Noodle, having mostly recovered from gastric ulcer symptoms, went back to
the vet's today for another checkup.  They did an xray and the problem with
his lungs has worsened.
 
External symptoms:  slight cough/rasp, occasional. he has a low weight but
is maintaining it.
 
xray results: at the end of may, light scattered densities across his lungs.
At the beginning of july, the lungs were worse, showing uniform light
mass/fogginess across the lungs; ie, the densities had expanded and covered
his lungs.  Today, the xray showed the mass around the lungs growing darker.
 
A heartworm test came up negative a month ago.  The xray shows the heart is
normally sized.  A tracheal wash was negative for yeast or bacteria,
negative for tuberculosis.  All recent bloodwork has shown lymphocyte counts
to be under 3,500 (last was 2,900).  However, Friday has advanced lymphoma
and Potpie had a lymphocyte count of 4,500 at last test.
 
Noodle was being treated for a gastric ulcer and symptoms of lethargy, tarry
stool and weight loss responded to extended treatment with flagyl and amoxi.
However, he has also had baytril with no respiratory improvement.
 
The vet wasn't even guarded in giving prognosis.  He thinks, based on the
progression of lung appearance in the xrays, that by September Noodle may be
dead.  BUT he has no idea what it is.  The tracheal wash results do not
necessarily rule out the problems tested for, nor does the bloodwork
necessarily mean it's not lympho.  He is interested in doing a biopsy after
Noodle dies because he's just not sure what's going on.  Doing a lung tissue
biopsy is NOT an option.  His current main symptoms are poor weight and a
mild cough.  Otherwise he's perky and eats plenty, drinks fine, and plays.
 
Anyone have any ideas?
 
Melissa
 
 ___ Melissa Litwicki __ [log in to unmask] ___
 By the whole newsgroup devoted tennis showing
     it after scarfing fork and laughters
[Posted in FML issue 2020]