Becky - dob 4/29/07
5/9/09 - scroll down to see pictures of Becky's 2nd birthday and her new wheels!

Becky, a little 43 lb greyhound, was carried off the hauler when it arrived in CT in mid August. She had been traveling for 2 days, so we weren't too
concerned when she she was limping on her left rear leg. We gave her a bath, tended to an open sore on her thigh and would monitor a suspected
pressure sore on her rear. After reviewing her paperwork, it was also discovered that this 15 month old pup had been treated for heartworm
infection and had been given nine vaccinations in one day in late July, right after her spay surgery.  Within three days of her arrival in CT
she spiked a fever and was taken to the Emergency Vet because the pressure sore had developed into an abscess that needed to be lanced. She was put
on antibiotics and Rimadyl for the pain and inflammation. Her limp improved over the course of treatment, but 10 days later when the Rimadyl was finished,
she declined to the point where she couldn't get up on her own and needed support to walk. She would cry,
eagerly wagging her tail and desperately wanting to move, but while her spirit was willing, her body clearly wasn't able. It would break your heart to
watch her try to move, so she was taken to an orthopedic specialist in MA to evaluate her leg and hips. Upon exam, it was determined that her problem
wasn't orthopedic, but systemic, and she was a very sick little dog.

She had fluid on all her joints, which the vet said would cause extreme pain and explain why she would cry and couldn't walk. Her diagnosis then pointed
to immune mediated poly-arthritis, likely caused by the injection of nine vaccinations in one day. She was once again prescribed Rimadyl, and we
anxiously awaited test results from the joint taps, and the blood work for tick borne diseases and the presence of bacterial infections. Test after test
came back negative, so her joints were x-rayed for another piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, mild erosion was detected. Her diagnosis is now immune
mediated erosive poly-arthritis. Her rear legs were failing again, and it was imperative to stop the progression of the disease. Due to the
seriousness of her condition, we took her to an internal medicine specialist at Angell Memorial in Boston in early September. Once again, she underwent
extensive testing as they drew additional blood for further tick borne disease testing & bacterial infections. It was of utmost importance to
confirm that she didn't have an active infection, because the Prednisone that was needed to reduce the inflammation and stop her body from attacking
her joints would seriously comprise her health if she had an infection. Once again, all tests were negative, and we could finally begin a five month
treatment plan of prednisone. She initially responded very well and improved to the point where she could get up on her own, but then regressed once the
first taper of prednisone started. It was recommended that she also be given Leflunomide, in addition to the prednisone. This is a serious
immunosuppressant, but we felt it was needed to stop the progression of the disease if she was to have a fighting chance of enjoying life and being the
puppy she should be. Unfortunately her testing isn't over, and her white cell count, liver enzymes and levels of Leflunomide need to be monitored
regularly. She spiked a temp recently and was put on another round of antibiotics, and although there is an audible crinkling noise in her knees,
she is responding well to treatment and has gained two pounds. It's likely her long term prognosis won't be known for some time, so we enjoy every day we
can spend with her.


Update 4/15/09 - From Becky's foster Mom:
It has been months since my last update. After two rounds of Leflunomide level testing, subsequent films of her wrists revealed further erosion,
so we abandoned that course of treatment.  With time of the essence, she is now under the care of an orthopedic.
 We’ve made a second attempt at getting her into remission with a chemotherapy combination of prednisone and azathioprine.
 Despite the supplements to help protect and support her liver, the high prednisone dosage has caused some problems with her liver enzymes,
 so we’ll continue to monitor that, along with her white cell count. Thankfully her liver values are getting better with each prednisone taper,
and we do believe she’s now in remission. The vet would like for her to remain on the current dosages for several months with the hope her joints will stabilize.
 Her body is making more bone in response to the disease, so her wrists are extremely knobby & pronounced now, particularly on the left side.
 She does have some nausea and vomiting from time to time, but have added Pepcid to her growing regime of medications and supplements, which seems to help.

Due to the suppression of her immune system, her world is fairly limited so we can reduce her exposure to infection.
We take her on short walks, but her wrists easily swell from the strain if we over do it. This serves as a constant reminder of how fragile she is,
but nonetheless very happy & she loves to shred the toys from Auntie Agnes within minutes of their arrival.
 Still unable to navigate the deck stairs, she happily trots up & down the ramp, & enjoys lying in the sun.
 She requires a lot of care and monitoring, but we’re happy to do it because she is the sweetest little dog.

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