TANNER'S STORY/MAX & RECOVERY - 5

SINCE MAX'S ARRIVAL AND MEDICATION

7/28/2001
Hi Lorraine,
We wanted to tell you about Tanner and Dr. B yesterday. Tanner weighed 9.9 #! His all-time low during this was 9.3# so he is gaining a little bit at least. Dr. B did the complete blood work on him and found no liver involvement problems for which we are so very thankful! The hemogloblin was up a little but he said that is expected when a fungus is present. He used what I can best describe as huge tweezers to pull at Tanner's hair and pluck his muscles on his hindquarters and legs and Tanner twitched a reaction each time! Dr. B seems so pleased, relieved and encouraged. He said, "Maybe in a year." We told him how much Tanner has improved over this past week. It is truly amazing, Lorraine! He is so obviously stronger and more insistent that he walk. He walks a lot yet needs plenty of relaxation, too. He so loves his cart walks and now expects each one to be followed by time in his little tub! He walks over to sniff at it each time he gets the opportunity and when I started getting my shower ready this evening he followed me in to the little bath-flush area and sniffed at the tub. I told him he had had his bath already and now it was my turn. He is extra good about taking his big capsule of Fluconazole twice each day and really enjoys the tiny bits of cheese he gets with them. We started with the slivers of cheese wrapped around the capsule but he soon realized this was not just a piece of cheese so we don't try to play games any more. He unwraps the capsule from the cheese and I give him the bit of cheese that falls off from the capsule as a separate entity. He loves his strawberry colostrum and tolerates his Petvites. He is on 1/2 of a 25mg Rimadyl 3 times each day and he has varying moods about it. He loves his pallet in the living room to rest on but often follows me to the computer room and lies beside or in front of my desk. We are so eager for the day when he is agile again instead of stiff like an uncooked strand of spaghetti. He is not in such a cuddly mood lately but I figure we will continue to offer the cuddling and when he can be comforted by it he will let us know. I laid down with my head on his pallet and a small throw pillow and with the rest of me on the living room carpet a few days ago and took my nap down there with him! I slept very soundly so it was comforting to both of us! In the meantime we are so grateful for the progress that has been so wondrously amazing and we wanted to share it with you personally

7/29/2001
Hi again, Lorraine,
Tanner is beginning to want to play with us...not Max by himself yet but if we get involved a little he gets his adrenaline going so that he stumbles over his feet but always with a smile on his face!

7/30/2001
Hi Friends,
This is not really on a "need to know" basis but you need to know! Yesterday and today, Tanner has gone off into the grass to do his duty. It is difficult for him to squat but he has done so nevertheless! I am so proud of him for making such efforts. This was not a problem when he was in the support of the cart but he seems to want to wander in our yard without it. That's okay with us since he spends most of his time on his feet without knuckling now! He has shown more interest in life since Max has been here, too. Twice in the past two days Tanner has rolled to one side to have his belly rubbed. I cannot recall the last time he did that!
We walked Tanner (no cart!) to the mailbox at the end of our alley today...that is just one driveway beyond ours. He quickly told us the cement was too hot in places so we kept to the shady side! We carried him back becasue we saw a stray poodle across the street and both he and Max were more interested than we wanted them to be! We brought the Boys back into the yard and closed the fence gate.

8/7/2001

Good news All!
Today Tanner's foot must feel a lot better and he is...now get this!!!...walking almost normally!!! I am not sure who feels better about it...him or us!
For some time Tanner has not felt so comfortable to be picked up but he has started asking me to do that again...now he sees Max getting picked up and I guess he was not about to be outdone! This morning as I cuddled Tanner, Max stood at the footrest of my recliner so I said, "Come on up," and he did. He was careful not to crowd Tanner but when he got a little close one time, Tanner reached one front paw to push him back a little...not much, but just a little! The two together are just delightful and we are thrilled beyond our wildest dreams!
And little Max does not seem to have any hesitation about the cart when Tanner is in it. They play at one another whether Tanner is in or out of it. Tanner is doing so well that he may soon need the cart only for our walks since they are pretty long and over uneven pavement. I am beginning to see that even that may not have to last very long and he will be out to walk wearing only his harness and leash...and we probably should make a great big sign for him to wear that says, "Hallelujah!" We don't even try to stem our enthusiasm about his healing. We are so thankful!

8/19/2001 TANNER BECOMES A STAR

Hi Marilyn

I'm hoping that you can read "TANNER'S STORY" that Dog World Magazine is planning to attach to my article on Valley Fever.

Please read the following short piece and reply with your comments to me before I send it to DWM.

Thanks you for sharing this story with me.

T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM
Director of Veterinary Services
PetFoodDirect.com
ThePetCenter.com

********************************

Tanner’s Story

In San Angelo, Texas, lives a courageous little dog. At 2 ½ years of age, Tanner is struggling to learn how to walk again. With unfailing help and dedication from his owners and his “adopted brother” named Max, this little Yorkie is recovering from an arduous battle with Valley Fever. A victim of this fungal disease, also known as Coccidioidomycosis, for more than a year before it was accurately identified, Tanner suffered with arthritis, fever, coughing and eventually paralysis before he began his trip down the road to recovery. Veterinarians in Dallas discovered the true cause of his life-threatening disease and began treatment with oral medication immediately. Tanner’s case of Valley Fever, a systemic fungal infection inhaled as microscopic spores, is a sad illustration of how dangerous this “disease in disguise” can be when timely diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Valley Fever is a trickster. Only through a thorough patient history and a fierce determination to arrive at a diagnosis will other dogs be spared a fate such as Tanner’s. Everyone who has heard about this little dog’s battle with Valley Fever and his struggle to regain his health is moved by his courage and determination.

Tanner’s story will have an even happier ending if widespread knowledge of Valley Fever prevents any more cases such as his. Good luck, Tanner!