Re: [PyrNet-L] HEALTH: What is acute pain response in Pyrs?

[Charlotte & Jack Perry <pyreau@erols.com>]

Hi David,
Was so glad to hear that Clondike is doing so well and sad to hear she
had a setback.  Hopefully all is well now. 

The symptoms you mention of involuntary muscle movements, head shaking
and "chasing" sound to me like some sort of seizure. Can the Vet give
her some sort of anti-seizure med?  Does she have to take this medicine
again?  Good luck. Our prayers are with you.
Charlotte

David P Kintsfather Jr wrote:
> 
> Clondike continues to confound the vets, but this time it is NOT a good
> thing.  She had a reaction to neupogen, a protein-derived drug that is
> used to stimulate the bone marrow to increase white blood cell production.
> 
> She has had this drug 4 times previously, and I think she had a little
> stomach upset one time, but nothing you would describe as a reaction.
> This time she refused food about 7 hours after administration, and by
> about 10 hours after administration she was one very sick dog.  The
> symptoms included: rapid, shallow and uneven breathing--at least 4 times
> normal rate; involuntary muscle spasms involving twitching of the head,
> neck and chest; the "chasing rabbits" type flailing of the hind legs;
> extreme weakness; eyes droopy.
> 
> By 18 hours post-administration, which was 8 am Monday when we could get
> the oncologist, Clondike was much calmer and looked more alert.  At the
> vet's instruction, we took her temperature which was 102.2.  The vet was
> stumped but wanted to see her, so off to West Chester Nancy went (had to
> go to graduation ceremonies where I teach).  A CBC showed Clondike's white
> count had increased from 2,400 to 7,600 in some 20 hours.  A physical exam
> didn't show much out of the ordinary by that time.
> 
> The only significant side effect of neupogen noted in the PDR is bone pain
> experienced in 22% of human patients.  This is usually relieved by NSAIDs,
> but in some cases is severe enough to require narcotics.  Before Nancy
> even had a chance to ask about this the oncologist mentioned it, but said
> she has NEVER seen it in a canine patient.
> 
> Clondike seems relatively normal now, but we are very worried because
> neupogen is very effective to help counter the white count lowering
> properties of the chemo she is on.  We want to know if we should pre-treat
> her for pain.
> 
> So... here are my questions:
> 
> 1.  Do the symptoms sound like a reaction to sudden, acute bone pain?
> 
> 2.  What are the options available to treat for this prophylactically in a
> dog on chemo with a sensitive gastrointestinal system?
> 
> 3.  Does anyone know what human oncologists use in this situation (no
> specifics were given in the PDR)?
> 
> Any help would be MOST appreciated.
> 
> David
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>  David Kintsfather              | PHONE:       (610) 683-4497
>  Dept. of Telecommunications    | FAX:         (610) 683-4659
>  Kutztown University            | INTERNET:    kintsfat@kutztown.edu
>  PO Box 730                     |   "We need not think alike to love alike."
>  Kutztown, PA  19530-0730       |                Francis David
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