LEO is gone to Rainbow Bridge

[Hulls_Haven]

An update on poor Leo.
We cannot move Leo to Canada yet.
We got him shuttled over to the vet for neuter shots etc...then I got the call. Leo is very very sick. No idea what it is yet.
We now have to pay for AT LEAST one week's boarding, as well as blood tests, fecal, etc. They said his hw test was neg (thank God) but the blood test showed his white count is double what it should be, and he has green sludge coming out of his nose. She said he is at least 15 lbs underweight, and he is very pale.
We are going to have to fundraise for this guy, as his vetting and boarding is gonna cost.
I hate asking for donations, but here is what I would like to ask.
Instead of donating directly, if folks could all order calendars, it would sure go a long way to helping us pay the bills.
Our calendars are beautiful, and they are $20 plus $5 shipping. Thanks so much. I know all of you do so much already.

[kokirby83]

Just to vouch- the calendars are beautifully made. Mine is hanging on my fridge from last year. I need to order another soon!!

Kate

[bailey]

I will vouch for this years. I have mine already, can't wait to hang it in a few weeks.

[PiperTim]

How do you order a calendar?

[Hulls_Haven]

Email me and I will send you the email address.
Thanks all.
We got an update today. He refuses to eat, and they can't figure out what is wrong. They ordered new tests, for kidney and liver function. I wish I was there, at least then I could try my methods of getting a dog to eat
My heart is just breaking for this poor little guy.

[Hulls_Haven]

UPDATE:
They are forcefeeding Leo. He has quit eating completely. The liver/kidney function tests came back with no problems, thank God, but they still cannot figure out why his white count is up.
Please pray for this little guy.

[ajones]

Poor Leo. It is so frustrating when we cannot figure out why they are sick, especially when they quit eating. I will keep a good thought for Leo, that he will realize people care about him and begin eating again.

[crazy cat lady]

I am so sorry that Leo is so sick. I am assuming that they have already started antibiotics a few days ago, are his white blood counts still going up? Or down at all? It seems to me they might try being more aggressive and start giving him some IVs and step up the class of antibiotics if the WB count hasn't started to go down by now. Have they done an x-ray or better yet an ultrasound (I know pricey, I had one done for my dog this summer but it saved her life, different problem) to see if there is some sort of blockage? That , or other things, could be a primary problem that led to the secondary infection. I don't remember now if he was stray or O/S (maybe depressed on top of everything else) but I would be concerned about the force feeding and aspiration, esp. if his nose is already stopped up with green stuff. The IV's might perk him up a bit enough to stimulate his appetite to eat on his own and would be a better way of getting the antibiotics in him ,so the levels wouldn't peak and trough so much. Can the vets check and see if any of the dogs he was kennelled with or near have the same thing? I am no vet but that is what I would talk to my vet about doing. I know you are having to deal with all of this over the phone too and so far away .

[Hulls_Haven]

They have done numerous tests, and we have told them price is no object. They said his lungs are clear, his kidney and liver functions are normal. He was eating fine at the shelter, but suddenly stopped eating at the vet. She actually said his nasal thing wasn't so bad as to prevent hm eating. I am hoping we have a clinic who knows what they are doing. They sound knowledgeable...
It is so hard being so far away

[N8ureLuvr]

I agree with CCL. I really think they NEED to do some x-rays. My concern is that there may be a blockage, foreign body, or (I really hate to even think of this) but maybe a mass. Starting with the blood work is ALWAYS the first and best way to try to get a grip on this, but they need to be sure things on the inside are good.
I will be thinking and praying for Leo.
A~

[Hulls_Haven]

I will ask if they have done this. Thanks guys.

[bailey]

I agree that an x-ray could rule out even more stuff. Maybe it is just poor Leo just doesn't like the vets? I have seen wierder things. My BC would literally immediately start shedding....I mean hair falling off in clumps and dandruff would start as soon as she stepped foot in the vets. As soon as we left, she went back to normal.

Poor Leo. I hope he is better so he can make the trip next weekend to a better place. Maybe that will bring his appetite back.

[Hulls_Haven]

Except that wouldn't explain the high white count, and the high temp.

[ichthy9]

Food for thought...
Has anyone checked his dentition for a brewing tooth root abcess? A double WBC count isn't the worst (about 32,000 is manageable but once you crack 50,000 you're looking for anything and usually the chemistry markers start signaling their stress responses.)

WBC count high but not extremely would be indicative of perhaps an inflammatory reaction too, unless he is truly febrile. Stress is a great producer of catecholamines which send the rest steroids humming around causing chaos.

For my two cents, I'd pop for an ultrasound otherwise. Radiographs are ok for soft tissue but a good sound is priceless, in the correct hands.

Not a veterinarian but I play one on TV.
Best,

[Hulls_Haven]

Leo passed away Sunday.
They believe he might have had blasto.
I am so sad inside...he almost made it to safety.
See you at the bridge sweet boy. We tried.