Oh Betsey….you are an extremely strong & brave person. Please know that we are all praying with every ounce of our souls for little Beta. Although I've never met either of you, I feel extremely close to your pain. We are all sharing this experience with you. You are not alone & I know that whatever the results are you will do the absolute right thing that is best for Beta. You have shown your kind & loving heart from the very beginning with Beta and I'm sure that you will continue to make all the right decisions.
I'm hoping you have some kind of pet insurance to help you out financially. If not than I guess the credit cards will have to do. The reality is that caring for our loved ones (dog, parent, spouse, child, etc.) is a financial consideration. Unfortunately, this is the cruel part of making any decisions. I had to face the same decisions when father became very ill. In the end you can only do what you can & follow your heart.
Lots & lots of hugs & prayers for you & Beta!
Betsey and Beta - sending you more hugs and healing thoughts. You both remain in my thoughts and prayers and I'm hoping for a good outcome.
thank you guys. the doctors think it is best that Beta stay another night and get those IV meds. they haven't fed her yet and are looking for a special IV med that they cant find.
well, actually, they found it at a local ER, but they wouldnt release it to them because of a potential emergency. can you believe that.
The IV med is called Aminosyn….
If anyone knows of a vet or vet ER that would have the med, please PM me.
Thanks!!
Aminosyn is total parenteral nutrition which provides all the protein, vitamin and mineral, and caloric requirements that are necessary to sustain nutrition when absorption in the GI tract is impaired. It's not something hospitals just keep on hand because it has to be mixed daily in accordance with daily lab values. If your vet can find a regular pharmacy which mixes IV fluids for home health maybe they would make it up for a dog by prescription. If not, are there any veterinary schools near Tampa that could help? Auburn University school of veterinary medicine here in Alabama is one of the best vet schools in the country and I know they love to help with difficult cases. Might be worth a try also. Love and prayers to you and Beta. Lenora
thanks for the suggestion. it's worth a try. my parents and brother are auburn alumni, maybe that will help.
Betsey and Beta! I have not read the posts for several days and am just getting up to speed. In doing so, tears have rolled down my face. I pray for the best with Beta. You are providing the best care for her and hopefully the results will be the same. You are going through an extremely stressful time, but it appears that you have done "it" before and are a survivor. I think Beta with her past is a survivor too! I am glad that you have local support! Sending positivity to you through the airwaves! Sandra and Joey
Hey Betsey. More prayers and thoughts with you and Beta. What a strong dog she must be to go through such an ordeal. I so hope you are able to determine what is wrong and find a course of action to correct the problem. We will continue to pray for you and beta…. God Bless!
well beta has been in critical care for 2 days now at the vet. she ate 3 pellets of soft food 2x today without throwing up. she didnt want to eat when they offered it late in the day.
prelimainary reports show that her stomach lining is irritated, funny right?
the vet says her lungs still dont sound great. she was given her last dose of meds at 6pm and is shuddering in my arms at home.
she is weighing 17.51lbs mostly from the hydrating fluids.
i am glad she is home but have strict orders to bring her back for observation tomorrow.
hopefully all of the results will be back tomorrow. keep your fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed for your Beta!
ditto here…we're still sending thoughts and prayers your way!
keep your fingers crossed.
It's hard to read this let alone experience it….thoughts and prayers and fingers crossed.
Well, Beta pooped last night, had diarhea in her kennel sometime during the night and had only water diarhea this morning with blood in it. I realized this morning that she couldnt even hold the tiny amount of food she had yesterday and knew that she wasnt getting better with all of the medicine.
I took her in this morning and was just streaming with tears as I checked her in. It is just too much to feel her shudder like a leaf and nothing helps. So they took her and were to give her IV meds throughout the day hoping for news from the tests.
I received a call late in the day from the Gastrointestinal Specialist that did the scope. She said that Beta has been diagnosed with Hypertrophic Gastritis which is a rare disease in people and even more rare in dogs.
Giant hypertrophic gastritis of Basenji dogs.Krunngen HJ.
Giant hypertrophic gastritis is a newly recognized disease of adult Baseji dogs similar to Menetrier's disease of man. It is characterized by weight loss, diarrhea, dry coat, pale membranes, anorexia, raised convoluted rugae in the body of the stomach, palpable fluid- and gas-filled intestines, colonic inflammation, and radiographically demonstrable dilated intestinal loops. Laboratory findings include leukocytosis, neutrophilia, low hemoglobin, hypoalbuminemia, hypobetaglobulinemia, hypergammaglobulinemia, decreased serum fatty acids, hypocholesterolemia, indicanuria, low fecal pH, and increased fecal fat and nitrogen. Four dogs studied had gastritis with hypertrophy and diffuse lymphocytosis and plasmacytosis of the small intestine.
This disease in humans is called Menetrier Disease.
Ménétrier's Disease
Ménétrier's disease causes giant folds of tissue to grow in the wall of the stomach. The tissue may be inflamed and may contain ulcers. The disease also causes glands in the stomach to waste away and causes the body to lose fluid containing a protein called albumin. Ménétrier's disease increases a person's risk of stomach cancer. People who have this rare, chronic disease are usually men between ages 30 and 60. The cause of the disease is unknown.Ménétrier's disease is also called giant hypertrophic gastritis, protein losing gasteropathy, or hypertrophic gastropathy.
Symptoms
Symptoms include pain or discomfort and tenderness in the top middle part of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, vomiting blood, swelling in the abdomen, and ulcer-like pain after eating.Diagnosis
Ménétrier's disease is diagnosed through x rays, endoscopy, and biopsy of stomach tissue. Endoscopy involves looking at the inside of the stomach using a long, lighted tube that is inserted through the mouth. Biopsy involves removing a tiny piece of stomach tissue to examine under the microscope for signs of disease.Treatment
Treatment may include medications to relieve ulcer symptoms and treat inflammation, and a high-protein diet. Part or all of the stomach may need to be removed if the disease is severe.
The specialist said that in humans they cut out the area of the stomach that is effected. In Beta's case it is her entire stomach.
There is no cure for this disease. This is a precurser to stomach cancer in humans but they haven't found it in dogs. Apparently there are a few cases in basenjis, one boxer and a couple of dogs in Holland.
The stomach lining thickens. Remember how they thought it was the intestine folding over on itself and couldnt find anything in the surgery? Well, there is text online somewhere with reference to that in intestines which sounds similar to this and I wouldnt be surprised if they are not related.
So basically the stomach cannot hold proteins. Then the blood vessels cant hold the proteins and the fluid passes to a layer outside of the vessel causing the swelling. Last night when I brought Beta home I noticed her muzzel looked swollen again, but figured it was the IV meds.
We are sending a sample of her blood to a well known (they say) vet dr at Texas A&M who is doing research on gastrinoma which is a rare disease as well. They are testing with a new gastrin level test.
Anyway, there are two treatments in dogs. One is something called a sandostatin drug which is in the injectable form. And the other is monoclonal antibody. Apparently the two treatments prolong life a bit but the disease is terminal.
Beta's lungs came back with an increase of eosinophil cells. These can be caused by a parasite condition, a fungus (blastomicosis) or a sever allergy. We are giving and have given her from the beginning the prednison and flagyl to aid this. The doctors are not sure if this is a result of the stomach disease or not. They suggest that with this type of lung cell to use fenbendazole which is a super strong parasite anti worming med.
So, the specialist did another blood test today to review her protein level. Remember she has had about 3 of these tests with low protein levels, but nothing major. They say her protein is at 3.2 and the vet's regular level is 5.2 for the norm. She then gave me a formula about her protein. There are two types of protein, the albumin and globulin. She did some math equation that states Beta's globulin level should be 2.5-4.5 I think, and that her albumin minus the globulin is less than 1 and is life threatening.
What that means is, she can't hold her protein through food (because she can't hold her food), now her blood vessels arent going to hold the protein which is the swelling part.
All I know is that she hasnt eaten in 4 days, shakes, is in pain, and has diahrea with flecks of blood in it and she is depressed.
I brought Caesar home today. I picked Beta up from the vet with oral meds to give over the weekend. She is now on tramadol pain med as well. I had a discussion with the specialist that since she had already sent Beta's case to a few gastro doctors and she has this rare disease that has been found in other b's that I felt It is unfortunate that they can only prolong her life. It is unfortunate that no meds for intestinal problems, parasites, or ulcers have made one bit of improvement in her day to day life. I feel that it is time to put her to sleep or help her to the rainbow bridge as the b community says. I have scheduled her time to be Monday morning at 8:30 am which will allow the doctor to get samples of her stomach afterwards. I hope that the samples they take will be of interest to someone out there that will give the b community more info on this disease. I have challenged her and hope that it will help someone as I hope this journal of Beta's illness might help another B owner down the road.
I have thought about if it is correct to put her to sleep as opposed to her dying naturally and have decided that she will eat till her heart is content and throw up and have diarhea as much as she wants until Monday. She is suffering and I can aid that. I can't imagine keeping her in critical care on daily IVs becuase she can't hold food down. That is not the quality of life for my little Beta.
She came home today on some pain meds for sure. She has been fighting this for 4 weeks now and tonight she grabs her stuffed squirell and does her crazy dance on the couch for the first time! That is how I will remember her.
Blowing on her face and watching her run around the room in delight. Watching her wag her tail at me because she is so happy ( I didnt know b's could do that, Caesar doesnt) and remembering her beautiful timid , gentle and sweet nature. She is looking at me with her sweet brown bambi eyes right now and that is the face I will always remember.
This Sunday I will take her with Caesar to the West Park dog park in Tampa. She will meet with her group of basenji pals (10-15 local b's) to play and enjoy the park for as long as she wants. That group is her family as much as I am. They accepted her into the pack and loved her as a scared and hurt rescue, as a happy strong playful basenji, and now as a sick little girl. I will miss that bounce in her trot and the rare roo's she made. My little Beta.
If anyone is in the Tampa area, you are welcome to join us. I will arrive around 9am and stay as long as they want.
http://www.forthevoiceless.org/west_tampa_dogpark.html
Thank your for listening to her story.
Betsey
Oh Betsey - I am so sorry to hear to hear of the prognosis. I can't imagine how difficult the journey was to reach your desicion. Beta is a very lucky girl to have been so well loved and cared for and hopefully her story will help other b's out there who may be afflicted with this disease. Many hugs, lots of love, and all the prayers I can muster are headed your way. I wish I were closer to you to be at Beta's gathering, but know I, and many others in this community, will be there in spirit. (((((Betsey and Beta)))))
Dear Betsey,
I am in tears. I'm so sorry you and Beta have had to go through this. I am awestruck at your strength. There is much for us to learn from Beta's story–not just about Beta's illness, but about how to deal with situations such as this. I wish I could be there for Beta's last day in the park--you and Beta will be in my thoughts. Caren
Betsey,
I am so sorry, I wish there was something that we could do. Please be strong and know that you gave Beta a great life.
You, Beta and Caesar are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jenn
Dear Betsey, I will have you and Beta in my prayers. How fortunate she is to have you as her mom and she knows she is loved. That's what matters most. Lenora
Thanks to share all that with us, you''ll be both in your thoughts.
Betsy,
I'm sorry and I share your tears. This is the hardest decision to have to make but you are such a good mom to think of your furbaby first. I also wish I could be there to give you and Beta a hug. Take care and you are in my prayers.
Winnie
Dear Betsey,
I read this last night - my heart broke and could not find words to express my sympathy, because all I could do was cry. On one hand I am glad that you finally found out what was happening to Beta. On the other hand, you've discovered there is no cure. Your heart and love for Beta is admirable. You and Beta will always be with each other in heart. I sit here and struggle keeping composure. You have a big support system here and hope this is of some help to you. From experience with my old boy Rocky, I feel somewhat connected with your courage and persistence to get Beta well again. Thank you for sharing your journey with Beta and know that your publishing will possibly help others to realize an otherwise difficult diagnosis. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Beta always.
Give your girl lots of hugs and kisses for me too . . . and a favorite treat.
Today has been hard. I fed Beta baby food last night and she was doing great, spunky and alert.
Today she has received her medicine (no pain meds) and is eating and isn't shaking. I am stuggling with the decision to put her to sleep. I suppose I will just have to wait and watch.
I dont know what the right decisions are. I just think she shouldnt suffer. I dont want her to be at the vet hooked up to an IV all day. That is not the life I will allow. That is where I am now….allow...my decision....and is that fair to decide when.
I have options. I could let her keep going until she displays the shaking and pain again. I could just keep her on the meds I have left and when they run out not fill them anymore. I have spent over $7k and feel that it would be financially wrong to continue with procedures or new meds.
I could let her die naturally, but that could be when I am at work and she is in the kennel with Caesar. I dont know about that. And then I can't get her to that specialist for the samples on call. If I put her to sleep, the doctor can get as many samples to help with more research. I think that is important.
I also have thought a lot about Caesar. Beta has extreme separation anxiety and screams when Caesar leaves the house without her. She didnt do that when she was super sick probably because of the pain. I think although they arent litter mates that they have been inseprable for the last 3 years and he should be involved with her death by understanding that she is no longer alive in his world. I think that is important.
I think I will have her put to sleep with me alone. Then bring Caesar in to see her. I think that is what I want.
If any of you have experiences with this I would really appreciate hearing your feelings. I am so scared of making the wrong decision. I wonder if Beta is doing ok today because I have made the decision. I will watch her tomorrow at the park and decide Monday morning I guess.
Maybe it would be a good time becuase she is not in severe pain, she will remember the park and Caesar and me happy. Maybe it is selfish for me to wait for her to crash again. I am so selfish. I dont want to let her go. This is all about me and that is wrong. I cant fix it anymore.
I have never lost a pet before and it feels so much harder than the loss of a family member at a funeral. I am sure it is because I am deciding the ending.
You all have been so helpful. I have never had such hard decisions or ever been so lost and scared of being incapable to remove her pain. Thank you. I hate this soooo much.
