Class of 2010

This site is also under contruction--still have quite a few dogs and puppies to add. :O)

Based on Most Recent Testing

Please click on the dog's picture to see their original petfinder listing.

Dog's name: Eric Vader (son of Valentine)

Breed: English Setter/ Border Collie/ Cattle Dog Mix (SUPER MUTT)

State of origin: Ardmore, Ok

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease-- potential infection inutero from his mother.

Test/tests used and results: May 2010/ IDEXX 371 Lyme disease 1:400, IDEXX Lyme Quant- Neg (starting antibody too low to detect),CBC/Chem shows White Blood Cells rising. June 2010/ IDEXX 371- NEG (after 3 weeks doxy started) We will retest in 3 months. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 4 months

Any notable behavior issues: Low energy and urinary tract infection.
Adoption status: ADOPTED!

Dog's name: Snow in Summer aka Snowy

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Columbia, Kentucky

Diagnosed illness: RMSF

Test/tests used and results: June 2010/ IDEXX 371 RMSF 1:400 (after 3 weeks doxy started) LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 1 year

Any notable behavior issues: Pale gums and nausea.
Adoption status: ADOPTED!

Dog's name: Ollie

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Russellville, Kentucky

Diagnosed illness: Advanced Heartworm disease, Lyme disease & RMSF

Test/tests used and results: Dec 2009/ Murray State U Tick Panel- RMSF 1:320, March 2010/ IDEXX 371 Lyme disease (new) 1:100, RMSF 1:200 (lower), June 2010/ Michigan State U- All Neg. We will retest in 3 weeks LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 8 years

Any notable behavior issues: Aside from his immune system crashing after his second Immitiicide treatment and subsequent viral infection--no noticeable behavior issues. Ollie has been a complete joy.
Adoption status: Still undergoing supportive care.

Ollie's treatment story:

UPDATE 02-16-10 Ollie has recovered from his Pneumonia and his bloodwork looks decent. Due to his heart murmur, we will just do one Immiticide injection and repeat with a double in several weeks. He will be on doxycycline therapy up to two months post a negative heartworm test as Rocky Mountain spotted fever will hang in there until his immune system is less challenged. Thanks to an amazing donation by Amy Dempsey and family in memory of her sweet dog Tucker, a huge dent in Ollie's vetting expenses has been made.

Visit our Donation blog to read about Tucker.

UPDATE 3-25-10 A month after his first Immiticide injection, Ollie's CBC/Chem looks pretty good, however his latest tick panel shows not only does he have Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but he also has Lyme disease. It may have been in remission and the start of the antibiotics has brought it to the surface. He still has a bit of a cough but chest X-rays look good.

UPDATE 06-14-10 Ollie had made it through the final phase of his heartworm treatment (5-18 and 5-19) and was doing great. At about the second week mark he started to have diarrhea and stopped eating. He also started drooling. His temperature shot up to 104 and I rushed him to the Animal Hospital of Gurnee (AHOG) on 6-7. Initial blood work showed his Immune System was shutting down. As he was slightly anemic in March, his red blood cell production got much worse and he became very week. At the AHOG (6-7 thru 6-12) Dr. Hanover did supportive care with IV fluids, injectable broad spectrum antibiotics and liver support. Ollie was also given anti-nausea meds as he had no appetite. The folks at AHOG didn't think he was going to make it as his pneumonia returned and it was touch and go for a while. I stopped by on 6-9 and 6-10 to force feed him some Northwest Naturals raw beef diet as I knew that would be easy on his system and the only way he was going to gain some of his strength—he was not going to eat on his own. Tina (IBR foster mom and adopter) followed up on 6-11. On 6-12, I brought him home and continued his daily medications but he started to go down hill on 6-13. He seemed very uncomfortable and started to have slight facial seizures (common in RMSF dogs). He had been off doxycycline (which can cause stomach upset) since the 7th, so I took a chance and started him back on his old meds and the next day he picked up a tennis ball in the yard!! Seizures disappeared and he continued to get a little stronger everyday with the raw diet and other supportive meds. I also had Ollie on Iron supplements and some Omega DHA/ EPA supplements and Digestive enzymes.

UPDATE 06-30-10 I knew we had to be so careful with Ollie's treatment--but the virus he picked up threw us a curve. We'd been taking care of Ollie for 6 months now because we knew the seriousness of his heartworm treatment would be complicated with the tick borne illness co infections. I really think all the prayers by well wishers kept this dog alive. Ollie is starting to eat some raw diet on his own but still needs to be force fed to get all of his medication and I am really making sure he has a full stomach on with his doxy meds. Happy thoughts he continues to improve. I LOVE THIS DOG!!!

Ollie really is going to make someone the most LOVING companion but he still had many months ahead of him before we get all his issues under control. We need a very special loving family for our Sweet Ollie.

Dog's name: Donneigh

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Fairfield, IL

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease & RMSF

Test/tests used and results: March 2009/ 4DX Snap test- Neg, Antech IFA/ RMSF Neg, August 2009/ IDEXX 371- RMSF 1:200, September 2009/ IDEXX 371 follow up after 6 weeks doxycycline treatment- Lyme disease- NEW 1:100, RMSF 1:400. Another 8 weeks started. February 2010/ IDEXX 371 Lyme disease- 1:100, RMSF 1:100. CBC/Chem looks good. Detemined to kick these disease out of Donneigh- another 4-6 months treatment started. June 2010/ IDEXX 371- Lyme disease NEGATIVE, RMSF 1:200. This is a good thing as his immune system might be rallying to finally get rid of the RMSF infection. As there are other tick borne strains not yet testable, it is possible Donneigh has/had additional co infections. This is why we test and retest and continue doxy until a negative titer. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 2 years

Any notable behavior issues: It took a long time for Donneigh to put on weight. He is also a poop eater so may have some enzyme deficiencies in his liver due to the Lyme disease. This behavior seems to be getting better. Donneigh has the perfect Pointer personality. His issues were caught early.
Donneigh looks like a million bucks on Point and as his brain is healing with an experienced trainer, he might have hunting potential.
Adoption status: Adoptable.

GET TO THE POINT!!

Brandon on point.

Donneigh on point.

On Valentine's day, IBR foster families and adopters met at Fermi Lab in Batavia, IL to do some upland bird testing. IBR volunteer and amateur photographer Yukiko McFarling helped get some amazing photos. Both boys featured above have battled some terrible health issues. Brandon, Field Bred Setter, is recovering nicely from Heartworm disease and is still undergoing treatment for Lyme disease. Donneigh, Field bred Pointer, recently completed treatment for Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

Both boys suffered neglect and were not protected against ticks with monthly flea and tick preventative. Monthly Heartgard or Interceptor would have prevented Brandon's heartworm disease. Both also had behavior issues due to their illnesses as both Lyme disease and RMSF causes brain damage, OCD behavior and hyperactivity, joint pain, anxiety and many other life threatening issues. Tick borne illnesses also affect dog's sensory capabilities and until treatment, both Brandon and Donneigh probably weren't able to smell the upland birds. We do believe that many infected birddogs are dumped in shelters across the country as they are struggling with tick borne illnesses and can't hunt at no fault of their own.

Sadly, Brandon and Donneigh both would have been euthanized in over-crowded shelters in Illinois had IBR not stepped in. What a waste that would have been...

Dog's name: Laser

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Michigan

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease

Test/tests used and results: 4DX/ 2005 thru 2008- Neg, Lyme Quant C6 2009- Neg (4DX Snap tests and Lyme Quants will not catch low levels for Lyme). June 2010/IDEXX 371 Lyme disease 1:200, CBC/Chem shows low WBC's and issues with his Liver. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 11 years

Any notable behavior issues: Laser was surrendered to the Michigan shelter because he had an escaping obsession from his original owner. He would often find ways to escape from his adopted home over he years too. Laser has always had a difficult time keeping weight on and he has always had incontinence issues. Laser has also been a chronic poop eater which usually means an issue with the Liver and Enzyme functions. Laser also has a typical Lyme symtom--water obsession- drinking the water bowl empty. Laser also has terrible firework fear. He becames unmanageable and hysterical with all the fireworks. Recently Laser has had an issue with bladder control. We are hopeful that doxycycline treatment helps him with his long term Lyme disease infection.
It is difficult to determine if this is a new infection or one that has progressed over the years. His behavior has certainly gotten worse the past few years. Laser- has however- been amazing in his bird work as evident in the photos below.
Adoption status: ADOPTED in 2005

Dog's name: Casey formerly Colin

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Champaign, IL

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease & RMSF

Test/tests used and results: Antech SA330 all Negative (Fall 2009 but Antech can't catch low levels for Lyme and RMSF). June 2010/IDEXX 371- Lyme disease 1:100 & RMSF 1:25 LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 5 years

Any notable behavior issues: Casey was a difficult puppy. He had growled at both of his owners over the years. He had a difficult time scent pointing for several years. I suspected Casey could have been born with RMSF as his behavior is typical of a RMSF Setter and recent X-rays show Spondylosis (Arthritis and degerative back issues in dogs). Also Casey started to become lethargic with noticeable lower energy levels this past spring. His CBC/Chem show a dog with a struggling immune system so the Lyme disease infection is probably new.
Adoption status: ADOPTED in 2006

Dog's name: Heathcliff aka IBR's Unrequited Love JH

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Southern Illinois

Diagnosed illness: Ehrlichia, Lyme disease and RMSF

Test/tests used and results: August 2009 3DX/ Lyme disease, Antech SA330 RMSF 1:64, January 2010/ IDEXX371- Ehrlichia 1:25, Lyme disease 1:100 and RMSF 1:25, June 2010/ IDEXX 371 Ehrlichia 1:100. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 7-8 years

Any notable behavior issues: Dog aggression, growling at people. Separation anxiety- barking. All behaviors dramatically improved once treatment started.
Adoption status: ADOPTED

Congratulations IBR's Unrequited Love JH

1st Q with foster mom- Pat 10/09.

Pointing pheasant 2/10.

BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Meg Hoffman and her IBR adopted English Setter Heathcliff aka Cliff for finishing his AKC Junior Hunter's title this spring.

Heathcliff was pulled from a very high kill shelter in Southern Illinois by a friend of the rescue, Cancy Thomas. He was out of time and while we didn't have a foster home opening, Candy opened her home and got his vetting started until we could make room. Cliff was ornery and "snarky" upon arrival to foster care but blood work showed he was infected with Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and with the headaches, hot flashes and joint pain, that would make any dog grumpy. IBR was in the initial stages of our tick borne illness research and we knew that any aggression could be related to his low positive diagnosis. While undergoing doxycycline therapy, Cliff also suffered from severe separation anxiety and became a very challenging foster dog for his very experienced foster mom--Pat. Follow up tick panels also revealed Cliff was also fighting Ehrlichia and Lyme disease.

Through patience and understanding and months of antibiotics, a very crabby, frightened senior Setter blossomed into the amazing hunting dog. Pat's love/hate relationship with Cliff turned into a true love affair as she helped him overcome his demons. It took a bit of arm pulling on my part but having noticed Cliff's very reliable off leash skills and pointing abilities, I convinced Pat to run him in a hunt test last October once we had his AKC registration accepted. Cliff's PAL name became IBR's Unrequited Love as a tribute to the book Wuthering Heights and the character he was named after. I have NEVER in 6 years of my acquaintance with Pat, saw her as happy and proud as the day she ran Cliff and worked him magnificently in her first hunt test and PASSED!! She was a natural and Cliff made it look easy.

On January 30th, Heathcliff was adopted to a wonderful family in Madison, WI and they agreed to continue his medication and retest in the spring. Cliff was their first English Setter and he started working in the field and pointing birds to their delight. In the spring, Cliff's new mom ran him in 3 consecutive AKC Hunt tests with solid scores and her first titled Setter. We could not be more proud of them both. Cliff's follow up tick panel in June shows his Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are gone--but he still has antibodies for Ehrlichia so he will continue treatment and hopefully be negative in a few more months.

Here is a nice email we got from Candy once she heard of Cliff's recent accomplishment, "Meg, what a difference a year makes !!!! It was a year ago, June 1st, that I discovered CLIFF at the pound. He came in that day and just look at him now. This exceeds all hopes and dreams we have for our rescue dogs. There is so much sorrow and pain in rescue and many times when dogs cannot be spared euthanasia or illness strikes them, this is one case that keeps the hope alive and keeps the 'fire in my belly' as the old saying goes-- to continue on when all seems futile. --Candy"

May 26th, 2010 "A week ago, I was ready to put down the best dog I have ever had. In December, I was told that the dark spots and fluid on Jack's lung x-rays were cancer and that the best course of action was to just keep him comfortable. Lisa Spakowski and I had talked and she was insisting that I have a tick panel done. My mind set was: 'it's cancer, why?' Well, we did one anyway and my new vet, Dr. Jenn convinced me to hold off euthanizing Jack until the results were in. We also started Jack on Doxycyclne. Today the results came in-- Jack is positive for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Dr. Jenn thinks he can still beat this as he has shown improvements just since last Friday."
Dog's name: Jack

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: OH

Diagnosed illness: RMSF

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX 371- 1:100 LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 7 years

Any notable behavior issues: Jack's illness started with a cough last December. Prior to almost being put to sleep, he was incontinent, had blood in his urine and had started to bleed from his gums. He has also lost 15lbs.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day for the next few months until his RMSF titer is NEG. His dad is force feeding him as he is so week--but after a few days on doxy the bladder and gums have improved already.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $600

Adoption status: ADOPTED in 2003

Sadly Jack died from complications of his RMSF in June 2010. He is buried near Archy's other beloved pets on a farm in Indiana. God Speed Jack!

Dog's name: Harmony

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Benton, IL

Diagnosed illness: RMSF

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX 371 RMSF 1:25. This is the level we typically see in infected puppies starting at about 5 months old. Harmony is from a back yard breeder in Benton and every Setter we have pulled from him has RMSF and in many cases fear aggression in the older dogs. Harmony was most likely born with RMSF as she came into the rescue at 9 weeks old due to her deafness. She was born in December and was not exposed to any ticks in her Chicago foster home as it was winter. We are linking deaf puppy issues with early RMSF infections. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 5 months

Any notable behavior issues: Low energy, spaciness and deafness.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 6-8 weeks. Retest.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $600

Adoption status: ADOPTED!!

Dog's name: Rosey

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: Ardmore, OK

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease, Ehrlchia, RMSF and Heartworm disease.

Test/tests used and results: 3DX Snap- HW+, Ehrlichia pos, Serology-Ehrlichia Pos (no titer level), post HW treatment and with continuous doxycycline antibiotic therapy- IDEXX 371 Ehrlichia 1:100, Lyme disease 1:400 and RMSF 1:800. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 3 years

Any notable behavior issues: Lethargy, slight fear aggression.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day all through heartworm treatment and after until Ehrlichia, Lyme disease and RMSF titers are Negative.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $600

Adoption status: ADOPTED!! Rosey was a BLAST in foster care the brief time I had her. With her sparkling Pointer personality she was adopted a few days after she arrived in IL from OK.

Dog's name: Blanchey McMuffin

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Southern, IL

Diagnosed illness: Ehrlichia and RMSF

Test/tests used and results: Antech SA330 6/2009 Ehrlichia 1:640, RMSF 1:512, Antech SA330 3/2010 Ehrlichia 1:160, RMSF 1:512 LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 7 years

Any notable behavior issues: In 2009 Blanche had some fear aggression and was lethargic. She was treated for 8 weeks on doxycyline and the adopter was instucted to retest which didn't happen. Blanche continued to have incontinence issues and became very depressed. She was returned to the rescue and follow up blood work showed she was still fighting Ehrlichia and RMSF. She also had a few mammary tumors which were removed and diagnosed as benigh. Her foster dad reports she is doing so much better now that she is being retreated. This time around we will do 4 months MIN and retest and watch her progress. She is CHARMING!!

Estimated Vetting expenses: $1200--BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY!!

Adoption status: Adoptable.

Dog's name: Kimberley

Breed: German Shorthair Pointer/ English Pointer X

State of origin: Arkansas

Diagnosed illness: Ehrlichia, Lyme disease and RMSF

Test/tests used and results: 2007-IDEXX 3716 Lyme Quant/ Ehrlichia 1:400, RMSF 1:200, 2010/February- IDEXX 371/ Ehrlichia 1:100, Lyme disease 1:100 (new), RMSF 1:200, 2010/April- IDEXX 371/ Ehrlichia 1:25, Lyme disease 1:200 , RMSF 1:400 -VERY FRUSTRATING!! 2010/June- IDEXX 371/ Ehrlichia 1:100 (worse), Lyme disease 1:100 (better!) , RMSF 1:400 (same). We usually see Lyme disease antibodies go negative first with co infections. We will continue doxycycline and retest in 2 more months to follow her progress. Her recent CBC/Chem is looking so much better!! LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 2 and 4 years

Any notable behavior issues: Low energy, fear aggression. Kimberely was attacked by the resident dog at her adoptive home--note all the scaring on her face. It took a while for all the bite wounds to get better--poor baby!

Treatment plan: In 2007 the vet recommend no treatment and I was told by the foster home she was negative. When Kimberley was returned for behavior issues in her adopted home--I followed up with the original vet and got the reults from her original testing and was very frustrated that she was indeed positive for Ehrlichia and RMSF. We started Kimberley with Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for 8 weeks but follow up testing showed her levels were increasing and she also had a third co infection of Lyme disease. Kimberley's energy level is so much better now and she is happier, and much more confident. We do need to retest for Anaplasma and Babesia as additional co infections besides Neorickettsia risticci which is another strain of Ehrlichia that could also be causing the troublesome antibody levels increasing instead of decreasing. Kimberley's doxy was increased to 200mg twice a day in April and hopefully her follow up testing in June will show improvements. We want to kick this stuff out of her for good!

Estimated Vetting expenses: $850

Adoption status: Adoptable.

Dog's name: Praline

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: Vandalia, IL

Diagnosed illness: RMSF and Heartworm disease.

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX 371- 1:100, post HW treatment and with continuous doxycycline antibiotic therapy- 1:200. Once the heartworm issue resolves we are hopeful Praline will be able to make a complete recovery from the RMSF as well. Her liver is struggling a bit but her foster family reports that while the first week of heartworm treatment was rough, she bounced back very quickly. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 4 years

Any notable behavior issues: Dog aggression, hyper active behavior.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day all through heartworm treatment and after until RMSF titer is Negative.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $600

Adoption status: Available.

Dog's name: Murphy

Breed: GSP/Pointer X

State of origin: Murfreesboro, TN

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease. li>
Test/tests used and results: Antech SA330,(Borderline). A Borderline level in Antech would be like a 1:100 level an IDEXX 371. It is the level where the dog's antibodies are starting to develop as the disease progresses. I wouldn't be suprised if RMSF antibodies show up the next time we retest. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 10 months

Any notable behavior issues: Low energy.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day for 8 weeks (early April), retest for co infections.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $300

Adoption status: Available.

Dog's name: Hickory

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Chicago Ridge/ Hickory Hills, IL

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease and RMSF.

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX 371- Lyme disease 1:800, RMSF 1:25 LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 4 years

Any notable behavior issues: Scatterbrained and lack of focus

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day for 16 weeks, retest.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $200

Adoption status: ADOPTED!

Dog's name: Harvey

Breed: English Setter X

State of origin: Chicago Ridge, IL

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease, IDEXX 371 1:100.

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX371,1:100 This is the level where the dog's antibodies are starting to develop as the disease progresses. I wouldn't be suprised if RMSF antibodies show up the next time we retest. LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 10 months

Any notable behavior issues: Low energy, laying down a lot upon arrival to the foster home.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day for 8 weeks (early April), retest for co infections.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $300

Adoption status: ADOPTED!

Dog's name: Moira

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: Ardmore,OK

Diagnosed illness: RMSF

Test/tests used and results: 3DX Snap, IDEXX 3716, LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 5-7

Any notable behavior issues: Fearful around strangers, low energy.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day for 8 weeks (early April), retest for co infections.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $600

Adoption status: PENDING!! (Foster dad can't part with her!)

Dog's name: Sasparilla

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: Ardmore, OK

Diagnosed illness: Mastitis, Heartworm disease, Lyme disease & RMSF

Test/tests used and results: 3DX (NEG for all), IDEXX 3716 (POS Lyme), IDEXX 3716 (POS Lyme & RMSF--rising titers) plus Heartworm Antigen Add-On/ Positive, LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 3-5

Any notable behavior issues: Lethargy and Anorexia early on follow by fear aggression/ OCD behavior which started to improve as doxycycline therapy continued :O)

Treatment plan: Heartgard every month to start killing the microfilaria.
Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day (started in January).
Spay 3/23/10 (Cystic Metritis).
Heartworm treatment April 2nd & 3rd, 2010 (continue doxy therapy).
Repeat labs 2 months post heartworm treatment and every 2 months until tick panel is negative.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $1,000+

Adoption status: VERY GOOD!! Post heartworm treatment and continued antibiotics to take care of the Lyme disease & RMSF, Sassy should have a long and happy life.

Dog's name: Fannie Mae

Breed:Setter or Pointer mixed with Collie.

State of origin:Spingfield, IL

Diagnosed illness: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Test/tests used and results: Antech SA330

Approximate age of diagnosis: Under 2

Any notable behavior issues: Lethargy, Anemia, Glassy-eyed look

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day (started in late March).
Spay in April.
Repeat labs in 2 months to look for co infections and continue doxy therapy every 2 months until tick panel is negative.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $600+

Adoption status: Fannie was diagnosed upon arrival a week before she gave birth to 11 puppies. Only 5 survived and they will all be tested for RMSF at 4-6 months to see if they are carriers. Since Fannie has started antibiotic therapy treatment--she is more focused and is feeling so much better. She is one the sweetest dogs we have ever rescued.

Dog's name: Edmond Dantes aka The Count of Monte Cristo

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Springfield, IL

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease, RMSF, Grade 5 heart murmur

Test/tests used and results: Antech SA330, IDEXX 3716, LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 7-8

Any notable behavior issues: Fear aggression

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day for 16 weeks due to potential co infections (started in January), retest.

Adoption status: Dante has come a long way in a short amount of time. Being in foster care with confident dogs has helped him the most. His antibiotic treatment has so far taken care of the Lyme disease, and he is still fighting RMSF. His energy level has increased 10 fold and he runs and points tweeties as often as he is allowed. He is a very sweet dog that was sick for a long time. He may be registered with the AKC and run in a few Hunt tests as he shows a lot of potential. He knows his new name and his recall is amazing. GOOD BOY!!

Dog's name: Ella--formerly Gladys Hobbit

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: Arkansas

Diagnosed illness: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Test/tests used and results: 4DX(neg)/2006 IDEXX 3716/2010 1:200

Approximate age of diagnosis: 8

Any notable behavior issues: Lethargy--years previous Ella was a chronic escape artist. Ella also has urinary incontinence.

Adoption status: Ella was adopted in the Spring of 2006. When her adoptive mom told me she had her first cancerous tumor removed, I suggested that Ella should have a tick panel to rule out any illnesses we may have missed 4 years ago. We have lost many of her family members to cancer already. Vets have been told a value of 1:200 is an "exposure" titer and not to treat. We are finding that this means the RMSF bacteria is hiding in the body--perhaps the spleen and if not treated, may cause cancer and kidney failure. Ella is being treated now for 8 weeks and she will be retested.

Dog's name: Serafina Ballerina

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: Arkansas

Diagnosed illness: Ehrlichia & Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Test/tests used and results: 4DX/2006 (neg), IDEXX 3716/ 2010 Ehrlichia 1:100, RMSF 1:25. Follow up testing post 4 weeks antibiotics-- Ehrlichia 1:25, RMSF 1:25

Approximate age of diagnosis: 10-11

Any notable behavior issues: Urinary incontinence, eye changes. Sera would always shiver too--needing to wear an extra dog coat 24/7. Post treatment 2010, Sera is no longer shivering and no longer wants to wear any extra clothing :O).

Adoption status: Sera was adopted in 2006.

Dog's name: Christina

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Illinois

Diagnosed illness: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

Test/tests used and results: Antech SA330 LABS

Approximate age of diagnosis: 4-6

Any notable behavior issues: A teensy bit of snarkiness.

Treatment plan: Doxycycline 200 mg twice a day (started in January).
Repeat labs in 2 months to look for co infections and continue doxy therapy every 2 months until tick panel is negative.

Estimated Vetting expenses: $500+

Adoption status: VERY GOOD--post treatment--Christina should live a long and happy life.

Dog's name: Jules

Breed: Pointer

State of origin: Kentucky

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease

Test/tests used and results: 3DX/2009 (all neg), 4DX/2009 (all neg), IDEXX 3716/ 2009, POSITIVE for Lyme disease, IDEXX 3716/2010, POS for RMSF LABS
.
Approximate age at diagnosis: 9 months/ Lyme disease, 16 months/Rocky Mountain spotted fever (upon return to the rescue 2010)

Any notable behavior issues: Fear aggression, no scent pointing abilities, inflammed spay area. While we suspected Jules had a TBI, and treated her for 3 weeks on doxycycline before she was spayed, the Lyme disease caused her to have a very rough surgery and probably made her immune system go completely out of whack. Jules was a confident happy dog prior to adoption, but things did not go well in her new home and somehow she contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever and struggle for months before she was returned to us. She was sick for a long time and the damage is done. her confindence is not what it once was and she is VERY fearful of men.

Prognosis: Hopefully we will kick the RMSF out of her.

Accomplishments: Jules competed in a Walking and Horseback Field Trial--Puppy and Derby with placements in 2009.
Adoption status: Pet home with a lot of dog park romps would be ideal for missy Jules. See is really starting to act like her old self again--thanks goodness!!!

Class of 2009

Dog's name: Ali- formerly Siouxie

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Indiana

Diagnosed illness: RMSF-December 2009

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX 371 RMSF 1:25. We suspect while Ali's immune system kept the RMSF illness under control, it was still hiding and causing much of her behavior issues. Her personality change and behavior improved dramatically post doxycycline treatment.

Approximate age at diagnosis: 5

Any notable behavior issues: Fear Aggression, ADHD--hyper activity.
Prognosis: Much better post 8 week doxycycline treatment.

Adoption status: Adopted by foster family in July 2006

As a side note--we tested Ali's scent pointing abilities several times over the past 4 years and she did not pass. On February 14th, 2010, Ali scent pointed her first ever pheasant.

Here is a well thought out behavior report about Ali from her foster mom as her treatment started; "I used to call Ali our ADHD child. :o) When we started to foster her back in 2006, she had come from an owner surrender in Indiana, and then a failed adoption because she had so much energy she didn't know how to settle down. She was also afraid of men. Aggression was there, but more out of fear than illness, I think. She didn't show aggression here, unless a strange man with dark hair came into "her home". This continues still today. She did bite my son in law.

Working for just a week with her fear issue of men, we made a breakthrough and knew she was home forever. Now trying to corral the energy was a bigger job. We contributed her energy with her young 1 yr old age, but as the years went on she never slowed down. Her fascination with squirrels over powered her ability to settle down in the house. For the past 4 years she would go NUTS running from window to window to patio door with her body going into an uncontrolled wiggle when she stood still telling us she wanted out. She didn't know how to control this urge. Telling her to lie down didn't work. I actually had to leash her, keep her next to me and keeping her leash short enough that all she could do was lay down. It took her a good 20 minutes and figuring out she couldn't move, that she settled, but as soon as I took the leash off, her drive came right back.

I knew from Sienna (my other English Setter) being the same age that at 4 she should be a little calmer, but she never showed signs of slowing down. So after many attempts from Lisa, I agreed to get her tested. I have to admit, that my purpose to agree was more to "prove" Lisa wrong than suspecting she was right. You can imagine my surprise when the results came back and I heard from Lisa "Ali is Positive for Rocky Mountain spotted fever!" I couldn't believe it. In December, 2009, I started her on Doxycycline with the IBR 8 week treatment regimen.

Doxy treatment started working immediately. Within the first few days Ali was changing. She calmed down in the house when she saw her "squirrels" outside. Her uncontrolled drive was now manageable. When told to lie down, she did. She didn't pace anywhere near the way she use to. Her desire was held to outside running now.

Ali wasn't always the perfect receptor of new foster dogs either. She would keep her distance, drool to where she would get soaking wet on her chest. If they came too close for her comfort, she would snarl at them to let them know she was not interested. She kept her distance for 4-5 days- staying away from them, moving from her spot in the room, if they came into the room, etc. NOW she doesn't care. Heathcliff (my last foster Setter) was here when she started Doxy and she didn't mind him from the beginning, and when Lily (my next foster Setter) came in a week later and instead of drooling and keeping her distance, she didn't care. Having 2 fosters was no big deal any more. Changing out Lily for Sassy (foster Pointer) was a non-issue all together.

Ali is now content lying around, during the day, in the house and asks very little to go out. When outside, she now sits and watches for squirrels rather than running the fence line for literally hours looking and waiting for them to come around.

The first sign of her interest in birds came a few weeks AFTER she started on Doxy. We were in the backyard and I heard all these birds chirping. There must have been 50 little black birds in the tree next to me. My first thought was a hawk in the area and when I looked up, Ali was running from the other side of the yard TO THE BIRDS! She was interested! She didn't point, but when they all flew off she was there chasing them! She has never done this before. It's always been about the squirrels. Her interest was definitely in the birds. When they went to another tree near by, she was right there watching them. They took flight again and this time flew over the yard, almost like teasing her and she was right with them until they flew out of range.

So do I believe Doxy can make a change? Well, at least with Ali I would have to say an emphatically, YES!

I saw changes in Cliff and Lynette (my other foster Setter with RMSF) as well while in my care and on Doxy. I just never witnessed its true effects to notice in a foster dog, how fast it really does start healing and CAN heal, until you witness it in your own dog, who you know their habits after being with you for years.

Ali IS A DIFFERENT DOG FROM DOXY treatment for her underlying issue with Rocky Mountain spotted fever and I'm sure is a happier girl now that she can RELAX!

Bottom line for me, if you think your dog should be acting differently and you really don't know their full history, then spend the money on the test and rule out any unknown illness. Our home is definitely calmer now and you might be surprised, like me. If the test comes back negative, then at least you know you just have a crazy dog :o)

Pat IBR Donations Coordinator & Foster mom

Dog's name: Nala

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Illinois--whelped a litter in foster care 2005

Diagnosed illness: RMSF-Jan 2009, RMSF, Ehrlichia- July 2009. Nala most likely had RMSF since 2005 and may have recaught it in the summer of 2009 with Ehrlichia when she was bit by ticks on a visit to St. Louis, MO.

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX and IDEXX

Approximate age at diagnosis: 8

Any notable behavior issues: Chronic hole digging, followed by extreme lethargy

Prognosis: Much better post 8 week doxycycline treatment.

Adoption status: Adopted by foster mom in 2005.

Dog's name: Merry Jo

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Illinois

Diagnosed illness: Heartworm disease 2005, RMSF 2009. Merry most likely had RMSF undiganosed since 2005.

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX

Approximate age at diagnosis: 6 and 10

Any notable behavior issues: Terrible joint pain--adopter considered euthaniasia before the RMSF diagnosis.

Prognosis: Much better since 8 weeks doxycycline treatment.

Adoption status: Adopted 2005

Dog's name: Gatsby

Breed: Setter mix

State of origin: Kentucky

Diagnosed illness: RMSF

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX

Approximate age at diagnosis: 5 months

Any notable behavior issues: Feverish.

Prognosis: Full recovery post 8 week doxycycline treatment.

Adoption status: Adopted!

Dog's name: GiGi

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Illinois

Diagnosed illness: Mammary cancer and RMSF

Test/tests used and results: Antech

Approximate age at diagnosis: 8-10

Any notable behavior issues: Feverish

Prognosis: We are hopeful GiGi lives a full life.

Adoption status: Adopted by foster family.

Dog's name: Abraham

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Illinois

Diagnosed illness: Heartworm disease and RMSF

Test/tests used and results:IDEXX, IDEXX, IDEXX

Approximate age at diagnosis: 2-4

Any notable behavior issues: Lethargy and a lot of joint pain.

Prognosis: Heartworm treatment successful, RMSF treatment ongoing.

Adoption status: Adopted by foster family.

Dog's name: Jasper

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Illinois

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease and RMSF

Test/tests used and results: Antech

Approximate age at diagnosis: 6-8

Any notable behavior issues: Aggression

Prognosis: Doing much better post 8 weeks doxycycline treatment. Jasper is more playful now.

Adoption status: Adoptable.

Dog's name: Elizabeth

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Kentucky

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease and RMSF

Test/tests used and results: Antech

Approximate age at diagnosis: 8-10

Any notable behavior issues: Seizures

Prognosis: Treatment is ongoing for the seizures and tick borne illnesses.

Adoption status: Adopted by foster mom.

Dog's name: Tammy Duckworth aka Duckie

Breed: English Setter

State of origin: Missouri

Diagnosed illness: Heartworm disease, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, RMSF, mammary cancer and Spleen cancer.

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX, and several 4DX- snap tests.

Approximate age at diagnosis: 8-10

Any notable behavior issues: Aggression (who could blame her for being cranky!!) BUT--post ongoing treatment--a much happier dog. We love her.

Prognosis: Guarded.

Adoption status: In hospice care.

Dog's name: Peter Parker

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Tennessee

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease

Test/tests used and results: Antech--Borderline

Approximate age at diagnosis: 2-4

Any notable behavior issues: Rage aggression

Prognosis: EXCELLENT!! Post 8 weeks doxycycline treatment, Peter was a changed dog. The aggression went away and he started to point!!

Adoption status: Adopted!!

Dog's name: Tristan

Breed: Pointer mix

State of origin: Tennessee

Diagnosed illness: RMSF

Test/tests used and results: Antech

Approximate age at diagnosis: 3-5 months

Any notable behavior issues: Very quiet subdued puppy. Not normal!

Prognosis: VERY GOOD!!

Adoption status: Adopted.

Dog's name: Ladybird

Breed: English Pointer

State of origin: Kentucky

Diagnosed illness: Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and RMSF

Test/tests used and results: IDEXX 3716/ March 2009 Lyme disease 1:100, RMSF 1:100, IDEXX 3716/April 2009 RMSF 1:50, IDEXX 3716/ July 2009, Lyme Negative, RMSF 1:100, IDEXX 3716/ October 2009, Ehrlichia 1:100, RMSF 1:100, IDEXX /2010 Lyme disease 1:100, RMSF 1:25

Approximate age at diagnosis: 5-7

Any notable behavior issues: Aggression, lethargy

Prognosis: Frustrating!!! Almost a year on and off antibiotics and blood work still shows issues. In March 2010, it was discovered Ladybird is heartworm positive. She must have been hiding adult worms for nearly a year even though her Antgen test in March 2009 was negative. Post heartworm treatment in March 2010, Lady is acting more like herself.

Adoption status: Adopted by foster family.