Our GoFundMe is linked in our bio to help with Kilo’s ongoing medical care, and we’ll continue sharing his health updates there as we try to figure out what is happening to him. ❤️🐾
This video was taken after Kilo’s latest appointment with the specialists, and it’s heartbreaking to watch him struggle just to eat.
Kilo is continuing to lose weight and muscle despite still having an appetite, and we’re seeing more changes in the way he moves, holds his head, eats, and drinks. He’s walking with a short, choppy gait, doesn’t want to lift his head, and now needs his food bowl raised to eat. We’ve also noticed him twisting his head to try to pick up food with the right side of his mouth, along with these strange involuntary “flinches” involving his head and neck.
At his latest appointment, the specialists became concerned that there could be something affecting his brain or nervous system. Right now, they’re considering meningitis, cancer affecting the nervous system, or an autoimmune condition.
His lymph nodes in his abdomen are still enlarged, although the ones they can feel from the outside of his body are now back to a normal size. His chest X-rays also did not show any obvious masses, tumors, or enlarged lymph nodes.
They recommended an MRI and testing of the fluid around his brain and spinal cord to get more definitive answers. For now, we decided to treat him for meningitis while we wait for additional testing, including testing for tick-borne diseases and Neospora.
Kilo has now been started on prednisone and will continue gabapentin, while the antibiotics have been stopped. The hope is that if this is an inflammatory or immune-related condition, the steroids will help improve some of his symptoms.
I’ll be sharing a full video update about the appointment and everything we learned, but for now, we’re taking this one day at a time and hoping we can finally get some answers for our boy. 💔
If you’ve been following Kilo’s journey, thank you for continuing to support us, share his story, and keep him in your thoughts. ❤️🐶
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Watching a beloved pet struggle with health challenges is an emotional experience that many pet owners can relate to. In Kilo’s case, the combination of his symptoms—weight loss despite appetite, muscle weakness, abnormal gait, and head tremors—highlight the complexity of diagnosing neurological and systemic conditions in dogs. In my personal experience caring for a dog with similar symptoms, getting a diagnosis often requires persistence and patience. Veterinary specialists may recommend advanced imaging like MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis, just as Kilo’s team did, to pinpoint issues affecting the brain or spinal cord. These procedures can be stressful and costly, but they provide crucial information that helps tailor effective treatment plans. Treatments such as prednisone and gabapentin have been commonly used to manage inflammatory or autoimmune neurological disorders in dogs, aiming to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. However, responses to these medications can vary, and close monitoring is essential. Supporting Kilo through this journey, including financial help via GoFundMe links, is a testament to the dedication and love pet owners have. If you’re following a pet’s health struggle, sharing their story raises awareness and can build a supportive community. Additionally, raising the dog’s food bowl, as mentioned, is a practical tip that can improve feeding comfort when neurological symptoms affect movement. Ultimately, while waiting for definitive test results and treatments to take effect, taking it one day at a time and focusing on small improvements can make a significant difference in managing a pet’s challenging health issues. Keeping hope and advocating for your pet’s needs is a powerful part of the journey.