Border collie Jack passed away on February 28, 2022

[buddingartist]

Re: Jack the project!

Hi Natalie,

When Buddy was on antibiotics for months and months, he developed severe ear infections regularly and the vet prescribed Otomax. It really helped, but of course it wasn't taking care of the cause.

Because he was fed grain based food, he also had a lot of yeast in his ears and on his paws and I would have to take him in regularly to have his ears cleaned thoroughly.

Now, being off the grain food, I give him a probiotic every morning and I now clean his ear with Zymox every night (I may skip a few nights when I'm tired) and he hasn't had an ear infection since. I don't dare use a Q-tip like the vet does instead I use a little pad soaked with that solution and it is amazing what I get out of their ears. When I take him to the vet, the vet does a more throrough cleaning with the Q-tip.

I use the Ear Cleanser (contains bio active enzymes, lactoperixidase, lactoferrin and lysozyme).
Zymox also has the Otic HC 1.0% Enzymatic solution.
I should mention that I now also use the Zymox shampoo and rinse when I bathe him monthly.
Also, when I do the nightly paw inspection, any redness or flare up, I use the Zymox Topical Spray and it works wonders.

Just thought I'd pass on that information. Good luck with Jack
Louise

[buddingartist]

Re: Jack the project!

I just did a search of Otomax and found out that it contains gentamicine.

Sorry Natalie, my bad

Louise

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

It's very frustrating Louise - so many ear products have Gentamycin in them and there doesn't seem to be an alternative that covers all of the bases.

Since this is his first ear problem, I'm not going to worry too much about it. It very well could be that he got some moisture in there and that's how the yeast got started.

He has not been shaking his head since she cleaned out his ears (with a product that probably contained Gentamycin) and started the Ketaconazole and I think we will be starting prednisone this weekend. He's on Day 3 of his Metacam washout.

No word yet on the Free T4 with ED. I was hoping today. Will see if they are open tomorrow.

Natalie

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

Interestingly, there is a report in the human medical literature of a woman who reportedly developed thyroiditis while taking Gabapentin and thyroid problems are listed as a rare side effect.

I haven't been able to get my hands on the actual article yet but am hoping to. And I will contact the neurologist to see if he has heard of this or seen it occur.

Possible Gabapentin-Induced Thyroiditis
Mark A. Frye, MD

Frye, et al. reported a woman who developed thyroiditis. Upon gabapentin discontinuation, there was prompt resolution of symptoms and a return to her baseline thyroid function.

Frye MA, Luckenbaugh D, Kimbrell TA, Constantino C, Grothe D, Cora-Locatelli G, Ketter TA. Possible Gabapentin-induced thyroiditis. J Clin Psychopharmacol 1999 Feb; 19(1):94-5.

http://www.slideshare.net/roger961/a...yroid-function

The more specific test came back mildly low and the vet suggests waiting a couple of months and testing again, definitely after the gabapentin has cleared his system.

Free T4-ED = 0.5 ng/dL Normal Range 0.7-3.7
Free T4-ED = 6.4 pmol/L Normal Range 9.0-47.4

Natalie

[Patty]

Re: Jack the project!

oh wow...that never would have been on my radar screen.

Glad Jack's levels aren't warranting immediate action.
Patty

[buddingartist]

Re: Jack the project!

Jack is one lucky boy to have you and he couldn't be in better hands.

I cringe when I think of all the meds that the vet and specialists prescribed for Buddy and which I <blindly< gave him thinking that they knew better.

Simply amazing and somewhat scary.

Louise

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

We stopped the Metacam on the 11th and stopped the Gabapentin yesterday. First prednisone tonight with dinner.

Today, after 10 minutes of slow walk, he was quite sore and tired so definitely suffering from having no pain meds on board.

But the good news is that his favorite park reopened after being closed for a month or more. The bad news is that everywhere I go lately there are unleashed dogs... it is becoming impossible to find somewhere safe to take him. I'm hoping for more ranger presence at the park this spring to keep it from going feral.

Natalie

[BestBuddy]

Re: Jack the project!

I can only assume how pred works with dogs, but with me I find I get a boost within 1/2 hour of taking it but for long term relief it takes a few days to build up. How much is he getting?

Jenny

[CarolW]

Re: Jack the project!

Sorry about the loose dogs! We have that problem often around my place. No dog-park, but we'd probably have that problem if we had one!

Hope Jack feels better soon - that the pred takes hold.

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:41:34 (PST)

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

Jack is 54 pounds / 24 kgs and prescribed 1/2 mg/kg so he's getting 10mg as half of a 20mg tablet, starting with twice a day for five days and then doing a three-week tapering off.

He's been out to pee a gallon every three hours since dinner last night, which is gonna make for a long five days...

Natalie

[Dollydog]

Re: Jack the project!

Gentle hugs for Jack....nothing to add or suggest....just hoping there's a solution to his discomfort.
Jo-Ann

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

Ugh, now he's been out three times in the last four hours... I'm not sure if this says anything about a problem with his response to the pred. I will try to check in with the vet.

His neurologist had access to the article on potential thyroiditis and gabapentin and faxed me a copy!

Natalie

[Patty]

Re: Jack the project!

Ugh Natalie. Better set your alarm. Hoping the benefits make it all worthwhile
Patty

[k9diabetes]

Re: Jack the project!

We waited too long the first time after going to bed and Jack didn't make it to the door. So I cut the alarm to every hour and a half, two hours tops, and that worked okay for him. I didn't think it was gonna be this bad.

Natalie

[Patty]

Re: Jack the project!

I know every dog is different but it seems Jack is maybe very sensitive to the pred? Ali was on pred many times in the past and her drinking and peeing increased but I don't remember her needing to get up in the night.

You guys must be exhausted!