**An update on my dog Luna who fell down the stairs**

[malta blue]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=7654818&mesg_id=7654818

Well, it's good and it's bad....

The good news is they were able to identify and diagnose that Luna is suffering from a major kidney and bladder infection, which may have led to weakness in her hindquarters causing her fall.

Diabetes and kidney failure were ruled out.

She has very elevated levels of calcium in her blood, which may have led to the kidney & bladder infections. The bad news is that elevated levels of calcium in geriatric dogs are also indicative of cancer. :cry::cry:

They performed two xrays on her chest and abdomin and found no obvious signs of cancer in those areas.

In about two weeks, once we have finished the course of antibiotics they gave her for the infections, they will do another CBC and check the calcium levels. If that continues to run high, we will have to begin the cancer screening process.

Thanks for all your support DUers.

:hug:

~mb

On edit: I forgot to add that she has also lost a tremendous amount of weight. In her prime, she was a 55lb dog - she is down to 40 and I doubled her food about a month ago since she was so thin.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I hope all is clear for Luna and you.

I hope she heals up and is soon back to the little girl you know and love.

[malta blue]

2. Thanks Mrs.G.

:hug:

[nuxvomica]

3. This is good news

Here's hoping for a good outcome. :thumbsup:

[malta blue]

5. Yes, at least they identified something.

If everything we normal and we had to immediately proceed to cancer screening, I would be a wreck right now.

:hi:

[Richardo]

4. Hang in there, malta blue

Luna is a great dog and lucky to have you as her human :hug:

[malta blue]

7. Thanks....

I am working on it. I know that I have given her the best life I could have ever given a dog - full run of the house & furniture, treats, love....

:hug:

[bigwillq]

6. Sending out my best vibes for Luna.

:hug:

[malta blue]

8. thanks will...

:hug:

How is your little furbaby doing these days?

[bigwillq]

12. She's a brat!

I spoil her way too much. She was so bratty yesterday.

I had her up on the couch with me as I was trying to nap after having lunch. Well for fear of rolling over on her, I took her off the couch and put her back in the other room...well she moaned and groaned and barked a lot...because she wanted to be back on the couch! I didn't give in though but it's hard to watch her cry when she doesn't get her way...:(

[malta blue]

16. It is so easy to spoil the littles...

My rat terrier gets mad when my husband kicks her off the bed - she just trots in circles around the bed whining and sometimes barking at him until he lets her back up.

[MissHoneychurch]

9. Sending ~~~~~Healing Vibes~~~~~~

I hope she gets better fast and that you don't find anything that indicates cancer :hug:

[malta blue]

11. thanks MHC

I am feeling blue, but also optimistic.

:hug:

[lost-in-nj]

10. Well thank good ness

it's a treatable thing.... maybe she will start eating again

and I will keep the good thoughts and vibes up for her
because we KNOW the xrays will be clear the next time to!!!!!



:hug: :hi:



lost

[malta blue]

17. Thanks lost.

I am so glad we are fighting the devil we know right now.

:hug:

[SOteric]

13. Okay then, doggie vibes coming your way,

And maybe Luna can get an extra doggie biscuit to help fatten her up a bit. :hug:

[malta blue]

18. Luna can have whatever the keck she wants

if it will put some weight on her.

:hug:

[MissMillie]

14. much love to luna and malta blue

I'll be praying for good news.

[malta blue]

19. thanks Miss Millie....

:hug:

Me too.

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Thanks so much for sharing this with us, my friend.

And it doesn't necessarily sound like bad news to me. If her kidneys are healthy and cancer isn't immediately obvious from the X-Rays, she may just be suffering from the infections. That's the most important thing, to get her feeling better, since a bladder infection can be very uncomfortable, which you know, if you've had one. And that may help her appetite, all by itself. Did they do a culture to determine the most effective antibiotic? That made all the difference for my Barney, who also had a bladder infection. Did they mention her diet? That's the first thing that my vets suggested for my dogs, as well as cooking for them, which I did.:-)

My thoughts are with you and Luna and hoping for a positive outcome for you both. I've been there, my friend, and my heart aches for you, but it sounds like you've given her the best care possible, which will certainly affect her health and attitude. Luna was a very fortunate pup when she found you! Know that you've got my understanding and support, always...:hug:

Rhiannon:pals:

[malta blue]

20. hey...

they did take culture and the results will be in on Saturday. They are treating her with broad spectrum antibiotics for now until the results come in.

They did not mention her diet - felt that she was getting high quality food (she gets high end senior food).


So now I wait....


thanks for being there :hug:

[Rhiannon12866]

23. That is good news...

Barney's bladder infection wasn't going away and my present vet kept asking if the vet in GF had done a culture, but he didn't think it was necessary. So I finally took him to the vet in SS and he did a culture and changed the antibiotic. That made all the difference, and Barney was 18. I felt guilty for wasting so much time, running urine samples to the GF vet, which he kept telling me were clear, while Barney didn't seem much better. It sounds like you've done all the right things and Luna should get well fairly rapidly, as Barney did.:-)

Hugs to you and Luna and know that Jack and I are always here...:hug:

[ThomCat]

21. I hope it's just the infection.

I'm sending good vibes so that the antibiotics cover it all. :hug:

No Cancer! No Cancer! No Cancer! x(

Too many of us have pets that have/are getting cancer. :cry:

[malta blue]

22. Thanks my friend....

:hug::hug:

How are you feeling these days? I have been thinking of you :hi:

I am fervently wishing away the cancer.

[raccoon]

24. Yall will be in my thoughts. nt

[malta blue]

27. thank you

we could use all the positive thoughts we can get.

[Haole Girl]

25. I'm glad it's not diabetes or kidney failure

Hopefully she'll be feeling better soon, with the antibiotics, and her elevated levels of calcium can return to normal.

:hug:

[malta blue]

26. thanks sweetie...

:hug:

I am hoping for the best.

[stuntcat]

28. ~~sweet Luna~~

The antibiotics could make a big difference.
She's is lucky having such love! :loveya:

[malta blue]

30. I am hoping she responds well to the treatment.

I love her so much.

[Debbi801]

29. Have they screened for Lyme's Disease?

Our chocolate lab had many of Luna's symptoms and they tested him for all the big things but didn't test for that at first.

Sending hugs and positive thoughts out for you and beautiful Luna.

[malta blue]

31. Yes, the CBC yesterday screened for that as well.

And she has been checked every year since we practically live in a pine forest.

Thanks for your support - I know Luna can sense we are all pulling for her.

:hug:

[MonkeyFunk]

32. aw, I hope everything works out

I loved that picture of her you posted - she's adorable.

[malta blue]

35. thank you monkeyfunk.

She holds the honor of being "first dog" - forever in my soul.

And those eyes of hers melt my heart.

[BuelahWitch]

33. Hugs for you and Luna

:hug:

[malta blue]

36. Thank you so much.

She is so special to me.

:hug:

[BeachBaby]

34. Hey sweetie....

I don't know how I missed your original thread, but I'm sorry to hear about Luna's illness.

FWIW, my grandfather's dog (black lab mix) went through this too - serious kidney infection. He was 14 when it happened, and had lost alot of weight as well. Once he was treated, all his tests came back fine, and he lived the happy life for another 3 years.

Give Luna a hug for me, k?

:hug:

[malta blue]

37. That is encouraging.

Ever since I adopted Egypt (my little rat terrier) Luna had shown so much more enthusiasm for life - MR MB said I added years to her life by getting that little dog.

I hope she recovers completely and lives on with me for as long as she can. I am just not ready to say goodbye - not that one ever really IS ready - but you know what I mean.

I will deliver her hug tonight when I get home.

:hug:

[LibertyLover]

38. I truly hope the antibiotics kick butt on Luna's infections

Once she's feeling better, she may perk right up again weight-wise. I certainly hope so. If you have no objections, I'll send some reiki energy for healing her way.

[malta blue]

39. Thanks libertylover....

you can send the reiki energy for healing anytime - we could both use it :P

I am optimistic that she will be fine. The vet did say that she was remarkably well for a dog her age.

[LibertyLover]

40. I'll certainly send both of you reiki - no problem

I'm glad to hear the vet's take on Luna. I understand - I have a 12 year old greyhound who is doing very well for his age too.

[malta blue]

41. Thank you.

You must be a remarkable dog owner to have a 12 y/o greyhound.

Good on you.

:hug:

[applegrove]

42. Best wishes for Luna and your family.

[Biscottiii]

43. Oh my, I'm hoping for a positive outcome for your Beloved Luna!

Seems like with infections and feeling bad, it's no wonder Luna has lost weight. Hoping those antibiotics kick in but quick!