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coccidiosis in adult yorkshire terrier
I am so upset with my vet. After countless tests and on and off diarrhea when I asked for a copy of my file to go and see a specialist in internal medecine, a technician noticed a stool sample had never been performed on my dog. I never realized that was important since I had paid for extensive blood tests, antibiotics etc. Anyways the stool sample showed 3+ coccidiosis parasite in my 9 year old Yorkshire Terrier. I am still bringing him to the specialist but my vet says it is impossible my dog has had this for an extended period and said my dog must be ill to have gotten this puppy parasite. Is this true. My dog has not been feeling well for 2 years!!!!!!!!
Finally got back his Protein C results they were 70% which is borderline Liver Shunt the specialist said. However because of all his other tests being normal except for the bile acid test at 53 and being he is already 9 years old his age and everything else she is very doubtful Zeus has a liver shunt she feels it is a vascular miscrodysplasia MVD I think it is called in English. (My mother tongue is French). She feels Zeus still can have a good quality of life for sometime to come. He is doing vey well with his antibiotics and diet change. It has been 3 weeks so far. In a month we are going to attempt to reduce his antibiotics to half the dose and see if he still does well otherwise we will increase it back to the 25 mg of metronidazole he is currently taking twice a day. I suggested lactulose but she did not feel that was appropriate for Zeus. If you have any comments or suggestions I am all ears :)
It was his bile acid test after eating that was at 53 normal was supposed to be under 15. Had another blood test done called protein C. It should confirm whether Zeus has a shunt or a microvascular dyslpia which to my understanding is less worrysome. I have to wait 2 weeks for the results as the blood had to be sent to the USA (I live in Canada) for testing. Any input would be greatly appreciated. All of Zeus other blood tests were normal, his ultra sound was normal (his liver appeared normal on the ultrasound) and no more parasites. Giardia test was also done. Changed his food to lower protein 18 percent from 34 percent. Wellness SuperMix 5 for seniors. Zeus is almost 9 years old. Your help is much appreciated.
Yeah, 40% is really high. My pits are on a high protein/high fat very low carb diet and even then the protein is only 30%. Wellness is a good quality food, if for some reason he doesn't like it you can look at other high quality senior diets like canidae, natura etc. Good luck, and glad you have a plan of action for Zeus!
Hi Everybody! Got final results for Zeus............ his liver is not functioning properly. Not sure which test but his result was 53 when the normal maximum should be 15. Needs to be on a lose dose of metronidazole (25 mg twice a day) for the rest of his life and a low protein diet. I am upset but trying to be optimistic. Specialist is to call me back Monday since I only spoke to another vet today she was off today. All other results were normal. Only way to be 100 percent sure would be biopsy but I am not putting my guy through that. Could also be shunt disease but vet felt he is too old to operate so we are going to try to use therapeutic methods with diet and antibiotics. I was very upset earlier but now am trying to find the best dog food with low protein since I do not want to buy vet brand food. Saw Wellness SuperMix Senior has 18 percent protein compared to the 40 percent protein he is eating right now that should help? Any advice is welcome
OK Joe......Today is "Tomorrow" and I'm waiting for the results! ;) By the way, what's your Yorkie's name? I don't think we know that do we?
Let us know when you can.........Thanks, Karla
Let us know when you can.........Thanks, Karla
Hospital called final results will only be in tomorrow so I have to wait one more day. I will be back tomorrow with final results.
Um fogive me if I seem dumb but now you have got rid of the coccidiosis everything should be fine but his system might be knocked around a wee bit as it really is the most insidious parasite.
It does strike when the systems defences are down but is it the cart before the horse or vice versa.He could have had that parasite for quite a while,if not it would be interesting to find out what else it was.... something not life threatening as it coexisted with the parasite I would bet it was just the parasite alone with problems associated with it.JMO.
It does strike when the systems defences are down but is it the cart before the horse or vice versa.He could have had that parasite for quite a while,if not it would be interesting to find out what else it was.... something not life threatening as it coexisted with the parasite I would bet it was just the parasite alone with problems associated with it.JMO.
Well, this is clearly GOOD NEWS! Yes, that's the kind I like!!!! I'm really happy for you both.....Keep the news coming.....................Karla
He is with the specialist right now. So far ultrasound has eliminated cancer, liver is fine so it is not Shunt disease and only found slight inflammation in the intestine, Not sure if this is his age or something else. All other tests are being peformed and if nothing is found tomorrow he will be given a low dose antibiotic for the rest of his life.
Yes he is a very spoiled and well loved cherished part of our family. I am so anxious to see the specialist tomorrow. Eating well no diarrhea and no sign of the parasite. Thanks so much to all of you for your encouragement. I will be back with an update tomorrow.
This sickness is thought to be mainly a bird disease but was common in rabbits and guinea pigs about 40 to 50 yrs ago in fact it happened to mine when I was a child.
About half died but a medicine called cloridine helped save the rest as it stopped the chronic diarrhea.It is no longer available as it had chloriform in it.
A friend of mine had a Racehorse that got it and he was at deaths door by the time he was diagnosed even though he had massive doses of antibiotics. I talked the Vet into giving him a strong male hormone and he recovered but could never race again.
That hormone is given to very sick people to give them a few months of qulilty life.Or to help getting over a terrible illness.
Coccidiosis is a really incidious disease as by the time it is diagnosed it is too late but if you get it in time the recover rate is excellent.
It is sometimes called fading disease in newborn puppies but again that was years ago.
It can strike any where anytime.
Just looked it up on google very interesting it seems it can affect any animal but I think mainly wild birds are the carriers well they are in Aus.
Your little dog should be fine he must be very strong and well looked after to have such a low count in the first place as it increases over time and his didnt.Its gone thank goodness.
I think your Vet needs to hit the books again.
About half died but a medicine called cloridine helped save the rest as it stopped the chronic diarrhea.It is no longer available as it had chloriform in it.
A friend of mine had a Racehorse that got it and he was at deaths door by the time he was diagnosed even though he had massive doses of antibiotics. I talked the Vet into giving him a strong male hormone and he recovered but could never race again.
That hormone is given to very sick people to give them a few months of qulilty life.Or to help getting over a terrible illness.
Coccidiosis is a really incidious disease as by the time it is diagnosed it is too late but if you get it in time the recover rate is excellent.
It is sometimes called fading disease in newborn puppies but again that was years ago.
It can strike any where anytime.
Just looked it up on google very interesting it seems it can affect any animal but I think mainly wild birds are the carriers well they are in Aus.
Your little dog should be fine he must be very strong and well looked after to have such a low count in the first place as it increases over time and his didnt.Its gone thank goodness.
I think your Vet needs to hit the books again.
Yippee......I'm encouraged, too! Does your little guy seem to feel better? Can you tell, yet? How bout the diarrhea; any better or gone?
Come back and let us know what you find out...Good luck at the specialist! Karla
Come back and let us know what you find out...Good luck at the specialist! Karla
got back new stool culture and it was NEGATIVE for coccidiosis! No parasites left in three stool samples provided. Going to the specialist in two days. I am certainly encouraged but still remaining realistic.
You both helped me a couple of months ago when i was dealing with the diarrhea for my little guy. I do not know if you remember but you both helped me so much. If only I had known back then that a stool sample should of been taken. I just trusted my vet and did and paid for everything she requested. The endless nights of not sleeping the 24 hours of fasting an pepto bismol and antibiotics only to find out my poor baby has parasites! and maybe something worst. You bet you I will be back next week. We are going to beat this thing. Thank you so much to the two of you for your support with this post and the other one I started a few months ago for his diarrhea. It is so comforting to be able to talk to people who can understand the huge emotional rollercoaster this is when you are so very attached to your cherised pet and he is an integral part of your family. God bless you for all of your help over the past couple of months
Good luck to you Joe & your little guy....I'll be thinking about you both.....Come back and give us an update when you can.....Take care, Karla
P.S. I'd be upset, also....A fecal sample should have been the starting point! ;(
P.S. I'd be upset, also....A fecal sample should have been the starting point! ;(
COMMUNITY LEADER
If he were mine, I'd do the same as you -my very best for him. You are really going the extra mile. It is so worth it.
I only hope a real cure for him is found. Happy days, little Yorkie!
I only hope a real cure for him is found. Happy days, little Yorkie!
thanks ginger. I am not giving up on him. I love my Yorkie like my child and yes he has a fragile immune system but surely they can do something for him. I am taking him next week to see a specialist and I am hoping something can be done for him. I spoke to a prominent parasitologist and he told me the Canadian government has authorized Toltrazuril has been approved for Coccidiosis in dogs since October 18th and he is going to speak to the specialist for me. He is currently taking the sulfadimethoxine and doing much better I am having another stool sample taken on Monday and taking him to the specialist on Wednesday the 10th to get another opinion.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I know that coccidiosis can affect adult dogs whose immune systems are not performing as well as they should, but still think the vet should attempt to treat your dog for this debilitating condition! I'm afraid I feel his attitude is defeatist.
Sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia.
If I were you I would go ahead with your planned visit to the specialist, or even seek a 2nd opinion from a different vet if you are not satisfied with the attitude of your present one.
Poor boy! He does deserve some attempt to treat this, surely!
Sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia.
If I were you I would go ahead with your planned visit to the specialist, or even seek a 2nd opinion from a different vet if you are not satisfied with the attitude of your present one.
Poor boy! He does deserve some attempt to treat this, surely!
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