Sick Since February 2013

[SunnyDays]

Hi all, thanks for your time. I have a 11 year old that abruptly became ill in the middle of February and all of us are just completely stumped and depressed!

It started around February 14-15 when we noticed our dog feeling very lethargic and laying on his side as if he was bloated, we assumed it was just a general illness but after several days and reading about the dangers of "Bloat" we rushed him to the Hospital.
The hospital luckily said that he did not have Bloat, and after the x-rays and blood works, they could not conclude what was the issue with him other than a "bigger than normal liver" and a "elevated white blood count."

- He has always had a bigger mid section than normal.

- The "elevated white blood count" may of been an infection or possible stress from social situations (he becomes stressed easily)

Afterward, the doctor rambled on about possible "variables" and "factors" from Liver Disease to Pancreatitis, and so forth, and we were left puzzled. The dog, Sunny, returned to normal and we thought it was all over.

In March 2013, Sunny suddenly began vomiting and having diarreah, both contained spots of blood. He also came down with "the shakes." Because of how urgent the situation was, we took him to our Vetenarian as soon as possible, where the doctor speculated that he may have "Kidney Failure" but did not do any tests to confirm this. He put Sunny on a Baytril Perscription for a possible "Urinary Tract Infection."

We were told to take him back once the medicine ran out to test for "Kidney Failure" and after grieving that our friend could possibly be dying, we put him on a Kidney Disease Diet.

Now that it is April 2013, Sunny returned to normal for the most part until the past few week when we noticed that he almost appears "Constipated" and does not excreat his feces normally. The past couple days, I was relieved to see him return to his average schedule of pooping once or twice a day, but I was completely heartbroken earlier to see a pool of blood on the deck from where he had attempted to poop.

It was as if blood had just seeped from his rear end. However, he appears very energetic and still loves to play, so I am utterly confused as to what is wrong with my dog.

Sunny is laying down right now, but all of us are just depressed that he might never return to normal and we may have to put him to sleep. Thank you for your time...I hope I could get some answers by posting this, I also will be making some quick points for better thought process below and my OWN OPINION! Thanks

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February 2013 - Lethargic, "Bloated" but returned to normal?

- Hospital thought it could be Liver Disease or Pancreatitis

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March 2013 - Vomiting, Diarreah, Spots of blood in both, but returned to normal?

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- Vet thought it could be Kidney Failure or Urinary Tract Infection

April 2013 - Blood ONLY Diarreah, but still appears to be energetic and playful.

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- I am starting to believe it could be WORMS or E.Coli because I have seen him eat his own feces before and I walk him in the woods and have to yank him nearly off his chain to get away from areas that could have wild animal feces/etc. Regardless, we always keep his shots up to date.

[lillymae]

Hi & Welcome to YT ! I'm sorry your little one is having troubles. I would get him to a vet school ASAP.

[chachi]

Your vet is not taking this seriously enough. Time for a second opinion

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by chachi

Your vet is not taking this seriously enough. Time for a second opinion

Vet school, ASAP! You need to have Sunny seen by a specialist and vet schools have a concentration of specialist and equipment that will get your baby diagnosed and on the road to recovery. God bless you, please try to have him seen at a vet school.....he is trying so very hard to hang in there.....

[TxVicki]

I saw no mention of fecal smaple being tested, if you say he may have worms or e coli? Having shot's kept up to date has nothing to do with getting worms.

I would get a fecal sample and take that in to be tested and also make sure they do the smear test on it as well to test for bacteria over growth.

[SunnyDays]

Thank you all for your responses..I am taking him to a different Vet tomorrow for more tests including fecal samples, I agree I am NOT satisfied with my current one..

I am not well informed about "Vet Schools" but I will do it if we don't reach answers tomorrow..

[OwnedByJezebel]

Your closest vet school is pretty far away. Maybe you can get in to see an internal medicine specialist in Anchorage? I found this in a search: Internal Medicine Specialists at Alaska Emergency Clinic | Anchorage Emergency Veterinarian | Pet Emergency Treatment Inc.

Also, I've alerted AlaskaYorkie to this thread, he's in Anchorage and may have some advice on your options.

[MandiesMom]

I am so happy that you are going to a new vet. If this vet can't give you answers, please do take Sunny to a Vet School. They have all the knowledge, equipment and specialists there under one roof and can make a diagnosis to get Sunny treated.

Praying for Sunny!

[dottiesyrky]

Hello.
I am so sorry your poor baby is not feeling well. My 11 year boy had similar symptoms, first lethargic and did not want to walk. He then went off his food and soon after occasionally vomited. I took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with kidney failure and pancreatitis. I hate to mention my experience, but it could explain the difficulty in pinning down the diagnosis of your baby. I pray that your boy's diagnosis is not so serious and that he can be treated and made better. The good news is that he does have good periods in between the bad and that bodes well for him. Get well soon little one.

[alaskayorkie]

What a nightmare for you. I'm glad you're seeing another vet. I called Veterinary Specialists of Alaska and asked for advice for you and they recommended Dr. Sarah Love at Pet Emergency, 274-5636 for diagnostics. That's the link OwnedbyJezebel has above.

Good luck. I'm in Anchorage, too, and if there's anything I can do for you just let me know. I'll PM you too. I'm interested in which vet you saw originally.

Good luck!

[SunnyDays]

Hi..thank you soo much for the concerns. I actually live in Louisville, Kentucky and put Alaska because I don't like sharing my location online..but I'll do it for my little Sunny..

[Ldyrev1]

Hi and welcome to YT!! I'm sorry to hear of your pup's problems. Would you please update us on the condition when you have more information. All of us worry about pups that are sick and whose owners ask for help. Good luck and I will keep your baby in my prayers!!

[MandiesMom]

University of Kentucky - Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Check with the U of Kentucky

[SunnyDays]

Hi, today we took SUNNY to the Vet and i can say there was a lot of anger all around !

After looking at the previous blood work and diagnosis that Sunny had Kidney Failure...it turns out he didn't have a CLUE about what he was talking about!!!

Sunny does not have kidney failure after doing new blood-work tests..but we still don't know the source of the problems he has been having.

the NEW vet prescribed us a "De-Wormer" medicine for Sunny to take in case he has worms..they couldn't do a fecal test because there just wasn't enough to get a sample.

She also suggested that his enlarged liver may be something to think about and wants to do new X-Rays.

Lastly, she said that he could have Cushing Disease OR the opposite of it (I don't recall the name it started with an A)

Soo basically..


- The other vet was WRONG about Kidney Failure.
- Sunny given De-Wormer medicine.
- May have issues with Liver, or could have Cushing Disease or the opposite of that.

[chachi]

Its probably Addisons disease. Im glad she isnt in kidney failure