My brindle boxer, Zeus

[skinnyman]

Many of you have read posts regarding, not just mine, but all of our beloved pets.

Unfortunately for me this is not a good post. We traveled to Va. last weekend and Zeus was out in the woods and had eaten something while my wife was on post. That sunday afternoon and all evening he had major diareha. All this past week he was lathargic until about Friday, so i thought he was over it. Saturday my son and I were horseplaying. As always Zeus chimes in but backs down quickly and falls to the ground. I layed with him for a while he got up and seemed ok. That night and Sunday morning he collapsed again. sunday night i took him to the pet emergency room and told them what happened. They wanted to keep him over night on an EKG and do some bloodwork, very sad to leave him. 12:30 am this morning, the phone rings and its the hospital. Said his bloodwork came back and he has anemia. No signs of toxicity like rat poison or something he ate in Va. I was like WTF!! The doc said the dog is very sick and they need to find what is causing it. Today they ran an ultrasound of his heart and abdomen for bleeding. The results of that came back fine...that is good news and bad news. Good in that the results were fine but bad in that they still do not know what is causing it. They took more blood and sent it out for a bone marrow test. That will not be in till tomorrow so Zeus is still at the hospital. Doc seems to think it is the bone marrow which would be an infection or leukemia. At that point Zeus does not stand a chance. I am hopeful that the doc is wrong and it is something else.

The family is completely torn over this.

[MrzDiva]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

I hope they find out soon whats wrong with Zeus. I'm sorry to hear about the situation and I will keep your family and your beloved pet in my prayers.

[Dzone]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

Oh man bro. Very sorry to hear about that. Just reading that gets me teared up. I sure hope it all works out alright for Zeus. Keep us posted. Maybe its just a temporary reaction he is having and he will be good to go this week.

[skinnyman]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

Ok so i spoke to the Doc this morning. Zeus is stable, eating, mobile and not in any pain. His blood count is stable at 17 and has not dropped further from the normal range of 40. However, from the blood results, it is defintely something with his bone marrow and they cannot tell what it is unless they do a bone marrow biopsy. The possibilities include cancer, toxins, other disease, infection or another auto-immune in the marrow. The doc could not specific on treatment/recovery/cured until further investigation on what is driving this anemia. I am hopeful that this doc is not yanking my chain and srtinging me along for a financial gain. Current vet bill is $1475. If i go ahead with the biopsy Zeus will need a transfusion and another day in the hospital. His estimate for these services is an additional $3200 - $3700.....%$^&. Zeus is a family member and it would absolutely kill me if i did not provide him with the best care possible and hopeful that there is an array of hope that he could live past the young age of 4. I know many folks think i'm stupid but I went ahead and gave the OK for this step. No matter what Zeus will come home tomorrow and the biopsy results in the following day or so. My stomach is in pits and emotions all over the place...

[mtnmedic]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

I dont think you're being stupid and you're right he is part of the family, I know what (kinda) your feeling and it sucks. My prayers are with ya'll too I hope everything gets better for you both soon.

[tilltheend]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

I pray he heals and lives.

[6p6]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

man my pit is named Zeus!

[Yohimbe]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

Sending prayers for Zeus brotha.

[BABY1]

Re: My brindle boxer, Zeus

Ok so i spoke to the Doc this morning. Zeus is stable, eating, mobile and not in any pain. His blood count is stable at 17 and has not dropped further from the normal range of 40. However, from the blood results, it is defintely something with his bone marrow and they cannot tell what it is unless they do a bone marrow biopsy. The possibilities include cancer, toxins, other disease, infection or another auto-immune in the marrow. The doc could not specific on treatment/recovery/cured until further investigation on what is driving this anemia. I am hopeful that this doc is not yanking my chain and srtinging me along for a financial gain. Current vet bill is $1475. If i go ahead with the biopsy Zeus will need a transfusion and another day in the hospital. His estimate for these services is an additional $3200 - $3700.....%$^&. Zeus is a family member and it would absolutely kill me if i did not provide him with the best care possible and hopeful that there is an array of hope that he could live past the young age of 4. I know many folks think i'm stupid but I went ahead and gave the OK for this step. No matter what Zeus will come home tomorrow and the biopsy results in the following day or so. My stomach is in pits and emotions all over the place...

How is Zeus doing? I would have done the same thing and wold have found a way to pay whatever it costs for my pet. They are part of the family! I hope they find out what is wrong so they can help Zeus. Please keep us updated and post a pic, I would love to see one. Boxers are my favorite! Prayers go out for Zeus!