We have a miniature Schnauzer, named Lucy. She was a rescue, the previous owners
having moved and left her tied up in the yard. When she was found, she had multiple
infections from foxtails and her gums were so infected her back teeth all had to be
removed. This was all before we got her. We took her home on New Years day, 2000.
She's been the best friend, companion, and pet anyone could possibly want. She's a
loving, sweet dog that's very playful and affectionate.

Up until recently, the only health problem we've had to deal with since bringing Lucy
home is arthritis in her hips, which began giving her trouble about a year ago. With
the pain meds, however, you can barely notice.

A few days ago, we noticed Lucy wasn't acting herself. She seemed to be in pain at
times, and didn't want to get out of her bed. We took her to the vet on Saturday, and
they ran blood tests and gave her fluids. We were told she had a fever and that she
was having pain in both her abdomen and her back/hips (where the arthritis is), but
they weren't sure if they were separate issues, because apparently back pain causes
the dogs to tense their stomachs also. They did blood tests and sent her home with an
IV kit for subcutaneous fluids, 2 antibiotics, and pain pills. This morning the vet
called and said they'd gotten her results for the blood tests back and that her white
blood cell count was off the charts.

My daughter and I, who've been with Lucy round the clock, have noticed these things
in addition to what I've described:

-bouts of heavy panting alternating with heavy, deep breaths
-thick mucous-like material in both eyes
-alternately hot & dry and runny nose
-lethargy
-she's not eaten since Sunday and is now refusing her water
-she will walk a few steps then stop and kind of lean to one side...and this is only
after being assisted to her feet when we took her to her water to try to get her to
drink

The vet wants us to bring her in tomorrow (well, this morning since it is 3:30 am),
and they want to do X-rays...which makes *no* sense to me. They said she has an
infection, they suspect it's bacterial....what does X-rays have to do with infection?
I will bring her in, because I don't know what else to do, but I am hoping that
someone here will have some ideas for me or at least know what to ask when I bring
her in that I'm not thinking of because by now my brain is just fried.

Thanks, and thanks.

kimberly

--
http://one.revver.com/watch/324733/flv/affiliate/99865
"I think that's my bathing suit. Is that one of my bathing suits? That is totally my
bathing suit"

My guess is they want to make sure there isn't a blockage?

On Jul 24, 6:38 am, "Nexis" wrote:
We have a miniature Schnauzer, named Lucy. She was a rescue, the previous owners
having moved and left her tied up in the yard. When she was found, she had multiple
infections from foxtails and her gums were so infected her back teeth all had to be
removed. This was all before we got her. We took her home on New Years day, 2000.
She's been the best friend, companion, and pet anyone could possibly want. She's a
loving, sweet dog that's very playful and affectionate.

Up until recently, the only health problem we've had to deal with since bringing Lucy
home is arthritis in her hips, which began giving her trouble about a year ago. With
the pain meds, however, you can barely notice.

A few days ago, we noticed Lucy wasn't acting herself. She seemed to be in pain at
times, and didn't want to get out of her bed. We took her to the vet on Saturday, and
they ran blood tests and gave her fluids. We were told she had a fever and that she
was having pain in both her abdomen and her back/hips (where the arthritis is), but
they weren't sure if they were separate issues, because apparently back pain causes
the dogs to tense their stomachs also. They did blood tests and sent her home with an
IV kit for subcutaneous fluids, 2 antibiotics, and pain pills. This morning the vet
called and said they'd gotten her results for the blood tests back and that her white
blood cell count was off the charts.

My daughter and I, who've been with Lucy round the clock, have noticed these things
in addition to what I've described:

-bouts of heavy panting alternating with heavy, deep breaths
-thick mucous-like material in both eyes
-alternately hot & dry and runny nose
-lethargy
-she's not eaten since Sunday and is now refusing her water
-she will walk a few steps then stop and kind of lean to one side...and this is only
after being assisted to her feet when we took her to her water to try to get her to
drink

The vet wants us to bring her in tomorrow (well, this morning since it is 3:30 am),
and they want to do X-rays...which makes *no* sense to me. They said she has an
infection, they suspect it's bacterial....what does X-rays have to do with infection?
I will bring her in, because I don't know what else to do, but I am hoping that
someone here will have some ideas for me or at least know what to ask when I bring
her in that I'm not thinking of because by now my brain is just fried.

Thanks, and thanks.

kimberly

--http://one.revver.com/watch/324733/flv/affiliate/99865
"I think that's my bathing suit. Is that one of my bathing suits? That is totally my
bathing suit"

"Nexis" wrote in message
...
This morning the vet
called and said they'd gotten her results for the blood tests back and
that her white
blood cell count was off the charts.

-bouts of heavy panting alternating with heavy, deep breaths
-thick mucous-like material in both eyes
-alternately hot & dry and runny nose
-lethargy
-she's not eaten since Sunday and is now refusing her water
-she will walk a few steps then stop and kind of lean to one side...and
this is only
after being assisted to her feet when we took her to her water to try to
get her to
drink

The vet wants us to bring her in tomorrow (well, this morning since it is
3:30 am),
and they want to do X-rays...which makes *no* sense to me. They said she
has an
infection, they suspect it's bacterial....what does X-rays have to do with
infection?

.............there could be a bacterial abcess somewhere internally. Were
the white blood cells the only out of normal value? Liver enzymes were OK?
At this point I think they're not sure what is going on and X-rays may rule
something out. Ask for the differential diagnoses - the list of things it
could be and what's needed to rule them out. If this dog is not drinking
she should be on subQs or perhaps it's time for IV and a stay in the
hospital. Seems to me this is a crisis point that needs to be addressed.

I will bring her in, because I don't know what else to do, but I am hoping
that
someone here will have some ideas for me or at least know what to ask when
I bring
her in that I'm not thinking of because by now my brain is just fried.

........Take a notebook with you. If you think of any questions beforehand,
write them down with a couple of inches of space beneath them for the
answers. Write down as much as you can of what the vet tells you. If you
take a helper with they can perhaps take notes.

.......don't have any ideas if only the white cell count was elevated. Am
hoping they can find the cause and can help your dog. Please post back.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

"buglady" wrote in message
hlink.net...
"Nexis" wrote in message
...
This morning the vet
called and said they'd gotten her results for the blood tests back and
that her white
blood cell count was off the charts.

-bouts of heavy panting alternating with heavy, deep breaths
-thick mucous-like material in both eyes
-alternately hot & dry and runny nose
-lethargy
-she's not eaten since Sunday and is now refusing her water
-she will walk a few steps then stop and kind of lean to one side...and
this is only
after being assisted to her feet when we took her to her water to try to
get her to
drink

The vet wants us to bring her in tomorrow (well, this morning since it is
3:30 am),
and they want to do X-rays...which makes *no* sense to me. They said she
has an
infection, they suspect it's bacterial....what does X-rays have to do with
infection?

............there could be a bacterial abcess somewhere internally. Were
the white blood cells the only out of normal value? Liver enzymes were OK?
At this point I think they're not sure what is going on and X-rays may rule
something out. Ask for the differential diagnoses - the list of things it
could be and what's needed to rule them out. If this dog is not drinking
she should be on subQs or perhaps it's time for IV and a stay in the
hospital. Seems to me this is a crisis point that needs to be addressed.

I will bring her in, because I don't know what else to do, but I am hoping
that
someone here will have some ideas for me or at least know what to ask when
I bring
her in that I'm not thinking of because by now my brain is just fried.

.......Take a notebook with you. If you think of any questions beforehand,
write them down with a couple of inches of space beneath them for the
answers. Write down as much as you can of what the vet tells you. If you
take a helper with they can perhaps take notes.

......don't have any ideas if only the white cell count was elevated. Am
hoping they can find the cause and can help your dog. Please post back.

buglady
take out the dog before replying



Thanks for the advice. I spent the next few days after posting this not leaving
Lucy's side. At one point, I truly thought she was going to pass away...her breathing
was labored and shallow and she couldn't even lift her head. We did do the X-rays,
which showed she had an abnormally shaped heart (which they believe is due to
infection) and spinal arthritis. She's been taking two antibiotics, a pain killer,
and prednisol, as well as Subcutaneous fluids. Yesterday evening, she seemed to turn
a corner. She ate for the first time since Saturday, and drank...alot. She also got
up out of her bed on her own, and walked around a little. She's still weak and shaky,
but seems stronger still today.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks again!

kimberly

"Nexis" wrote in message
...
she had an abnormally shaped heart (which they believe is due to
infection) and spinal arthritis. She's been taking two antibiotics, a pain
killer,
and prednisol, as well as Subcutaneous fluids. Yesterday evening, she
seemed to turn
a corner. She ate for the first time since Saturday, and drank...alot. She
also got
up out of her bed on her own, and walked around a little. She's still weak
and shaky,
but seems stronger still today.

............I'm glad they found the cause and hope the antibiotics do the
trick. May she keep improving.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

Wow...I also hope Lucy
continues on her road to
recovery as I also won a mini
schnauzer and are they GREAT
or what?

Please post back an update on
Lucy's recovery.

You're great doggie parents.
Good job!

Nicki


buglady wrote:
"Nexis" wrote in message
...
she had an abnormally shaped heart (which they believe is due to
infection) and spinal arthritis. She's been taking two antibiotics, a pain
killer,
and prednisol, as well as Subcutaneous fluids. Yesterday evening, she
seemed to turn
a corner. She ate for the first time since Saturday, and drank...alot. She
also got
up out of her bed on her own, and walked around a little. She's still weak
and shaky,
but seems stronger still today.

...........I'm glad they found the cause and hope the antibiotics do the
trick. May she keep improving.

buglady
take out the dog before replying