Our Little Quincy Has Auto-immune Disease, Hurts So Much Options

[Aaron]

It was just a few years ago that I came here to lean on this community for support when we lost our car Reggie to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). It's with great sorrow that I have to return for support for another sick pet. Our sweet dog Quincy, a Maltese, came down with auto immune disease recently and we are trying to suppress the inflammation, but it is proving to be a difficult task so far. We are by no means giving up, but I feel like every day that passes that he does not improve means we are closer to losing him. Back in late December he had his regular annual exam and got his vaccines. We suspect that one of the vaccines triggered his immune system to go into over-drive, for lack of a better phrase. The vaccine was not the cause, as all vets we have spoken with say this is genetic and it takes just one trigger to bring this disease to the surface.

We initially tried steroids which helped some, but it did not completely suppress the inflammation. He slowly got worse so we got an MRI done which revealed considerable fluid on the right side of his brain. So they tried a large does of steroids (prednisone) which had an impact but then he seemed to get worse. So we went to the next treatment which is chemo since we are trying to suppress over-active cell activity. He was having seizures so he is on meds that make him considerably drowsy, so it's hard to tell if the chemo is having an impact since they cannot measure his neurological signs accurately. But the doctor is concerned the chemo might not be having an impact, which means we have fewer treatment options. They have told us that if the chemo does not have an effect, then his prognosis is "poor".

If you are reading this, then you know how difficult this can be. We are stressed both physically and mentally and it would devastate us to lose another pet after just 2.5 years. I can't even imagine how destroyed my wife will be of we lose him, but I am starting to prepare myself for that. I am just typing this to get it off my mind and my chest. We are staying positive and won't go out without trying every viable option. But every day is incredibly difficult.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers.

[Aaron]

So Quincy had his appt today. The vet expressed concern over Quincy, particularly his mental/neurological state, but it was more from the standpoint that we just have to continue with the plan we have in place and look for continued progress, even if that progress is slow. His physical progress over the last two weeks has certainly better than his neurological progress, but it's hard to say how much of that is from the potassium bromide (or other meds) and how much is from the inflammation. Only time will tell but we also know neurological injuries take time to heal. He's only been on cyclosporin for a week and that takes at least two weeks to reach therapuetic levels, if not more. The vet stressed that he might have good days and bad days and some mornings might be good and some mornings might be bad and we can't beat ourselves up if he hits some bumps in the road, but instead we want to measure progress over weeks at a time. His next appt is scheduled for 2 weeks.

The vet stressed that Quincy may never return to the old Quincy we have always known, but that does not mean he cannot have an enjoyable quality of life. It just seems so strange that he went from being in a certain mental state on March 27/8 to how he is now and the cause completely being the inflammation. But that is also the optimist in me talking and knowing that K Br side effects can be strong and can take more time to subside based on our extensive research. I have to prepare myself for the possibility that we may never get Quincy back to his old self. I don't even want to think about losing Quincy and instead will continue helping him make progress in any way I can (as my wife will too). I know it is going to be a difficult road but we are not giving up on him, not as long as he is making progress.

Thanks for listening to me ramble, it helps to get things off my mind. It's just a tough road to travel, mainly because we hate seeing him not at his fullest. I would take a reduced Quincy and love him all the same.