latest on Gus

[Dillydoodle]

Gus has been back and forth to the dermatologist and my regular vet. He started a new drug two weeks ago that takes about 2 months to show real progress but in the meantime we are now chasing a possibly bigger issue... the blood test last month showed some damage to his liver due to the steriods. Well, we did a follow up blood test and while some of the blood test numbers did show improvement, we got another low number that was not good, so back to my vet for a bile acid test( blood test before eating, then two hours after a meal) to see how his liver is functioning , and that came back elevated... so now we are taking him completely off the steriods ( which may make his skin flare even more) so that his liver may have a chance to heal... we are giving him milk thistle now in addition to the denasyl ( SAM-e) in hopes that we can encourage his liver to start repairing itself.. All this has been very hard on me, I just want to fix him, i want him well, and i love this little guy so much and to know that he is just not well breaks my heart. I feel like a pill dispenser and am praying that the lack of steriod wont make his face worse, it is already not great...part of the weaning off process things often go worse before they get beter, and i am seeing that... here is a recent photo of Gus...It shows his face but doesnt show the half dozen small spots of missing hair all over his body ( they actually show up as darker spots but all but one, hair from around the bald spot still covers him up a bit...)

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w315/Dillydoodle/DSC00338.jpg

Emilie

[Matthew]

Aww, so tragic! I'm very sorry.

What made this occur in the first place, may I ask?

[mtoy]

Oh, poor sweet boy. I really do hope something works for him. Give him a hug for me...+WUBCLUB+

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Emilie, I started to write, and had to stop for a minute, I'm crying like a baby for that little guy. I feel so sorry for him. You have to be so torn, having one that is so healthy and having to look at Gus and wonder "WHY????" Life isn't fair, and this is just another example, and again, just let me say that I am so very glad that he's in your hands. Had to take another break here....... no matter how sick Gus gets, you KNOW that he KNOWS that he is loved, and is safe, and that you are doing the VERY best that can possibly be done. He knows that, don't ever doubt it. He is so sweet because of how you are with him, that's how they pay us back.

[The Chipmunk's Mom]

Emilie

My heart aches for you and Gus. It must be so hard on you but you know that Gus knows you are trying. Thankfully, he is with you where he is getting the best possible care. Often times, things get worse before they get better. We will keep praying for you and Gus and a speedy recovery. I think his face does look a little better. Such a sweet boy. Take care of yourself and give both boys a hug and kisses from the The Chipmunks and me.

[ZdogZ]

Emilie ~ My heart absolutely breaks for you and Gus. He is so very lucky to have you...such a great, caring mom. Sending you lots of good healing vibes, prayers, thoughts, and love.

[LaRositaMonita]

Oh no... my heart breaks for poor, poor Gus. We are sending Mac vibes our way, okay?

[CorgiMum]

{{{{{{Gus}}}}}}

Your poor sweet little guy. I'm saying a prayer that his liver is healing itself so that he can take the needed meds to heal his face and make him feel better soon.

He is so very lucky to have him loving and caring for him Emilie, a big hug to you.

[ColColt]

Emily, I don't know what to say. Bless his heart. If healing were possible by touching this monitor and I had the power, he would look like he did before all this happened. That idiotic vet who diagnosed him wrongly should be cut and quartered for incompetence for having caused much of this. Prayers for this precious little guy and his misery and for your heartbreak, knowing that we too, are feeling what you are and trust in his recovery. I wish that overnight his face would look just like Dillon's and all this would be gone.

http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x220/ColColt/post-17-1147447263.jpg

[Dillydoodle]

Thanks guys... i appreciate the vibes..and the prayers... He doesnt seem to FEEL bad, he is eating well, playing , going for walks, and is just a sweet loving dog. I have read about all the signs of liver damage - and honestly he has none of the obvious signs, but the blood tests don't lie..

Matthew, I adopted Gus in February knowing he had an autoimmune disorder that affected his skin... he was given to me with a misdiagnosis and later we found that his skin condition is a completely different autoimmune disorder.. and he was on a lot of medication including very high doses of steriods over a period of time , and it was these unnecessary meds that damaged his liver. So the part you see ( his face looking like that) is due to the dermatomyositis which we think was passed down from his father who must have been a carrier, the part you dont see - his liver- is the thing I am actually more concerned about right now...

I haven't mentioned the money yet either but with seeing specialists and being on all kinds of different meds and the cost of tests, repeat tests, We have spent about $2,200 since march ... and we have another $500 coming between the retest in 3 wks and the revisit with the specialist in 4 weeks... Thank GOD we have the money to do this , if we didn't wow would we ever be in trouble.. the ongoing monthly meds are about $180 - thankfully one of those is a very expensive antibiotic and in a month hopefully we can not still be on that , so that will be $110 less a month...

I am so grateful that i have the good people here to give me support and that my husband is such a rock when it comes to this and he always says, "dont worry, we will do whatever it takes "...

Emilie

[CorgiMum]

He doesnt seem to FEEL bad, he is eating well, playing , going for walks, and is just a sweet loving dog.

And I know that is the most important thing to you, that he is happy & comfortable. The money yes, I understand how that is for you too.


I am so grateful that i have the good people here to give me support and that my husband is such a rock when it comes to this and he always says, "dont worry, we will do whatever it takes "

And him feeling that way makes all the difference in the world for you to I am sure. Gary is the same for Montrose & I and I can't imagine how hard it would be if we didn't have our husbands' support. And the support the we share with each other here is so important when things are hard for our sweet corgis.

{{{Emile & Husband}}}

[dcole]

Poor little Gus! I am happy to hear that he's feeling well and seems happy. Will continue to send good, healing vibes. +WUBCLUB+

{{{Gus}}} {{{Emilie}}}

[corgimom]

Emilie,

As always, I often think about and pray for you and Gus and that you will have the strength to get through this all and that Gus will get get to a point where he won't have to be on all these medications. I know the autoimmune disorder is not curable, but can be managed successfully and that is what I hope for this special little guy. I know how much you love him and am thankful that God chose you and placed him in your special care where he can get the best chance possible to once again be healthy.
Big hugs and Kisses being sent to Gus.+WUBCLUB+

[corgiland]

Oh Emilie...............Words cannot say how sorry I feel for poor Gus and you and your husband. Wanted you to know that Stan & myself are saying prayers and sending good vibes your way.
He has been on my mind and I have been hoping he was some better.
We will keep the good thoughts going your way.

"Corgiland"
Beverly

[disraeli ears]

Oh, that poor baby. {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{GUS}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Big hugs and corgi smooches from our house to you all.

[Jespah]

Having met Gus just 2 weeks after coming to Emilie and her husband, I know what a wonderful, quiet, happy guy he is. He's in the best place he could be for a great life given his disease. Unfortunately this disease is so blatant - it probably appears to look worse than what he is suffering.

Emilie, no one knows him better than you now, and I know how connected you are to him. It's going to take some time to sort out, but as Linda said, it can be managed and the meds have to all be balanced out.

Lots of hugs to Gus and you guys from me - I really hope we are going to see you in August!!

Deb

[bunnybutts]

(((((HUGS))))) for Gus and for you Em... sometimes people forget how hard it is for the caregiver too. Gus is such a sweet sweet boy and I know you have given him a wonderful home and lots of love. Our best to you both.

[sutulu]

Emilie:

Give Gus a special hug for me. I hope he has the strength and resiliancy to come thru this. I hope you can take some comfort in knowing that while he is suffering thru this, he is in a very loving home.

Susan

[MVons]

Glad Gus feels better regardless how he looks. The liver can heal and milk thistle is great for it. I pray his liver will recover and he only improves better each day. Poor guy probably feels like a pin cushion at the Vets. And the pills will be for life because after the medication, you'll be building up his immune system with supplements. I swear giving pills is worse on us than their minute of displeasure. You are doing great Emilie and we are here for the moral support.

[MrsGrace]

Just saw this post Em, and I am so sorry. Bless your heart for taking such awesome care of him. He obviously came your way for a reason and I have FAITH that you will get the balance needed to get you both feeling top notch.

That picture just ... Oh man... major heartstrings Emily and I hope you take some comfort that you are doing what you can, you got a good diagnosis and you are his guardian angel.

Big big hugs from me and Colby this evening. You are in our thoughts and prayers...

[manymuddypaws]

You are a very strong person Em, and I am sending healing vibes your way for little gus....

[Fluffypants]

Jackie wanted me to send some extra special kisses to her Uncle Gus. We hope he gets better soon. She also wanted me to tell you how happy she is that her sweet uncle found such a great home. You are wonderful corgi parents - no one could ask for more. Like Deb, Jackie and I are hoping to give Gus some in-person snuggles next month!!!