Jasper (12 yr old Mini Schnauzer) is now at peace

Hi Tina,

Jasper should have started rallying from his recent illness by now, I would think. So my concern is the same as Mariannes - the cortisol is not being naturally raised so he needs more pred for a longer time, his electrolytes may well be off and need to be checked. If those levels - cortisol and electrolytes - are ok, then something else may be going on and running full blood work may be in order.

Let us know how things are going...and I would keep calling the vet until I reached her. ;)

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

How is Jasper doing?

hugs,
Sharlene

Hi Everyone,

I am up in the middle of the night because I can't sleep. Haven't meant to be MIA, I have just been too upset and overwhelmed to post. I did make an appt with my vet for Jasper on Wed 9/5, she kept him for the day to get more labwork and check him out. I will give specifics of all that was done later but just want to check in so you would basically know what was going on.

Within minutes of getting him home Wed evening, Jasper had diarrhea and there was blood with it. He has had colitis before, but never with blood. We went immediately back to the vet and he has been in the hospital since. He apparently has hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE). This can apparently be caused by many things but most likely due to stress, which he has had an incredible amount of recently. And along with having such a low cortisol, his body just couldn't handle everything.

On the Cushings front, we did get a baseline cortisol which was still incredibly low, 0.4 ug/dl (normal is 2-6 at this lab). The electrolytes were normal. So Marianne, Kim, and Leslie, you were right of course. There is much more to all of this which I will post later when I have the energy. I just wanted to check in with a quick update. Last night when I visited Jasper in the hospital, he seemed quite a bit better, but still not great. I will be in touch with my vet this morning.

I am exhausted, overwhelmed and scared to death with this latest development. Please keep my baby in your prayers.

Tina

Hi Tina,

Prayers rising and healing white light flying Jasper's way. Please let us know how he is this morning and know you are not alone, honey.

Hugs,
Leslie and the gang

PS. I know how scary that was to see the blood in the stool. My little Trinket has stress colitis and when her's first flared up, it was very bloody and very terrifying. She weighed just under 5lbs at that time and to see that blood was just awful. She is much better today, over a year later has had very few flares and no more blood, thankfully.

Dear Tina,

Hoping so much that you'll get good news about Jasper this morning!

Like Leslie, I'm sending huge hugs your way and keeping your sweet boy in my thoughts and prayers.

Marianne

((((((HUGS))))))
Hoping Jasper woke up this morning ready to come home all recovered. Prayers for everyone!! Keep us posted.

I hope Jasper is better this morning. Colitis can be very scary when it involves blood and with everything else going on.

Sending love and hugs and prayers for some good news today.

Tina, Do keep us posted. I am throwing this out there just in case it is helpful. Should you feel like Jasper's situation requires the eyes of a specialist (IMS) there finally is a local option (I had to drive to K State). There is a vet clinic that has K State IMS working there. Your vet would need to refer and could work right along with them.

I don't have the name of the clinic. You can call Tonya McLinay's office in Omaha (Veterinary Eye Specialists of NE) - she is a K State grad IMS specializing in eye care that I went to. She is the one that told me of this new option.

This new clinic has access to the staff at K State without having to go there. I have never used them but since your situation is unique and sometimes a new set of eyes on the case is helpful...

Sending love and prayers, Kim

So sorry to hear that you & little Jasper are having such a hard time. I hope things are on the up swing today. Saying prayers for you both.

Oh Jasper....hoping for a speedy recovery!