Polyarthritis- Chyna

[jacqui]

Chyna has had yet another flare up and could not move.this happened last Thursday.when I called her holistic vet she agrees with Chynas regular vet that we should try the Atopica. I am very nervous to try this medication with Chyna as she is so sensitive to everything.her vet did confirm that Chyna has Polyarthritis.they really didn't say that before.the treatment for that is steroids which Chyna cannot take as she has a bad reaction to them.
I have changed her diet many times with her holistic vet,she is on a special herb,probiotics and Cosiquin DS,and well as thyroid meds.
right now she is also on Clavamox and Deramax for the flare up.
I just don't know what else I can do for her.she just lays down all day and night and its very sad to see her this way.this is how she has been for a long time.
if anyone has dealt with this I would appreciate any input.
thanks

[kiwani]

her vet did confirm that Chyna has Polyarthritis.they really didn't say that before.

I just don't know what else I can do for her.she just lays down all day and night and its very sad to see her this way.this is how she has been for a long time.

It seems that some of the auto-immune muscle disorders are placed under the
'polyarthritis' category, so maybe this is what the doctor means. I have been wondering about Chyna since your last thread, and I am sorry to hear that she is still suffering. I still think it would be a good idea to consult with the thyroid specialist mentioned in previous threads and see if a muscle biopsy would help diagnose what is going wrong with the muscle chemistry.

All best wishes to Chyna, as always...

[jacqui]

Kiwani,
I would do anything to help Chyna.we have been to many specialists and everyone is baffled by Chyna. I think she must be a very complex case.nothing is a simple diagnosis for her.when we saw a Dermotologist she loaded Chyna up with so many medications she was like a zombie.I really didn't expect her to live.
we have seen Orthopedic vets,Endocronoligist(?),Holistic vet and more.
I will ask the vet about a muscle biopsy.
like I said this has been going on for years.I barely remember when she was happy and somewhat normal.
thank you for your reply and concern

[Laura]

I can't offer any helpful advice but I can offer concern and a hug for you both. It is so sad that she has all these problems and so frustrating and sad for you too as you try to help her.
I hope she can handle the new med and that it helps her!

[jacqui]

thanks Laura, I'll give Chyna a big hug from you.she needs it.
Kiwani, I talked to vet about muscle biopsy and she said that really didn't apply to Chyna because they found inflamation in her joints when she had joint taps last year.so they feel its joint related.
but the Dr. ordered one final blood test before she starts Atopica.its the Anti NuclearAntibody Test.I have to take her off all meds for 3 days.so Friday I will bring her for this test.
she has had so many blood tests I'm surpised she has any blood left

[kiwani]

Kiwani, I talked to vet about muscle biopsy and she said that really didn't apply to Chyna because they found inflamation in her joints when she had joint taps last year.so they feel its joint related.
but the Dr. ordered one final blood test before she starts Atopica.its the Anti NuclearAntibody Test.

As mentioned in previous threads, muscle and joint complications of auto-immune thyroid disease and other myopathies also affect humans, and meds can contribute to flare-ups. It seems the various specialists have thrown meds at Chyna's health problem and she just continues to suffer.

I'm very sorry for Chyna being so ill, and for you suffering along beside her. You've had so much heartache with your beloved Chows, more than anything I would want to be able to say or find something to help make things better.

[Layla]

Awwww, I've just seen this & wanted to say how sorry I am that Chyna is suffering. Alf sends you all purple kisses, take care Jacqui.

[jacqui]

Chyna and I thank you for all the support.you are all the BEST

[jacqui]

Chyna started the Atopica Friday night.I'm hoping for a miracle here.except when I read the side effects I got scared.she could get UTI's and ear infections which she has a long history of both.more to worry about
all this is just wearing me down with her.for at least 3 months I've had to carry her down 2 flights of stairs to the yard each morning.she really can't move in the AM.and then she lays in the same spot in the yard all day and hardly moves.she doesn''t want to go for walks any more and I'm not going to force her in the summer.the vets want her to lose weight but how can she lose weight when she can't move.she doesn't eat much and I measure everything she does eat.I weighed her Friday at the vets and she gained yet another pound.she now weighs 67lbs.
when my other chows weren't well they were still happy and wagging their tails to see me but poor Chyna just doesn't have that in her.very sad.
I guess I just needed to vent,so thank you for reading this

[pfordeb]

How sad. You must be strong both physically and mentally to do everything you do. Sullivan has been averaging about 70 pounds since she was sick and I can't lift her, except to help her up one step by lifting up her rear end. I hope the new medication helps.

[mikkabear]

I'm sorry that Chyna is suffering. Hopefully the new medication will help and she won't have any side effects....
hang in there

[Layla]

How's Chyna doing with the new medication? As for her weight, Millie's 66#.....

[jacqui]

Chyna is doing about the same.Atopica can take a while to kick in.my chowboy Tiko took it for 4 weeks everything was OK but the 5th week he had a bad reaction to it.severe vomiting and diarreha.so that was it for him and Atopica.
I worry because what Atopica does is surpress the immune system so they can get even worse than what they were.or it could help
I'm also worried because I'm having arm and elbow surgery on June 27th and I won't be able to carry Chyna down stairs.I don't have anyone to help me with this and I'm hoping that she will be able to do the stairs for a few weeks or months.
we are having a heatwave right now which does not help her.its high 90's and very humid.not good weather for our chowbabies.

[pfordeb]

OMG Jacqui. When it rains it does pour. If I could come out there I would, but you know I have my own issues, though they seem to pale compared to yours. I hope you find a solution for after your surgery and the babies pull through with flying colors!

[jacqui]

oh Debbie,I'm fine.I've had a ton of surgeries over the last few years including neck surgery.I'm a medical mess but I recover quickly.all my surgeries are occupational.I just get myself sick when my chows aren't well.
my heart goes out to you and Sullivan.we have to stay strong for them.

[pfordeb]

I know that one! Good luck. Keep us posted about both.

[jacqui]

last night Chyna couldn't stand up.I thought she was doing better then another set back.this morning she can't move.
its hard to believe in this day and age that there is no medication for this condition.
her holistic vet is coming this morning,just by coincidence.I hope she can help her be more comfortable

[pfordeb]

Oh poor baby. I hope the vet can help. You're right. There's no excuse for not having treatments. No person or animal should ever be in pain.

[jacqui]

just an update on Chyna's Polyarthritis..........
shes had a another flare up last week which is depressing because it usually doesn't happen in the winter.
this one was really bad and it was different from her other flare ups.
vets did joint taps again and there was blood and pus in her joints.
we have tried all kinds of meds and she is very sensitive to alot of meds.the vet is talking about using Predisone again which Chyna can't tolerate
Chyna is in the hospital for a few days to get IV antibiotics and heavier pain meds.
very sad for her and it tears me up to see her in so much pain

[fillyok]

I'm so sorry to hear about Chyna's latest flare-up. Hopefully the bedrest, IV and meds make her feel better very soon. We're sending purple kisses, positive thoughts and healing wishes to you all.

[Laura]

Oh Jacqui I am so sorry. Poor Chyna...I hope she feels better soon!

[TJordan]

Sorry to hear about Chyna. I hope she will get better soon. Keeping you and Chyna in my thoughts.

[CoraP.]

I'm hoping Chyna will soon be feeling better!

[jacqui]

we thank you for all your good wishes for Chy
I am so happy to have this forum for support.I really can't tell other people about Chynas problems because they really don't understand.
there are times when I look at her and I know her quality of life is not good and I wonder if I'm doing the right thing by her.
she can't walk much at all any more,she never plays and all she does is sleep most of the time.
I live on the 2nd floor and I have been carrying her down the stairs forever and shes no light weight.shes one heavy kid.
this has been an on going problem for Chyna for over 4 years and progressively getting worse each year.she will be 7 years old in Feb.
I am so frustrated by not being able to mange this disease

[pfordeb]

I'm so sorry Jacqui. I know you're doing everything you can to help her. I had considered accupuncture with Sullivan, and that's my one regret with her treatment: that I never did that. Is that a possibility? That's why I switched back to our old, old vet because he does both kinds of medicine. I hope she can get some pain relief, and I hope you find some answers soon. I'm thinking about you.