Fantastic news Gen! She's a fighter and she has a strong and supportive family around her. If any dog has a fighting chance to get through this, it would be her. Keep fighting Hana!
But I would want to kill the vet who told you she had lymphoma....I mean this is a SERIOUS misdiagnosis that could have killed the dog. I'd be writing some scathing letters of complaint at this point....
No way would I give a blood sample to that internal med specialist to send to a university. No way that I would let that person springboard a misdiagnosis into a back-patting article. Instead, I would give that option to your good vet, the new one, to build up her name.
As for Hana, is there anything that the vet can give for the vomitting/nausea? Can she get an injectable or liquid oral version of the antibiotics?
Awesome!!! I'm so stoked to read that Hana will be OK! For what it's worth, I think you handled that misdiagnosing ER vet far better than I ever would have.
So glad to hear that it was a misdiagnose! Ugh and I'll second everyone else's opinions about that ER vet! The nerve she had to ask you for a blood sample! GAH!
Oh I am so glad to read this! I really hope she pulls through, and like Tara said, her good shape will make her stronger in this fight I'll be crossing my paws for you guys.
I'd have told that crappy vet tha same thing! You go Gen! *thumbs up*
I'm so happy that your new vet had the sense to second guess the EMR Vet! Hoping you and Hana get through this without too much more stress. Her strength and will will help her fight
Even though she is not quite out of the woods, that is amazing news!
It just goes to show you that no matter what, it is always good to get a second opinion. It is terrible that we put our trust in doctors (medical or veterinary) and there are quite a few bad ones out there. I think you handled it much better than I would have...
I am sending healing vibes and good tummy vibes to Hana. Hopefully she will kick this quickly and be back out in the brush soon!
I'm really glad to hear that she has a good chance of recovering. That's a much better start to the year.
I do feel that I have to say the really unpopular thing now, and I might be wrong. I completely understand the initial reaction to tell the specialist to f off, the mistake was almost a fatal one (and it's especially unforgiveable if she reacted like there had been no problem. Mistakes happen in diagnosis, vets and doctors don't always know everything perfectly, but you need to own up when you mess up).
That said, if the disease really is rare, wouldn't it be a good thing if a lab somewhere could get a sample of it, so that more is known in the future and other dogs can hopefully be saved (and not misdiagnosed).
Maybe there is a different vet or someone who could get a sample if you don't want this person to get the credit (understandable).
Wow so glad you got a second opinion!!!!! When it comes to heavy decisions a second opinion is always good. Yeah tick borne illnesses are on the rise all over the U.S., including Lyme. Some practitioners suck at diagnosis and grasp at whatever strikes their fancy, I think maybe they feel they have to have a sensational answer since they just don't know. Sounds like an intern rather than a doctor.
If rocky mountain spotted fever is rare in your area they may not be up on the info and didn't take the time to consult for further confirmation before diagnosis. What a dud of a vet. I would have your regular or new vet send in a sample for further study any DVM can send it in.
I agree with Ayk's suggestion, let the vet who properly diagnosed the illness get the credit by sending a blood sample to a lab. If this really is a rare disease, better to have a recent diagnosis studied in case of any variation(s) and the possibility of creating a vaccine.
No one really diagnosed Hana. Our regular vet questioned the emr vet who diagnosed Hana with lymphoma before she got any test results. I will get Hana tested again but not with a "internal med specialist" who really screwed her self by jumping the gun. its hard to describe the conversation that took place with all the docs we saw but buttom line is that the emer vet was in the wrong for putting me on the backburner knowing Hana didn't have lymphoma.
How's she doing today Gen? From what I've read, she should respond to the antibiotics within three or four days. I'm hoping she's a fast one and started early!
I'm hoping also, but I'm trying to control her vomiting. Its getting harder to keep the antibiotics in her since she won't eat. Its been a nightmare just trying to get the meds in her.
She's loosing weight really fast and its a battle just to keep her hydrated. I will keep every one updated. I really appreciate every ones support, its really keeping me going right now.
Pullin' for you and Hana is right! I'm glad the diagnosis was wrong, but I'm sorry it happened the way it did. I don't tend to have a super hot temper, but that "specialist" would have had a fun time with me... I'm sure she enjoyed your conversation. Happy to hear things are getting better.
She's a bit allergic to chicken so not sure if that will work but I may try it because her allergy is just gitting a little itchy and loosing a bit of hair.
I am happy to hear things are headed in a positive direction. Does Hana show any interest at all in food? I have used canned "Wellness 95% Lamb"; which is good and smelly, to bring a depressed dog back into a normal eating routine. A third of a can masks kibble and pretty much anything else you might want to mix in; is nice and soft when warm, and might be a decent alternate for chicken.
True about the stinky food. Perhaps green tripe, also. Look into that. Still praying for you. I know that sounds silly, but I know how important our dogs are to us, particularly as hunters.
Comments
But I would want to kill the vet who told you she had lymphoma....I mean this is a SERIOUS misdiagnosis that could have killed the dog. I'd be writing some scathing letters of complaint at this point....
Yay, for Hana, though!
As for Hana, is there anything that the vet can give for the vomitting/nausea? Can she get an injectable or liquid oral version of the antibiotics?
I'd have told that crappy vet tha same thing! You go Gen! *thumbs up*
What a story about misdiagnosis!
It just goes to show you that no matter what, it is always good to get a second opinion. It is terrible that we put our trust in doctors (medical or veterinary) and there are quite a few bad ones out there. I think you handled it much better than I would have...
I am sending healing vibes and good tummy vibes to Hana. Hopefully she will kick this quickly and be back out in the brush soon!
I do feel that I have to say the really unpopular thing now, and I might be wrong.
I completely understand the initial reaction to tell the specialist to f off, the mistake was almost a fatal one (and it's especially unforgiveable if she reacted like there had been no problem. Mistakes happen in diagnosis, vets and doctors don't always know everything perfectly, but you need to own up when you mess up).
That said, if the disease really is rare, wouldn't it be a good thing if a lab somewhere could get a sample of it, so that more is known in the future and other dogs can hopefully be saved (and not misdiagnosed).
Maybe there is a different vet or someone who could get a sample if you don't want this person to get the credit (understandable).
Anyway, I'm glad things are on the up.
If rocky mountain spotted fever is rare in your area they may not be up on the info and didn't take the time to consult for further confirmation before diagnosis. What a dud of a vet. I would have your regular or new vet send in a sample for further study any DVM can send it in.
Good wishes for a speedy recovery.
Snf
For anyone else interested here is link to rickettsal disease: http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/rickettsial-diseases.aspx
its hard to describe the conversation that took place with all the docs we saw but buttom line is that the emer vet was in the wrong for putting me on the backburner knowing Hana didn't have lymphoma.
She's loosing weight really fast and its a battle just to keep her hydrated. I will keep every one updated. I really appreciate every ones support, its really keeping me going right now.
Jesse
I'm glad the diagnosis was wrong, but I'm sorry it happened the way it did. I don't tend to have a super hot temper, but that "specialist" would have had a fun time with me... I'm sure she enjoyed your conversation.
Happy to hear things are getting better.
Thanks Kevin, I'm just glad that there is a chance for Hana to pull through.
http://www.1800petmeds.com/Nutri+Cal-prod1340.html
Hang in there we are pulling for you.
Snf