Re: Erlichia Canis ? Sorry Angela only just seen this. I know what you mean about feeling like Dex is unlucky. We seem to go through unlucky phases too. It's like tartanmouse said we know our dogs so well we spot things. I sometimes wish I was more like those owners whose dogs are just there, if you know what I mean. Get walked when remembered, stroked occasionally etc they don't spot stuff or bother if they do! However I wouldn't really want to be like that and I couldn't be like that and I know you couldn't so I guess we are stuck with the worry but it's worth it. You could try probiotic/prebiotic supplements if you are worried about long course antibiotics even probiotic yoghurt. My old vet (the one I liked)reccomened that when my two had 6 weeks worth for the bladder infection. It'll all come right in the end . Jen
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Blood dramas now..... Dexter hasn't responded to the treatment he has been described for Erlichia ,in fact his red blood cells have dropped worryingly low......his test results say he is producing new blood cells but as they are immature they aren't calculated in his red blood cell count.samples have been sent back to the UK for a full screen.this is a total mystery....Dexter is the definition of a healthy dog if you could see him in appearance,energy and appetite.....results in 3-4 days ......in the meantime I'm having other issues which will be in the behaviour section.....
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Sending hugs Angela , you must be feeling battered and bruised by all of this , so sorry xx
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Oh my goodness....I hope you get the results soon!!! I wonder, have you contacted the breeder to see if there are any blood issues that she knows about? Maybe there's something inherited that's playing a factor?? Do try not to worry, I know it's hard!!! Blah, this sucks!!
Re: Erlichia Canis ? You are having a tough time, one thing after the other (have read your other thread), if it was me I would be feeling demented! Hope it all turns out well for you and Dexter.
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Oh man... Big hugs to you. You have a great vet on your side and I hope they get to the bottom of this fast. Thinking of all of you - especially with your current visitor challenges.....
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Thanks everybody ....isn't there always something ??? We rang Dexters breeder yesterday and he couldn't tell us anything,he has Dexters Dad.His friend is a vet and gun dog enthusiast and he took 5 of Dexters litter apparently............how you make that work I will never know ! anyway our breeder said to fax over all Dexters test results and he would ask his friend to look over them ,breeder is a smashing guy but he's a bit slow at doing anything admin so I'm not expecting a quick reply.... We should have Dexters results in a couple of days......You all know I love our vet and think the world of her after their treatment of Dexter through his tail recovery but we will take him for a second opinion of we aren't getting to the bottom of it after these test results. Thanks everyone ,I'll let you know x
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Oh goodness,I truly think that we have come to the run of our bad luck but not without a big hoo ha and a drama..... Most importantly Dexter has got a 100 % clean bill of health........hurray!hurray!hurrayhurray! Secondly and worryingly he had been misdiagnosed and prescribed unnecessary medication for the last 2 weeks .... This has come to light because his test results and his general condition did not equate....so a blood sample was sent to the UK.the results came back saying his red blood cells were normal and no Ehlichia Canis antigens are present......okaaaay so the worry is how did this happen. I've been in for a meeting with our vet this morning,Chris was losing the plot last night so not prudent for him to attend with me ???.....I can see his point,if there is a problem with their diagnostic equipment there is a real danger of something serious happening with the well being of your dog. My vet is lovely,you all know how much I think of her,she met me at the door of the surgery and took me into the office ,she couldnt have been any more apologetic .I've been there when all dexters samples have been taken and when the report comes back she sits and goes through everything thoroughly with me ....and a diagnosis has been made based on the results she was seeing in front of her.I'm finding it hard to fault her,she was uneasy about the results she was seeing and sent a sample back to the UK for a second opinion.I feel like she has acted correctly.Chris is saying we must never use them again :'( she was so wonderful post op when Dexter had his tail op and for other little things when I've been coming away and leaving him and I feel they all add up to balance out what has been a really unfortunate event.What would you all do? they tested Dex again this morning and his results came back with a really low red cell count ????its got to be a machine fault?they have also sent another sample back to the UK so that I can have the confidence that the UK sample hasn't been mixed up at all,highly unlikely but the way things have been going recently I want the surety of a second test. ..... Oh Lordy ,I hate rows,upset and conflict....if im truly honest I have lost a bit of faith in the practice not the individual .....and if there is an occasion where we think Dexter isn't well and needed something investigated then I might be inclined to use the other vet we are registered at but I know I will lose the lovely,personal touch and individual care Dexter has had :'( am I being naive?his well being is the most important thing ... All this is totally incidental anyway because our Mr Pops is in full,full fettle and won't be needing vet attention any time soon ;D FOR SURE! Best wishes to you all ,hope you are all enjoying a great weekend xxx
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Well GREAT NEWS that Dexter is 100% fine Just sensational. As far as the test goes..... Any test can only give you a probability, that is, all tests are an approximation and have a margin of error. There may be no problem with the human judgement that's been applied here. And, as you say, the vet sought extra evidence when the initial result seemed odd. Personally, I'd certainly be interested in finding out what the factors are that can contribute to a false result with this particular test (equipment failure? contamination? deteriorated sample?). But, on the face of it, the vet does seem to have delivered a high level of care here (plus has initiated an additional UK test as a confidence booster) and I would not necessarily be losing any faith in the vet.
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Congratulations! wonderful news.. This is tricky about the vet - I had a similar thing over the ear infection - such an expensive fuss, really, hundreds of pounds, plus more importantly weeks of Charlie unnecessarily having an itchy ear...I think the 2 vets I saw were just inexperienced. They were lovely, and cuddled Charlie, but it was like they were reading the textbook between visits. A more experienced vet had us sorted in no time. I only use the first vets for very routine things now, wormers etc. I don't know about your vet - I'd say look at it quite objectively...what caused the error in the results? Could it happen again? If say, the lab that they use, are they changing that?
Re: Erlichia Canis ? I agree With Rachael and Julie....I think my next step would depend on why the false diagnosis occurred. If the vet made the right decision with the evidence she had I wouldn't hold that against her but I would ask what action the practice is taking to prevent reoccurrence. From memory I think you said Erlichia Canis is fairly common where you are so it's not a big stretch that it was diagnosed....or am I mis-remembering? Anyway....have a good hard think what you want to do....there's no immediate rush is there? And most importantly YAY DEXTER!!!!!!!! Happy, healthy boy once more and long may it continue. You have all been through so much and we have felt for you every step of the way. We are thrilled the rollercoaster has finally come to a stop. Big hugs xxxx
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Hi Angela, I think this is good news ? :-\ You say Dex still has a really low red cell count though? Is there an issue that the machine reading this too is faulty? I'm not quite sure if that's what you imply or just that the first Erlichia test was in doubt. A good clinician doesn't just look at a test, but puts it into context with their clinical findings i.e what does the patient present with, and what is found on clinical examination. I think as you gain experience (with age : ) you learn this and use it to good effect in the manner in which you deal with your patients. I can understand your vet's confusion and uncertainty. Obviously Dex had a problem with his healing, and an abnormal test was found which would have explained it. Makes sense to treat the problem found by the blood test. I think it would be wrong to "jump ship" midway through a process given that Dex is well - I might hesitate to say that if he was NOT well at present though - you need to have a good therapeutic relationship with your vet though. I felt similarly when our vet "misdiagnosed" Lilly - they sent her to an ortho vet with an elbow problem and we went in full expectation that she was being admitted that day for elbow surgery. After an examination and further x-rays they actually made the diagnosis of severely dysplastic hips (but exceedingly well-adjusted) and we went of with a graded exercise programme rather than the rest we had been advised, and an eventual likelihood of surgery but not for a good while yet. At that point I had lost confidence in our vet and wanted to change but OH said we should stick with them as they now knew Lilly and would be able to take all that into account now better than a new vet. We did stay, and I haven't had any more problems. In fact, its this vet that Sophie has done a little work experience with too. I hope you manage to get this all sorted out Angela, and don't know whether my spiel above is a help or hindrance. I would say, hang in there, and I am just so pleased that the mighty Dex is on the mend. More pictures are needed of your boy when you have time ;D
Re: Erlichia Canis ? I am so very very pleased Angela to read your news, but also completely understand your anquish over the unnecessary medicating and mis diagnosis , that would tear me apart too . I cant add to what has already been said , just that I am so happy for you that Dexter is on top form ;D
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Thankyou all....I'm so relieved. Sorry Jacqui I haven't been clear,you know how I waffle on ;D .no,Dexter has a perfect red blood cell count based on the test results from the UK,my vets machine is considered to be at fault here,it was giving a false reading.They are sending another sample to the UK to double, double check together with dexters results that they have been getting to compare and hopefully get an explanation as to why they are so hugely different.The levels that were being recorded here were disturbingly low.... Chris is just really angry that Dexter has been on antibiotics and steroids for 2 weeks unnecessarily and how luckily it hasn't done any damage but potentially with another ailment this could have been really serious ....I see his point totally but I'm of the mind that there has been no harm caused to Dexter so let's not shout and scream and irrevocably break an otherwise great relationship ......anyway I said Happy Christmas as I left because I don't want to see them until jan 2014 when he goes in for his vaccinations ;D..... That's if chris lets me take him :
Re: Erlichia Canis ? Hope you can put this scare behind you and concentrate on enjoying Dexter. Alice
