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Gus is ill.
Mar. 21st, 2007 09:57 amLast night I found out that my parents' dog Gus is very ill. From Spider-Dad's email:
Unfortunately, Gus isn't chasing laser pointers right now. Over this past weekend, he suddenly lost his vision and started bleeding from his gums and eyes. I got him into the vet Monday morning (nearly dead, I suspect) and they determined that he has a systematic infection, most likely caused by one of those tick-spread viruses, which include Lyme disease and Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever, along with a bunch of other less well-known diseases.
His symptoms included heavy shivering/trembling, which Dr Fowler characterized as chorea. She also opined that he may have been carrying this virus for months, but was able to resist until his platelet count (white blood cells) basically reduced to zero, which she told us was his condition Monday.
Gus is now being treated with heavy doses (10 x 100 mg tablets per day) of Doxycycline steroids and he seems to have rebounded somewhat, although unfortunately he has not yet regained his sight.
Google research based on Gus' symptoms leads me to guess he has ehrlichiosis. My parents are really upset, especially the Lil' Lucy Woman. I'm praying for Gus to pull through & to regain at least some vision.
Unfortunately, Gus isn't chasing laser pointers right now. Over this past weekend, he suddenly lost his vision and started bleeding from his gums and eyes. I got him into the vet Monday morning (nearly dead, I suspect) and they determined that he has a systematic infection, most likely caused by one of those tick-spread viruses, which include Lyme disease and Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever, along with a bunch of other less well-known diseases.
His symptoms included heavy shivering/trembling, which Dr Fowler characterized as chorea. She also opined that he may have been carrying this virus for months, but was able to resist until his platelet count (white blood cells) basically reduced to zero, which she told us was his condition Monday.
Gus is now being treated with heavy doses (10 x 100 mg tablets per day) of Doxycycline steroids and he seems to have rebounded somewhat, although unfortunately he has not yet regained his sight.
Google research based on Gus' symptoms leads me to guess he has ehrlichiosis. My parents are really upset, especially the Lil' Lucy Woman. I'm praying for Gus to pull through & to regain at least some vision.
