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]

Gavin, we are soooooooooooo happy that you are feeling better!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'm happy to hear Gavin is feeling better and I hope you can get tan answer to what's wrong.

[Stella]

I haven't been on DK for few days and was sad to find your post.  Hopefully, Gavin continues to feel better.  Keep us updated.  Thinking about you guys  Stella, Hartley & Chase.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I hope that Gavin is better soon, I'm no poet but we know how to pray. Thinking of you keep us up to date.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Gavin, I hope you continue to feel better!

[BG and Gavin]

Update:  Thanks everyone for all of your good wishes and prayers.  They really helped us alot.  Gavin seems to be doing much better tonight.  His temp is normal and he is so much more responsive and back to his old self.  We still aren't allowing much activity and have put off getting Mylie until tomorrow night.  Also anxious for the second blood test to see if we can get to the bottom of things, but I am much more optamistic.  My presentation was a great success and I am feeling much better too.  We celebrated tonight with Chinese take out.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yay!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

So glad to hear this news!!! I too hope they can find out some cause for you and end the guessing game! Thanks for the update!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

So good to hear. Let us know what the cause is when they find out okay?

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am really sorry about Gavin being sick. He is such a charmer. Hoping to hear he is fully recovered soon.

[BG and Gavin]

See orignal post for update from today's visit to the vet.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I always hate to go against anyone's vet, but Rimadyl is a pretty strong drug usually used for pain, and it can cause some nasty side-effects if dogs have to be on it for any length of time. I know one dose or so won't hurt, but for fever, it seems to me that dogs can be given buffered aspirin or maybe some other fever-reducer that doesn't have so many side-effects. Of course, there may be some other reason why your vet wants you to use that for fever, rather than something like aspirin, so please don't take my word as gospel. I would just ask about it if it were Jackdoodle.

Anyway, I'm so glad Gavin is better and a few nasty things were ruled out!!!! I hope he continues to be well!