Loofa going to see a specialist...

[JaxTellersOldLady]

The ulcers are still there, gums are still very red, energy levels/recovery is off and his mouth is basically still a bloody mess. On the plus side he is on nature diet and loving it, his coat is much better and he has put some weight on again.

So after a few weeks of no medication, a fun filled holiday including exercise, lots of swimming, running around and general all round merriment Loofa has an appointment to go to a specialist next Thursday. He will stay there for a few days for tests etc and then I am not sure what happens. Either full diagnosis and treatment or end of the line.

I am apprehensive, my darling pup is only just turning 16 months and this is not good. But at least we are moving forward again.

I took him to my old Vet in Scotland when we were up - just on the off chance she might know what it was and we got an AHA!!! moment, sadly not - she said she would have treated him exactly the same as our vets have done and would be thinking of the auto immune route now too.

Please let this work out. My dog is just excellent and we have such great plans for him, but until he is better he cant do agility or proper training for any purpose and that makes me sad.

I know Kid and VAlhalla read the other threads, this was just (supposedly) a quick update.

Poor little chap, I hope so much that the steroids kick the inflammation out.

Wish I could do more than senf hugs to you both.

Keep fighting Loofah, precious boy.

Oh, Jax

I'm so sorry. Have been following your story - you have been through ao much already. Always sad when a dog is poorly, but young dogs especially so.

Sending you both lots of love and positive vibes x

thank you for all your kind words and hugs. It is nice to post and have some feed back. I sort of feel cheated - from doing the things that I wanted to with the dog and for him, he is such a fantastic dog, so calm, steady and loving.

Anyway, don't lose hope. The vet'll have held off on giving him steroids because of possible side-effects, as you know, but doesn't mean the steroids won't work. Have faith, hon.

Will keep it all crossed

I know Bella, we have tried everything else known to man (& Vet) before steroids, so will also be keeping it all crossed.

At the moment he is lying on the sofa fast asleep.

Of course my dog isnt allowed on the sofa, but its special circumstances.

Have only just seen this, so sorry things are not going as well as you had hoped.

Fingers crossed for an improvement.

Took Loofa to the Vet and they doubled his dose of steroids - on the advice of the specialist Vet, who has been fab, calling to see how he is, liasing with our Vet and generally being super helpful. He is also back on a weeks worth of Marbocyl antib's so hoping that clears any infection still hanging around.

His mouth looks a bit better, poor dog is so thirsty and had me up at 3am to go for a pee in the garden. Still happy in himself, still scoffing his special food and still bugging the cat.

Oh, and he has put on a tiny bit of weight - probably the steroids, but its still a good thing.