Idiopathic Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis
Breed: American Pit Bull Terrier/Doberman mixDOB: December, 2011
Sex: Spayed Female
Weight: 40 pounds
Foster home: Jodi
239-12
Hi! I’m KoKo, aka, Miss KoKo Puff. “Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle. I’m a cutie, and I know it.” I am a very good little girl. I am always happy to meet new people or welcome you home, and I show my happiness by doing my happy wiggle dance; I guess that’s why my foster mom calls me a wigglebutt. I love to snuggle and play. My favorite game is fetch. But I also have no problem entertaining myself with my toys. I like to go on walks, but I will need someone experienced with my breed, as I am pretty strong for my size and sometimes pull if I get excited. I am very calm on car rides; I like to just sit and watch the world go by. I am crate trained and potty trained. I even know how to ring a bell hung by the door to tell you when I would like to go outside! I am pretty smart, if I do say so myself. I also know all my basic commands: sit, lay down, come, off, etc. I would love to learn more tricks with you! I love people, including kids. But given my energy level and strength, I probably shouldn’t live with small children since I might accidentally knock one over and that would make me sad. When it comes to other animals, I love to chase cats and then give them lots of kisses. But if they tell me that they don’t like my kisses, then I will back off. I get stressed around other dogs in public, so my new owner will need to be aware of that when we go out. Once I am comfortable, I get along with most dogs, big and small. But I will need to meet any other dogs in your home just to make sure we get along. If you are interested in adopting me, please make sure you do your research regarding my breed. Here are some links to get you started: www.prbc.net and www.badrap.org. And if you decide that you would like to take me home and let me give you kisses every day, then please fill out an adoption application at: www.apbpets.com/application.htm.
UPDATE: After more testing and assessment by the teams at Miller Animal Clinic and MSU Veterinary Hospital, the doctors have come to the conclusion that KoKo’s condition is consistent with Idiopathic Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis. Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis is the most common polyarthritis in companion dogs and cats. The cause of this condition is likely a type-III hypersensitivity reaction, in which immune complexes are deposited in the synovial membrane and an inflammatory cascade is initiated. The immune stimulus and reason why it happens is frequently unknown, hence the commonly used term is idiopathic polyarthritis. So what does all this mean? KoKo is still a very happy, friendly, relatively healthy dog. But she will have to stay on a low dose of prednisone (steroid) for life. The doctors are not able to predict her long-term prognosis or how her condition will progress in the future, and she should be tested periodically to monitor any possible prednisone side effects. With that said, though, her response to the treatment thus far suggests a favorable result.
