I’m not a medical person, my apologies to the medical community. I’m just desperately searching for the root of what appears to be a medical mystery. Someone must have run into a similar illness.
Jack: 4 year old beagle-terrier (Jack Russell/Rat?) rescue mix (19 lbs).
Repeated “episodes” in the 2 years we’ve had him that all seem tied to pockets of inflammation both internally (near colon-mass shows on x-ray) under the skin, between his tail and rectum, and on his side. They flare up, go away and new ones show-up. He has had extensive testing at Banfield Pet Hospital and the U of M Veterinary School: extensive blood work, biopsies, x-rays and a CT scan, with no definitive diagnosis.
Background (as well as can be ascertained):
Picked up by Animal Rescue in West Virginia, somehow ended up at St. Francis of Assisi Animal Rescue in Forest Lake, MN around February/March of 2005. He was neutered, micro-chipped and placed in foster care. We adopted him the end of April and took him to our vet where he was diagnosed with whip worms, bronchitis and ear infections (issues which were resolved) and was heartworm and Lyme disease negative.
Within a few months developed several nickel to quarter size lumps under the skin on side and back. They were removed (Banfield Pet Hospital) and were determined not to be cancerous but a “granular panniculitis”. Within months a couple more developed (similar but not exact areas) and I monitored them for change; they went away. Months later I noticed that from one day to the next his tail had totally drooped, hanging limp. He could not lift it and it was causing him severe pain, especially when defecating. Banfield took an x-ray and determined that it wasn’t broken but that there was a mass between his tail and his rectum and that it looked like there was some spondolosis in his spine close to his tail. With the history of repeated inflammatory “pockets”, they referred us to the University of Minnesota for biopsies and additional testing.
Surgeon’s comments (5/03/06):
Under anesthesia tail could not be physically moved more than a few inches. Rectal palpation found abnormally firm tissue within the pelvic canal at the base of the tail. CT scan of the lower spine, pelvic canal and tail revealed a mass between sacral vertebrae/bones of tail and rectum. Enlarged lymph nodes within pelvic canal. Aspirate non-diagnostic, blood and fat cells only. Bloodwork: abnormally high proteins, particularly involving globulin level. Lymphocyte count higher than expected. Chest x-ray for enlarged lymph nodes or masses in lungs came back normal. Biopsy results: Not cancer. Referred to Infectious Disease Specialist. Note: after the biopsy the mass regressed and his tail has returned to normal.
Infectious Disease Specialist’s Comments:
Tested for a multitude of parasites, negative. “What’s going on with him is very unusual, possibly immune system related. Could be an unusual reaction to a common substance or a common reaction to an unusual substance. Masses regress and recurr in another area. They do not move.” He was put on prednisone for several months, no episodes during that time-but negative side effects.
December 2006:
Bad episode. Came on quickly, hurt to defecate (cried ) loss of appetite, surface blood in stool. Antibiotics & Rimadyl pulled him out of it. Laxotone helped.
Currently (4/24/07)
March of ’07 went in for his normal check-up. White count and liver enzymes high, red cell count low (red cell count has come up). X-ray showed a mass causing his colon to “dip”. Clavamox & Doxycycline did not lower white cell count, now on Baytril and Denosyl. Still on Rimadyl (since Dec episode) Blood count will be rechecked on 4/28/07. Right now he’s a playful happy little guy.
I tried to keep this brief but contain key points. Please email if you have any insight on this scenario and forward as appropriate.
Thank you, and my sincere gratitude,
Jack’s Mom
germaine@comcast.net
Diagnosis help! U of MN unable to diagnosis. 
