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Debbie Crowder-BaaramuLuke

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Everything posted by Debbie Crowder-BaaramuLuke

  1. Just signed my contract to do the Bluegrass Novice field pen again, and it brings to mind Luke, who has been properly memorialized before, but here goes... Luke was my second Border Collie, but he was the foundation of my being able to work stock with dogs. He was a natural dog, had a lovely outrun and fortunately (or unfortunately, as it seems now) didn't require having lots of time on sheep and a knowledgeable trainer/handler to be useful to me. My first dog Calvin was a bright, strong-eyed thing, lots of power and completely lost on me, but Luke was quiet and subtle on sheep, and he could move them easily without giving them the willies. He had his faults, and people who know dogs far better than me wouldn't have wanted him--he had little "style" and his companion job suited him well, loving a good game of toss and chase, even presenting Tom Forrester regularly with sticks which he expected (til the end) that Tom would throw for him to fetch. He didn't, ("I'm not playing with you, dog") but he never gave up. We got invited to do little informal demonstrations, first with the Lacy's, who bred him, and then on our own, and with Luke, I could take a trailer load of sheep to an event, take them out, turn them loose for a show and then pack them up to go home, never causing a scene or disaster, sheepy mayhem on the general public. Lots of people who never saw a Border Collie work saw Luke and thought he was phenominal, and he was, just a normal Border Collie. I reminded them he was, Border Collie talent-wise, a low-end specimen, but as a dog, he was top flight. He adored children, and could entertain them all, even the little silent ones with troubles. He'd put a toy in the lap of a wheelchair-bound child and watch their faces for a sign of joy (and wait for a possible toss). Luke got me in the door at trials I'd never be able to enter as a competitor, and without him, I would never have learned sheep. Partnered with Luke, I was invited to work at many trials, and we got to see the world (of Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virgina...). Being called Shepherd by one "boss" almost made me cry with joy...what a beautiful life I had, thanks to Luke. Being asked to work at the Bluegrass had a special meaning, because it's a special trial and because we could introduce ourselves to Vergil Holland, who had Luke's sire, Kip. When we got there, Luke was 11, getting slower due to his arthritis and a recent tooth abscess crisis that kept him in the sidelines for Borders On Paradise in PA, but he was his glorious self in KY, the weather was delightful and he felt great. His job, as the trial progressed, was being being handy to catch and hold the sheep that went over the back fence (a good many did that year) to the back gate of the pen til I could get out and around to let them in. Until we got that job sorted out between us, a group or two went all the way around to the open field. Luke seemed to understand the job and was eager to be useful. A lot of trials, there's little need for him (or any dog) in my work, but when need arises, you better have a good dog. Mostly, a good pen dog waits, quietly, and he was terrific at that too. Long story short, on a Friday, just so happened to be the 13th, just so happened to be my old late Calvin's birthday, it ended up being Luke's last day. He was resting under the water truck, hanging out with the guys who came up to fill tubs and chew the fat, and he didn't get up in time when the truck left. He was put down in minutes, thanks to a vet being there at the trial, and I was overwhelmed with grief at the loss of my best friend, and guilt for having caused so many fine people so much despair for having to witness that event. I struggled with my sheep-handling life, wondering if I had enough courage to keep at it without Luke, or if I had the desire to do the work at all, given it's association with the death of my daily companion and friend. I still struggle, my current dogs get the job done, but they aren't Luke. I'm still astounded by the sight of a good working dog, and I feel close to heaven being out in a field, surrounded by sheep who count on me to get them safely sorted and cared for, listening to the wind, the whistles, and yeah, even feeling the rain on my face and the slop under my feet. I'm humbled by those days, all because of Luke. I hope I see him again one day; it was okay to tell him as the life slipped away from him that I loved him, he was such a good boy, but I want to toss him another stick, and see him smile. Now I go to KY to work that spot where he died, all in his honor, because working sheep was his true joy. Rest in peace, boy...we'll see you in May.
  2. Nancy You know, I always revisit the people/euthanasia topic for myself when I have to deal with deciding to end an animal's suffering, and I'm sure it would be an interesting topic among us all. (Sue, thank you and prayers for you and Ed for the loss of Mac...see you in a short ten days) Faith plays into whether we think it right to wish to end human suffering, and I do believe it isn't right to end your own life or another's, BUT Knowing (or not knowing) now how my husband handled the possible euthanasia of Sandman, with all the arrangements I had to make and unmake to organize it, and how I agonized doing it, then feeling all kinds of interesting emotions (and I'm 48, so emotions are getting funny these days) about all of it, I better get my wishes known and documented legally ASAP, so I get to say it's time for me to be let go, should that come up. And then I think, what do I care, if I'm comatose and he's the one who has to live through it, me being lucky to be out of it? I wrestle with the concept of semi-euthanasia for people, like that which my Dad underwent in May (he was an alcoholic who had a great deal of pain, so when he found out his #5 wife was leaving him and being in a deep state of despondency and horrible physical decline, he was allowed to use his morphine in conjuction with his vodka which stopped his failing heart)(three days before the Bluegrass--do I go to the trial or to a viewing in FLA? I seem to have this dilemma over and over again.) Is it wrong to want to be relieved of pain and misery when it is truly hopeless? SO, like I learned with Sandman, whose pain should be eased, and at whose expense? Geez. BTW-Sandman is great, I actually think the damn thing is trying to heal up...PAX, you know what I mean. Tim has backpeddled since the initial fit, but I secretly think he's patting himself on the back for saving the old boy's life. As for Roly, he still thinks she could have been cured of bloat, but he isn't going there. I do miss her sweet face, but Eve's happier not competing for invalid attention. Nancy, you make some good points, thanks for making me think.
  3. Last night, after I wrote my last post, I went home, fed the dogs and went to bed, have to work this morning again. Roly woke me up at 12:30, a strange little woof, and her mouth covered in drool. Poor girl had bloated, and I took her to the emergency vet in town and let her go. God has a way of working these things out, I was home, I was not at a trial, she didn't "suffer" long, and even there she wagged her tail, although it was sad because she clearly was looking to me for help and I had to drive her thirty minutes into town, then go through the check-in process at a strange vet's. I'm just glad that's over. I sure will miss her smiling face.
  4. Pax, I know the treatment, Dr. Bain from our vet clinic came out to see it for himself (all the other vets there have all been witness to the mess of Sandman's tail), thinking this might be a good case, but he agreed, too far gone. His tail is in the middle of the current area of trouble, both sides of his dock are involved, and the tumor that abcessed (necrotic nasty thing) opened up on top, then below, so it luckily drains through all the way now, but it's size and his getting thin, the ones inside him I can't see, the ones in his sheath, it's just time. He has had a great life, even though he's lived through some dumb accidents, EPM, and his sometimes fragile emotional well-being (he's top guy in any group he lives with, but is insecure about it--has a hard time with being physically able to maintain his bad-ass moves when he needs to, yet another reason to let him go now). I think I'm over this whole week. I also think I'm ready to accept that sometimes, yes, I will need to do things like PTS to an animal because I can't afford the time or the money to give it proper treatment, and sometimes it just isn't possible to avoid even if I did have it, and schedules do matter in the big picture. If I put down Roly next week because she isn't better and can't stay this good much longer, so be it. If I put down Sandman this spring because I dread maggots and having him dragged down to skin and bones, or too sick to enjoy life, Tim will just have to let me have it with both barrels of his mouth. For them, I can take it, and I'll be right, and I just have to trust my heart on this one. I'm thankful for having faith to help me, and for you guys for being a sounding board and for some really good thoughts and lessons.
  5. Debbie and Roly update: Roly is doing okay. She has the heart failure, she breathes harder than usual, but her tail wags when you talk to her, she still has her dog position in the pack (MIss Grumpy) and her appetite is better. We increased the Enalapril to twice a day, Lasix three times. I still think she's going soon, she had a spell yesterday where she lost her balance and keeled over, but it was over in a flash, and she was okay after that. I can't see putting her down today. New dilemma: I have a horse, 26, has had melanoma issues for years, and this time it's really critical, but like Roly, Sandman eats, drinks, sleeps and maintains his social status great, but I know his butt is rotting off, and he will get sick from it. WIth horses, you have to call a vet to come out (no putting them in the car and running to the vet) and the backhoe guy to come bury them. This has been in my mind for the last three years probably, and his largest tumor abcessed on Monday, that is, it ruptured. This has happened a lot in the last few years, but I tend to it and it heals and we go on. Life is great. This tumor is more on his body, near his rectum, than his tail, which has been a problem. I called the vet, who happens to be a great guy who helped write the stuff you read when you go to the AVMA site and want to read up on equine euthanasia. He agreed with me it was time to put Sandman down. I got it worked out, got the backhoe guy lined up, the 4H kids informed, some of who wanted to be there (great kids, only seniors invited, and the vet was very happy to use this as as lesson for them) and... My Husband had a fit. "There's nothing wrong with him, you just want to clean up your mess so you can go to dog trials, why don't you just kill all of them so it'll just be you and the Border Collies." He hasn't lived with animals EXCEPT the dogs and cats, I've had anywhere from 5-15 horses at a time, but NOT where he lived and he didn't have anything to do with them (we will have been married 25 years this year-betcha didn't think I was THAT old, did you?) I guess I didn't think I needed to ask him about it. I've had to put down at least 8 horses/ponies in the last ten years, and lived through as many when I worked for the old lady I worked for who had this bunch before she died. AS it stands, I cancelled the euthanasia for this evening. Iwill try to keep his wound clear and him healthy, and get Tim to help, seeings how he needs to understand better. I guess he'll have to next weekend anyway. I excuse his tyrade because this is his way (sh---y as it is) of dealing with his emotional hurt and distress, and he needs time to accept it, and to learn what I've had the privilege of learning over the years. Ssndmand has time, not much, but he'll be okay. At one point I thought Roly and Sandman were leaving today. Life is a real piece of work.
  6. Oh, Julie, Eve is just fine and dandy too, almost 16, the other high-maintence member of my entourage! I always have to check with my "bosses" about what to do with Eve when I'm at their trials! This time I had to check on how much they loved me to allow for two of them. Life!!
  7. Thanks to all, every answer is a good one. I am one of those people who, in theory, believes that death is not the worst thing that can happen to an animal, especially in the hands of a caring, skillful vet. In my heart, Roly is enjoying her days, especially now that they're getting warmer...she still growls at Beryl for looking at her in her crate, still woofs at strange cars when they come down the road, has a gleem in her eye thinking about giving chase. She's down to 38 pounds from almost 50, eats only when I trick her into drinking her a/d with water, which she loves. She's mostly happy and looks to get in the truck when I open the door, something she never preferred in the past, so if I decided to put her down tomorrow, I'd know she wouldn't have any worse days than today ahead of her, but I can't do it, at least not this minute. Today's the first tears I've shed over it, reading your posts. Let the floodwaters roll, so to speak, which is why I don't let it go anymore. Took me six months to stop them after Luke. Feels good to let up on the pressure though. Julie, you're right, I feel an obligation to go to the trial, and I guess I'm feeling like it's just bad bad timing. I already spoke with the host about it, and I feel like if Roly can be like she is right now, we will be fine to go together, just for the three days. I know I can put her down if I think she is getting worse in the next week, and feel like I did the right thing, but Liz put it well(WHAT HAVE I DONE!?), I did this kind of thing one other time, hauntingly similar situation, and ended up feeling like it was a God thing, putting me in a corner so I'd do the right thing now. I rationalized Luke's accident that way too, knowing how much he meant to me, having it be quick and no decisions to be made, God stepped in and took him. I struggle with that one, me and Him. Bless all of you for your help. One day at a time here.
  8. I have a dear, sweet mutt dog who I got from being a vet hospital employee in 1995, which makes her almost 12. She came in with her 5 littermates, less than a week old, the whole litter abandoned and having maggots on every oriface a pup can have, ears, anus, nostrils, and my pup Roly had three holes in her back and rump full of maggots as well. We took on this litter, each of us taking two, and I took Roly because she had more afflictions as a single, and she healed and grew up to be a fabulous friend. Roly is the kind of dog who enjoys home and being chief protector and handles her position as non-border collie in a BC household really well. She's developed heart failure, and her chest has fluid on it that we've drained twice now, which she hates, and she's on Lasix and Enalapril, not eating great and hanging closer to me. I feel like her time is getting short, and if I could turn her around, I'd do anything to make it happen, anything. She's been going to work with me daily, and seems okay to do this, and I'm worried about not seeing her almost every minute. I worry she'll have a crisis and need to be put down in a very short order, but for now she wags her tail and follows me everywhere, pretty contentedly. It's like she's fine, except that she has much less energy and breathes like a dog with congestive heart failure. Given her state now versus three weeks ago, I doubt she can go much longer, and I have absolutely no qualms putting her down, but I will be horribly sad. How can put out of my mind that I'm considering that I have a trial to go to in a couple of weeks, and that I've considered taking her along, her first trial, possibly setting her up to die on the road, with no known DVM there to help me if she has a crisis? If she has it next week, and I put her down, I'm going to feel guilty for being relieved of the decision. She can't stay home like she is, either way, because my husband can't handle her meds or her situation. If I decide to put her down in the next couple of weeks, I'm going to feel like I did it for my convenience, although I truly know better. I always end up coming here for answers because I know you all understand (I hope).
  9. I never realized how touchy a subject this is, and to me, the Border Collie is THE perfect example of truly selective breeding for a dog capable of performing what he was intended for. As I held onto a delightful looking female chihuahua, fully muzzled and fighting every tiny snip of her delicate little toenails, I grew almost enraged at my co-worker's question "do we know of any intact male chihuahuas? This one's owner is looking for a male to mate her to". Great, a companion animal that weighs all of three pounds and needs a muzzle to groom, looking to create more of her kind. These folks didn't even care that she's got temperment issues, and that her knees are lax, she's a female, they paid for her, they love her and they think she ought to be bred. The only other male we came up with in our memory banks also has temperment issues, albeit they do get that way in the hospital for the vaccines and stuff we have to do with them. I know how people think of their dogs, and if I breed one of mine (IF), he/she better be a useful dog on stock and more than me ought to think that. Given that, I probably still will have to defer to the breeders who I truly respect, and seek to get a pup from them when I need one. Sport people will always be able to select from that pool as well, as most of the pups produced probably won't make the work force, or even trial prospects. I gotta say I enjoyed the "heads up" posts. I think everyone handled it really well this time, no ugly fights.
  10. Becca, Tina can be found at Osci@aol.com, the clinic is hosted by Skip Robinson, and Tina's the facilitator, so to speak. I would think you could come on by, you know how it is at these things. I think we've both gotten out of the habit of watching the boards, from my work computer, it's been taking too long to get here for a quick peak. For some reason I got right on tonight. I'll pass your inquiry on to Tina D'. Hope to see you there!
  11. HEy, BTW, my co-worker is reading over my shoulder having a serious "get a life" hoot over why people on the BC boards would be discussing campers. Some people have no idea what our lives are about.
  12. Well, if you pass up the discounted teardrop, could you pas the info along? The RV show is this weekend, might go see what's cooking.
  13. Sue, I feel your pain (and I said I knew/loved you because that makes for me worrying about you!). I have no doubt you'll find what's right for you and your Subaru. I still vote for you to spend the bucks on a teardrop, like Arne and SHIRLEY (I messed up earlier on her name!) When they were at the last trial I was, they gave me the grand tour and let me take photos of it, Arne essentially made it himself, and it is just about perfect for a person and a dog or two on cold nights or a spouse if you love them enough to be cozy (theirs is a "queen size"). They have a TV, fan, radio, lights, a kitchen in the back and it's ultra light. They have a shower-tent for clothes changing and toilet in the van (? not sure). Basically, you'd be towing minimal weight, be off the ground and dry and cozy when it mattered. And nothing to do when you set up camp but level it up and chock the wheels. No storms would blow you apart (remember last Bluegrass?). Tim swears he's going to convert my Ebay pop-up to a teardrop ONE DAY. I'll probably end up sleeping in the truck again this year.
  14. Sue, I know and love you to death. I'd be nervous towing much with a light vehicle like the Outback, especially through hilly terrain or on the highway at higher speeds, up or down. The very light teardrops, like we see Arne and Bev in would be my limit. Why not consider a very nice tent? With a cot to get you off the ground, you'd be better off than you've been sleeping in the car (been there, done that myself). I'm having the same issue myself lately, can't afford much camper, can't afford the gas difference towing much, so you weigh out where you want to spend the $--tent, motel, camper? I'm still looking for a decent pop-up, but with the truck (moderately expensive to feed) at least I don't sweat the towing safety issues. I'd take Tony's advice and get up with a good towing equipment specialist and see what you can do.
  15. On the hips thing, I do believe in having hips evaluated, especially for breeding potential. Having said that, one of the dogs I have in my pack now is one who had OFA certification ("Good") and had two litters of pups for her previous owner, of which I was given a male who ended up OFA dysplastic. I know of one other pup who also had hip issues. This female was neutered and retired from breeding, but had the PennHip evaluation done, and OFA films resubmitted by accident (three doc's at our clinic were working to get certified for this and all of us who owned prebred dogs got these done for free and hers were sent with all the others.) Anyway, she came back OFA poor. Go figure. WHile her son Luke had hip issues (and at 11, he had some arthritic issues that possibly contributed to his death in an accident), Eve's still kicking at almost 16. I do believe in testing, but even that seems TO ME to be a crapshoot. With these dogs, working ability and instinct are the most important elements. Most of the dogs I've known with seriously bad hips had issues very early on, before their first anniversary. Those fellows wouldn't hold up to the years of training it takes to produce a good open dog, as our years ago handlers probably found out in the days before OFA and the like. Eye problems are probably more of an issue, and possibly hearing, in my humble and often feeble opinion.
  16. I'm amazed to be able to cut and paste, so here goes! How many border collies do you have? 6 How many have you owned in your lifetime? 8 Do you use them for herding? yes agility? nope obedience? nope Are they part of the family or just used for working? I liked Julie's answer. The family that works together, stays together...or was that play? We like to work. All my dogs are in the house when I am asleep, some go to work with me (real job) and most do some kind of stock work. What made you choose the breed? Fate. I needed a traveling companion and was three days post putting my dear lab mix down, and this weenie little woman presented me with two trial Border Collies to groom for her husband because she was short on time and energy due to impending intestinal surgery. Ironically, those two were future VBCA Hall of Famers, Midge and Rip, and I was floored by their awesome temperments and demeanor. They touched me so deeply that I found myself going down this road (bought a pup from her that day) as if I had absolutely no say in the matter. I named him Calvin, mostly for that--"predestined to their worldly fate", me and my first Border Collie. Will you only buy a dog with hips & eyes done- no, but I do them on any I consider breeding Do you breed? I've only been in that spot once, due to my partnership with another very wise breeder. I will probably do it again, not anytime soon. Is your dog fixed? Some are, some aren't. Do papers mean anything to you? yes Did you ruin your first dog on sheep- I won't say yes and I won't say no. I won't say I haven't ruined the second or third, etc, but do I think they'd be better off with a better handler? Sure, but does that really matter? I'm still learning. I'm better than I was. They don't seem to care, as long as my heart's in the right place. Have you ever bought a trained dog? Started-yes, but most of my dogs have not been bought at all. I only paid for the first one, and one other beyond that. City or country living? rural, but Walmart is ten minutes away. Ever buy any other breed of dog? No--key word "buy". Won't say I won't adopt another stray or injured canine of other heritage. What got you hooked on herding? Sheep and Jack Knox Have you ever done rescue? What's "done"? Worked for rescue, lived it, encouraged it? I have one dog who came into my life because she was one of three pups dumped on animal control from a backyard breeder who couldn't market but 5 of the eight she produced. A friend knew I had BC's and she saw the name of my breeder friend on the last line of the papers, and called me about this last pup-she found homes for the other two. This little girl had no socialization and a submissive peeing issue that kept her out of two prior placements. I took her in and promised her she'd never go any further, and she hasn't. That's my rescue, and taking retired dogs from people because I'm a sucker for old folks. I also tend to collect old hound dogs and vet hospital oddball placements. I do believe in rescue, hats off to the folks who make it their passion, but I do purposefully select my dogs for work.
  17. I can't say I actually thought this would be safer than working horses, but I probably did until I had an "incoming" sheep coming at me, airborn and blinded by determination to escape some dog on it's heels. I'm loving all the stories, especially the ones relating horse to dog transitions and people who made the difference in our passage from ignorance to less so. It really does tell of our culture and love for the dogs that we find so many helpful people along the way. In my years with Border Collies, I only had one fellow smirk at a question of mine and tell me that for $30 an hour (years-ago rate for education), he'd tell me what I wanted to know. I haven't seen him around much, and wonder if he's even in dogs anymore. Wonder if I can sum up my "what got me" in less than 50 words? I'll try: Dear pet(lab mix)PTS, considered my first purebred venture (Bernese Mountain Dog first on that list), Grace of God and Karen Lacy, Calvin, then Luke, who changed my life forever. Getting seriously burnt out on horses (and the people connected to them), but Divine process still makes sure the horses stay with me by orphaning ten-some old equine friends to my care, but allowing me to meet LOTS of new friends in my search for answers to my working dog questions via Jack Knox clinics. Ended up living a truly 50/50 life with horses and dogs to this day, often having to chose between them on weekends. Who'd have thought the Va State 4H Horse Championship Show for 2007 would be same weekend as USBCHA Finals this year? Damn. (Sorry Sue, I cussed.) Couldn't do it, sorry. I HAVE to add, because it's a huge milestone for me, but after at least 14 years of not doing so, I (me, fat and all) broke my young QH, aptly named Faith and Chocolate, Faith for short, by myself, and without wrecking my now 48 year old body. Yippee! I owe my being able to do this to Jack, for opening my eyes to what makes for good training, thus getting in touch with the likes of Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt and their protege's...at least in philosophy. I am truly stoked. That's what I call coming full circle, at least in my life. Now I try to give back through 4H, another wonderful part of my life enhanced by the dogs.
  18. Can only anecdotally disagree with last poster ...we do look for tatoos on any found dog, BUT it is more difficult if they are scared or defensive and rolling them over then is tricky. Tatoos are also a bit of a maintenence issue if hair grows over the site or it does fade a bit. For what it's worth, we scan found DOA's too, and look for tatoos on those as well. I'd be willing to bet last poster's right though on "most" places, but hope it's not the case. ID tags of some kind sure do make it easier.
  19. I do both, here we use AVID microchips, so I have my dogs tatoo'd "AVID MICROCHIP". Haven't had to see if it works to date, but when we first started placing chips, we did them subcutaneously and Luke's migrated to his sternum, BUT having learned that, if we get a dog in to scan, we scan EVERYWHERE. Now they place them IM, no floats.
  20. Just for fun, ran the same things on an invoice here, came to $101.83, how funny. BUT...there were differences, like the exam fee, $37.50, basically similar, our fluorescein stain fee, $14.10, the Heartworm test we do is a SNAP test for heartworm, Lymes and Erhlichia, $38.52 and our meds, I chose Neo-Poly-Dex ointment, came in at $11.71. I feel like our prices are reasonable, but sometimes people react violently to large bills when they do run into large problems. Depends on the people, too. Seems to me sometimes the folks who have the money to spend (granted, an assumption) get all huffy over paying our office visit fees and the financially just making it ones pay without argument or dickering. Pick a doctor you trust, get to know the staff as well, and spend the wellness visits explaining who you are and what these animals mean to you and they'll work with you. Another question regarding larger bills, do any of your vet hospitals offer promissary notes or billing, or is it all 'payment in full day of services'?
  21. Thanks, ditto here. Wish I had a nickel for every moron who said their pet herded the kids, etc. Herding, to me, and I kind of hate to use the term here, is when my dog waits (on his own, guaranteed to give me happy chilly bumps) for a single to think out how stupid it is to be out there on her own and rejoins the group. Same thing when he/she figures out balance and distance using their God given genetic potential.
  22. Believe this or not, Sharon Nunan and I were doing some time at the top at a trial, and I had a radio, tuned to an oldies station. Songs would come on and we'd get giddy at the implications they had pertaining to what we were seeing up there. Two songs that really had us were "RESPECT" and "These Boots Were Made for Walking". If I remember any of the others, I'll chime back in...
  23. Thanks, I got the email on it, tried to access it a number of times with no luck, but with this link, bingo.
  24. Bless you, Bless your Zoe. My first BC, Calvin had issues with his health/prostate at 8 yrs, and I was getting doing pre-anesthetic bloodwork to have him neutered (please, no condemnations on why he wasn't neutered sooner)when we found out his PCV was about 18%. Needless to say, no surgery, and ironically, he was crashing at the time, but I didn't know it. Calvin was really REALLY laid back, but would rally for whatever interested him, this was his demeanor his whole life. I felt like a complete moron for not picking it up, but in hindsight, the signs were there. As for stablization, he had IV fluids and pred., then an ACTH stim. test, tick panel, Coombs test, T3T4 tests, ended up with a splenctomy and was regenerative (producing red blood cells). What he ended up with was about a 25-30% "normal" PCV, but had problems with being on longterm steroids (mainly Pred.), including Azathioprine (very expensive), Baytril AND amoxicillin just to keep his immunity issues in check. I spent over 18K on him in a little over a year, and I work for a vet hospital. His main DVM was an internal med specialist at a referral hospital near us, and she was great. Calvin was also supposed to enter into a study (the now late)Dr. Bernie Feldman was doing up at VaTech on IMHA dogs, but I lost him in May 2002, after a long, hard year of illness. Looking back, I wouldn't have done anything in treatment any differently. I vaccinated annually, now I don't but every three years or check titers. I watch out for ticks, use Frontline pretty seriously. I look at gums a LOT. At his worst, Calvin had a PVC of 10%, but he rebounded. Calvin went to trials with me until the end, all bandaged up for his calcinosis cuticus (sp) that took all his elbow skin away. He loved his life, even sick, and enjoyed taking his last puppy, Simon, under his wing (Calvin loved puppies and was horribly defensive of them to other dogs). ps-Simon was not his offspring, just "his", Calvin never was bred. None of his kin ever had this affliction that I was aware of, and none of my other dogs has. We've had several other dogs in this hospital with it, among them a Cocker Spaniel named Lucy I adored who lived to be 13. Lucy got Calvin's Azathioprine leftovers after he was PTS. Read up all you can on it, but every dog is different, every case different. This is a real idiopathic mess. My heart goes out to you, and certainly my prayers.
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