Gus is ill.

[angledge]

Last 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.

Comments

[susimoscoso.livejournal.com]

aw, that's sad. i hope gus makes a speedy recovery! how old is he?

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the well-wishes. Actually, I don't know how old Gus is. He was a rescue. I think he's between 3 & 4 years old.

Based on more Internet research this morning, it doesn't sound like he's got much hope of regaining his sight :-( But I'm hoping he will beat the odds...

[marasca.livejournal.com]

Poor pooch! I hope he gets better. :(

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I will tell the LLW to let Gus know his internet fan base is pulling for him.

[marasca.livejournal.com]

Even Max and Moggie are sending their good wishes. Gus is far enough away that they aren't worried about him chasing them when he gets better. ;)

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Gus loves cats! Gus even has his own pet cat - Tippy! That's right, my mother's pet is so spoiled that he has his own pet.

Currently my plan is make Tippy into the world's first seeing-eye cat.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I just realized I haven't ever posted about Tippy. He was a feral kitten that lived near my parents' house. My mom started feeding him last summer, & Gus LOVED him. The two of them play-fight, & sometimes sleep together, & reportedly Tippy will even ride on Gus sometimes (I've never seen that).



Tippy is completely unafraid of Gus, even though Gus is ~120 lb. & Tippy is ~10 lb. Gus could eat him in about two bites, but Tippy will rumble with him anyway. It's ridiculously cute.

[fizrep.livejournal.com]

This cat riding a huge doggy is a totally cute image. Here's some more added hopes for Gus!

Yeah, it's ridiculously cute.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

I wish I had copies of some of the photos weedweasel took of the two animals boxing at Christmas. Tippy is usually the instigator - he will leap onto Gus' face or back & start a tussle. Gus wags his tail & yips at him, & will kinda paw at him. He will open his mouth & sorta bite Tippy (which looks like DOOM for the cat), but he never actually bites down. Tippy also plays pretty nicely - he doesn't seem to really lash out with his claws.

[lovellama.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh! I hope he pulls through too. Hugs to you and your family.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thanks, lady. I'm pretty sure Gus will survive, I'm just hoping for no permanent damage. :-(

[funkyplaid.livejournal.com]

GUS! Sending all my good thoughts to the Big Snuffle for a full recovery.

And when Charles talks, God listens. No, really.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sweetheart. The Big Guy has a soft spot for dogs, just like many people do.

[karstyl.livejournal.com]

And if he does not regain his sight, most likely he still will be fine. I work with blindness in dogs, though not with the dogs themselves. But we do hear from lots of owners and the dogs get on just fine. Also, some friends of mine in Minnesota adopted a dog that was blind as a puppy a couple of years ago, and they have a 5yo kid, everyone has fun and enjoys life. There are resources out there, like http://www.blinddogs.com/ with lots of info.

Thanks, lady.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the link; I will check it out. I also found a book (Living with Blind Dogs) & a DVD (New Skills for Blind Dogs), both of which were well-reviewed at amazon.com. So there are definitely good resources out there if Gus-Gus doesn't regain his sight.

[evilfb.livejournal.com]

Well this is poop. Sending love for Gus you and the LLW.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thank you, mister. Here's hoping Guster makes a miracle recovery!

[katieledge.livejournal.com]

Oh no! I guess this means no dog loving for us in Astoria! Sending doggie love to Gus! Get well soon, Gus!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Actually, the LLW isn't sure she is going to visit at all. It depends on whether Gus has gotten better by the end of the month.

[effrontery.livejournal.com]

((((((A and family and Gus)))))

Sending lots of prayers up for his speedy recovery!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Snuffy. The word last night is that he's stopped bleeding (definitely a good thing) but isn't showing any signs of regaining his sight.

[thechinesecurse.livejournal.com]

Aw! Sending good vibes Gusward.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Crazy dog has people from three continents pulling for him now. Thanks for the well-wishes.

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Crazy dog has people from four continents pulling for him now. Thanks for the well-wishes.

[branniejan.livejournal.com]

((((((Best wishes)))))) to Gus, LLW, Spider Dad and you my friend from the dog loving state of Washington!

[angledge.livejournal.com]

...the dog loving state of Washington!

I swear that dog has the most widespread fan base I've ever seen.

Good to hear from you lady! When are you going to post so I'll know wassup in YOUR life?

[effrontery.livejournal.com]

How's Gus doing, lady?

Sorry it looks like I won't make it up there this weekend, but I hope we can do it sometime soon!

And I'm impressed by your triathalon gear. Let us know when it is, maybe some GIA girls can come cheer you on. :)

[angledge.livejournal.com]

Well, it seems that Gus is going to be permanently blind. However, other than that he is recovering well, which is a relief since he was nearly on death's door.