Please read, forward, and send this to anyone who might be able to help. My name is Linda Ruckle and we live in Denver, Colorado. I have a family of four English Black Labradors. We attended our Rocky Mountain Cluster Dog Shows almost one year ago (February 12th - 17th). I only took two of my Labradors to the show. This show is held at the National Western Complex and immediately follows our Annual Stock Show. The Stock Show brings in all forms of livestock from all over the country. Our annual Rocky Mountain Cluster is a five day event and brings in dogs from all over the country and internationally. Not even one week following the show, my first Labrador, Trapper (6 year old) went down with severe vomiting and had to be hospitalized. He only had vomiting with elevated liver and kidney levels. We were not concerned about the levels initially because he takes Fluoxetine, Methylprednisolone, Gabapentin, and Tramadol for a back injury. We ran bloodwork, ultrasounds, X-rays, and had an MRI done. ****Non of the dogs had diarrhea**** We did not find any answers. All vets said that he picked up a virus at the shows and just had to work through it. We did support him with IV fluids and Cerenia to stop the vomiting. Our primary veterinarian had us put him on a bland chicken and rice diet, he also had us start Denamarin daily. Over the next month, Trapper improved. Approximately three weeks after Trapper started vomiting, his mother Alpine (10 years old) started the identical process. We did not do such extensive testing because Trappers did not give us any answers. Her blood work levels were much closer to normal then Trappers. They each got better, then went back downhill about a month later. They went back and fourth several times. I clean, disinfected, added supplements. We were originally on a very high end organic, grain free diet, but thought it was too rich with their now super sensitive stomachs. Trapper had now lost so much weight, he went from 75 pounds to 58 pounds, we had to get some form of nutrients back into him or we would need to let him go. When I took Trapper in to put him down, our amazing veterinarian refused and asked me to leave Trapper with him for the day. The vet kept him for three days and he personally slept at Trappers side in the hospital. At 9:30 the next Sunday night, Trapper came home. We switched their diet from the Acana Ranchlands to a bland NutraSource Chicken and Rice. At least with the diet change, I have been able to put the weight back on slowly. About a six weeks ago, Kenosha (Trapper's littermate & 6 years old) decided she'd join in the party. Kenosha was not at the shows, we no longer show her, we had her spayed because she has Clusters of Grand Mal Seizures. Now, with her vomiting, the situation has gotten even more dangerous because we cannot regulate how much of her Phenobarbital is actually getting into her system. Kenosha was also hospitalized, put on fluids and was administered Cerenia. It took her a good month to recover from the first round and then the vomiting began again. ****Still, non of the dogs had diarrhea**** This time, I had the Cerenia Injections on hand and was able to administer them right away and stop the vomiting. Now, the vicious cycle is going around all the dogs again, for the fourth and some the fifth time. Alpine is currently sick, as we speak. We still have no idea what this mysterious vomiting virus, plague, parasite is and it is taking its toll on their bodies and it needs to be stopped before it kills one of them. We have now seen six different veterinarians and multiple hospitals and non of them have any idea what this is or how to fix it. Our veterinarian bills have now exceeded $13,000. and no answers. My primary vet is a fabulous, amazing, incredible small animal veterinarian, but he is limited because he only treats small animals. I am convinced that whatever they caught at the show following the Stock Show is something from the livestock, a strain that a standard small animal veterinarian has yet to be faced with.
I understand that I can only get limited possible answers because I cannot just drop in for an appointment in other states. But I am praying that someone may have an idea or thought that we could research, or test for, or treat, and/or cure. Any and all suggestions and prayers would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Linda Ruckle
The Home of Matlin Labradors
Home 303-933-0253
Cell 303-726-5627
Keeperssummit@hotmail.com

Linda, I know you must be very worried; I would be. I am so sorry you and your dogs are having such troubles.

What exactly were the liver and kidney values of Trapper or any others you did.

Was a blood differential done? The blood picture can tell you if your dealing with a virus. I'm so sorry you and your dogs are going through this. Is there any change?

I am not sure what the exact levels are. I just had them re run them and they were sent up to CSU with stool samples on all three dogs. Trapper was put on Denemarin Chewables and he seems to be doing better, but still acts like he is famished. He has also started eating poop, so we have to go outside every time he goes out. I can call the veterinarian tomorrow and get the exact details if it would give some answers.
Thanks for any and everything!

I am not sure what the exact levels are. I just had them re run them and they were sent up to CSU with stool samples on all three dogs. Trapper was put on Denemarin Chewables and he seems to be doing better, but still acts like he is famished. He has also started eating poop, so we have to go outside every time he goes out. I can call the veterinarian tomorrow and get the exact details if it would give some answers.
Thanks for any and everything!

Linda, I am so sorry you are going through this with your dogs. I. Have an 11 month old pup that was vomiting for two months, sometimes several times a day. Changed food, ran bloodwork, including GI panel. X rays, stool samples. All negative. He only improved when the vet had me worm him with Drontal Plus. Now the vomiting has stopped and he seems fine. He is on a prescription diet now for a couple months to let his system recuperate.
And we will go from there. Again, all stool samples were negative, and the worming was a shot in the dark. But it worked. It might be worth asking your vet about it.
I pray your dogs get better, Linda.

That is one of our next options, as well as, a course of antibiotics.
Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers, it is greatly appreciated! Especially with doctors drawing total blanks.
Needless to say, we will NEVER show at the Denver Coliseum again, not a chance.
Cheers,
Linda

I am so sorry for what you are going thru. I feel your worry.

Did you see an internal specialist? That would be my next step if the worming as mentioned does not solve your issue.

Prayer you figure this out and your babies are feeling better soon and 100%

St. Francis watch over these babies and bring them to good health.

Patty

One of my thoughts would be a tick borne disease but are not contagious and now it seems to be running thru all your dogs.

My next thought is a contagious parasite that you can not see or have found in stool etc.

Have you consulted a teaching hospital/vet school?

That would be my next choice after internal specialist (or maybe before). They often see a lot more than our regular vets/hospitals.

Denamarin is used for liver disease. Are they considering copper toxicosis?

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