Moose update

Henrys Mom

Henrys Mom

New member
I'm sorry that you are having to go through this. We also had a dog with Addisons. The sounds of Moose's symptons don't sound typical of Addison's but hopefully that is what it is, not liver failure. As someone said before, Addison's is very treatable unless there is something else wrong. Our Maggie had cancer as well and so we had to let her go at the age of 2. They should be starting prednisone if they suspect Addison's and you should see an improvement if that is indeed what it is.

Continued good thoughts and prayers to you guys!!
 
BoundlessNewfs

BoundlessNewfs

New member
Sharon, Art, and Ian...I'm so sorry to hear that Moose hasn't improved. I was hoping to hear better news, in this update. Please know that we're thinking of you all, and praying for Moose. It has been a short time for him to be with you guys...but he's probably felt more love in these few months, than he had in his entire life. (((HUGS))) to all.
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
i am so pulling for moose and you guys
i hope for the best andthat moose can be bought some time.
give him a reasuring hug from us ok?
keep strong, and hopefully they will figurethis out.
 
Leslie

Leslie

New member
Oh Art and Sharon, I am crying with you over this. When you were getting him, I can remember the excitement over it. Donna posted a poem and the line that really stuck me was

I may be with you for a week or for years
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears

You guys made it so simple. Get him, love him, keep him safe, make him happy. What a gift! When we get them, no time is long enough. I'm praying that Moose pulls through this.
 
NewfMom

NewfMom

New member
Thanks so much all you guys. Now that I'm home I can perhaps be a little clearer. I'll give you the clinical descriptions from the internest later.

Moose has symptoms of both Adrenal gland problems and liver failure. Liver failure is much more likely. On ultrasound Moose's liver is abnormally small and bright. He has had low protein since we got him but in the last few days got low cholesterol and today had low sugar. So everything the liver makes is low. He also got itric (sp?) or jaundiced today. He most likely has had a liver disease he has been living with for a long time. The internest feels he has been compensating for a while but now either he has reached a critical point or another infection broke the camel's back and he is decompensating. They can't do a needle aspiration because of how small his liver is and where it is sitting. The only thing they could do is a surgery biopsy. His health isn't up for that and the list of possible causes aren't anything they can really treat for anyway. The most they can do is buy a little more time and there are likely to be a lot of bad days in there. Not worth it in our opinion.

There is a very long shot that he could have severe atypical Addison's disease. We are talking lottery odds. On ultrasound they could only find one adrenal gland and it was an abnormal size. Also some of the hormones that should be showing up from the adrenal glands (I think she said prils?) when stressed or sick are missing. It can cause this type of symptoms with the liver but usually they are in septic shock. His electrolytes are normal and he doesn't appear to be septic, his white blood count is not high. They are checking his cortisol level. We should get the results tomorrow. If the cortisol level is normal it rules out Addison's. If not we go to the ACTH test.

I chose not to do the ACTH test today. It is not that the test itself is uncomfortable but just that Moose had had enough. He was so tired and it is such a long shot that I chose not to put him through it unless the cortisol level wasn't normal.

Also his platelet count is very low.

In the meantime they gave him a shot of dexamethasone, they gave me an anti-nausea pill and amoxicillin to replace the primor and metronidazole.

We'll have to see if the dexamethasone does anything for him. Also whether he can keep anything down. This morning he was throwing up 15 cc of Pedialyte.

Possibilities are:
- no help from dexamethasone, and cortisol normal: he'll be leaving us very soon, probably tomorrow
- dexamethasone helps and cortisol normal: he'll be leaving us in a few days
- dexamethasone helps, he can keep food down, and it's Addison's : we're living on borrowed time because the liver is still shutting down but we might get a couple of months

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers. I'll let you know how things go overnight.
 
sarnewfie

sarnewfie

New member
oh gee
when i saw moose when you guys first considered flying him into you there was just something about him that stole my heart
he has had such a wonderful year with you guys,you did so good by him.
he is very fortunate to be with you guys, and your good judgement, he has lived a long life, and with you guys prolly his best year.
whatever you do, hug him for me, and if he should have to leave you, tell him to find my haddie and the other furkids that are up there waiting for all of us.
he really is a special guy and you are a special family.
 
Jenn

Jenn

New member
I am so sad for you all right now. I know Moose could not have asked for a better home and I am so glad you gave him that chance. Thank you thank you thank you.

Leslie, those 2 lines live with me every day.

Please know you are all in my thoughts.
 
Varmint

Varmint

Inactive Member
I'm so sorry you have to go through all this. Please know that we are all with you in spirit as you go through the "waiting phase".

Prayers and well wishes are on their way to you and Moose and your family.
 
G

Giddyuppy

Inactive Member


I know you'll do what is right for MOOSE, no matter how hard it will be on ALL of you's.

God bless your' home!
 
NewfMom

NewfMom

New member
Thanks all. It's a sad time here but your words help so much. I'll post more once I get Ian and Art off for the day.

One mistake I made last night isn't that his platelets are very low, it's his clotting factors are off so his clotting time is very high. Clotting factors are something else the liver makes.

Take care,give your furkids an extra squeeze today.

Sharon
 
BoundlessNewfs

BoundlessNewfs

New member
Sharon, I'm so sorry for your family and Moose. Take another picture of his sweet face, and give him a hug. We're here, if you need us.
 
amyk

amyk

New member
I'm so very sorry to hear this! I'm sure everyone is right when they say that Moose has had a wonderful year and feels very loved!! I'm keeping him and your family in my prayers!!
 
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