Winston pics & health concern *bad news #19*

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I know I don't post here very often anymore, but I just thought I'd let Winston's fans know that he's not doing very well at the moment. The vet's think he has an Autoimmune disease called Hemolytic Anemia, which is basically where his body is attacking his red blood cells and viewing them as foreign. He has to stay on prednisone now to hopefully control the disease and to give him a better chance at living a quality life. The vets said that he could live anywhere between a couple of weeks, to a year (hopefully more). He has a small chance of pulling through (more like going into remission) and getting back to his regular self (would be a better chance if not for his age) and not needing medication for the rest of his life. It's not a curable disease, but rather one that can just be controlled. He's probably had this since we got him, I'm sure, but just never showed any major concerning signs until now. Monday night we were visiting a friend and he took a bad fall, putting his body into shock, and making the disease take over rapidly. By the time we got home he could barely move he was so weak, and the next day his gums were almost as white as white could be. We thought we might lose him last night, though he seems to have perked up a bit now... though he is still pretty lethargic and unhealthy looking. His gums are still very pale, he has tufts of hair falling out all over the place, and is really thin from being so stressed and not eating. Anyhow, here are some new pictures of him taken earlier this evening as well since I hardly ever take any of him (he's hard to photograph).

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0013.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0012.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0009.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0008.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0006.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0005.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0004.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May14_DSC_0002.jpg

That's all of them.

[Karen]

Welcome back. We are sorry to hear Winston's not doing well. He's still a handsome boy, though. Please give him a sympathetic hug for me, okay?

[lute]

Poor Winston. I wish him the best quality life. I know it must be hard knowing he doesn't have a lot of time left. Make every moment you have with him special.:love:

[Aspen and Misty]

I'm sorry to hear Winston is under the weather. Many hugs to you and your family. Please keep us updated.

Ashley

[K9karen]

:eek: This is such sad news, and so sudden that it took my breath away. I'm praying that the prednisone helps Winston and prolongs his health and life. I know you're devastated. You've aleady been through way too much lately. Please keep us updated on Winston. Thank you for his lovely pictures.

[dukedogsmom]

Aw, this breaks my heart :( Please give Winston a huge amount of :love: from me. I wish I could make him well. He's such a sweetheart.

[Ginger's Mom]

I am so sorry to hear this, Devan. I am sure you and your family will do everything you can to make sure Winston is well cared for. You mentioned that his age was a factor. How old is Winston?

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Oh Winston, mate - you look really fed up

Sending you lots of hugs and kisses :love::love:

[pitc9]

I'm so sorry to hear this news.
I hope and pray that the meds help and that he lives a long happy life!

{{{HUGS}}}

[gemini9961]

Poor Winston, my thoughts and prayers for him. Get better handsome boy.

[4 Dog Mother]

Oh, poor Winston and poor you! When Snoopy got sick this winter we knew it was only going to be a matter of time. We got less time than we had hoped for. I will pray for you and Winston.

[Taz_Zoee]

This brings tears to my eyes. Winston is such a handsome guy. He just looks so sad in a couple of the pictures. I hope he is comfortable and stays with you for many months. (I'm sorry, I just don't even really know what to say:()

[BC_MoM]

Poor Winston! :(

[MoonandBean]

He is so beautiful and sweet looking! I hope he continues to get stronger and this anemia can be put into remission.

[finn's mom]

Sweet beautiful Winston. Take care, lovely. I'm sorry to hear he's not doing well, it sorta breaks my heart to hear this news. :( I don't really know what else to say. :(

[Husky_mom]

hoping to hear he has a great time till his time comes... he´s such a gorgeous Dobie.... but he does look sad in a couple pics as was said before... but even sad looking you can see he is so loved and he has so much love to give back...

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Good news!! He actually doesn't have Hemolytic Anemia. The one vet said he did last night based on the results of his bloodwork, but today he called and said that it appears now that he just has a major infection somewhere in his body that's causing him to be anemic. I wasn't there so I don't know what made the vet change his mind (he's not our regular vet), but in any case, he should be able to be all fixed up and back to his regular self at some point!

[Freedom]

I read this thread and was so sad, and worried for you and Winston. Then I got to the update. WOW! You must be bouncing off the walls with the turn around in the diagnosis!!! **happy dance**

Winston, please be good about taking your meds, and soon you are going to feel better. Sending you some snuggles, sweet one.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Well, apparently it isn't such good news after all. We took him to our vet because he wanted to see him, and no sooner did we get there and his stomach got all weird shaped and went rock hard. He has a huge mass on his spleen, and probably a bunch of little ones in other places and it's affecting his kidneys. The only advice our vet could give us is to "take him home and keep him content and happy"... that's never what you want to hear. Basically, surgery is way too risky and would do no good anyway as he has other ones around too and it would be impossible to get them all.

[lute]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Give Winston lots of lovin for me.

[Taz_Zoee]

Oh no!! :( :( I am so sorry. :( :(

[Freedom]

Oh no!!! Your stomach must be in knots, and this emotional roller coaster . . . .

Prayers and hugs for all of you!

[k9krazee]

I'm so sorry, Winston has always been one of my favorites. Give him a big ol' hug for me please. He'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

:(

[K9karen]

I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry. Please give handsome Winston gentle kisses and hugs for me.

[animal_rescue]

Aww I'm so sorry. :(

[Karen]

Poor sweet shiny boy. Give him a hug for me, okay?

[BC_MoM]

That's definitely not the news I was hoping for. :( Winston, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[captain]

So sorry to hear about Winston. He is such a beautiful Dobie.
{{{gentle hugs}}} to you and to him.
Love across the miles
Michelle

[Pawsitive Thinking]

That is very sad to hear :( Make the most of every minute you have left together - he is a gorgeous doggie

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm sorry to hear this sad news Devan.:( Winston, as well as you and your family will be in my prayers.{hugs}

[Giselle]

Oooh, Winston. You know I love Dobies and that you're my favorite Dobie boy. All I can say is I hope Winston will live each and every day to the fullest as only Dobers can :)

[Catty1]

Did the vet suggest any prednisone? It can reduce the swelling in the mass and keep Winston more comfortable.

{{{{hugs}}}}

[pitc9]

I'm so sorry..... {{{HUGS}} and prayers to you, your family and Winston.

[ramanth]

I'm so sorry to hear Winston is not well. :( :(

*HUGS*

[Daisy and Delilah]

I am so sorry to hear this.:( I wish there was better news, handsome man. Even though you aren't well, you still look so sleek and stunning in your photos. I'm sending lots of thoughts and prayers out.:(

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh, no! I am sending lots and lots of love, good thoughts, and prayers! Lots of :love: to Winston! He's so handsome!

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Thanks everyone. :)


Did the vet suggest any prednisone? It can reduce the swelling in the mass and keep Winston more comfortable.


No, neither of them think it'll do anything in his case. He's not in any pain whatsoever now that he's no longer anemic, but the holistic vet did give some some sort of herbs that are supposed to make sure he's not in pain when his body shuts down.

---------------
Here are a some pictures of him being his regular, happy-go-lucky self at the park the other night:

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May16_DSC_0063.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May16_DSC_0064.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May16_DSC_0084.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May16_DSC_0091.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May16_DSC_0144.jpg

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May16_DSC_0147.jpg

[cyber-sibes]

I just saw this, I'm so sorry Winston is having problems. He's such a sweet handsome boy, always looking so regal. We're adding Winston to our prayers, and we're here for you. (((hugs))) to you, and to the pups.

[captain]

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i19/Toller2008/May16_DSC_0144.jpg

What a stunning photo!!!

{{{gentle hugs}}} to you still

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Winston, thinking of you sweet dear fella. I hope you are feeling well today, just has you did the other day at the park, you looked so happy and bouncy just like a pup. I will keep you in my prayers. ((Hugs)) to you.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

May your good days be long and your bad ones few and far between :love:

[finn's mom]

Thank you for sharing those photos with us, they are so full of joy. :) It's good to know he's still a happy boy, even if his body disagrees with him sometimes.

[dukedogsmom]

I already had tears in my eyes after reading the update but when I saw the pics, I lost it. What beautiful ones to cherish. I'm glad he's not in pain. That one of him running is so beautiful. I'm so sorry that fate has chosen this road for you both. Sending love from Florida. If there's anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. Myhheart is breaking, right along with yours. PLease give Winston some love from me.

[wolf_Q]

I'm so sorry to hear this news. :( Winston is such a handsome and sweet dobie. I hope you have as much time as possible with him. {{HUGS}}

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh, no! Poor boy. I am so sorry to hear this. Give Winston all my love.:love:

[Seravieve]

I'm soo sorry to read about Winston. He's such a handsome doggy. All the pictures are just wonderful.

I know how hard it is to have something wrong with a furkid and not be able to do anything about it. My RB Pepper had cancer... and the vet said it was pretty much all over.. nothing to do but make the rest of the time we had her the best it could be.