Guess Oscar's Latest Cooties......
I figured something like this would happen in response to the stress from his severe pancreatic attack last month. I was just hoping it was going to be a boring bacteria, like pseudomonas or strep. When is my poor pup going to catch a flipping break????  Laurie and Oscar |
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Poor Oscar   Does all the rain and our hot/humid summer exacerbate his problems? Maybe he can be the first bubblesheepie...like the bubbleboy?  |
Poor baby!  Here's hoping you catch a break very soon! |
| Poor you and poor Oscar Where does he have them? Nothing beats the human patient I had several years ago. We had him as a neuro patient, and had a craniotomy. Made a good recovery and went home...... He gets readmitted about a week or 2 later with e. coli in his skull incision.....  |
| Geez, big two biggies! Has he about gone thru all the various antibiotics available? What a brave dog and very loving upright. |
| Poor Oscar Cindy |
Wow  Hope he feels better soon!  |
| Poor Oscar!!! |
| Oh no....I am so very sorry for you and for poor Oscar. Robin |
| Wishing Mr. oscar and you aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa break, my heart goes out to you all, your such a special & devoted mommy to your special man & oscar is so blessed to have you in his life |
| So sorry for both of you. Poor guy just seems to get it all doesn't he? |
| Wow.... so sorry you and Oscar are going through so much..... Hopefully he makes a quick recovery! |
| Thanks for the support everyone. I just feel so bad for my little guy. (He's down to 110 lbs after the pancreatitis.) The MRSA is on his butt, directly where he sits, and a couple of lesions have popped up on his flank as well. Nothing on the belly, back, or head, as far as I can tell. We're pretty sure he picked it up at one of the ER vets during his recent illness. The E Coli is on his prepuce. (He was licking alot, so I had the vet do a swab there as well as in the lesions.) We are waiting to treat the E Coli unless Oscar gets worse, as it is resistant to the Zeniquin, which he is taking for the MRSA. After his recent digestive issues, we are extremely reluctant to give him two antibiotics at once, unless absolutely necessary. I am bathing his back end every other day in Chlorhexidine shampoo, so hopefully we will start to see improvement tomorrow. We see our vets socially (husband and wife team), and it just so happens that they are coming to dinner on Saturday night. Can anyone say "house call"?  Laurie and Oscar |
| I think it's great that you have an in with the vet and his wife...........best kind of house calls. |
| Thinking of you and Oscar! |
| Hugs to you and Oscar. He's such a strong tough little man, and you guys are wonderful wonderful puppy parents. Thinking of you. Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
I just got done bathing Oscar again, and there are definitely new lesions. The spot where the vet swabbed and cultured MRSA seems to be healing,  so my hope is that Oscar is growing SOMETHING ELSE that will respond to the same antibiotic as the E Coli, or that the Zeniquin hasn't had time to really do it's thing.If it is MRSA, and it is Zeniquin resistant, Oscar will require IV antibiotics. Of course, the vet's office is closed. But guess who is coming to dinner?????? Oscar is going to be VERY upset. Laurie and Oscar |
Quote: I just got done bathing Oscar again, and there are definitely new lesions. The spot where the vet swabbed and cultured MRSA seems to be healing, so my hope is that Oscar is growing SOMETHING ELSE that will respond to the same antibiotic as the E Coli, or that the Zeniquin hasn't had time to really do it's thing.Even a short coat can hide sores. When we bathe and dry them the hair flattens out and parts so we can get a really good look at the skin. Quote: But guess who is coming to dinner?????? Oscar is going to be VERY upset.   Hoping all that bacteria will be cleared up soon! Hugs to both you and Oscar.  |
| Poor Oscar. I have a new level of understanding of what it takes to battle multiple bacteria at the same time. Ellie finished her Baytril and promptly started amoxicilian. I'm "told" all will be cleared up after that. I hope the same goes for poor Oscar. |
| Devra, I think Oscar is on the same track as Ellie. He will finish with the Zeniquin, and then start on either Cephalexin or Amoxicillin for his E Coli infection. I hope we can wait that long. If his lesions get worse, or new ones pop up, we will go back to the vet for more cultures, and possibly start him on the broad spectrum antibiotic early (ceph or amox), as we know he needs to take that for the E Coli. Even though Oscar has had multiple infections at once, this is the first time that we were unable to find an antibiotic that would treat them all at once. Jaci, I check Oscar's skin using my dog dryer, even if he hasn't been bathed. I go slowly and methodically up and down his body, and it makes it much easier for me to see trouble brewing. Thanks everyone and I'll keep you posted on Cootie Central! Laurie and Oscar |
| Oh no!!! Poor Oscar and Momma |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Jaci, I check Oscar's skin using my dog dryer, even if he hasn't been bathed. I go slowly and methodically up and down his body, and it makes it much easier for me to see trouble brewing. I go all over Bumble from head to toes too with the dryer on low if I feel something's going on. I did it just yesterday. One of those things we learn when we have dogs with continued skin problems. A positive though is that Bumble's no longer afraid of the dryer! |
 Bumble is such a good boy! I hope he doesn't have something brewing....With Oscar's deafness, the dryer has never been an issue. Just another perq! Oscar seemed fine with the vets when they came for dinner on Saturday. He barked at them right when they came in, which he NEVER does, but after that, he didn't try to avoid them or anything. Normally, in their office, he hides behind my legs when they come into the exam room, and then when he can't escape, he shows them his belly. This is a fairly recent development. After the tons of vet visits we've made, especially since 2008, Oscar's anxiety level has definitely increased. (Just got his complete vet record and it's over 300 pages, not counting any specialists.) I certainly don't blame him, as every time we go in he gets blood taken or multiple skin scrapings - it's never for a routine check-up. However, I don't coddle him in any way, as the vet is just something he has to endure, like grooming. Or me. Skin update - new lesions are not resolving, and seem to be getting worse, so I am making a vet appt for tomorrow. Hopefully, it's anything but MRSA. Laurie and Oscar |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Normally, in their office, he hides behind my legs when they come into the exam room, and then when he can't escape, he shows them his belly. This is a fairly recent development. Sweet boy. It was nice for Oscar to see his vet outside the office for just a social visit. We started taking Bumble in just to be weighed, a quick hello to the ladies at the desk and right back out the door. Just a non-eventful, fun visit.Quote: Skin update - new lesions are not resolving, and seem to be getting worse, so I am making a vet appt for tomorrow. Hopefully, it's anything but MRSA. Good luck at the vet tomorrow. Please let us know what what they find. |
| I hope they can find out what is really going on. How terrible for both of you. |
| Back from the vet. She cultured the new lesions, and prescribed Cephalexin for his E Coli infection. We're hoping that the new lesions are E Coli, or something that is also susceptible to Cephalexin. If so, we should start to see improvement in a few days. If not, we will have culture results in a week. Anything but MRSA..... Oh, and a very ill puppy came into the vet's office this a.m., which may have parvo. Sigh. I don't even want to think about it. Laurie and Oscar |
| Oh, nooo. I hope the puppy will be ok but gee whiz. Oscar surely doesn't need that. Cephalexin please work! |
| Prayers and best wishes to you both. |
| Latest update. My vet called from her vacation today to tell me that Oscar's latest cultures have come back positive for MRSA. Looks like it is weakened, but trying to morph. We've doubled his Zeniquin, but will probably have to see the dermatologist. Not sure what treatment protocol is next, and there's not a whole lot we can do until Tuesday anyway. This dog is going to break my heart, isn't he? Laurie and Oscar |
| Oh I'm so sorry about how the test results came back. Hopefully they can get a handle on things soon. Hugs to you and your sweet boy Oscar from Lisa Frankie and Mattie |
| So sorry, hope they can come up with the proper treatment. I don't know why we always seem to get this type of news on a weekend or when it's a three day weekend. Please keep us posted, everyone is concerned for both of you. |
Oscar's Mom wrote: Latest update. My vet called from her vacation today to tell me that Oscar's latest cultures have come back positive for MRSA. Looks like it is weakened, but trying to morph. Laurie and Oscar Aw, geez, Laurie, I'm so sorry. Kristine |
| I'm so sorry, Laurie. We are all pulling for both you and Oscar. |
| I'm so sorry. Yes, we are all pulling for you and Oscar. Cindy |
| I hope he gets better soon. |
| Thanks everyone. It helps to know that you are all out there pulling for us. To look at Oscar, you wouldn't know anything was wrong, which I must say is pretty surreal considering the seriousness of the situation. Hopefully, we will be able to maintain the status quo until the holiday weekend is over, and then we will figure out what to do next. Laurie and Oscar |
| I'm so sorry it wasn't better news I know you've consulted with Dr Dodds before but have you considered asking your vet to fax her all the reports and test results to see if she can suggest anything? Maybe send a panel to her to test all the immunoglobulins? I know you're experienced and it sounds like you're doing an amazing job but maybe him being hospitalized with iv meds would keep the levels of medication constant enough to really hammer down the mrsa? I hope things get back on track and he's on the mend soon.... feel free to pm me anytime if you need to talk |
| Stacey, thank you for the reminder about Dr. Dodds. We are trying to avoid the IV antibiotics for a couple of reasons. One, we are afraid the stress of being in the hospital might throw Oscar into an IBD episode. Oscar is all about routine, and when it is disrupted, he gets sick. Right now, he is already stressing about the frequent baths and vet visits, and reacting to the new meds. Two, due to the drug resistance of his particular strain of MRSA, we don't want to bring out the big guns unless absolutely necessary. If we can kill it with Zeniquin, we want to leave the IV antibiotics in the arsenal in case we encounter this situation again. If the Zeniquin doesn't work, then we have no choice. Looks like we will be having a consultation with Oscar's dermatologist this week. Thanks again for all of your support. Laurie and Oscar |
| It's usually the same med in the iv, the only difference being it keeps it at a constant level, so no chance for the bacteria to rebound as the level of med dips in the bloodstream, which gives the body, immune system and meds time to work together to get better faster. Also gives the bacteria less chance to become resistant. Or of course they may try a stronger antibiotic in the iv.... If it is MRSA I don't think the dermatologist is the one to turn to honestly... his whole immune system is out of whack to begin with or he wouldn't be so susceptible to constant infections.... a dermatologist may be able to offer some ideas for comfort but nothing that is really going to help long term. |
| I really appreciate all of your thoughts on this. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure that Zeniquin (marbofloxacin) is only available in tablet form. I will certainly bring this up with my vets. Oscar was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Disease in 2008, which we manage with probiotics, and a host of meds, including prednisone. Oscar's recent pancreatic attack in mid-July was most likely an autoimmune issue, according to his internist. During that attack, his immune system was at a low point, and we were in and out of different vet's offices, which is where he probably picked up the MRSA. We are now revisiting his overall autoimmune situation, to see what else we can do for him, in addition to treating the bacteria. Laurie and Oscar |
| Latest vet update. We have one stubborn lesion on his chest that still looks active. All other lesions are resolving, and virtually gone. We are keeping Oscar on the doubled dose of Zeniquin for at least 10 days, to give it a chance to work. Latest culture shows that this is the MRSA that is trying to morph, but in trying to become Zeniquin resistant, it looks like it is actually making itself susceptible to doxycycline. We'll have to wait and see how it goes. We have to hold off on starting the doxy until we're sure we have killed ALL of the Zeniquin susceptible MRSA, otherwise we risk creating another drug resistant strain. There are also topical options, but that is only helpful if we are dealing with one or two spots on the body. We are also holding off on any other med changes or adjustments, until we have this bacterial situation sorted out. With Oscar, we've learned the hard way that you can't mess with too many things at once. Keep us in your thoughts. Laurie and Oscar |
| Sending good vibes Oscar's way |
| Encouraging. Hope you get it all.... Laurie - I don't know if I've asked you this before so pardon me if I'm repeating myself, but have you had Oscar's blood drawn and banked with the CHIC DNA repository? http://www.offa.org/chicdnabank.html Though the breed isn't currently involved in any specific autoimmune research broad enough to cover his condition(s)....who knows what the future could bring? The OESCA board recently approved funding for some very interesting allergy treatment related research and plan to join a number of other breed clubs who are also providing funding: http://www.akcchf.org/research/funded-r ... /1415.html Thought you might find it interesting. Anyway, hang in there. Kristine |
| Thanks for the continued support folks. Kristine, I have not banked Oscar's DNA with OFA, but he is due for titer testing this month, so that might be a good time to have blood drawn. Thanks for the info on the new allergy research. I will pass this along to my vets as well. On top of everything else, it is a full moon.....  Laurie and Oscar, my little lunatic |
Oh, god, maybe that explains why Sybil and/or? Dazz ate my purse  (don't ask  )Thanks for considering getting blood drawn on him. Every bit helps (god, full moon and now I sound like a vampire  )Next year (Sept 17-20th) -the OESCA national specialty is just outside of Milwaukee (West Bend) and we'll almost certainly do a DNA blood draw there, for anybody who has been thinking about it but wants a real easy and inexpensive way of getting it done and who is planning on stopping by anyway. I should be upfront, actually: if you show up, expect to be asked. In Minnesota I think they drew blood on just about every OES in attendance, and some other breeds who just happened by as well. Anyway, back on topic, sorry. Hope you get this MRSA thing under control and behind you, the sooner, the better Kristine |
| Thinking of you and Oscar and hoping for good news soon. |
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