Sherman #369 He is gone.

I have a question regarding this medication, Cephalexin. Has anyone had any experience with this? I've been reading up on the side effects, and wondered how other dogs responded.

Sherman has had 3 doses now, and I noticed him trembling slightly. (his head & ears) This is NOT listed among its known side effects, so it may or may not be related. Dizziness is listed, so maybe he just feels a little woozy? :( I did read a couple accounts of dogs whose hindquarters seemed to go weak while taking this drug. He's leaking pee, too, but that is listed as a side effect.

I'll call in to the vets if he's still shaking tomorrow.

I use Cephalexin all the time. I always have a stash of it on hand at home. It's my vet's drug of choice for puncture wounds. A couple of the dogs get a bit nauseous with the first couple doses, but that's the only negative side effect I've seen.

Has Sherman been eating and drinking? If he hasn't been, that could be contributing to his symptoms.

I hope he's feeling better soon.

When Diamond tore herself up on the fence, the vet put her on two big bottles of Cephalexin. She didn't have any side effects from it.

I'm sorry Sherman is not feeling well. Poor guy, I hope he feels better soon! You both will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Both my Lacey and RB Mandy have taken Cephalexin many times with no problems. I am keeping Sherman in my prayers.

Pat, some meds need to be taken with food, not on an empty stomach. I see someone asked if he is eating and drinking.

You can wrap the pill in some peanut butter if above is the problem.

I hope Sherman recovers quickly!

thanks, I'm glad tohear that people have had good results. I found one web posting that was a list of people whose dogs have had hrrible & life threatening reactions, so I was a bit apprehensive.

Sherman's drinking tons of water. He's eating off & on, not as much as usual, but he is eating. He seems to be craving green beans - eating them first & leaving his kibble. I give him all his pills smothered in a big glob of peanut butter. He loves it and gulps it down, probably doesn't even notice the big pill. His energy is still low, but he seems a bit brighter, his eyes look clearer, like he feels a little better.
thanks for keeping him in your prayers. :)

Oh Pat... first off {{HUGS}} to you!!
I hope he keeps on getting better and hope he doesn't catch on that the peanut butter is a TRAP!! :eek:
Sierra sends hugs and kisses to her boy toy.

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Originally Posted by cyber-sibes

I don't think Sherman got a shot of antibiotics. He took doxycycline and temaril-P. He also received vaccinations for Lyme & rabies.....

The vet put Sherman back on an antibiotic for one more round. This one is cephalexin. If he has more coughing episodes, the next step will be chest xrays. Here's hoping the pills do the trick......

I have a question regarding this medication, Cephalexin. Has anyone had any experience with this? I've been reading up on the side effects, and wondered how other dogs responded.

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I would be very angry with a vet for giving a vaccination when a dog is sick. That's just not right! A vaccination requires an immune system response and it's very difficult for an animal to fight off any kind of infection while also responding to a vaccine, let alone that might compromise the vaccine's effectiveness also when animals are on steroids we don't vaccinate either. Where I work we NEVER vaccinate a sick animal, NEVER. Although we've had lots of people ask, even when the animal is in for something severe like a broken leg and it's like 'oh while he's here can he get his distemper shot?" GRRRRRRR Would you take a kid to the hospital with a broken leg and ask for a tetanus shot 'while you were there'? NO, it's just wrong!

Aside from my rant there, We use Cephalexin frequently at work, I don't recall anyone every having called about a side effect like that from it. However if he's still on the Temaril-P that could be causing the leaking of pee and drinking alot of water. Prednisolone/steroids can cause thirst, drinking alot of water, and consequently inappropriate urination.

From Pfizer's drug insert on Temaril-P

ACTION: The exclusive Temaril-P formula combines the antipruritic and antitussive action of trimeprazine with the anti-inflammatory action of prednisolone.


Medline Plus on Prednisolone/steroid side effects

SIDE EFFECTS
Prednisone and prednisolone have activity in the kidney leading to the conservation of salt. This creates the classical side effects of prednisone/prednisolone use: excessive thirst and excessive urination.

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Originally Posted by cyber-sibes

thanks, I'm glad tohear that people have had good results. I found one web posting that was a list of people whose dogs have had hrrible & life threatening reactions, so I was a bit apprehensive.

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You can search just about any drug and find someone who's pet has had a hideous reaction to it! Sometimes the net is just too much information!

Glad Sherman is feeling a bit better.

Cyber-Sibes, how is Shermie today? (Could you give him, Star too, a hug for me.)

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Originally Posted by cassiesmom

Cyber-Sibes, how is Shermie today? (Could you give him, Star too, a hug for me.)

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Hugs delivered! I think this second round is helping, it's been 48 hours & he's starting to act more like himself. He came over by the couch for some loving, even tapped me with his paw for more rubs He went upstairs to greet JoJoe this morning, he's picking up his head & looking when he hears things, and even came upstairs again to get me when he needed to go out. Starting to get his bounce back when he walks, too. I'm hoping this continues! Thanks for asking!

Whew :) I am so happy to hear Sherman is feeling better than he
has been. Hugs Shermie. :)

Glad to hear Sherman is feeling a bit better!

I hope he feels better soon!

Oh good! Keep it up Sherman, feel better 'n' better, buddy!

Hi Star, I am NOT forgetting you sweetie!

:D I'm so glad to hear he's feeling beter:D

Great news!!
Keep it up Shermie!!

I am so glad to hear Sherman is doing better! Hopefully he'll be back to normal soon. :)

I didn't see this earlier, I'm sorry to hear that poor Sherman wasn't feeling well! I'm glad to hear he's improving, I hope he continues. Get feeling better Sherman, we can't have an unhappy husky! :)

:( Well, after a brief couple days of feeling better, Sherman started going downhill again the last two days. He's been increasingly lethargic, still not eating, wobbly, & generally out of it.

We took him in again this morning & they did another thorough exam and chest xrays. Sherman has pnemonia! He also is running a fever, in spite of being on antibiotics. They're doing bloodwork too.

The vet added *Clavamox to his list of meds, and we're supposed to "cup" him along his sides to try to dislodge some of the gunk. It was obvious on the xrays there's a lot of congestion. They also suggested putting him in the room when we shower (that'll be a tight squeeze in this place!).

So, my poor Shermie still needs some good thoughts sent his way.
Thanks for your prayers.

*edited to correct name of drug

Poor Shermie!!! Hope you feel better soon bud!!

Hate to think that fresh ocean air is getting to you, and you might have to move in with us in Ohio, in a climate youa re used to ;)

Lots of hugs and prayers for you and Sherman. How scary. I'm so sorry he got so sick. I hope he gets better soon!

Wow Pat, what a miserable situation for you and poor Sherm :(. I will be keeping him in my thoughts and prayers. Poor boy. :(

Oh Shermie :( Hope your feeling better soon, buddy. We're sending you lots of get-better-soon vibes!!

Do you have a vaporizer that you can put Vicks in, and leave him in the bathroom with that for a while? I've heard of that helping kittens and cats.

Get well, Shermie!

poor guy!
lots of hugs on the way!

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Originally Posted by Cincy'sMom

P Hate to think that fresh ocean air is getting to you, and you might have to move in with us in Ohio, in a climate youa re used to ;)

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LOL! "Ohio" is one of the reasons they wanted to do blood work. If he still doesn't improve, one of the possibilities may be that he has a fungal infection. The vet asked where we moved from, then told us that dogs in the midwest are prone to fungal infections, that he doesn't see them on the East coast at all. So keep a watchful eye on your midwest pups!

Hi God ~

Prayer Pups here, wiffa nudder request for our Big Buddy Mr. Sherman ...

Did You check his X-erayz ... so we're sure he gotz Nee-Moan-ia?
That's "fixable" - so havin dat is kinda OK ... but kan we start FIXIN it?
Poor Guy's been <hackin> & <koffin> since he got to da Right Coast ...
prolly hazint *dipped a toe* inna Ocean yet. http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/frown.gif

We'd like to get him feelin ALL-Better ... so's he kan enjoy his New Digs
an find sum New Frendz.

We'll keep da Prayer Kandilz burnin inna winnow; and <kross> our Pawz & Klawz;
maybe You kuld send sum {{{God'sHugs}}} to his Mom & Dad, an Sista Star.

THANKS, God!!

/s/ the Prayer Pups

Poor guy. :( I hope Sherman gets to feeling better soon. Prayers from
all of us here in Indy.

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Originally Posted by cyber-sibes

:( Well, after a brief couple days of feeling better, Sherman started going downhill again the last two days. He's been increasingly lethargic, still not eating, wobbly, & generally out of it.

We took him in again this morning & they did another thorough exam and chest xrays. Sherman has pnemonia! He also is running a fever, in spite of being on antibiotics. They're doing bloodwork too.

The vet added amoxycillan to his list of meds, and we're supposed to "cup" him along his sides to try to dislodge some of the gunk. It was obvious on the xrays there's a lot of congestion. They also suggested putting him in the room when we shower (that'll be a tight squeeze in this place!).

So, my poor Shermie still needs some good thoughts sent his way.
Thanks for your prayers.

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Assuming amoxycillan equals amoxicillin. Have they cultured the expectorant for antibiotic sensitivity? The chances are the only thing the blood work will do is confirm an elevated WBC count. Hopefully they don't find bacteria in the blood itself. If it were my dog, I'd be asking them why the dog was not being given a combination of Clavamox plus Baytril??? Without the clavulanate component being added to amoxicillin (e.g. Clavamox) the chances of encountering antibiotic resistance to straight amoxicillin is high. Also there is a high level of antibiotic resistance to Cephalexin for the two primary bacterial agents involved in canine pneumonia.

Getting a humidifier that actually sprays a fine mist of water in the bathroom might help.

The idea the Vet is even suggesting a fungal infection, when you started with a Kennel cough like infection that has progressed into a bacterial pneumonia is strange.

That is strange - and I don't understand why he wouldn't have prescribed something broadbased like clavamox or even doxycycline to begin with. I still can't believe your vet gave your sick dog vaccines - I would be so pissed!

I hope Sherm feels better soon. My Molly had pneumonia shortly after we got her, it was rough :(

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Originally Posted by dragondawg

The idea the Vet is even suggesting a fungal infection, when you started with a Kennel cough like infection that has progressed into a bacterial pneumonia is strange.

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I think so too, but I don't think that's very helpful to discuss that right now.


Get well soon Sherman. We're praying for ya sweetie.

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Originally Posted by lizbud

I think so too, but I don't think that's very helpful to discuss that right now.


Get well soon Sherman. We're praying for ya sweetie.

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Dog health forums have varied purposes.

Ah Sherman, sweetie. More prayers going out for you, handsome boy.

Oh Pat, I am stunned! Is this something contagious? Do you have to keep him segregated from Star?

I liked Catty1's suggestion of the vaporizer, if you have one.

Keeping paws crossed and prayers said for Sherman and all of you.

Thanks everyone, I'm going to look into a vaporizer. I hope we can post about an improvement soon. Since Star 's already been exposed, she's not separated, although she's pretty much doing her own thing.

The rest of this pretty lengthy, but I felt it was neccessary to take the time to post it. Like they say, knowledge is power.

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Originally Posted by dragondawg

(e.g. Clavamox)The idea the Vet is even suggesting a fungal infection, when you started with a Kennel cough like infection that has progressed into a bacterial pneumonia is strange.

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He's on Clavamox, I could only remember reading amoxi part when I was typing. Just to clarify, the vet did not suggest he has a fungal infection, he was just saying that IF Sherman doesn't get better, that we need to broaden the look at what might be playing into this. Considering we just moved here from Ohio, he said there is a high incidence of dogs in the midwest contracting fungal infections, whereas he doesn't see it very often out here.

Since several comments have been made, I thought it would be appropriate to share what I'm learning. I hope this helps people understand where the vet is coming from. Some of you sound pretty well informed about this stuff. I'm not giving a word-by-word report on our visits, and I apologise if anyone felt misled, my bad.

I've highlighted the symptoms Sherman has that would indicate why the vet would consider this as a possibility:

Blastomycosis is an infection found in dogs, people, and occasionally cats. It is caused by the fungal organism Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found as a mold in the soil or at room temperatures and as a yeast in tissues or at body temperatures. The mold occurs in sandy, acid soils near river valleys or other waterways. Endemic in Ohio, Mississippi, St. Lawrence river valleys, the Great lakes region, and along the eastern seaboard, veterinarians report blastomycosis more frequently in the fall... For unknown reasons, male dogs are more likely to contract blastomycosis than females.
The clinical signs of blastomycosis may vary with the target organs affected and may include one or all of the following: anorexia, depression, weight loss, fever (103 degrees or higher) that doesn't respond to antibiotics, coughing, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, enlarged lymph nodes, eye disease, or skin lesions that drain bloody or purulent material.
Read about blatomycosis here

I think this is important to know about, especially for those living in the indicated areas. (including many our dear PT friends from the Findlay gatherings).

And when all this started, Sherman had no fever, no raspy lungs, no shallow breathing, no lethargy, & still had a great appetite - only a cough. He was thoroughly assessed before giving him vaccinations. They were very clear that they do not vaccinate dogs they feel are not healthy enough.

Thanks again everyone, your caring really warms my heart! I know PT prayers work.

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Originally Posted by cyber-sibes

Thanks again everyone, your caring really warms my heart!
I know PT prayers work.

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{{{HUGS}}} & Prayers for Sherman, Mom, Dad, and Sista Star!!

Get Well SOON, Sherm!!
;)

If it doesn't start clearing up soon, you may want to suggest to your vet that they do a trachea wash, where they take a sample of the gunk in Sherm's lungs and culture it to see what grows - that way they can give you a specific antibiotic for whatever bacteria you're dealing with.

And to whoever asks - it's highly contagious. When my pup had pneumonia they had her in a little closed off incubator in the critical care room in the hospital, so that she couldn't spread it to the other pups there. We had to wear gloves and gowns to pet her during visiting hours, and she was in total isolation from the other dogs.

I'm crossing my fingers that Sherm feels better soon. Since he's a big strong dog I bet he'll recover quickly!

Oh no, last time I checked this Sherman seemed to be getting better. :( I will continue to keep him in my prayers. I hope he is feeling better soon.

Sherman will be in our prayers. I've got peanut butter cookies if you get better, Sherm ....