Our Go FundMe link is in our bio and that’s where we’ll be sharing updates and test result info on Kilo’s health journey. 🫶🏽💞
We are getting increasingly worried that there is something more serious going on with Kilo, and we still don’t have an answer.
Over the past several months, Kilo has gone from being his normal self to dealing with progressive, generalized muscle wasting, significant weakness, painful and extremely slow movement, difficulty standing, severe muscle loss around his jaw and head, neck pain and muscle spasms, and now increasingly frequent involuntary muscle jolts. He has also had fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, eye redness and green discharge, and fluid/inflammation in both knees.
His recent X-rays showed severe degenerative disease in his TPLO knee, with the TPLO plate mildly detached from the tibial cortex, as well as arthritis and joint fluid. His other knee also has joint effusion and arthritis. We know his orthopedic issues are contributing to his pain, but they do not explain everything that is happening to him.
Earlier this year, Kilo was evaluated by Internal Medicine because of weight loss, decreased appetite, increased drinking/urination and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. A lymph node aspirate and flow cytometry found an unusual population of cells that the laboratory said was concerning for possible hematopoietic neoplasia, although they could not determine that the cells were cancerous. PARR testing was polyclonal and did not show a clonal lymphoma population.
Yesterday, we had another thorough examination and bloodwork from his primary vet. His results showed a WBC of 55.19 with marked neutrophilia, anemia, and a platelet count of only 32, along with elevated ALP and continued generalized muscle atrophy. His doctor’s primary concern is now a possible neoplastic/systemic disease, and she recommended that we immediately return to Internal Medicine and Oncology for further investigation.
MMM was discussed because of the severe muscle loss around his jaw, but his doctor feels it is less likely because his muscle wasting is generalized throughout his body and his jaw is not locked.
Right now, we don’t know what Kilo has. We don’t know if this is cancer, an inflammatory or immune-mediated disease, an infectious disease, a neuromuscular condition, or something else entirely. We are trying to get him answers while also getting his pain and discomfort under better control.
For now, Galliprant has been discontinued and he has been started on gabapentin while continuing clindamycin. He is being referred back to Internal Medicine and Oncology as soon as possible.
We are scared, exhausted, and honestly just desperate to figure out what is happening to our boy. He is still eating, drinking, getting up and fighting through this, and we are going to keep advocating for him every step of the way.
If you have followed Kilo’s story and want to help us continue getting him the testing and specialist care he needs, our GoFundMe link is in our bio. We will also be posting Kilo’s health updates there so everything is in one place.
Please keep Kilo in your thoughts and, if you have veterinary experience or have seen a case with a similar combination of symptoms, we would genuinely appreciate hearing from you!❤️
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Caring for a senior dog like Kilo through unexplained, progressive muscle wasting and severe joint issues has been an emotionally taxing and complex experience. From my own experience with pets facing chronic and multifactorial health challenges, it’s critical to maintain consistent communication with veterinarians and specialists, as the journey is often long and requires multiple rounds of testing and treatment adjustments. Muscle wasting combined with neurological symptoms and systemic signs such as fever and lethargy can indicate a range of possible diseases including immune-mediated conditions, infections, or cancers. The involvement of multiple body systems—musculoskeletal, hematologic, and neurological—means that comprehensive diagnostics like blood panels, imaging, and cytology are essential. It’s important to advocate for these thorough investigations, as early diagnosis may improve management outcomes. I’ve learned that managing pain effectively alongside diagnostic workups makes a huge difference for the pet’s quality of life. Medications like gabapentin can help with neuropathic pain while antibiotics such as clindamycin may address potential infections. However, these treatments often must be personalized and adjusted by the veterinary team according to response and side effects. While awaiting specialist evaluations in internal medicine and oncology, providing comfort through gentle care, proper nutrition, and ensuring a low-stress environment is vital. Noticing subtle changes in appetite, mobility, or behavior should be documented and shared with veterinarians, as it can guide the diagnostic process. Lastly, connecting with other pet owners facing similar challenges or seeking advice from professionals familiar with rare or complex canine conditions is invaluable. Sharing experiences and support networks helps not only in emotional coping but also in exploring treatment options and research developments. The uncertainty and urgency in Kilo’s case underline how crucial it is for pet parents to stay proactive, maintain hope, and continue fighting alongside their beloved companions every step of the way.
