Another dog with RVI ID

Peaches is a little terrier owned by Judy Frison-Shor, of New Jersey.  She was diagnosed with rabies vaccine induced ischemic dermatopathy, and has multiple skin lesions in most of the same areas Louie had them.

Here are some pictures of the damage to Peaches skin at the ears and near the injection site:

Peaches' owner was offered a settlement from the company which made the vaccine she was given.  As a condition of the settlement, she was told she could not talk about the incident.  Peaches' owner declined the offer.

Soy Protein Powder

I went online a few months ago to compare the protein content of meats with that of tofu, in order to get an idea about how much tofu to add to Louie's meals.  From what I could tell, meat has a larger percentage of protein, so the amount of tofu I need to give him would be greater than if I were feeding meat.

A few days ago I found a soy protein powder in the store and decided to buy it to use as a supplemental protein source when I prep his food.  As with anything new I try for him, I started out with a small amount and observed him.  Even though tofu is also soy protein, you never know what else might be in there that could trigger a reaction.

He did well with it, so I added it to the batch of food I just prepared for him.  So far, so good!

Happy Holidays

We've had a pretty good year, and this morning, before I arise to mess up the living room with wrapping paper, I thought I'd reflect just a little bit about just how good it has been.

Keeping to the main theme of this blog, we've managed to overcome a few hurdles and get Louie back in the game once again.  This was no small feat, and required the help of many strangers and cyber-friends throughout the continent of North America.  Thanks to their (your) efforts, I was able to purchase over 500 cans of a food that is no longer being made (at least not in the way it was made before) which was the only food we had found that Louie could eat.

Thanks to the time that bought us, we were able to do sufficient diet trials to find that Louie could eat tofu, and that we could mix tofu with a balanced, dehydrated base to create a protein rich, balanced meal for him.  Mixing that with the food we have in storage will likely keep him going for the rest of his natural lifespan, if we're lucky enough to not encounter another major relapse in his lymphangiectasia.

So, we have received the best gift of all for this holiday season:  The gift of life and love and the continuing companionship of my dearest and best friend.  Louie has been with me through a lot; in 2006 I packed him up into my little Subaru with whatever else would fit in there, and together we crossed the continent to start a new life in Sacramento, California.

And what a new life it has been!  I have met and married a wonderful man, begun a new career with the University of California, and managed to put some unfortunate baggage into the past.  Our lives are not without stress, and far from perfect, but things are relatively stable and sane.  Louie has been a big part of my life, all the difficulties that preceded the move (and the joyfulness before that, too, which seems distant, but is still remembered).  He's been the one consistent thing in my life when everything else seemed to be falling apart.  So it is a great delight to see him sitting here next to me on this fine, Sacramento Christmas morning, knowing that the worst, for him too, may actually be over.

From my heart to yours,

Happy Holidays!

Protein Losing Diseases in Dogs

This article talks about Protein loss in soft coated wheaten terriers, one of the breeds known to be predisposed to these diseases.

http://www.cvm.ncsu.edu/research/SCWT/ple.htm

Quick semi-update

Things are relatively quiet on the lymphangiectasia front.  We were fortunate to have the opportunity to get away for a few days last week, and it was good to know that our kids were all well enough that we could leave them with the pet sitters without much concern or worry.  The last time we got away was just after Louie had stabilized into his first remission, but he was still quite a bit sicker then, and the worry factor was a bit higher.  This time, we really did get a chance to relax.

We went to an area off the Pacific Coast, just outside of San Francisco, called Stinson Beach.  From there we drove to Muir Woods and hiked in the Redwood forest, and then drove southward to Bolinas, which is a funky little beach town that is home to a rather reclusive artistic community.  We walked along the beach and took some pictures, and had a lovely time.

Upon our return I was very pleased to see the kids and they were all quite well.  What a relief from a year ago.

Message for Scott, who e-mailed me

Hi Scott,

I've tried responding to your e-mail, but it bounced.  If you would like to add me to your trusted users list, I'll try again. 

thanks,

Louie's mom

Calculating fat percentages in foods (and other important information)

This article is an extremely valuable resource in determining the true amount of fat in foods. 

http://www.dogaware.com/wdjlowfatdiets.html

Another Loss

This is for Parker, one of the beloved dogs belonging to a member of the lymphangiectasia support group.

Rest in peace, little one.  You are free now.

Research Study at Cornell needs Yorkie participants

Researchers at Cornell University are seeking Yorkies to participate in a study which seeks to better understand the genetics of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) in the breed.  Lymphangiectasia is classed as a PLE and is known to be genetically transmitted in Yorkshire Terriers and certain other breeds.

The researchers will examine blood samples from healthy Yorkies as well as from Yorkies with a verified diagnosis of PLE.  They will send a kit for you to take to your veterinarian for collection of samples, along with a package for mailing the samples back to them.

If you have a healthy Yorkie or a Yorkie with a confirmed diagnosis of lymphangiectasia, you may be eligible to assist Cornell with their study.  Eligible dogs must have a known pedigree of at least three generations.

A flyer is available here 

This research is a collaboration between Dr. Nathan Sutter
PhD, Dr. Kenneth Simpson BVM&S, PhD, and Dr.
Melanie Craven BVM.
Please contact sutterlab@cornell.edu or 607-253-3592.

Please note that this is not an offer of free diagnostics.  The research team will examine samples for genetic information and is not able to tell you if your dog has PLE.  Please see your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has this disease.

Lymphangiectasia and eye disease?

None of the literature I have read has talked about eye disease in conjunction with lymphangiectasia in dogs.  However, it seems to happen in humans with the disease.

Louie has eye problems and the ophthalmologist at UC Davis could not really tell us exactly what was wrong.  He thought the problem is "autoimmune in nature" but could offer little more than this.

Interestingly, it appears that his eyesight may be improving alongside some of his other symptoms.  I recently discontinued his cyclosporine for a few weeks, and started it again when he developed skin problems.  His eyes also worsened while he was not on the drug, and have gotten a bit better since starting it again.

This disease, along with the vaccine induced disease, poses such mysteries.  I would love to see some of these questions answered.

If you have a dog who has lymphangiectasia and eye problems, leave a comment, or drop me an e-mail.

Dogs Have Love

...and that is why we love them :)

Cyclosporine use in Lymphangiectasia

Several weeks ago I was asked about our use of cyclosporine for the treatment of lymphangiectasia.  I did not have information at my fingertips then, but have recently stumbled again upon a WSAVA presentation from 2007 which talks about its use in treating intestinal disease.  Specifically, the paper states:

"A recently published study documented the therapeutic benefit of cyclosporine (5 mg/kg SID for dogs with IBD refractory to prednisone therapy. "

A footnote, for those with access to the scientific literature, points to a study in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (which I haven't read) from 2006, cited as: Allenspach K, et al. J Vet Intern Med 2006;20(2):239-44.  I'll be taking a look at this study next week when I'm back at work, where I am able to download journal articles.

The WSAVA paper also talks about why the use of medium-chain triglycerides is no longer being recommended.  This is not to suggest that anyone should stop using them if they're having success, but rather to reassure those folks like me who wondered why they weren't told to use them.  The WSAVA paper is available at this link:

http://www.ivis.org/proceedings/wsava/2007/pdf/76_20070429213021_abs.pdf

Thoughts about diet

My thoughts today are centered around food.  (Aren't they always?)  It's so important to remember that the biggest key to management is a very low fat diet.  Many so-called "low fat" diets are not anywhere near low enough, in my experience.  Adding treats and toppers to the diet, switching out ingredients, giving rawhide or any chews that might contain fatty material, all of this needs to be strictly avoided.  I've heard of people strictly regulating diets but giving rawhide, which is full of fat.  It's important to think of everything that goes into your dog's mouth in terms of its fat potential.

I can't stress enough that even small amounts of fat can trigger a relapse or worsening of the disease, so vigilance over the diet is very important.

Counting our blessings

Louie wasn't sick last night, nor was he sick today.  Instead, we went for a nice long walk through the neighborhood.  I confess that it's been quite a while since I had Louie out for a good walk; we're a bit spoiled with having a nice big, wooded yard with a fence, where the dogs generally romp and roam to their hearts' content.

Back when Louie was first getting sick, I tried to walk him a few times but he was getting weaker, and then he had skin problems that affected the pads of his feet, so we got to a point at which going for a walk was unthinkable.  Today, as I put his collar and leash on, I wondered if he'd get tired.  Instead, he walked for a good half hour, stopping to check all the neighborhood "pee-mail" and generally just enjoying life.

On our way back, as we approached the house, we ran for a little bit.  Louie doesn't see too well, so he had a few hesitant moments, but then he broke out into a full trot and we headed down the final stretch together.  It was so heartwarming to have him out there again, just being a normal dog with normal dog energy.

We are blessed, in so many ways.  We have a lovely home in a nice neighborhood where I can take the dogs out if I want and walk without fear.  We have wonderful dogs with whom we share these loving bonds.  We have steady jobs with decent pay, and jobs that we like.  It's not a bad life.  I've lived through far worse, so I have some pretty good points of comparison.

The past year or so was framed by the uncertainty about Louie's health and his condition.  Today we are relaxing, just a little bit.  Life is good.

Got to be careful with food

Tonight Louie had a triumph.

My husband made a hamburger, and then the phone rang.  He put his hamburger down on the stand next to his chair and answered the phone.  I turned around just in time to see Louie with half a bun in his mouth.

I pulled the bun away from him; he'd only gotten one bite (complete with mustard) but I know that even that bite can be enough to trigger symptoms in him.  So we'll watch him, and we'll see what happens, and maybe he'll have a bad night, but hopefully it won't be more than that.

I do have to say that he looked pretty proud of himself for getting away with something, though!

Happy Birthday to my Little Man!

Louie's 12th birthday is this week.  To be honest, I cannot remember if it is today or this coming Thursday, since his sire's birthday was the same week and I always got them mixed up.  No matter, 'cause we can celebrate all week long! 

And, we should.  This is the birthday I didn't think we would ever see.  What better reason for a week-long celebration and marathon loves-and-snuggle-fest for my bestest little boy?  I only wish I could give him a little birthday cake, too!

Almost ten pounds!

Weighed Louie again today.  He's almost up to 10 lbs.  If we can manage to get another pound onto him he will be where he was before all of this started.

He still looks thin to me, but I can feel that there's some meat on his bones now.  There was a time when I'd touch him and all I could feel was bone.  By now he has regained most of his muscle mass and tone, and though I can still see his ribs and his tailbones, it is nowhere near as jarring a sight as it was last year when he was down to almost 7 lbs.  He looks quite healthy today.

What's working for us right now

I don't want to create false hope here, but I know that there are people coming here who are desperate for any information about what might help their own dogs.

I want to make sure everyone who is searching can find the information about what is working for us right now.  This is not an endorsement of a particular product or feeding regimen or treatment or anything else either medical or scientific.  It is simply a report of what seems to be helping us right now.

This is what we are feeding:

a 50/50 mix of Honest Kitchen Preference (hydrated) and tofu
combined with the fish based old-formula Royal Canin Digestive Low Fat canned.

I believe that Louie would do okay at this point if I had to feed him only the honest kitchen with the tofu added.

We also add a small amount of probiotic to this.

Again, this is not an endorsement or a recommendation, just a statement about what is helping us right now.  Maybe it will help someone else, too.

I hate this disease

Someone contacted me today, someone who had originally contacted me just a few days ago to ask if there was anything I could do to help her with her dog who has this disease, lymphangiectasia. I offered what little bit I could, but it wasn't enough. In today's message came the sad news that her dog lost his fight against the disease this morning.

I am heartbroken. I want this site to be a place of hope, but I also understand that, for some, there will be no answer. That is a cold reality which is sometimes hard to bear. This disease will take and take and take, and the clock ticks, the muscles deteriorate, the body robs from itself in an effort to keep itself going.  Days, then weeks, then months can pass without any answers, and there are no guarantees that any of us will find the answers we need in time to help them-- if there are even any answers to be had.

Tonight I lit a candle in honor of this poor little one who did not make it. Rest in peace, dear one.

I hate this horrible disease.

Summer coming to an end

Summertime is the best time of year for the naked dogs. I have two; Louie is not the only Chinese Crested Hairless around here. My other boy, Toui (short for Ratatouille) is also a hairless, though he and Louie are miles apart from one another when it comes to personality. Still, one thing they both love is sunshine and warm weather.

No one knows for certain what the origins of this breed are, but it's most likely that the breed evolved from an African dog, hence their preference for the hot weather. Sacramento is a much more suitable home for Louie than Pennsylvania was, and certainly is more suitable for Toui than Cleveland, which is where he was found one cold December day, running around with no fur and no coat trying to scavenge scraps from someone's trash can. Toui's a rescue.

Last summer was his first summer with us, and we were all so preoccupied with Louie's illness that it was hard to get outdoors and do anything. Well, that and the fact that our back yard was under construction while we had a new cement deck put in. Poor Louie had so many wounds on his skin back then that I couldn't leave him alone without some clothing on to keep him from scratching open the wounds that were so difficult to heal.

This year has been a big difference. We've had some nice sun, we have our backyard back with use of the pool again, and we have some happy and healthy dogs enjoying the hot weather. It's almost over, but I'll post a few pictures of our summertime fun. Enjoy!

My two boys lounging together on the new deck

Louie telling me to get off the laptop and go get his dinner!

Toui's just a little lazy on a nice, summer day :)