Update on little Kissy

Caro

Caro

Moderator
I mentioned in another thread that Kismet has been unwell, I thought I'd better put it in another thread rather than hijack Chris's.

Kismet had an endoscopy today, her GI tract was looking pretty raw and sore. She has a burn in her oesophegus from a long period of acid reflux, multiple sores in her stomach (early stage ulcers), a scar from a large ulcer that has burst in the past and no vili (vilous) in the GI tract. Waiting on biopsies to determine exact causes (and put a name to it and get a treatment plan), and also to rule out cancer.

Poor little Kis, I can't believe how much she has tolerated. Kismet has had 'food issues' since puppy hood always extremely hungry, scavenges, and cries, dances & bounces around food (it's really a sight to see). There's been odd things that didn't add up but nothing I could pin down for a vet. Turns out she's also way too skinny and probably malnourished (yes skinny Shelties do exist!) I used to think Kissy was sooky compared to my other Shelties, now I know she is really brave.

She's a very tired girl tonight so we are all off to bed. Kis is 5yrs old and 5.4kg.
 
Oh poor Kismet, what an ordeal! And poor you, trying to figure it out. She's so young. I hope they can give you a treatment plan that will get her healing and eating comfortably. Thinking about you both here, keep us posted when you can.
 
Eli has had some issues with reflux. I have used sulcrafate slurry to coat his stomach and hope they have given you some of that. Poor little Kismet. It sounds miserable for her. I hope you get answers and treatment is available. So sorry to hear this.
 
Caro, poor little Kissy. There is a rare condition of overgrowth in the helicobactor bacteria in the stomach lining that can cause ulcers, vomiting, weight loss and weakness among other issues. Helicobactor bacteria is found in the muscosal lining of the stomach in all animals, including in humans, and normally doesn't cause any problems. However, when there is an overgrowth of the bacteria that is when it can be serious. Thankfully it is treatable with antibiotics combined with 2 or 3 other medications that treat gastric issues. Years ago one of my Shelties was getting sicker and sicker and finally a dx of helicobactor overgrowth infection was dx'd and with treatment and follow-up check every 6 months he did really well. It might be worth asking your vet about this condition since it is rare and so not typically thought of when a dog displays the symptoms little Kissy has.

I sure hope you can get some answers and your little girl can feel better.

Trini
 
trini said:
Caro, poor little Kissy. There is a rare condition of overgrowth in the helicobactor bacteria in the stomach lining that can cause ulcers, vomiting, weight loss and weakness among other issues. Helicobactor bacteria is found in the muscosal lining of the stomach in all animals, including in humans, and normally doesn't cause any problems. However, when there is an overgrowth of the bacteria that is when it can be serious. Thankfully it is treatable with antibiotics combined with 2 or 3 other medications that treat gastric issues. Years ago one of my Shelties was getting sicker and sicker and finally a dx of helicobactor overgrowth infection was dx'd and with treatment and follow-up check every 6 months he did really well. It might be worth asking your vet about this condition since it is rare and so not typically thought of when a dog displays the symptoms little Kissy has.

I sure hope you can get some answers and your little girl can feel better.

Trini
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The specialist didn't think it was due to the bacteria but rather a genetic issue. I am kind of hoping it is helicobactor so there is a straight-forward way to treat it. I assumed the biopsy would cover it, but I realised I forgot to ask exactly what tests the biopsy will cover. I had missing vilous on an endoscopy some years ago - it was an indicator of cancer elsewhere, so obviously I am nervous for Kissy. On the plus side my recent scopes show my vili grew back.
 
Kismet has lymphangiectasia (IL), which is a form of protein losing enteropathy, where there is inflammation in the lymph nodes causing problems with getting nutrients. Poor girl is low on protein, B12 and cholesterol. She'll be on b12 for life, prednisilone and a special diet, plus she's got a medicine cabinet of drugs while she's really sick. Atm I'm in consult with the specialist about the diet as it's really critical to get the right balance - high protein, low fat but also high bio-availability in the protein and medium-chain rather than long-chain triglycerides (yea complicated).

That's now 4 shelties in a row with a GI disease. I never found out what type of IBD Deska, but I wonder if it was the same as Kismet. Della and Tully had the same type IBD. I didn't get Della until she was 7 so I know that was not on me. I do think I am picking this up because I have access to a specialist. Kismet would have just died young of cancer if I hadn't gotten her tested, just like Deska (I only found out when I took him to a specialist for the cancer). Something is happening here with Shelties, and I just don't know if I can keep going through this. Is it genetic, is it linked to GBM.


Anyway, now I have two Shelties on steroids in the house - as you can imagine, nothing is safe!
 
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