Xena's story

Xena was born on March 5th 2022 Litter G 

Sire: Bruss Drago 

Dam: Karma/Karmella

After two months of communication via text, pre-approval/approval and payment, i drove from NJ to MI on 5/1/22 to pickup  Xena.

25 days later Xena appeared lethargic and possibly suffering from an upset stomach. We took her to our vet they did blood work gave her fluids and antibiotics. 

Here is the bill from this visit. $553.03

After the initial visit we gave her antibiotics she seemed to respond well. After s Xena would randomly have an upset stomach then recover then randomly get upset again. She was getting taller, but slowly putting on weight. We kept in touch with the breeder and she told us Xena was in the "lanky" stage we believed her.

In November 2023 she started to become VERY picky with her food. She only wanted canned food. We looked for advice on Caucasian Shepherd message boards and owners stated their dogs we often picky so we tried alternatives including home cooked meals.

In December she got progressively worse we took her to Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital in NJ.

Testings, ultrasounds, overnight care, 2 albumin transfusions, surgery to examine her intestines (as they were inflamed) medications our bill was  13,753.03.

After leaving Mt.Laurel hospital we were hopeful. They removed some grass from her intestines sent us home with meds.  Xena was recovering and on meds for two weeks and seemed to be doing well. 

After Xena finished her meds  her condition seemed to return to the way it was before the ER visit. She lost interest in activities, appeared lethargic and was picky eating. We updated the breeder Ericka Johnson of Royal Caucasian Shepherds. She suggested that it could be Coccidiosis from her experience.

We reached out to Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital updating them on Xena's condition. They referred us back to our primary care vet. We ordered a fecal sample to check for Coccidiosis. Our bill was $55.58

The fecal sample came back negative so our vet recommended we come in for more extensive testings.

We did more comprehensive testing with our total coming to 1,323.79 

After the vet got the results he was extremely concerned. Xena’s albumin levels were extremely low. He discovered  that on her initial 5/26/22 visit her albumin levels were also extremely low, this is when he put 2 and 2 together.

The vet narrowed down her condition to Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) and referred us back to Mt. Laurel Hospital for PROMPT SUPPORTIVE care and FURTHER testing.

We went back to Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital and met  with an Internal Medicine Dr. for further evaluation and testing as recommended by our vet. Our final bill came out to 1,348.75

After evaluation ultrasound and tests, Xena was officially diagnosed by the Mt. Laurel Animal Hospital with PLE with lymphangiectasia being the suspected underlying cause.

Xena will now be on a strict diet for the remainder of her life

We don't know what the future holds for Xena. But we are doing everything in  our power to give her the best life possible. PLE sufferers are fragile because of their hypoalbumin gastrointestinal disease and their potential to develop spontaneous blood clots.

Regular follow-up examinations and testing will be required.