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#1
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Fever & no appetite
Mixed breed (possible beagle/small collie mix), female, spayed,
aproximately 9.5 years old. History of good heath, vaccinations, heartworm preventative and flea/tick treatments (Frontline). A little over a week ago, she developed a fever (listless, depressed). Took her to vet, and found a fever of 105. Back legs were a little lame so they took xrays. They found two vertebra a little close to each other. Blood work showed white blood cell count was low. They put her on antibiotics. They also gave her a shot, which revived her to 75 percent for the night. The next day, and following days, her fever remained. Her appetite went away, only eating small amounts of hamburger and a dog cookie sometimes. Aproximately 5 days later, we took her back to the vet, and her fever was 106. They gave another shot, which brought it down. New blood work showed within normal range, and urin showed no problem. No bowel movment problems, and only vomiting from antibiotics. Dr. changed perscription,and vomiting went away. 3 days ago, temperature was normal (102). This maintained for 2 days, with occasional temps of upper 102's to mid 103's. Still no appetite. Drinking water normally. 3 vets are stumped. They can do an ultrasound and hopefully find something out. I am not made of money, and have already put aproximately $500 towards this illness already. The Dr's really can't proceed without further investigation (and more $$$). I'd hate to put her down, but it seems like it's heading that way, unless someone out there has any ideas! |
#2
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Fever & no appetite
In article .com,
wrote: 3 vets are stumped. They can do an ultrasound and hopefully find something out. I am not made of money, and have already put aproximately $500 towards this illness already. The Dr's really can't proceed without further investigation (and more $$$). I'd hate to put her down, but it seems like it's heading that way, unless someone out there has any ideas! It doesn't sound like they've done much on the diagnostic side. If your vets have limited diagnostic facilities (or skills, another possibility, frankly) and you can afford it, a teaching hospital associated with a veterinary college is usually a very good bet. I certainly wouldn't give up on the dog without putting in more effort to find out what was going on. -- Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - If you can't say it clearly, you don't understand it yourself -- John Searle |
#3
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Fever & no appetite
On Mar 20, 4:08 pm, (Melinda Shore) wrote:
In article .com, wrote: 3 vets are stumped. They can do an ultrasound and hopefully find something out. I am not made of money, and have already put aproximately $500 towards this illness already. The Dr's really can't proceed without further investigation (and more $$$). I'd hate to put her down, but it seems like it's heading that way, unless someone out there has any ideas! It doesn't sound like they've done much on the diagnostic side. If your vets have limited diagnostic facilities (or skills, another possibility, frankly) and you can afford it, a teaching hospital associated with a veterinary college is usually a very good bet. I certainly wouldn't give up on the dog without putting in more effort to find out what was going on. -- Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - If you can't say it clearly, you don't understand it yourself -- John Searle Thanks for the reply. That may be my fault (the lack of diagnosis). I did indicate I didn't want to get radical or invasive, and money isn't plentiful, so they modified their treatments to that critera with a 'shot gun' approach. What they want to do to help solve this mystery is look at her lymphnode's since they seemed a little enlarged. They also said the next logical step is to do an ultrasound of her abdomen. So far bloodwork and symptoms seemed to rule out major orgain faulure (Kidney's, liver, heart sounds good,stool is ok, no vomiting anymore due to meds). The facility in question is http://www.animalmedicalhospital.net/index.htm .. I have about 10 years of taking dogs to them. Their eldest Dr. is extremely experienced and knowledgable. Probably the main obsticle has been my lack of $. I'm seriously considering putting another couple hundred more $ in and hoping they find 'something'. Obviously my priority is the comfort of the dog, and paying the mortgage. (Crosses fingers). I've had 8 dogs in my life, and this one has been the most challenge. Every dog I've owned has let me know when it was time for them to die (except one, who died at home unexpectedly). This dog is very sick, but shows a will to live, she's just tiring. I get mixed signals from her. Believe me, I don't take animal ownership lightly, and have to balance it with the normal responsibilities in life. What a bind it is! |
#4
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Fever & no appetite
Did they test for Lyme disease?
Celeste wrote in message oups.com... Mixed breed (possible beagle/small collie mix), female, spayed, aproximately 9.5 years old. History of good heath, vaccinations, heartworm preventative and flea/tick treatments (Frontline). A little over a week ago, she developed a fever (listless, depressed). Took her to vet, and found a fever of 105. Back legs were a little lame so they took xrays. They found two vertebra a little close to each other. Blood work showed white blood cell count was low. They put her on antibiotics. They also gave her a shot, which revived her to 75 percent for the night. The next day, and following days, her fever remained. Her appetite went away, only eating small amounts of hamburger and a dog cookie sometimes. Aproximately 5 days later, we took her back to the vet, and her fever was 106. They gave another shot, which brought it down. New blood work showed within normal range, and urin showed no problem. No bowel movment problems, and only vomiting from antibiotics. Dr. changed perscription,and vomiting went away. 3 days ago, temperature was normal (102). This maintained for 2 days, with occasional temps of upper 102's to mid 103's. Still no appetite. Drinking water normally. 3 vets are stumped. They can do an ultrasound and hopefully find something out. I am not made of money, and have already put aproximately $500 towards this illness already. The Dr's really can't proceed without further investigation (and more $$$). I'd hate to put her down, but it seems like it's heading that way, unless someone out there has any ideas! |
#5
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Fever & no appetite
On Mar 20, 9:02 pm, "Spot" wrote:
Did they test for Lyme disease? Celeste wrote in message oups.com... Mixed breed (possible beagle/small collie mix), female, spayed, aproximately 9.5 years old. History of good heath, vaccinations, heartworm preventative and flea/tick treatments (Frontline). A little over a week ago, she developed a fever (listless, depressed). Took her to vet, and found a fever of 105. Back legs were a little lame so they took xrays. They found two vertebra a little close to each other. Blood work showed white blood cell count was low. They put her on antibiotics. They also gave her a shot, which revived her to 75 percent for the night. The next day, and following days, her fever remained. Her appetite went away, only eating small amounts of hamburger and a dog cookie sometimes. Aproximately 5 days later, we took her back to the vet, and her fever was 106. They gave another shot, which brought it down. New blood work showed within normal range, and urin showed no problem. No bowel movment problems, and only vomiting from antibiotics. Dr. changed perscription,and vomiting went away. 3 days ago, temperature was normal (102). This maintained for 2 days, with occasional temps of upper 102's to mid 103's. Still no appetite. Drinking water normally. 3 vets are stumped. They can do an ultrasound and hopefully find something out. I am not made of money, and have already put aproximately $500 towards this illness already. The Dr's really can't proceed without further investigation (and more $$$). I'd hate to put her down, but it seems like it's heading that way, unless someone out there has any ideas!- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Good question. They did mention the possiblilty of a tick borne disease. I'm adding it to the 'check for this' list. I'm dropping her off tomorrow morning for an ultra sound, check on swollen lymph nodes, as well as a double check of dental problems, and tick borne diseases (IE Lyme). Let's hope it isn't cancer in the lymph nodes. |
#6
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Fever & no appetite
Good question. They did mention the possiblilty of a tick borne disease. I'm adding it to the 'check for this' list. I'm dropping her off tomorrow morning for an ultra sound, check on swollen lymph nodes, as well as a double check of dental problems, and tick borne diseases (IE Lyme). Let's hope it isn't cancer in the lymph nodes.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - It just occurred to me... Lyme disease isn't very common in Florida. They did check kidney function via urine test and complete blood tests. All major organs appeared to have normal function. Although she does have some symptoms similar to lyme disease, she is lacking a lot as well. They did ask if she's traveled or been exposed to other dogs where she may have contracted an out of area tick disease (the answer is no). I'll mention it again just to be sure, but i suspect she doesnt have it with the evidence we have so far. |
#7
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Fever & no appetite
wrote in message ps.com... A little over a week ago, she developed a fever (listless, depressed). Took her to vet, and found a fever of 105. Back legs were a little lame so they took xrays. They found two vertebra a little close to each other. Blood work showed white blood cell count was low. What they want to do to help solve this mystery is look at her lymphnode's since they seemed a little enlarged. They also said the next logical step is to do an ultrasound of her abdomen. So far bloodwork and symptoms seemed to rule out major orgain faulure (Kidney's, liver, heart sounds good,stool is ok, no vomiting anymore due to meds). .......I'd think about tick disease. The vertebra issue could be coincidental and not the cause of any hind leg lameness. I notice in a later post you say you're in FL. There's Ehrlichia here, also Lepto. I'd get the tests. Though since your dog just had a fever, there may not be any antibodies present right now. buglady take out the dog before replying |
#8
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Fever & no appetite
On Mar 20, 10:19 pm, "buglady" wrote:
wrote in message ps.com... A little over a week ago, she developed a fever (listless, depressed). Took her to vet, and found a fever of 105. Back legs were a little lame so they took xrays. They found two vertebra a little close to each other. Blood work showed white blood cell count was low. What they want to do to help solve this mystery is look at her lymphnode's since they seemed a little enlarged. They also said the next logical step is to do an ultrasound of her abdomen. So far bloodwork and symptoms seemed to rule out major orgain faulure (Kidney's, liver, heart sounds good,stool is ok, no vomiting anymore due to meds). ......I'd think about tick disease. The vertebra issue could be coincidental and not the cause of any hind leg lameness. I notice in a later post you say you're in FL. There's Ehrlichia here, also Lepto. I'd get the tests. Though since your dog just had a fever, there may not be any antibodies present right now. buglady take out the dog before replying The ultrasound today revealed a lot of deep internal lymph nodes swollen to about 'twice their normal size'. The Dr. can't collect a sample from a needle without significant risk of hitting major organs or vessels. There is a swollen lymph node externally (can't remember where) where he can safely get a biopsy. This is being done now. He is going to look at it, and send it out to a pathologist as well. He also mentioned reading up on tick born diseases as a possiblity. I will mention these to him. She was/is feverish today as well. Still no appetite, and getting weaker. Not sure how long she'll last on nibbles of food only (water intake is good). The Dr. readily admits he will look at the biopsy, but isn't a pathologist by any means. I suspect the test results could take up to 5 days. Honestly I don't see the dog lasting that long without substantial food intake. This is precisely what I didn't want to put the dog though, suffering. I'll wing it, but I can't let this go on very much longer, it is becoming inhumane. Thanks for the replies though, I will mention your ideas. |
#9
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Fever & no appetite
Well if you check out the TICK-L group you will see there are way more cases
than you ever thought all over the whole USA. I wouldn't rule it out based on that alone. I would ask to have her checked for it regardless of what the vet thinks. It's better safe than sorry. Celeste wrote in message oups.com... Good question. They did mention the possiblilty of a tick borne disease. I'm adding it to the 'check for this' list. I'm dropping her off tomorrow morning for an ultra sound, check on swollen lymph nodes, as well as a double check of dental problems, and tick borne diseases (IE Lyme). Let's hope it isn't cancer in the lymph nodes.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - It just occurred to me... Lyme disease isn't very common in Florida. They did check kidney function via urine test and complete blood tests. All major organs appeared to have normal function. Although she does have some symptoms similar to lyme disease, she is lacking a lot as well. They did ask if she's traveled or been exposed to other dogs where she may have contracted an out of area tick disease (the answer is no). I'll mention it again just to be sure, but i suspect she doesnt have it with the evidence we have so far. |
#10
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Fever & no appetite
wrote in message ups.com... The ultrasound today revealed a lot of deep internal lymph nodes swollen to about 'twice their normal size'. The Dr. can't collect a sample from a needle without significant risk of hitting major organs or vessels. There is a swollen lymph node externally (can't remember where) where he can safely get a biopsy. This is being done now. He is going to look at it, and send it out to a pathologist as well. He also mentioned reading up on tick born diseases as a possiblity. The Dr. readily admits he will look at the biopsy, but isn't a pathologist by any means. I suspect the test results could take up to 5 days. Honestly I don't see the dog lasting that long without substantial food intake. This is precisely what I didn't want to put the dog though, suffering. I'll wing it, but I can't let this go on very much longer, it is becoming inhumane. .........Reading up on it isn't going to do anything for your dog now. It could easily be something else, but if it IS a tick disease you need to treat now, not next week. And the tests for tick disease would take too long to get back. There's absolutely nothing to lose by demanding treatment at this point. Nothing. Didn't the dog respond on the first couple of days of antibiotics? Would seem to indicate to me that it might be an infectious process. If he needs help with the dx on symptoms only tell him to sign on to the Tick List and talk to the vets. Better yet, you can. Please do this tonight. There's a link on this page plus a lot of info on tick diseases: http://blackgsd.googlepages.com/home Please pay attention to the doses of antibiotics needed - this info comes from the docs on the Tick list. If it's something unrelated to tick disease and so serious they can't fix it, you're not losing anything by trying this without a firm diagnosis. Good luck, and please post back. buglady take out the dog before replying |
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