Therapy Dog trainee needs help
Donation protected
I came to know Terry Graul when she brought her dogs to Blue Ribbon K9 Academy to train with me. We have become good friends over the years and so I bring her story to friends and friends we have not met...yet. The bills to save Cabek have already reached $20,000. I have watched this puppy fight to live and not give up, neither could his mom, Terry.
The Diagnosis
Cabek is diagnosed with Congenital Microvascular Dysplasia. Unfortunately he was diagnosed after being sick. 1/3 of dogs treated medically do very well, but over 50% are euthanized within 10 mos. from complications from the liver. Basically, Cabek has congenital vascular malformation in his liver: multiple microscopic vessels shunt blood from the intestines away from the liver where it would be cleaned, and nutrients would be converted to useable forms for the body directly back to his circulation.
Lots of the toxins produced in the intestines are from protein, so he cannot eat protein or meat.
He was hospitalized twice since May 12 with critically high fever (105.5F and 105F the second time). He was treated with TONS of antibiotics, and seemed to get better the first time, but when (flagyl) was stopped, he got sick again with fever/diarrhea the second time – end of May. Unfortunately, no cultures were done prior to starting antibiotics, so…. nobody knew what bug made him sick. He was likely septic from intestinal bacteria. I took him out of the hospital the second time after 5 days, and changed veterinarians, after 32 years. He was on antibiotics, and steroids to help his blood cell production. He was some restless, bossy… which I thought was steroids. Then, he vomited pieces of a plush toy, so my vet sent us to the specialists for possible endoscopy. On xray, there were a couple of corners of concern so he was to have surgery that afternoon. They drew bloodwork and the whole scene changed.
His liver enzymes were critically high, showing liver damage. His ALT was I think 6920, where normal is from 10-100. He was acting pretty normal. With evidence of liver damage, he had to stay overnight and was scheduled for surgery the next noon. Liver abscess was added to the differential diagnoses. He was given plasma for clotting factors overnight. That was so scary, to think he would have a lobe of his liver taken out.
Because of the liver damage, they did a bile salts test for diagnosis. This is a very simple fasting blood test to measure bile salts, then a small feeding of a fatty dog food, then another blood draw 2 hrs. later to see if liver cells were able to clear the bile salts from his blood. Not only could he not clear the bile salts, they were measured even higher than before eating anything. Diagnosis is confirmed with liver biopsy, which they did during his surgery. His white blood cells are low, so he had a bone marrow biopsy.
He cannot tolerate protein. Protein/purine containing foods are not metabolized correctly because of this congenital disease. He will forever be on 18% liver food ($65 for 17.7 pound bag), liver medications to alter the pH of his intestines, probiotics, low dose antibiotic, iron/vit B12 injections based on frequent blood testing.
The good news is, since being on liver diet and medications, he is much improved. He actually comes to the counter with the others while I make their bowls, and he eats his whole bowl! He asks for treats (vegetables), he has energy, and he is awake for longer periods of time! He is like a different dog! He had put on 2 lbs. as of yesterday, and he ate about 700 cals. for breakfast today! He is cleared to swim today and it is really hot here in AZ! Cabek also has non-united anconeal process (UAP) - Elbow Dysplasia, and swimming is excellent exercise for him
Special thanks to Pierre Quirion for making Cabek's video.
Organizer
Terry Moore Graul
Organizer
Chandler, AZ