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Problem with young Australian Shepard

Keep us posted as we're all ' dog people', except for Soapweed, here and really want to know what you find out.
 
Have you checked out the Busteralert.org website? I'd definitely tell your vet about it when you go.

The test is about $50.00, I think, which is less than an x-ray. The reason I'm suggesting the test is that my sister knows personally someone who has had this exact same thing happen to their dog. Her friend took her dog in to be neutered, and he was given a pre-anesthetic shot of ACE, and some torbugesic for pain. Both drugs are on the list of drugs to avoid, but her vet had absolutely know idea about this genetic mutation issue. The vet is a small animal specialist who's been practicing for many years. If this vet didn't know about it, it's probable that most don't.

Has your dog had any drugs that are on the list? Some, like Heartguard take a while to bother the dog, so sometimes it's hard to make a connection.

Since I know we have a few Aussie people here, (of course we do, they're wonderful dogs!) I'll post the info from the website.

Many herding dog breeds are afflicted with a mutation of the multi-drug resistance (mdr1) gene. This gene encodes a protein (P-glycoprotein) that is responsible for removing certain drugs and toxins from the brain. Dogs that carry the mdr1 genetic defect cannot rid their brains of the problem drugs. The result is a neurotoxic buildup that can cause abnormal neurological symptoms and/or death.

Breeds known to carry the mdr1 mutation include Australian Shepherds of all sizes, Collies, English Shepherds, Longhaired Whippets, McNabs, Old English Sheepdogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Silken Windhounds. Research has shown that three of every four Collies have at least one copy of the mutated gene.

This also means that if your mixed breed dog has, or you think s/he might have, any of these breeds in its pedigree, you should test your dog and avoid the drugs on the list until you have test results.

There is now a test available to screen for the presence of the mutated mdr1 gene. Test results indicate if the dog carries two, one or no copies of the mutated gene. For further information on the mdr1 genetic mutation and the test, visit the website of the Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory at Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine at http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/



Problem Drugs

Dogs from affected breeds who carry the mutated gene OR who have not been tested for the mutation should avoid using drugs from the MDR1 Problem Drugs List (see next page). The list is divided into drugs known to cause mdr1 mutation problems and drugs suspected of causing mdr1 mutation problems.

The most commonly prescribed drug on the list is ivermectin, a wormer used in many canine heartworm preventative treatments including Heartguard, Iverhart, Tri-Heart and Advantage DUO. Dogs in the affected breeds should use milbemycin oxide (Interceptor) for heartworm preventative instead of ivermectin as it's generally considered a safer alternative. Ivermectin can also be found in many livestock wormers (dogs should be kept away during and for several days after livestock worming), and in home and yard insecticides (under the names avermectin or abamectin).

Other frequently used drugs on the list include loperamide for diarrhea (most commonly sold as Imodium); morphine; butorphanol for pain and cough suppression; and acepromazine (prescribed as Ace, ACP, or Atravet) for tranquilizing, calming, and anesthesia use.

These problem drugs are dispensed in many forms including pills, liquids, injections, and ointments. Check ALL drugs you are considering giving your dog against this list if your dog either carries the mutated gene or has not yet been tested for the gene.
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Let us know how it goes at the vet. We all hope you get a good report. 8)
 
Why not try sending the video to the vet school.....They may offer advice through email or come see your dog after viewing.....It cant be hard to find an email to send it to there.....I would explain it like you have to us and let them watch the video.....Good luck and I hope you can find an answer.
 
Here's the number for the Small Animal Clinic at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. This is a large teaching veterinary college, and maybe they could take a look at the video. Maybe they'd be interested in seeing it.

(306) 966-7126
 
I have been waiting to reply hoping I would have more to report but there hasn't been much change. The x-rays that we had done didn't show anything. The vet who did the x-ray however felt that the problem with Chaco (that's our dog's name) was some kind of Obessive Compulsive Disorder and suggested a drug therapy. We have tried that for about a month but there wasn't any change. We are back to the theory that he is responding to some source of pain and are now trying a drug (Gabapentin) that can help with nerve pain. He has only been on it since Friday so it's too soon to say much. Yesterday I thought he seemed marginally better, the episodes seemed less severe and less frequent. In between he is lively, animated, and eager.

I appreciate everyone's continued interest.
 
Mournful Tune said:
I have been waiting to reply hoping I would have more to report but there hasn't been much change. The x-rays that we had done didn't show anything. The vet who did the x-ray however felt that the problem with Chaco (that's our dog's name) was some kind of Obessive Compulsive Disorder and suggested a drug therapy. We have tried that for about a month but there wasn't any change. We are back to the theory that he is responding to some source of pain and are now trying a drug (Gabapentin) that can help with nerve pain. He has only been on it since Friday so it's too soon to say much. Yesterday I thought he seemed marginally better, the episodes seemed less severe and less frequent. In between he is lively, animated, and eager.

I appreciate everyone's continued interest.
Click to expand...


Mom's Aussie is on drug treatment for a OCD problem.

She chewed/pulled at her front leg until she had a sore almost to the bone.. We never saw her do it, but it was being done.

After all types of tests, etc the last resort was to put her on what is the dog equal of "Elavil" ( sp) and it took MONTHS...but lo and behold the leg is healing and the hair is growing back.


It takes TIME....months in this case......so be patient if you can.
 

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