Shakes

[lyric35]

I have a new 3 month old pup. From day 1 she (Kiko) had loose stools and was diagnosed with having coccidiosis. Day 2 she developed tremors and would moan and whine before sleep. These tremors and convulsions began after eating. After having blood work drawn, the vet determined that she was malnurished. All of her blood counts were low with the exception of her WBC which were around 570. We continued to give her meds for the cocciciosis. Stools remained loose and tremors increased. Mean while we changed her diet to lamb and chicken and baby food. The tremors after eating ceased, but the bed time convulsions and whining persisted. By day 10 she passed a small nail along with blood and mucus in her stool. We rushed her to the vet where she was then diagnosed with zinc toxicity. The vet attributed her tremors, convulsions, diarhea and low blood work to the toxcity. Her prescribed amoxicillin. We are still concerend about the tremors and muscle contractions. Is this common to the breed? Is there something we're missing as new cairn owners? Help!

[Catfish1]

I'm so sorry to hear of the problems you are having with Kiko. I am not aware of a hereditary condition with the breed that would produce the symptoms you described. You are most surely doing the right thing by having a Vet involved immediately. The discovery of a nail in her stool and the comment about being undernourished is most troubling. How did you get your puppy? Can the people you got it from help you out with some history?

Please keep us updated as you work through this.

Fergus & Alf

[Guest girliejr]

It doesn't sound right to me either. I would also enlist a second opinion if your current vet isn't getting to the core of the problem. I think it is also good advise to contact your breeder or where you got the puppy.

Good luck and I hope Kiko gets better soon!

[Anna_525]

I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are having with Kiko. My best guess is the shaking is from the zinc toxicity as metals in the blood can cause all sorts of problems. You can read from here:

Canine Zinc Toxicity

Hopefully Kiko's blood will clear itself of the zinc, but again, my guess is while he has zinc in his system, the shaking will be there. I just googled this, I never knew that ingestion of coins can also cause this so I'm also learning from this.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Edited to say that the vet is still the best source of help for complicated problems like this.

[Darcy's Folks]

Oh goodness, so sorry to hear that the new addition to your family is so sick. I agree, the vet is your best bet since I myself know nothing of how to help you. The other thing in addition to your vet is possibly a second opinion from an actual vet specialist. Good luck and I sure hope Kiko feels lots better REAL soon!

[Guest Guest]

Have xrays been done to see if there are any more foreign objects in your puppy's system?

Where are you located? People on this list may be aware of specialists in your area that could possibly help.

cairnrescueleague

[lyric35]

I just lost all of my previous reply when trying to add a picture of KIKO!

Thanks to everyone for their concern, advice and links!

In summary

I took Kiko to a specialist and they seem to think that the most likey cause is Distemper!

We've been told to look out for signs of respiratory infection (cough, runny nose, mucus) indicating that the disease is progressing. If that happens it will most likely be fatal.

Because we are 2 weeks into the disease, it seems as though Kiko is putting up a pretty good fight but time will only tell. There is no cure for Distemper, they only treat the symptoms. So she will continue the treatment for her cocciodiosis, zinc toxcity and will now take something to control the seizures.

If anyone has any distemper info, it's appreciated also and keep Kiko in your prayers!

[grillywarren]

Kiko is definitely in my prayers. Have you contacted the

place where you got your pup? I am so sorry it has been such

a bad time for you and your pup. She has already been through

so much.Poor little baby. Please give her kisses from her

Cairn Family.

Ellie

oh..and please keep us updated when you have time ( I know you'll

be busy, but we all care about you and your pup)

[lyric35]

Yes we've contacted the seller who is refunding our money and we've contacted the breeder who seemed concerned but reported that no other puppies in his litter have had any problems. He urged us to keep in touch.

Meanwhile we're just keeping an eye on Kiko and hoping to get her a sibling!

[CathyAnn]

Oh my!! Your little Kiko will be in my thoughts and prayers!

Please update us as you can. We all certainly hope for the best for you and your furbaby.

Cathy

[mrskti]

oh goodness, poor thing. I had a puppy once with distemper....not a good ending. It was a rough thanksgiving morning for us.

I hope she recovers.

[Milopup]

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way.

- Mp and Bosco

[Guest Guest]

I will be sending good thoughts and prayers your way for Kiko. These little guys are tough and hopefully he'll pull through this ordeal. Please keep us updated on his progress.

[lyric35]

Thank you all so much! I can't tell you how much your prayers mean to our family! We will keep you all updated on her progress! Happy New Year to All!

[Scully'sMom]

Oh this just breaks my heart. Please know that our family will be keeping your baby in our prayers.

At one time we had a puppy in our group here, Rito, who was extremely ill. Long story short, Rito is now a thriving, typical Cairn who is enjoying life and giving his parents lots of love. That's what our thoughts and prayers here can do!

Please give Kiko a hug from Scully!

[lyric35]

Kiko sends hugs back to scully and everyone! She had a playful day today though with more tremors. We ran out of Hills Science Diet so we had to give her Mighty Dog lamb and something..... Tomorrow we'll pick up her anti seizure medication from the animal hospital.

Scully's mom, do you know what Rito was ill with? I'm so glad to hear that he had a happy ending!!!!! Keep the thoughts and prayers coming!!!

Love and appreciate all of you!

[Tracy A.]

HI:

I hope your puppy gets well soon. I recalled a recent discussion I had with my vet while talking about Vaccinations. He had said that he hadn't seen a case of Canine distemper in 20 years. Realizing that this this is regional- but I do know that Vet medical Univ. are a great resource in hard to diagnose/treat cases. It might be worth a try if you have one in your area.

Tracy, Bratt & Mett

[Scully'sMom]

Scully's mom, do you know what Rito was ill with?

If my memory serves me correctly, I believe he had the Parvo virus. She had purchased him from a pet shop who had sold other ill dogs in the past. It was a horrendously long ordeal for her. She returned him to the pet store; they wouldn't give her money back; they kept him in the back of the shop without medication, etc. Long story short, she decided she wanted to keep him and went and got him back and he went through whatever treatments he needed.

I think of your baby so often - please know we'll keep !

[kayharley]

I send hugs and kisses along with very positive thoughts to you and Kiko. It never hurts to get second opinions on treatment options either. Please keep us updated.

[Anna_525]

Yes, please keep us posted! My thought and prayers for you and Kiko.

Anna

[grillywarren]

any update on Kiko?

I hope things are going well.

>>>>Kiko

Ellie

[Tuff&Tippy]

We are so sorry to hear about Kiko, we hope she has a full recovery. Sending all our positive thoughts and prayers your way.........

[toomanypaws]

More positive thoughts and prayers for little Kiko that she fully recovers.

[maggie]

Just checking to see how Kiko is doing. Sending good wishes your way!

[lyric35]

Thank you for the additional thoughts and prayers! Kiko had a rough morning- we started her on the Procainamide today and she was very lethargic until about 3:30 this afternoon. We wondered about all of the medication she's on.....Albon, Amoxicillan and now Procainamide. After that however she perked up and Kiko, Nestlie (my 5yr old spaniel) and my 10 year old daughter actually romped around the house a little. She collapsed after that. She's been very shaky during rest - more than usual over the past 2 days).

Initially I questioned the use of Procainamide but then read that in addition to heart disease, it's also used for muscle weakness...go figure! Well I hear her yapping in the kitchen...I gave her all of your thoughts, prayers, hugs and kisses. I appreciate it all-0 it makes all of this a little easier to go through. My husband was amazed at the amount of cairn support!