katied Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Hi everyone. A while ago, I posted about my border collie, Gloria, who had an unusual array of symptoms including migrating lameness, lethargy, wasting and an intermittent fever. I got lots of feedback from people and we looked at every possibility-but she was negative for all tick borne illnesses and fungal infections. Her blood work was always normal except for a very slight elevation in neutrophils. When I last posted, it had been decided her symptoms were consistent with polyarthritis and she went on a course of immunosuppressants (azathioprine and prednisone). She seemed to improve, then the symptoms returned and with a vengeance. At the suggestion of a third vet, we took her off the drugs and she she was mildly anemic and had low WBCs from the immunosuppressants. After a few weeks, she seemed to improve then relapsed again with a 105.8 degree fever and severely swollen tonsils and lymph nodes. Biopsies were performed, all seemed to indicate an infection but nothing cancerous. Then the cycle repeated and she had a bone marrow biopsy. Just prior to the biopsy, her hematocrit dropped dangerously low and to save her life, she had a transfusion. The biopsy showed very low RBC and platelet precursors and a lot of granulocyte precursors and neutrophils. The thought was that this was an unusual presentation of azathioprine induced bone marrow suppression or that she had an auto-immune disease that was attacking her myeloid precursors specifically in the erythrocyte and megakaryocyte lineage. She did well after the transfusion until about 4 weeks out, when her hematocrit dropped again. WBCs were fully recovered by this point. She received another transfusion and the hope was that her bone marrow was going to recover. All analyses thus far had not been consistent with leukemia. No elevated WBCs, except a slight elevation in neutrophils again. Then, Friday, a second bone marrow biopsy showed that her RBCs were making no recovery and she now has unusual cells present that appear to be cancerous myeloid stem cells with neutrophilic characteristics. It is still not a typical presentation of leukemia but the diagnosis this time is very ominous. She is transfusion dependent and there is no treatment for this type of aggressive leukemia. This is a sad story. I hope that anyone who has a sick dog and goes to many vets with none of them able to find an answer reads this. Her symptoms were consistent with what people with leukemia often complain about before anything is evident in their blood work...bone pain and fatigue. I don't know that anything could have been done had the diagnosis been made last year when the symptoms started, but her bone marrow is now too far gone. We are keeping her comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 I am so sorry to hear about your girl. That's so hard. Thank you for sharing your story. You are in my thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 I am sorry to hear about Gloria. You went above and beyond in trying to help her. Comfort seems to be the best you can offer at this point. Jovi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnewe2 Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 Prayers for both you and your dog. I hope neither of you suffer more than you have to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 I'm so sorry for you and Gloria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushdoggie Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 I'm sorry, I am wishing many peaceful days for you to be together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mdaniels Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Oh shoot. My dog had polyarthritis and that was bad enough. So sorry. God Bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 So sorry to hear this. Cancer sucks. Spoil her and treasure every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Horrible news... Enjoy every day you have with her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katied Posted May 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Gloria passed away last night. She had an opportunistic infection as a result of the leukemia. Antibiotics weren't enough. Her bone marrow never recovered and she had not enough red blood cells to give her strength or white blood cells to fight it off. Thanks to all for your thoughts. I guess I am fortunate to have lived this long and never before seen cancer take an animal-human or canine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz P Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Run free Gloria. So sorry for your loss. You gave her the very best chance you could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WildFlower Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Rest in peace, sweet girl. I am so sorry for your loss. You did all you could for her. She was loved and I am sure she knows that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fargo Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 So sorry to hear.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrecar Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falon's Mom Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 So sorry for your loss. Run free Gloria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diane allen Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Run in peace, sweet Gloria. So sorry for your loss, but thank you ever so much for sharing your story. If 1000 people read it and only 1 benefits - that is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Coyote Posted May 30, 2013 Report Share Posted May 30, 2013 Ah, shoot. I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alligande Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 So very sorry.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scout Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Oh no...so sorry to hear of this. Prayers sent! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewie'sMom Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 I'm so sorry for your loss. We never get enough time with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushdoggie Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Godspeed, Gloria. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted June 2, 2013 Report Share Posted June 2, 2013 I was out of town when you updated on Gloria and missed it. I am sorry now to read of her passing. I hope you will cherish your memories of her and know you did the best you could to help her right up to the end. Godspeed Gloria. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted June 2, 2013 Report Share Posted June 2, 2013 I am so sorry for you loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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