Fever of Unknown Origin - Update #2

[BG and Gavin]

So here I sit; I took the day off work.  Gavin started losing energy on Thursday night.  He went downhill to the point that we took him to the vet on an after hours call on Sunday.  He was totally lethargic, lying on his side, unresponsive.  He has a temp of 104.2 and his white blood cell count was elevated, but all other tests came back fine.  Urine test was fine.  Fever of unknown origin was the diagnosis.  The vet was troubled because the exact same thing happened last August with him. He is a bit stumped.  So treatment is Rimadyl (anti-inflammatory) and Clavaceptin (anti-biotic).  Gavin perked up right away on the meds, short bursts of acting normal (grabbing his ball, wanting to play, a short walk) followed by more than usual sleep. 

 

However, this morning I had to get his up and assist him outside again.  He would not do the stair steps or make eye contact or eat, just stood and stared at the floor, almost trance-like.  I called the vet again.  He said maybe the n-said was worn off and the fever was returning.  He wants to test for the white blood cells again when the meds are done. If they remain elevated, his next thought is an autoimmune disease, which is treated with a 2-3 month round of steroids when it flares up.  As we sit now, Gavin is bringing me his ball to throw and I just got him to eat some canned food with cut up chicken heated and mixed in.  Guess the n-said kicked in. 

 

Apologies for the long post but it’s been a stressful week. I am worried sick about Gavin, I have an important presentation to give at the College tomorrow, my 24 year job ends in a week and we are supposed to be looking after Mylie doodle for two weeks but have her farmed out while Gavin recovers.  Oh these doodles!

 

Any advice or similar experiences? Or a limerick for me??

 

UPDATE:  Gavin went to the vet today:  temperature perfect, negative on lymes, heartworm and two other things, auto-immune issue ruled out, white blood count still high (even a bit higher than when we were there 10 days ago).   He says he is a bit stumped.  The only thing he could think of is that the first blood test caught the count on the way up and it has not made its way all the way back down yet.  He is going to consult a pathologist about Gavin's case and get back to us next week.  He kept blood back from both visits for further analysis if necessary.  He gave us some Rymadyl to have on hand in case the fever returns so that we can begin to deal with it quickly.  I dunno?  He seems normal.  Any ideas?

 

UPDATE #2:  I just got the following email from my vet: 

I had a lengthy conversation with a pathologist at the animal health laboratory at the University of Guelph about Gavin.  She was saying that the effect of the WBC count going higher is not uncommon because the bone marrow is not shut off right away so  you can get a higher count before you get a decline.  She was very perplexed on why he was having these febrile episodes.  What she suggested to do is to do another CBC and urinanalyis in 60 days when he is apparently “normal”.  Immune disease does not fit here since he has recovered again in such a short period of time with NSAIDs and Antibiotics.   As well, we have ruled out Addison's disease via the normal Biochemistry profile and electrolytes.  We were thinking possibly a glomerulonephritis that is why we want to see urine again to monitor the protein level.  So if it is possible to get him back in probably the first part of June with a first morning urine sample and we can run a follow-up CBC that would be great. 

So the big word is a type of kidney disease.  I guess we will see.  He seems great now.

Update March 2013 Well this was two years ago.  We went on a session of 6 weeks of anti-biotics.  The only thing they could think of was a lingering kidney infection that was knocked down the first time in August, but never was really cured.  After the 6 weeks, white blood count was back to where it was supposed to be and urine was good.  That being said, about every 3-4 months Gavin has a mini-episode of lethargy reminiscent of the febrile episodes.  Usually he comes out of them on his own within a day.  If he does not come around right away, I give him a rymadol and it snaps him right out of it.  I have gotten pretty handy with the rectal thermometer though ;)

Update December 2013 - it has been almost a year since Gavin has any type of fever or period of lethargy.  Touching wood as I type, but I think we maybe out of the woods for good.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I'll be at work tomorrow but I will definitely be sneaking a look to see how Gavin is doing.

 

Gavin, dood, hope you're soon feeling good,

just the way a doodle should.

No more tired or feeling yucky

cause being sick is just plain sucky

Please get better in a hurry

so your mom and friends won't have to worry

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

BG, How is Gavin feeling this evening??

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Vern says he is worried about his sick brother

Who looks like him, but has another mother

Fudge is sending a hug

Hopes it is just a bug    

But never a tick, just something other

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh Gavin, You're So Hot

But really now, where's the spot

Just tell us now, what makes you sick

And we will give you a great big stick

[Phyllis & Duffy]

I sure hope Gavin will be ok.  Our doodle, Duffy, was diagnosed with Thrombocypotenia in January.  It's an autoimmune blood disorder.  He was at death's door but thank goodness he survived.  We were also worried sick and could barely function through this whole ordeal.  Duffy was also bleeding internally which we were not aware of.  Check Gavin's eyes to make sure they are not bloodshot and look at his gums to see if they are nice and pink and that his paws are dark.  Look for any kind of bruising - it's very hard to see under all that hair. Duffy was started on prednisone by our regular vet before he was diagnosed and we really feel that helped to save his life.  It takes days for the prednisone to kick in. He was at the vet hospital for almost 2 weeks.   He's still on lots of drugs, but doing better.  He initially lost 12 pounds but has gained it back.  We don't know how long he'll be on all these drugs.  Gulf Coast here in Houston named him pet of the month for March.  I posted it on my home page.  I'll keep you and Gavin in my thoughts.

[BG and Gavin]

Update:

Gavin was in pretty good shape last night.  I took his temp 100.6 which was good.  He wanted to play ball and was cuddly.  Still not full Gav energy though.  This morning he is pretty good, got up on his own and out for his usual business.  Was a bit frisky in the 5 inches of new fallen snow.  Took his meds with some peanut butter and back to resting.  He has been drinking pretty well, and eating lightly with some coaching.  We are putting off bringing Mylie here for at least another day.  Hopefully he continues to improve.  I would certainly like him to eat a bit more though.  Gums and eyes look normal I will check him all over for bruising - thanks Phyllis.  Thanks everyone for your fun limericks!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That's great news!  Good luck today with your presentation!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

So glad to hear things are looking better.

[Sharon & Monty]

So glad to hear that Gavin is on the mend.  :)

[Phyllis & Duffy]

That's wonderful!  I would never want to see anyone go through what we have been through.  Gavin looks exactly like Duffy too!  Shelby (Kevin & Shelby) is his sister!  Kevin told me about this site.  I wrote to the other adoptees from the litter and he responded.  They are moving from Florida to OK and we are trying to coordinate a play time for the brother and sister.  I'm still new to this site and how it works, but learning.  I'm keeping Gavin in my prayers.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad Gavin's feeling better!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Yay!! Glad to hear our buddy is doing better!!