 weeks later she knocked a baby gate over on top of herself while I was at work and broke her jaw (just a wire mesh, wood framed baby gate :( ) Thankfully she didn't need surgery, but weeks of careful care managed to fix the broken jaw, but she just wasn't perking back up. Then she had a massive grand mal seizure, the vet I was using simple did more bloodwork, told me her liver values where off the chart high, and sent her home to die :( Obviously I wasn't going to just accept my dog was dying, swore off ever going to that vet again, and took her to vet after vet, specialists, holistic vets, ANYTHING to try to find answers. Test after test came back negative, but after following the advice of a homeopathic consultant in Canada, changing her diet to a very carefully balanced home prepared diet, putting her on some homeopathic remedies, and spending many many hours and heavens knows how many dollars at the vets, Aiyana started to improve. But it's really been a rollar coaster ride trying to keep her healthy! She's had ultrasounds, bile acid tests, 2 seperate liver biopsies, tons of bloodwork, I've consulted with internal medicine specialists, vet colleges, both conventional and homeopathic vets, NOBODY knows WHY this is happening, every test shows she SHOULD be healthy, yet she just keeps cycling, just when I think the nightmare is finally over for poor Aiyana, she crashes again.

Well, I just started a new job on Monday, and I'm sure the stress of the changing schedule isn't helping matters any, but my precious princess is once again struggling :( I first noticed Saturday there was vomit in her crate, but she seeemed active, so I just kind of took note of it, kept a close eye on her, let the vet know, and thought no more of it. Then yesterday I saw her throw up several more times, her ears got the tell-tale yellowish tint, and she was obviously not feeling well. I left her at the vet all day today while I worked, and they confirmed my fear that her liver values are once again way off :( They gave her fluids, changed the dose on her meds again, and sent her home - By now I'm so use to taking care of her that we both know she's going to be happier and more comfortable at home with me then sitting in a cage in an empty vet clinic all night. I'm so scared I'm going to loose my little girl after all this! Nobody can figure out what's causing her liver problems, for all the time, money, tests, etc I've put this dog through, you'd think we'd have SOME sort of an answer by now! I just don't know how much longer I can keep this up, I've easily put over $10,000 into Aiyana's vet bills in the last year, not that I really care about the money, Aiyana means more to me then all the money in the world! But I am getting to a point I just don't know what to do anymore, I keep praying for an answer, but am I just torturing my dog in the process? I love this little dog more then anything, she's my heart dog, my special little princess, I have a much stronger bond with Aiyana then I've ever had with another dog before, even before she got so sick. I can't bear the thought of loosing her or having to put her to sleep, but I don't want her to suffer if she's never going to get better!!!

I'm sorry for the rant, I'm stressed about how to keep bills paid right now, I haven't gotten much sleep in a month now between Gemstone and Aiyana, I'm stressed trying to adjust to a new job, and I'm worried sick about my little girl!!! Thanks for letting me vent, and please keep my precious Aiyana in your thoughts and prayers!! I just have to keep praying that SOMETHING turns up that we can treat, or at least manage, I would give ANYTHING to get some answers for Aiyana!
 

Luvmysphynx

Senior Lairian
Senior Lairian
Joined
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Messages
389
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58
I hope something will help her.
Has she been checked for a liver shunt?
Yes, that's one of the very first things we ruled out - She's had dye contrast studies, x-rays, ultrasounds, and bile acid tests all done to triple check, it's definatly not a shunt. It's not cerosis, it's not an infection, it's not flukes, it's not addisons, I could go on for MILES on things it's not! But the more things we rule out, the harder it gets to figure out what it IS!
 

Mug-ys mumma

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Oh that's so sad that they can't find an answer :Cry::Cry:

All our thoughts and prayers are with you both.

Big hugs

X
 

ilovemysphynx

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We are hoping for A answer and full recovery. Our oldest boxer sidney has not been so well she is loosing A lot of weight. We have A huge connection with her also. My husband doesn't want to hear anything when I tell him I think her time may be coming to A end:Cry: she is almost 10 years old. She is not in any pain just loosing weight and slowing down.
 

susi794

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OMG, I was crying while reading this--poor little thing! And poor you too. I'm so terribly sorry--I know what it's like to be afraid you will lose the baby you love so much....and to go to the vet over and over again with no end in sight and no answers to show for all the money you are spending and wondering if you are only torturing the poor little thing. I wish there was something I could do to help. I will remember you in my prayers. I hope with all my heart you find the answers.
 

tessblack

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Oh so sorry to hear what you are going through, I know how hard it can be. Years ago I went into 8k debt over a cat but it was worth it in the end, he lived a great healthy life for the next 5 years. Try to keep your head up and you know that everyone is here to help you through this.
 

Maggies mommy

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I'm so sorry !!! Poor Aiyana, poor u! She deff sounds like a fighter of course she is a women, hang in there u deserve answers I will keep ur sweet baby girl in my prayers! I hope she feels better! I wish u girls the best of luck!!!!! Xoxoxo Maggie-Mae & Jessica <3
 

Barrelstar

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Feb 6, 2010
Messages
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Prayers that you find the answers you are looking for and peace in whatever decisions you make... Is it possible she was poisoned at the show? Nothing cancerous has shown up? Sounds like you have went every way with this. Wish I had some better suggestions. Maybe an animal psychic would help? One has been helpful to me with smaller issues with my horses.
 

Marnasobsession

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Wow poisoning does sound plausible. I also think a good animal psychic might be worth looking into. Is there a vet school in Utah or NV? Maybe they have some suggestions. Lydia if you need to talk you have my number. Is there anything I can do for you? Seriously...this is not a empty gesture! BTW how is the infection in Gems leg going? Having surgery tonite but will be home tommorow....Hang in there!:Kiss:...Marna
 

heather

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I'm sorry to hear this news. She is definitely in my prayers. I hope you get some answers very soon.
 

Brooke

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Wow, Lydia, this sounds so much like what I went through with my boy, Virgil. He was the absolute love of my life and was with me for all of my adult life until last year (I have his portrait tattooed on me, if that tells you anything!). He became ill, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease and treated successfully for a few years, but then things rapidly took a downward turn. He started losing weight, literally wasting away before my eyes. He went from 65 pounds to 25 pounds in 6 months. I spent thousands and thousands of dollars on tests, specialists, ultrasounds, bloodwork, and - even an animal psychic - homeopathy, every food I could buy or make...I remember one day in the vet's office, desperate, crying and begging the vet to do something, anything because I was literally watching my dog die in front of me. The vet had Virgil's 5 inch thick stack of records in front of him, looked me in the eye and said, "Well, on paper, Virgil appears to be a very healthy dog. I can't do anything if I don't know what to treat him for."

That was the last time I ever went to that vet. I figured, if Virgil is going to die, by God, at least he's going to die with me knowing I tried to do something about it.

So, I found a new vet. One that was recommended to me as a vet who was willing to try things. He also couldn't diagnose Virgil's condition, but he took all the records, poured over them the entire weekend and then used his best judgment. He told me during my next visit that he had an idea. It was the only option he could think of, and it might work, or it might kill him. But, he said, he's dying anyway, and this is his only chance. Virgil gained 5 back pounds the first week with his new doctor! And, he continued to improve after that. We never did diagnose what was wrong with Virgil, but when almost all hope was lost, I found someone who was willing to take a risk and it paid off.

I lost Virgil a year ago to bloat, not sure if it was related to the mystery illness. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I would have lost him much sooner if not for my amazing vet that took a chance on him. I hope you find someone that's willing to take a chance on your girl, and that it pays off, too.
 

susi794

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Brooke, that made me cry too...it hurts so much to lose something we love so much. But that vet sounded amazing. What a blessing to have someone like that.
 

Luvmysphynx

Senior Lairian
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Messages
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Wow, Lydia, this sounds so much like what I went through with my boy, Virgil. He was the absolute love of my life and was with me for all of my adult life until last year (I have his portrait tattooed on me, if that tells you anything!). He became ill, was diagnosed with Cushing's disease and treated successfully for a few years, but then things rapidly took a downward turn. He started losing weight, literally wasting away before my eyes. He went from 65 pounds to 25 pounds in 6 months. I spent thousands and thousands of dollars on tests, specialists, ultrasounds, bloodwork, and - even an animal psychic - homeopathy, every food I could buy or make...I remember one day in the vet's office, desperate, crying and begging the vet to do something, anything because I was literally watching my dog die in front of me. The vet had Virgil's 5 inch thick stack of records in front of him, looked me in the eye and said, "Well, on paper, Virgil appears to be a very healthy dog. I can't do anything if I don't know what to treat him for."

That was the last time I ever went to that vet. I figured, if Virgil is going to die, by God, at least he's going to die with me knowing I tried to do something about it.

So, I found a new vet. One that was recommended to me as a vet who was willing to try things. He also couldn't diagnose Virgil's condition, but he took all the records, poured over them the entire weekend and then used his best judgment. He told me during my next visit that he had an idea. It was the only option he could think of, and it might work, or it might kill him. But, he said, he's dying anyway, and this is his only chance. Virgil gained 5 back pounds the first week with his new doctor! And, he continued to improve after that. We never did diagnose what was wrong with Virgil, but when almost all hope was lost, I found someone who was willing to take a risk and it paid off.

I lost Virgil a year ago to bloat, not sure if it was related to the mystery illness. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I would have lost him much sooner if not for my amazing vet that took a chance on him. I hope you find someone that's willing to take a chance on your girl, and that it pays off, too.
I bawled as I read this Brooke! Thank you so much for sharing, it gave me alot of hope!!!

I keep hoping I can find a vet that'll at least be able to TRY something that'll make a difference! When I first went to homeopathy with her, she did really well for about 3 months, but then it was the same thing all over again :( So far that's the longest stretch she's gone without a relapse!

To answer some other questions I saw (sorry, my new work schedule is wearing me out and I don't want to spend the time answering each post!), at first we thought it was either a toxin, or a liver shunt. I'm EXTREMELY paranoid about my babies when I take them to a dog show, they are NEVER EVER EVER unsupervised, I've heard of dogs getting poisoned at shows before! But there's always that slight chance that somehow some water I bought at the show, or something like that made her sick. The odd thing is NONE of my other dogs got sick, so if it's something enviornmental, it's something that only she is sensitive to. There is no vet school in Utah or Idaho, there's one in Washington and one in Colorado and at least one in California. There's also Dr Jean Dodd (I think that's her name, I know the last name is right LOL) that's one of the leading doctors in the world in homeopathy, vaccinosis, diagnostics, titers, and alternative treatments, she's in California, I've even taken Aiyana to her, and even she had no idea what was wrong with her. While it is a struggle financially, the money doesn't matter to me. I'd spend at least that much more to get an answer! I'll ALWAYS find a way to pay the bills somehow, but I sure wish I could get an answer for all that money!

As for Gemstone, she's been a bit of a challenge lately, too. I think we're FINALLY getting that infection under control, it's still really swollen, and she's going to have some nasty scars now, but I'm not seeing as much of the oozy, pussy mess, and x-rays are proving it's just staying in the muscle and skin - No signs of it getting into the bone, so that's definatly good news! As much as I love these girls, I will admit - I look forward to the point I can get them both doing well again and can go to work without the anxiety of worrying if they're ok every minute I'm gone, and actually get some good sleep at night instead of getting up every few hours to give someone meds or something!

I appreciate the kind offer, Marna - What you can do for me is TAKE CARE OF YOU! Focus on recovering from the surgery, getting your new babies home, and taking care of your own health! I may have to take you up on the offer later - I'm going to need some help with fundraisers on Gem to raise the money to pay for surgery on her knees, but it'll be a good 6 months still before she'll be ready for that surgery, so for now I just need to focus on getting through a day at a time and keep praying that things will keep looking up for Gem, and get better again for little Aiyana!
 
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