Mystery Ailment

[jethrosmom]

Update: Jethro had a C-scan done in February. It showed some sort of cellular dysplasia in the hip which the oncologist "did not appreciate" meaning it was not believed to be cancer. The area was compared to an earlier xray and the affected part of his hip has gotten a tiny bit bigger, instead of smaller as one would anticipate. So, they went in (surgery) and took samples of his hip in two places for cultures. The cultures never grew anything! So he was placed on two broad spectrum antibiotics for the past 10 weeks. During that time, the area on his groin has grown to an alarming size. I emailed pics to the specialist and he asked me to bring him in "sometime in the next two weeks". This week, he became very ill Monday morning, so I took him in. Sonograms, xrays, and bloodwork was done. Blood work all negative, swollen area is lymph fluid, meaning not infection. They found that build up of fluid is now beginning in his chest. The specialist is now conferring with others in Georgia and North Carolina. They suspect a bacteria/fungus/bug of some kind that does not respond to the antibiotics. ? Who knows. It is like an episode of "House" where there is a rush to diagnose odd symptomolgy to save people...Jethro continues to be pain-free 99% of the time, frollicking and playing as always. He even enjoyed a week of his mate being in heat We are worried that this is progressing and he may succumb to this illness before they find out what it is. We are doing the best we can. Despite how they sound, his specialists are the best in this area and have sent his work-ups all over.

[Mastiff]

Thankyou for updating us. However reading this mail I see you are from the USA and this forum is in UK and Janine has also answered you and she is in Australia.
I think it would be much better if you were to contact fellow Americans as treatments do differ and drugs have different names.
Try googling 'Mastiff Sweet Spot'
I am sorry your boy is still having trouble, I wonder about blocked hair follicles, have you tried hot compresses? old fashioned remedy
LS

[jethrosmom]

Just wanted to update you guys. Jethro's symptoms got worse in May and June. He formed a very large swollen area on his groin, and began to have difficulty breathing. On July 17th, we had to put him down as he was being ravaged by an infection that was not responding to treatment. The autopsy results indicated that he had a very rare disorder that affected his lymph system. This disorder is most often found in children (still very rare) who usually die within months of birth due to the body's inability to handle infections. In the end, we felt we provided him with a happy life and did all that we could do for him. I appreciate your support and kind words.

[LS]

I am so sorry Jethro has such a short life we know he was loved. You have had a very sad time with him, but did the right thing in my opinion. I think we know when the time has come and however hard it is to do if we love animals we care, and it is better to help them.
I hope you get another mastiff they are a very rewarding breed and give so much.
Thankyou for letting us know what happened
cheers
lyn