Rescue "Frankie Two Paws", blood problems...sounded familiar- anyone?

[Furrfoot]

A friend had this posted on Facebook this evening: http://www.giveforward.com/frankie2p...m_campaign=hug
"Frankie Two Paws, a 2-year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, is currently in VCA-Aurora's Intensive Care Unit. He desperately needs prayers as well as donations to help with his medical bills.
Frankie became ill about a week ago. After several tests came back within normal range, doctors are still unsure what he has. Some test results showed abnormalities like platelet counts and dramatically decreasing red blood cells, so they feel he may have Evans disease, a condition that causes Frankie's antibodies to attack his own red blood cells and platelets. They’re also considering anaplasmosis (a tickborne disease), lyme disease, and cancer...
...This isn't the first time Frankie Two Paws has had to fight for his life. He was rescued from a Missouri puppy mill who discarded him because he was born without the use of his back legs. When he was neutered a year ago, he nearly died from internal bleeding. But with many prayers and Frankie's courage and determination, he made a full recovery and became an inspiration to many."


"Donations will go to Greater Chicago Cavalier Rescue to help pay for Frankie's medical bills and ongoing care. For more information, visit our website at www.gccavalierrescue.org."

I am not familiar with this rescue, but of course, if you would like to check it out yourself and help, that's the info.




I was thinking there was someone who had a dog with similar symptoms on here, but I don't remember who. I'll try a search, but if it was you or you remember the post, could you share with me?

[Karlin]

Oh jeez -- can someone please let the rescue group know that cavaliers often have enlarged blood platelets as the norm in about a third to half of all cavaliers. They need to hand count the platelets to get an accurate count. There is info on this on this site, pretty much every breed club site and on www.cavalierhealth.org about this issue. Not sure what he might have, but if the vets caring for him do not know this about cavaliers they could be sent down the wrong road for diagnosis. Hopefully they do know this by now.

Sounds from updates below, like perhaps Lyme disease...?

Donations still being requested for him.

[Karlin]

There are these updates as well so at least he is not in the ICU.

[SIZE=3]Frankie's home but still needs your help
JUNE 17TH, 2011

From Frankie's mom:
Frankie is home right now. He is on prednisone, tramadol, and doxicyline. The lump on his shoulder is still the size of a grapefruit. He ate and drank and even wagged his tail a bit. We are still waiting for the tick panel DNA pcr test. Continued prayers please. I told Frankie about all of you and read your notes to him.


Frankie as of 9pm on 6/14/2011
JUNE 14TH, 2011

Frankie was improving and they were hoping he could go home tonight but his levels dropped dramatically so he will need to stay until he is stable. No idea on what his issue is yet. Please keep your prayers going.

[/SIZE]

[Nicki]

Frankie Two Paws' Fight for Life updates.

Frankie Two Paws' test results are in...

June 30th, 2011

Good news! Frankie's test results came back negative. But that also means they're still uncertain what's causing the swelling in his left shoulder (once the size of a grapefruit) and why his blood count is abnormal. It's now thought that perhaps a vein was accidentally lacerated when Frankie was given subcutaneous fluids and that his immune system over-reacted. The steroids he's on now are helping to suppress his immune system and the swelling is gradually going down. He goes back next week for more tests to see if his cell count is back to normal (or at least getting better).

Thanks again to everyone for your continued prayers, donations, and words of encouragement. Frankie Two Paws is slowly getting better, but his medical bills continue to come in and we’re only 25% of the way to reaching our goal.

From Frankie and his family come heartfelt thanks and a woof woof, too! We’ll keep you posted on his progress.

[Furrfoot]

Oh wow, thanks for the updates!