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Puppy Not Well


SoL
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Alright, long story so bear with me.

LIttle Davey-Boy is 16wks. 2.5 weeks ago he started getting gunky eyes so I got the vet to check him out and he said it was seasonal conjunctivitis. Treated with Chlorozone. No help, got worse with green discharge. Took him back, said it was a type of chlamydia. Treated with Doxycycline and Opticlox. No good, got heaps worse. Third eyelid inflamed and sticking to eyeballs rendering him partially blind, he's drawn his ears right up to the top of his head so his eyes are open and he is as stiff as a board - neck, legs, back are quite rigid, even when lying down. Took him to emergency and they kept him in overnight and said no improvement but no worse (thinking it could be a neospora kind of case), course of new antibiotics (Antirobe) and anti-inflams for muscles, back on Chlorozone.

We're all stumped. He's tested clear for all the Stafford nasties - the only thing I haven't done yet is PHPV but they've checked his eyes under anasthetic and said no scratches, ulcers, spots etc. All vitals are good and normal. If he's not improving by tomorrow I'm taking him in for bloods.

Any ideas? Has anybody else had anything similar? I'm really worried about him so anything light would be pretty good at this point.

Em

Edited by emmark
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Has he had any wounds?

Sounds like tetanus... though I have only seen it in a horse before!

Does he react to light, an animal with tetanus can not handle bright light.

EDIT to add:

I would get his bloods done asap once an animal is paralyzed from tetanus it does not take long for the lungs to get fluid on them.

Edited by stacyk
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Thanks guys.

I think the vet ruled out tetanus due to lack of temp, lungs clear and eyes being fine in teh bright lights etc but I've a feeling we'll be there taking blood tomorrow so will ask for them to test for tetanus - a very scary but informative article to read, thanks persephone. He's been checked for ticks, his diet is pretty much the same ever since he was weaned so I would be surprised if it was allergy (although that thought had crossed my mind as well).

I'll keep you posted. Fingers crossed for the little guy.

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could explain why they haven't diagnosed anything yet.

AFAIK there is no blood test for tetanus, and in mild cases, the body temp is normal or slightly elevated.. as it often is at a vets anyhow.....

I guess it's a case of looking at the symptoms and the timeline...

I know it's not the 'right' thing to do... but the cases I've googled all had very similar symptoms.. eye discharge, third eyelid.. wide open eyes.. ears erected.. face muscles tightened.. stiffness in limbs.....

I do hope your vet considers tetanus again.... time is of the essence here!

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I am pretty sure the anti toxin can do no harm.

I would rather be safe then sorry and get my vet to give it to him anyway (check your resources on this of course)

Also I would not wait overnight, once an animal is paralyzed they deteriate quickly.

Tetanus is also very painful.

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I had a puppy with neosporosis last year, she had no problems with her eyes(except for one huge and small pupil) but her back legs were paralysed. Distemper was considered (although the specialist had not seen a case since working in the Kimberley 20 years ago!) but a high neospora titer confirmed that it was neosporosis.

Hope you can find out the problem with your puppy.

Edited by KJ
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The drug is called Antirobe, which I believe is Clindamycin (??). It's a broad spectrum a/b covering neospora. He hasn't been tested for it but the vet said that 2 cases (both Staffords) came in a couple of weeks ago so we're treating to be safe.

He's still happy in himself and still loves to go outside with the pack for little spurts, but he has trouble with stairs now. He is still eating very well and drinking and toileting.

I spose it's now a case of wait and see what the path results are.

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Alright, long story so bear with me.

LIttle Davey-Boy is 16wks. 2.5 weeks ago he started getting gunky eyes so I got the vet to check him out and he said it was seasonal conjunctivitis. Treated with Chlorozone. No help, got worse with green discharge. Took him back, said it was a type of chlamydia. Treated with Doxycycline and Opticlox. No good, got heaps worse. Third eyelid inflamed and sticking to eyeballs rendering him partially blind, he's drawn his ears right up to the top of his head so his eyes are open and he is as stiff as a board - neck, legs, back are quite rigid, even when lying down. Took him to emergency and they kept him in overnight and said no improvement but no worse (thinking it could be a neospora kind of case), course of new antibiotics (Antirobe) and anti-inflams for muscles, back on Chlorozone.

We're all stumped. He's tested clear for all the Stafford nasties - the only thing I haven't done yet is PHPV but they've checked his eyes under anasthetic and said no scratches, ulcers, spots etc. All vitals are good and normal. If he's not improving by tomorrow I'm taking him in for bloods.

Any ideas? Has anybody else had anything similar? I'm really worried about him so anything light would be pretty good at this point.

Em

poor baby, I would be using the process of elimination test wise till you come up with a proper treatment plan, sounding like it could be serious. My staffords sometimes get gunky eyes and I bathe them with camomile tea, they clear up quick smart. not sure if this helps you or not

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