Canine Myasthenia Gravis - Jesse's at the Bridge.

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm a kitty side person, but I just got a phone call and need REALLY QUICK HELP!!

My friend's dog, Jesse (7 yr. old Chocolate Lab/Dobie mix, big dog), two days ago started throwing up, losing control of his back legs, various other symptoms. After two days of vet and specialist visits (and over $3000) it has been determined he has Canine Myasthenia Gravis.

Does anyone have experience with this? I have never heard of it. It seems it can go into remission with certain drugs, but the dog will have to be monitored and medicated at a really high cost.

Any advice is appreciated. Jesse is on the way home with his Dad (Steve)and they have to make some quick decisions. His Mom (Kim) is a MESS!

Thanks, Maggie

[Grace]

I never knew dogs could get MG. Google canine Myasthenia Gravis (http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&q=canine+myasthenia+gravis+&aq=0&aqi=g3g-v2&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=5153d77f78fc9410)- there's a zillion sites dealing with all aspects of this disease.

[Freedom]

I didn't know what it was, had to use Grace's link for the Google list.

I only read this one:
http://www.vetinfo.com/canine-myasthenia-gravis.html

If the dog will respond to the meds, sounds like it can be managed; and they CAN learn to do the injections at home which saves $.

[Pinot's Mom]

Thanks, Grace, I looked up a lot of information on it. I was just wondering if anyone had personal experience. There is one oral drug, but that is on a huge backorder it seems, so the only option would be to take Jesse in for monitored injections to the vet. I hate to put this on a monetary basis; Jesse is their baby, but they're looking at thousands of dollars in treatment. I would like to know if anyone has had a dog go through this AND SUCCEED. What I've read kind of says it's 50/50 whether it will go into remission or not. It is such a huge decision. :(

[K9karen]

My heart sank, 'cause my mom had human myasthenia gravis. She once got a 14 day intravenous of gammagoblin (sp) and it helped for a while. (she had other issues as well).

Lots of prayers going out. Please keep us updated.

[Pinot's Mom]

I just talked to Steve. News is not good. This is a very acute case and the doctors are not giving any hope. We are going over tomorrow to say goodbye and the final decision will be made on Monday. Heartbroken.:(

[kokopup]

I would think that the treatment for MG would be the same as with humans. In most cases MG can be controlled enough for there to be some quality of life.
I have always thought that MG was a Chronic Autoimmune disorder that takes years to become a real issue. Until I was finally Diagnosed with Brachial Plexopathy The doctors first thought I had MG. MG in dogs may be completely different that in humans. Your friend's Dog, Jesse, will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Pinot's Mom]

We just came from Steve/Kim/Jesse's house. Jesse can not physically eat, his hindquarters need to be lifted with a sling to move him, he's gone from 120 to 110 pounds (he's BIG, not fat), he drools constantly, and his eyes are just so mournful. Kim said, by the way, she made a mistake quoting his age. He's only 6; 7 in October. We've known him his whole life, but didn't realize he was that young. :(

Steve looked at me and said, "Maggie, what do you think? I know you won't lie to me." He was asking if it's time to put Jesse down. The doctors are giving no hope and those eyes told me everything I needed to see. I told him. We cried, said how much we loved each other, and I said goodbye to Jesse. I'm crying again. I'll post a picture of this beautiful "beast" when I can. We have several.

Thanks for listening.:love:

[Grace]

I'm so sorry, Maggie. Sometimes life just sucks :(

[pomtzu]

So sorry Maggie, but it appears that Jesse is truly beyond any hope of recovery. I could not let one of my dogs suffer like that either, and the decision to let Jesse go, is absolutely the kind and humane thing to do. As difficult as it is to do, it will be done with love.

{{{Hugs}}} to you, and please pass my condolences on to Jesse's parents, Steve and Kim.

Now I have LES..........

[Pinot's Mom]

Thanks, y'all.

Latest: not sure if Jess will make it through the night. No significant food in some time; no bodily functions in over 24 hours. Vet is on standby to come to the house. :(

[Freedom]

Poor Jesse, the body just will not cooperate. From what you describe, this is the right decision but OH SO SAD, SO YOUNG!!! Yes, when you see those eyes, you just know. Prayers for all from RI.

[K9karen]

How cruel, ugly and undeserved. Sometimes I just question things to the max. Poor innocent Jesse. The eyes are the mirror to the soul. If Jessse knows it's time, it's time. Heartfelt blessing to the family. Jesse will be well and happy at the Bridge.

[kokopup]

I know this is always a hard decision, but it appears that poor Jesse is ready to go to the bridge. Jesse will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Pinot's Mom]

http://petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=263&pictureid=3888

Just thought you'd like to see a picture. Sorry it's not more recent, this is a few years old, when he was just a pup.

As of right now, he's still with us. I'll update when I can.

[Pinot's Mom]

http://petoftheday.com/talk/picture.php?albumid=263&pictureid=3890

...and with his Mom&Dad...:love:

[Pinot's Mom]

They've been taking Jess to the vet every day for fluids but are resigning themselves to the fact they have to say goodbye. They will have the vet to the house probably Thursday evening.

I can't stop looking at the picture in post 15. THAT is Jesse. It was a great day.

[Pinot's Mom]

Vet is coming to the house at 2:30 today. I'll post in Dog Memorial later.
Crossed paws and prayers between 2:30 and 3:00, please. :(

[pomtzu]

Of course.......:love:



ETA: I just lit a candle for Jesse and his family....

[Karen]

Prayers on the way.

[pomtzu]

So long dear Jesse. Godspeed to RB, where you will be healthy and happy once again. :love:


I never say good-bye - it just sounds so final - and the concept of RB is anything but final.

[Pinot's Mom]

I imagine Jesse's at the Bridge.:(

:love:RIP, you big beautiful boy, run in the surf at the Bridge. Your Mom and Dad (and your fursis Cleo) would appreciate a tap on the shoulder once in a while during a hike in the woods to let them know you're happy. You'll be so missed.:love:

[Randi]

Maggie, I'm so sorry for Jesse and his family. :(

[Pinot's Mom]

One more update...I don't think I need to post in Memorial, unless Karen you'd like to move the whole thread.

Jesse passed on his own at 2pm today. They took him out to the deck (on a lovely day in MD), he so loved to be outside, he saw the vet and took his last breath. As his Mom (Kim) said, "The vet's here, it's time to go!". I'm glad the vet didn't have to take care of it; this takes away the second guessing as to whether he'd get better.

Jesse went with much love. He'll be sorely missed.:love:

[K9karen]

What a beautiful way to go. Jesse knew, poor boy. His suffering is over, Now he's safe and happy and healthy. Hugs to his humans. How devastating.

[pomtzu]

RIP Jesse. :love:

Maggie - how are his parents doing? And I agree, there now won't be any second guessing if they did the right thing. Jesse did it his way. Maybe he was sending them a message - ya' think?

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I am so sorry to hear about Jessie. :( RIP :(

[Pinot's Mom]

RIP Jesse. :love:

Maggie - how are his parents doing? And I agree, there now won't be any second guessing if they did the right thing. Jesse did it his way. Maybe he was sending them a message - ya' think?

To answer, here's an email from Jesse's Dad...
To Our Dear Friends:

We sincerely thank each and every one of you for the loving and compassionate support, friendship, and comfort with that you showered us with over the past ten days. Your calls, visits, and prayers are so greatly appreciated. You were not only a comfort to us, but a big part of helping Jesse remain as comfortable as possible as he slipped away from us.

As you now know, we ultimately lost the battle, and today we had to do the only humane thing left to do; put our puppy to rest. Then, in death, as in life, Jesse was once again amazing and giving. As the vet stepped onto the deck and turned to place his briefcase and the IV bag on a chair, Jesse took one final deep breath and passed on his own. As gut wrenchingly tragic and sad as this whole ordeal has been, we would not have traded one moment of the joy, devotion, and love that Jesse gave us in his way too short life.

As the emotions over the past week have ranged from sorrow to sadness, from anger to disappointment, and from helplessness to sheer disbelief, we know that we are truly blessed to not only have the best dog in the world, but the best friends in the world also.

We thank you from the bottom of our broken hearts.
:love:

[Specialk]

I'm very sorry to hear about Jesse. My dog jade looks like a mini version of him! We are in the process of finding out if she has this disease. Did x-rays and extensive blood testing to rule out other possibilities, everything came back perfectly normal. Now we have to do a AChR antibody test (I think that's what's it's called), this test will tell us if she has myasthenia gravis or not. 3000 dollars is a lot of money. I have only spent about 300 so far, but she is not as sick as him, she is still eating and drinking ok but wobbles around like a little old lady :( I just hope we caught this early enough! Jesse is in my thoughts and prayers!

[Pinot's Mom]

I'm very sorry to hear about Jesse. My dog jade looks like a mini version of him! We are in the process of finding out if she has this disease. Did x-rays and extensive blood testing to rule out other possibilities, everything came back perfectly normal. Now we have to do a AChR antibody test (I think that's what's it's called), this test will tell us if she has myasthenia gravis or not. 3000 dollars is a lot of money. I have only spent about 300 so far, but she is not as sick as him, she is still eating and drinking ok but wobbles around like a little old lady :( I just hope we caught this early enough! Jesse is in my thoughts and prayers!

I'm sorry your Jade is having trouble. As I've said previously, I knew nothing of this disease before this; I just hope I've helped raise some awareness so people, like yourself, may be able to catch it before complications like the megaesophagus set in. It seems to be treatable before that stage.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Maggie

[Craftlady]

I'm so sorry for your loss. May it be a comfort that Jesse is playing like a puppy at the RB.