[MichelG]

My dog had a significant health issue in December. She lost her appetite and started to grow lumps underneath her skin which after some time led to hair loss. She was diagnosed with “Anaplasmosis” which is carried by ticks. She is on antibiotic to resolve this. She regained her strength (somewhat) and the couple of pounds she had lost. However, the Anaplasmosis does not explain the lumps and hair loss and the antibiotic does not resolve that issue. She was tested for Blastomyces but she is negative. Her energy level seemed to be going down again.
She is 9-1/2 year old. 45 lbs.

Have any of you seen this condition? I’m starting to be desperate to find a cure/solution.

Thanks for any input you may have.

 

[MichelG]

Thank you both. I'm speaking with the Vet later today. I'll update this tread if there is significant news.

 

[MichelG]

An update for information:

I've had several back and forth with the Vet over the last month. On January 27, he indicated that he suspected "skin histiocytosis" and prescribed a new series of anti-biotics (doxycycline) along with vitamin B3 (niacinamide). The anti-biotics were prescribed for a duration of 25 days.

Nika (my dog) started vomiting twice and sometimes three times a day.

She finished her anti-biotics last Wednesday. The vomiting decreased significantly but did not completely stop.

The Vet now tells me it is unlikely to be cancer and that it is likely a skin issue. They don’t really know. Based on some postings I have read; I have bought a shampoo with chlorhexidine (Davis) and I am washing her once a week.

Her appetite has decreased and my effort to make her gain back a few pounds turns out to be difficult.

Hair seems to be growing back in some spots which is encouraging.

There are now good days and bad days and Nika is not out of the woods yet.

 

[MichelG]

Did your vet ever mention that doxycycline can cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea in some dogs?

Yes, he did mention that it could and, as I said, we did see an improvement once the anti-biotics were finished. It will soon be 1 week since she's without anit-biotics and she is still vomiting regularly (but not as often).
Maybe she will improve slowly.

 

[MichelG]

I only asked because I was thinking that there was possibly a different antibiotic that could have been used. Vomiting for that amount of time, had to be very hard on her stomach, and lose all the good bacteria in it. Even shorter spans, and my vets have always prescribed a good probiotic.

Agreed. She was not vomiting when taking the first series of doxycycline so I did not ask the vet for something else. Yes, 50 days under antibiotic would certainly have an impact on her stomach (and the good bacteria). Do you have a name for the probiotic that would be recommended?
She is improving (I think). She has not vomited in the last 24 hours. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for your feedback.

 

[MichelG]

keifer

I'm sorry... what is keifer? Is it some sort of yogurt?

 

[MichelG]

Great! Thanks.