Lost a LGD...questions

[Teckelhut]

You know what? I just went back and reread this. When he had the first episode, did they do a full blood work-up on him? That sounds very similar to an auto-immune disorder that Lass had several years back. They were able to fix it with steroids and anti-biotics the first time. But the second time around they could not. She was a Border Collie as well.

You must be a vet....at least in hobby maybe. My bet is you are probably right on. That was added to the list of possibilities by their vet a few days after. I guess without autopsy and further testing, they could not afford, they will never know for sure. The vet did assure them that it was nothing they did and nothing about their property or environment, which made them feel a lot better. After they heard this they adopted an eleven month old Pyrenees, Anatolian, Akbash from Aspen. He was raised with goats but also was a bit on the spoiled side as far as being allowed in the house etc, so they are trying now to re-acclimate him to pasture life.
Thanks

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You know what? I just went back and reread this. When he had the first episode, did they do a full blood work-up on him? That sounds very similar to an auto-immune disorder that Lass had several years back. They were able to fix it with steroids and anti-biotics the first time. But the second time around they could not. She was a Border Collie as well.

I will ask them if they did a full workup on him the first time. Would an auto-immune issue even show up on a standard blood screen?

No. Not a Vet. Just a person with VAST experience with dogs and have rescued so many over the years with medical issues.

Yes. An Auto-immune disorder would show up in a standard test because the white blood cell count would be off the charts.

What happens is that the body sees itself as a foreign body and starts attacking itself. In some cases its mild and can actually be controlled by suppressing the immune system with medication (Prednisone plus other meds). Dogs can live this way but it opens them up to other diseases because the immune system is suppressed. Its the same as with AIDS and HIV in humans. The disease is not the actual killer. Its the other diseases they can get from a suppressed immune system. Most of those patients actually die from pneumonia in the end because even just a common cold could kill them.

I am still leaning towards a heart attack though. The foaming at the mouth and the greying gums is classic signs. Although other things such as poisoning and AID would do the same. However a standard blood panel would show renal failure due to poison or a high WBC count from AID.