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Rico, originally known as Cyrus, came into ESRA's care on Wednesday January 19th in critical condition. He was urgently pulled from the shelter and raced to the vet. He was in shock and we were not sure he would make it. He was referred to the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Cary, North Carolina, for diagnostic testing and 24 hour-a-day care.

January 25, 2005: What is wrong with Rico? The "best of the best" veterinarians do not know. The medical team will assess him again this morning and run a couple of more tests. They truly believe Rico will pull through, but it will take time. We are very lucky to have a connection at this hospital. A close friend of mine, Casey Campbell, is a vet tech there on the night shift. Casey took care of Obi, a previous ESRA foster dog, when he was at VSH last year and has asked to be assigned to Rico.

Dr Gartrell just called to say they are running bile acid tests this morning. These tests will go to their lab in New York and results will be back no later then Thursday. They have ruled out Kidney disease, but have not ruled our Addison's disease. His ACTH test was redone and they will have the results today.

Please keep Rico in your thoughts and prayers. His hospital bill will be extensive, but well worth it. It is so sad to see such a young beautiful boy so sick. He is truly a fighter. With everyone's help he will get better and bounce back so he can run and play soon.

When Rico gets through this crisis I think we should change his name to "Ricochet", the bounce back Springer! That suggestion came from ESRA volunteer here in North Carolina. Or maybe we'll just keep it Rico, for short.

January 30, 2005: His new name will be Ricochet for sure! He is definitely the bounce back Springer. He was on the verge of death after leaving the shelter, but with lots of hospital care he is, hopefully, on the mend. The doctors at VSH were quite stumped by his case. Everything they suspected as his problem came back negative. Ultra sounds, X-Rays, blood panels...etc...you name it he had it done. You ask, "Well what is wrong with him?" His primary doctor, Dr, Gartrell, suspects he had an acute endotoxic response involving the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in melena(bloody stool), severe vomiting, severe volume depletion, and alterations in the protein levels. . He has non-regenerative anemia and low total protein: both albumin and globulin. He has responded well to supportive care with gastroprotectant medication. However, this problem can reoccur. If he shows any signs such as vomiting or not eating, they feel endoscopy with several biopsies would be necessary.

He is eating I/D and takes sulcralfate 3 times a day for his gastro tract. We soak the sulcralfate and make it a liquid for him. He is also presently on Clavamox and Baytril for 28 days. The doctors say he is a fighter and the entire staff became very attached to him. Casey Campbell was one of his vet techs( he is pictured with her during one of our visits ).

Rico has not been updated on his vaccines and can not be for another week or two. We must be sure he is up to it. He will also need to be neutered but that is also a ways off.

He appears to be coming out of his depression. He enjoys prancing around the back yard and exploring the new area. Our Lab/Greyhound mix, Carly, is doing everything she can to get him to play. He is responsive but still weak. He weighs about 48 pounds and should probably weigh 58 pounds. This will take time and a very careful selection of food. He will be assessed again in 10 days to establish where we go as far as food is concerned.

Thank you all for keeping Rico in your thoughts and prayers. He really wants to be healthy and happy. With everyone's help and support I am sure he will get this this difficult time in his life.

February 16, 2005: Rico had blood tests yesterday. He also had a Rabies vaccine and Bordetella. Due to his severe anemia, they do not recommend any other vaccines at this time. A recent study in canines show that Hemorrhagic Anemia may occur in dogs with severe anemia if too many vaccines are on board. Rico's vet said the study included a good number of Springer.

The results of the blood panel show a bit of improvement, but a long way from normal. His protein levels are up, which is good, so hopefully he will begin to gain some weight. I have offered him some of my extra pounds but he said he would like to eat the weight on himself. Boy does he love to eat. We will gradually change him over to a healthy well balanced diet, as long as he can tolerate the change. He has gained 3 pounds since his release from the hospital on the 28th of January.

Unfortunately the anemia keeps his activity level down and he tires easily. Dr Gartrell from the specialty hospital keeps tabs on him, as well as our regular vet. Dr. Gartrell recommends a low level of stress for Rico. She said because they are so unsure of what caused his near death experience, he needs a very routine lifestyle at this time. She told me today that anything out of the ordinary could pose a problem. I did ask about a time table for neutering..."no time in the near future."

On the upside, he does enjoy his brothers and sisters. They all get along so well. They enjoy being outside together, lounging on the deck. He is quite the wiggle butt. When he is happy and he wiggles, his skinny body turns sideways! He has only barked one time, but he makes some noises deep in his throat. He was groomed last Friday, and received special treatment. Our groomer, Vi, had him with her the entire time he was there. She never let him out of her sight. Because he is so thin she said she thought she was going to break him.

March 10, 2005: Rico was scheduled for blood work this morning in hopes that he would be ready for a neuter soon. However, we took him to the vet yesterday because he was extremely lethargic and appeared to have dropped weight in the last 36-48 hours. He has lost almost 2 lbs suddenly and seems to be a bit under the weather. There is no vomiting or diarrhea, thank goodness. His appetite is not as veracious as usual. He is normally jumping up and down at meal time, but Tuesday night and Wednesday morning he just took a nap and waited for his bowl. He has been panting excessively and drinking heavily.

Blood work has been sent out to the lab. His entire history is being reviewed again by the doctors. Reviewing all tests that have been run and comparing blood work history. I will keep you all posted!

March 26, 2005: Here is the latest on Mr. Rico Bandito. He is not a bandit, but it sounds cute. Rico had blood work and is still anemic. He does not have much energy, but tries to be part of the group. He and Fred play together, Rico on the floor and Fred on top of him biting his ears, head and legs. They are really cute together!

Now for new medical info. I receive emails about Rico all the time from sponsors and other ESRA members. Recently the most informative came from Jamie Balaz in Southern California. Jamie is owned by a Springer named Zack. Zack has PFK Deficiency (Canine Phosphofructokinase), and from the description, it sounds as if Rico may as well. PFK is a recessive genetic disease that inhibits a Spaniel's ability to convert sugar to energy. PFK affected Spaniels have exercise intolerance. Their bodies have to work especially hard to build red blood cells to prevent anemia. In most case this can not be done to the necessary levels, therefore constant anemia. PFK is a sporting breed disease, found primarily in Spaniels and other sporting dog breeds. Since sporting dogs are so active, PFK can kill them because of the stress it puts on their bodies. PFK affected dogs can not be stressed or agitated. When Rico was in the specialty hospital, they made it very clear to keep him on a routine, meaning little to no change because he could not tolerate stress. It's possible the stress of being in a shelter may have sent him into a PFK episode.

I have contacted Rico's vet and we are going to proceed with the testing. There are blood tests as well as a DNA test. We have been in contact with the doctor Jamie knows, who has a study going on PFK dogs, as well as Cornell University. There is a special kit required, and they are sending it to Rico's vet.

When Rico came out of the hospital in February, we knew he was in a delicate state. We had hoped he would build strength and thrive, but that is not happening to the levels hoped for. I have always laughed at him because it takes all he has to go outside off the deck and relieve himself. He is exhausted after a light trot. Hopefully these tests will help establish his health future.

Let's hope we finally get some definitive answers to Rico's perplexing health issues.

April 17, 2005: Rico's blood samples have been sent to the University of Pennsylvania for the PFK Deficiency testing. They run the series of tests once a month due to the costly nature of the tests. Dr. Giger advises we should have results the end of April or first week of May. They are awaiting samples from a couple more dogs and the testing will begin.

May 7, 2005: I know many of you have been following the progress of our Special Needs foster boy Rico. We recently found out about a genetic deficiency that is prevalent in Springers. With the help of Jamie Balaz in Southern California, an ESRA member/coordinator and mom of a PFK Springer we contacted the University of Pennsylvania to have Rico tested. PFK is a recessive genetic disease that inhibits a spaniels ability to convert sugar to energy. PFK effected Spaniels have exercise intolerance. Their bodies have to work especially hard to build red blood cells to prevent anemia. In most case this can not be done to the necessary levels therefore constant anemia.

Happily I can say we received the DNA test results yesterday and he is not a carrier or an effected Springer. Dr. Giger at the University of Pennsylvania is perplexed by Rico's constant anemia. He has reviewed all of his history and said he truly believed he was going to get a positive result from the DNA tests. He asked that we keep him posted on Rico's condition.

Now we are kind of back where we started. Why does this boy struggle to get through the day without crashing due to lack of energy? Our vet is sending his history to doctor friends at Texas A&M and North Carolina State Vet Schools. They are intrigued by his case.

Rico wants to be a normal active Springer but just can't. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts. He has gained some weight and enjoys resting in the yard under the trees.

Please continue to keep Rico in your prayers. We look forward to the day he will be a healthy Springer boy!

Pam and Mark Civile
Rico's Foster Parents

Contact: Heather Young, midsouthesra@yahoo.com

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