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[Sadie123]

I'll try photobucket tomorrow.  It's late and I've just put in 60 hrs in 5 days.  Off work for 4 days now. 

The tick titer was around $150 at my vets.  Just remember if you do it, the titers can come back positive for tick diseases and be low.  This may mean a previous exposure, which the dog may have been able to fight off on their own.  Or it could be a low positive because the dog is ill.  I read somewhere that when a dog is really ill with tickborn illness, the titer isn't highly elevated.  The antibodies rise a short time later and then drop again.  Not really sure what the timeframe is, but google it first, so you can understand it.  Also keep in mind, the treatment for tickborn illness is doxycycline.  And everything I've read says within 2-3 days, there is a huge improvement.  Sadie never had that.  I gave her almost 2 weeks.  It was the steriods that made her better, because when I started the weaning, I could tell a decline again.  Breathing never really improved much at all.  Just the energy and appetite did with prednisone. 

With cancer, at some point, (and probably sooner in dogs than humans) they do become anemic.  Cancer just does that.  It sucks all of their nutrients and usually the bone marrow - producing red cells - just can't keep up.  God I really hope it's not cancer in Doc.  I just absolutely HATE cancer!!! 

[Bulldogger]

Bless your heart!  Try and get some rest and enjoy those days off!!  Thanks for the suggestions and tips.  I appreciate it.  Yeah, I aasked about the cost for the tick testing and they never could give me a straight ans, so I knew it would probably be costly.  Everything is these days.  Doc had a few days of doxycycline, but I think he was actually starting to get worse right at that time, but it may be his body was just tired.. he had already had cephelaxin, then the fluconazole, then doxycycline.. boom, boom, boom!  I think I had literally overdone it with the meds. 

[apope43]

Goodness, this stuff gets complicated!!  I stand by the idea that instinct is sometimes the absolute best medical tool we have.  Glad that Doc got a break from the bombardment of medicine.  There has to be some masking of symptoms when you have so many different medicines in your system.  Hopefully now the vet will be able to get a good look at everything that's going on and use your money wisely to test for the various 'maybes.'

Thinking about you guys!!

[jiggasmom]

How frustrating it must be with no real answer. Glad to read he is doing ok!

[Bulldogger]

I can't say it enough.. thanks to everyone here for their concerns and all the kindness shown, not to mention all the great advice and tips.  I am glad to know several of the dogs on here are doing better and hoping the guys and gals that are having it rough right now will soon see great improvement.  How very taxing it is to go through something like this, but this board is just AMAZING!!  It's like bright and warm beam of light, shining in the total darkness!  Love all you guys and wishing everyone here the best.  Doc is still doing ok today.  Taking it one day at the time.  Just hoping we can figure something out.  The unknown is so hard to face.

[jefndebbacon]

Good to hear from you!  We were worried about Doc and you.  It is so hard to have a sick animal, especially with no diagnosis.  It sure is presenting like Blasto.  It is so difficult too, as the tests are so costly.  Glad that Doc got a rest from meds to clear out his system.  Sorry he launched himself off the deck and hurt himself.  He must have been feeling good to chase that "darn critter!"  Take it one day at a time, you know that we are all pulling for Doc and you. Keep us posted when you can... Hugs & Prayers, Deb

[Cosmo]

So glad to see your Doc again.  He looks like a real sweet fella.  Hoping that everything continues to go well. Keep up the great job you're doing!
Jacci