menty Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 (edited) Hi, Im new here, but have browsed the site a few times. Basically, my dog has been sick for a few days, and has been seeing the vet. He would probably be the best person to look after him. So Ill start with some background information. My dog is a near 1 year old Japanese Spitz. 2 days ago, when we woke up in the morning, he suddenly lost all playfulness and seemed disinterested in everything. We had to lift up food for him to eat as he was not able to bend down himself to eat from his bowls. He stood at the bottom of stairs and needed be carried up (as wimpered as if he was in pain when I carried him). I checked up on him when I got home at 5PM and he could walk okay, but just was not himself. As the wore on, he got worse. Crashed on the bed and lied there. Breathing was quite heavy and quick. he urinated on the bed. (he is toilet trained). I called the vet and he told me to go to him first thing next morning Next morning, a day ago, he went to the vet. He had a fever of 39.5degC. 8.8kg. Vet watched him all day and we took him home in the afternoon. He went straight to his crate and crashed. Antibiotics were prescribed twice daily. He still could not bend over to eat food or drink. Slept in my room overnight and he seemed in distress, panting heavily and breathing quickly. This morning, we visited the vet again. No weight loss, but he seemed excited when we held his leash up. Fever was still present (39.9deg) - antibiotics did not seem to help, however it was only one day. Vet injected a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory and the temperature dropped to 39degC. I did not see him the rest of the day, but the vet told me he was able to bend over and eat food in his kennel, and when he was let out to see other dogs, he was quite active and walking around. There would be periods when he was alone in his kennel where he would display a great sense of tiredness and dopiness though. We did a blood test and the result will be in tomorrow. He is staying at the vet overnight. There are no paralysis ticks in my area. If he had been bitten by a tick, he would have been a lot worse and would not have periods where he can be active is that correct? The other differential the vet suggested was a case of meningitis. He said that this would be unusual as he had such a high fever,and he is so young. I would really appreciate any suggestions or previous experiences anyone has had. Thanks! Edited September 15, 2010 by menty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennan's Mum Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 I have no idea what it is but I will keep your dog in my prayers tonight ...Please let us know what the vet says, keep us updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 I had one of my dogs recently with discospondylitis, an infection of the disks in the spine. No idea what causes it but the symptoms where similar. My girl went from perfectly healthy one night to lethargic and not wanting to eat the next morning. By lunchtime she could hardly walk, had obvious back pain and her head felt hot. Temp was 40.5. The vet took blood and gave a large antibiotic injection straight away and then followed up with ab tablets. Next day temp had dropped a little. We did x-rays to check other possibilities and the blood test came back normal apart from a raging infection. Still working on the assumption of discospondylitis, in the absence of any other diagnosis, we continued the antibiotics and used acupuncture, rather than anti inflams for the pain. She started to pick up within 2-3 days but wasn't back to normal for 5 weeks. We continued the anitbiotics until 6 weeks just to make sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden Rules Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 Poor darling. I will say a prayer for her tonight. Hope she is well again soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted September 15, 2010 Share Posted September 15, 2010 Thinking and sending healing vibe for you Jap Spitz! Hope you find out what's wrong with him soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menty Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 Blood tests came back today and indicate an infection. The vet will be taking xrays. Morning temperature was 39.5degrees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nabs Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Blood tests came back today and indicate an infection. The vet will be taking xrays. Morning temperature was 39.5degrees Hopefully you can get onto a more specific antibiotic that will help! Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeiLuvR Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 (edited) This may sound strange but i am currently dealing with Shar pei Fever. Some of the symptoms are - High temp, panting, inflamation of the back legs.. lethargy, not much activity or energy. My dog is drinking heavily and urinating more. With your dog urinating on the bed - I would get the vet to check your dogs kidney function and urine concentration. The Shar-Pei is a Chinese breed. I don't know but the Japanese Spitz may have something in common in regards to kidney troubles. Its worth a look into. Edited September 16, 2010 by PeiLuvR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 I'd be getting an X-ray of the dog's neck/upper spine to rule out anything physical going on there... the not wanting to bend down to eat is possibly a sign of a problem in the neck region. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menty Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 Well temp is still up. Vet still hasn't done the x rays. I'm going to assume that his condition isn't critical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ish Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 I've experienced steriod responsive meningitis in one of my GSDs - he had similar symptoms to your dog and was about 15 months old. One morning out of the blue he was very unhappy, just dull and not interested in anything, Refused his breakfast and was just lying around. The vet said he had a high temperature and presribed antibiotics, but I took him back the next day as he was no better. The vet then tested his neck, which was stiff and sore and we started on a high dose of cortisone which tapererd down over many months. He was much brighter by the next day and continued to improve. He had a flare up a year later but has now been completely off the cortisone for months, he's healthy and happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menty Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 (edited) Hes home today!!! The vet is still stumped. Blood test showed the following "Note regenerative left shift suggesting a focus of infection." Mostly normal except for signs of infeciton. WBC 28.3 (norm 6-14). Now if it was meningitis or a major infection, it would have spiked to 40 or so Neut 22.1 (norm 4.1-9.4) Lymp 1.7 (norm 0.9-3.6) Mono 2.8 (norm 0.2-1.0) BAND 1.4 (norm <0.1) White cells: leucocytosis ++, neutrophilia ++, monocytosis ++, toxic changes +, left shift + Alkaline phosphatase 145 U/L. (norm 1-120) Everything else seemed normal. Radiographs were done of his neck area and nothing was found there. Fever still present (always fluctuating between 39-40, but not over 40) He has been sent home with Baytril once/day. Vet said he should get better within the next few hours. My observations are: * He still has trouble bending over to eat. He has to use his paw to bring food really close then he can. Else I have to raise it on a brick. * He has trouble climbing stairs, really slow. * Theres times when hes quite active (but not happy and jumping around). When he goes back to his crate he crashes. * When I bring out the leash, he gets all excited. Doesnt run, but walks quickly I still have steroid responsive meningitis at the back of my head though. Edited September 16, 2010 by menty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Hes home today!!!The vet is still stumped. Blood test showed the following "Note regenerative left shift suggesting a focus of infection." Mostly normal except for signs of infeciton. WBC 28.3 (norm 6-14). Now if it was meningitis or a major infection, it would have spiked to 40 or so Neut 22.1 (norm 4.1-9.4) Lymp 1.7 (norm 0.9-3.6) Mono 2.8 (norm 0.2-1.0) BAND 1.4 (norm <0.1) White cells: leucocytosis ++, neutrophilia ++, monocytosis ++, toxic changes +, left shift + Alkaline phosphatase 145 U/L. (norm 1-120) Everything else seemed normal. Radiographs were done of his neck area and nothing was found there. Fever still present (always fluctuating between 39-40, but not over 40) He has been sent home with Baytril once/day. Vet said he should get better within the next few hours. My observations are: * He still has trouble bending over to eat. He has to use his paw to bring food really close then he can. Else I have to raise it on a brick. * He has trouble climbing stairs, really slow. * Theres times when hes quite active (but not happy and jumping around). When he goes back to his crate he crashes. * When I bring out the leash, he gets all excited. Doesnt run, but walks quickly I still have steroid responsive meningitis at the back of my head though. Still sounds like discospondylitis to me. It is pretty much impossible to positively diagnose in the early stages but is more a matter of ruling everything else out and seeing how long it lasts. If it is this treatment will be required for at least 6 weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ish Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 (edited) Still sounds like discospondylitis to me. It is pretty much impossible to positively diagnose in the early stages but is more a matter of ruling everything else out and seeing how long it lasts. If it is this treatment will be required for at least 6 weeks. It could still fit meningitis too though ;) "Symptoms of SRMA The problem usually develops in young adults. Signs include fever, stiff neck, hyper-reactivity to touch, and reduced mobility due to marked stiffness" http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Health-Cen...gitis/SRMA.aspx Edited September 16, 2010 by ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swizzlestick Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Sorry I haven't read the whole thread (just the OP) but first thought for me was meningitis. Age is right, fever, and sounds like painful muscles esp. neck muscles. Hope your little boy is well again soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menty Posted September 16, 2010 Author Share Posted September 16, 2010 The next differential if the new antibiotics dont work will be SRMA. His WBC is high and he as a high neutrophil count. This is the case in a bacterial infection OR SRMA. Im just worried at the moment that IF it is a bacterial infection, and we go start treating it with steroids, it will make it worse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menty Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 I am not sure if he is getting any better. If he is, its not significantly better. He still needs his food placed higher to eat, and he opens his mouth only a little, preferring to pick up food with his tongue and 'scoop' it up. If its too low he trys to paw at it so it gets closer Theres periods where he is active and runs around, like when I show him a new toy. He struggles to pick it up with his mouth. He comes back inside or goes into his crate and just lies there on his side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W Sibs Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 (edited) are they doing anymore test on him? xray? MRI? spinal tap? It's hard not knowing what's wrong with your dog. I hope they find answers soon. Thinking about you guys and sending healing vibes over. Edited September 17, 2010 by CW EW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
menty Posted September 17, 2010 Author Share Posted September 17, 2010 (edited) I took him for a walk (short) and he seems okay. But he doesnt tug at the leash or run, which he usually does. Came home and hes just sitting there now, didnt crash. he cant put his head down when hes lying down though Will leave him on antibiotics and call the vet if anything develops Edited September 17, 2010 by menty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 The poor little thing. I'm so sorry to hear he's still poorly. I hope you find out what's wrong soon so that he can start to get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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