This message is from: Frederick J. Pack [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Dear Fjord people, including the vets on the list.(not that you don't
know this already) VBG
First of all, we are NOT looking for sympathy over our loss and troubles by
posting this to the board. Lois and I began a series of Rabies injections
today.
I am writing this to possibly help any of you who might find themselves in
the same situation.
A week ago Sunday, we had one of our bitch Pyrs (Great Pyrenees) start
trembling and began to
loose coordination in her hindquarters. We immediately took her to
emergency care. Her condition deteriorated steadily until she had to be put
to sleep the next Wednesday morning. She was in constant seizures where
Valium could no longer control them.
A spinal tap was taken and sent for analysis on Monday after her admission
to emergency care. Blood was taken and a titers (Sp?) was initiated. A
neurologist was brought in.
Possible diagnosis: Toxiplasmosis (a Protozoa infection which can be caused
by eating cat feces or a dead mouse).
Distemper.
Rabies.
Brain Tumor (rare in a dog of 1 1/2 years
of age, but possible).
When our dog had to be put down, the titers and complete blood work were not
yet available.
Now here is where the lesson comes in: After putting our dog down, the vet
removed some or all of the brain to send to the state laboratories for
Rabies testing. (He DID NOT LOOK FOR A BRAIN TUMOR nor as you will read,
should he have looked)
This last Wednesday we got the report from the state about the Rabies
test...
INCONCLUSIVE! The state people told us that they didn't get enough, or the
right part of the brain to do a test.
The State Health people stated that the vet should have sent THE WHOLE HEAD
so they could remove the part/parts that they needed for a test.
The Titers test came back: Distemper NEGATIVE! Toxiplasmosis not indicated,
but possible. Our dog HAD a documented rabies shot last January, but if she
had been exposed before the shot..the sickness could have laid dormant
in her systemUNAFFECTED by the Rabies shot. Rabies shots (in dogs) will
only provide protection to the animal BEFORE any exposure.
That left us with a choice. Although there has NOT been a documented case
of Rabies in the state of Washington for 27 years, do we go get the shots
($1,500.00 apiece). OR, do we take a chance that is was NOT Rabies.
I'm NOT a gambler. We chose the shots as today was our last day of a 10 day
window to start. I could have been infected on Tuesday the 5th, as I was
trying to hand feed her at the emergency hospital and came in contact with
her saliva and blood (from biting her tongue as her jaws snapped shut). I
was NOT bitten, but being a rancher...my hands are always nicked up from one
thing or another. Lois, my wife, might have been exposed at the same time
by petting the dog while having a cut on her finger (although bandaged).
The bottom line is: If there is ever a question about Rabies in a dog that
must be put down: SEND THE WHOLE HEAD (INTACT) TO THE STATE LABS FOR
TESTING. Please excuse me for yelling (stuff in capital letters stuff), but
had the vets done that, we might not be going through shots now.
The rabies shots are no longer in the stomach, but within the muscle and
really no big deal...except...
the first day requires 5 shots. One in each cheek and one in each thigh
because of the size/volume of the RabiesAmmunoglobulyn shot (16 cc for a 240
lb. person). The final shot goes in the arm.
We go back again in 3,7,14,28 days from today for the next four shots. Not
much fun.
This beautiful girl that we lost had gone through 8 owners before our rescue
people got her. She joined our family in February, thanks to Linda Anderson
and Linda Weisser. This beautiful girl quickly made this her home. We
earned her trust.. she was not going to be left/discarded again. She
was the most loving dog that I have ever been in contact with.
She now waits at the Rainbow Bridge for me to follow.
I had to stop writing for a few minutescouldn't see the screen through
the tears.
Madison (Maddy) is now with God.
Fred and Lois Pack
Pack's Peak Stables
Wilkeson, WA USA
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/3158
