Hi Everyone, its been awhile since I've posted.

Major, my almost 11 year neutered German Shepherd was diagnosed a couple weeks ago with 2 perianal tumors. They did a fine needle test and verified they had cancer cells. I took him in this morning for surgery to have them removed, they did the preblood workup and ecg, xrays.etc. The vet called and said they could not do the surgery as they found he has Hemobartonella in his blood (he only has 1 platelette and they are suppose to have between 10-15)so now he is on docxyclin for 3 weeks to try to clear it up.

they also verified thru the ecg that his left ventrical is enlarged, he said that is fairly normal for a dog his age. He made a note on his paperwork that I should start him on Fish oil which he already gets and on COQ 10(dont know anything about) - has anyone had a dog with hemobartonella (from ticks) and has anyone used COQ10 with any success?

Poor guy, his keratin level was elevated too but his BUN was within normal limits- he is just starting to fall apart the last few months - I just want to make sure I'm doing whats best for him.

He is feed raw but is losing his appetite especially in the AM - so I have been feeding him wet food in the morning to get him to eat. He still goes out and plays every night so thats good

Thank You

I'm so sorry about this, Kathy.

I'm running out the door, but I saw this and thought I could link you to some material about Haemobartonellosis and also COQ10:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2102&aid=293

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=0+1306+1448&aid=1345

http://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/c_multi_hemotrophic_mycoplasmosis

http://www.wellvet.com/coq10.html

Raw-fed dogs have higher than average readings for creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen)(kidney function tests)& and often higher values for red blood cell count too.

A lab not used to dealing with blood tests on raw-fed dogs might flag them as "too high.". The normal for raw-fed dogs is different than the normal for kibble fed dogs in these values. This doesn't mean anything is wrong, they just have more available protein in their diet, and the numbers reflect that.

Info googled from Mountinan Dog food...

Well major is still on his anitbiotics for a couple more weeks to try to clear up his hemobartonella before we can consider surgery for his perianal tumors - his appetite in the last few days has really gone down hill. I have been putting canned dog food with his raw food (which is usually chicken leg/or quarter) so that he will eat but he usually ends up only eating the canned and maybe part of the raw - today he actually at his pork neck bone but wouldnt touch the canned food which has his tramadol and anitibiotics hidden in it for him to take. I was wondering if any one has any experience with a homemade cooked diet? Or any links for some reading up on it? I'm just trying to figure out how to get him to eat regularly. Any Suggestions would be helpful, not sure if anyone could recommend a really good commerical dog food - i just really think the natural diet would be best for him but I guess at this point it maybe what he will eat.

Hi Kathy,
How is his energy level? And is he drinking?

A couple of thoughts; hiding his medicine could be turning him off his food...medicating my dog is a nightmare cause he finds it in whatever I try to hide it in and he would rather not eat than take it.

Secondly, the antibiotics may be causing stomach upset; I wouldn't worry about his appetite loss at the moment(well that's a lie but try not to)if his energy level is good and he is staying hydrated.

I'm sure you are anxious to have the surgery done and start him on the road to recovery so this fork in the road is really a PITA but hang in there. Healing thoughts are sent your way.

Hi Kathy!

For any of the meds that are in pill form, I have had great luck with my GSD with those "pill pocket" treats. If Leerburg doesn't have them you can get them from Amazon. I recently had an episode with my boy where he needed several pills every day for two weeks. He never got tired of the treats the whole time.

I turned it into a reward for doing some basic obedience so he never really knew he was getting pills!

Also a highly recommended book around here is the one by Dr. Lew Olesn called "Raw and Natural Nutrition For Dogs". It has great information on all kinds of diets including raw and home cooked.

Best of luck!