Murphy Is Sick....Murph's Mom Is A Mess! UPDATE - ANOTHER UPDATE

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We've had quite a morning.  Murphy is at the Vet right now, and I'm a total wreck.  We woke up this morning and went to get Murph who sleeps in our Master Bathroom with a gate at the door.  He was just laying there which is very unusual...he's usually right at the gate waiting for us to get up and take him out.  It took a while for me to get him to stand up.  Finally he did and I coaxed him to the stairs to go down and outside to potty.  He just stood at the top of the stairs with a glazed look in his eyes....he was in another world.  Finally I got him down the stairs, and he again just laid down and wouldn't move.  He was "twitching" intermittently (his legs and lower abdomen).  He just wouldn't move....wouldn't eat or drink.  I called the Vet, and she's off for the long weekend, but her partner is there.  We brought him in.  He just lied on my lap in the car...not moving.  So, he's there and they're going to run tests to try to figure out what's wrong.  He was totally fine yesterday....great, actually.  We had a fantastic training walk, he ate a great dinner, he was happy and really playful, and normal peeing and pooping.  I can't figure this out.  I thought of epilepsy...maybe he had a seizure during the night and these are the "after effects".  The Vet thinks that's unlikely since we didn't hear any movement from the bathroom and he did not lose control of his "bodily functions"....but it still is not ruled out.  I'm a complete wreck.  My big guy was so pathetic...it broke my heart.  Now I have to just sit here and wait for them to call with results....probably mid afternoon.  He's up there alone.  This will be a very long day.....

We're back with Murphy.  He has a Seizure Disorder diagnosis.  The Vet feels that what happened this morning was a partial seizure.  He's running a slight temp (which she says is normal after a seizure) and he's totally lethargic.  The Vet said he would probably be this way for 24 hours.  He had no elevated white cell count, so there is no sign of infection.  He is not tender anywhere on his body.  He's on antibiotics for a week as a precaution.  She gave me lots of literature...I think I'll get more info on our Epilepsy group here.  I don't know how to feel about this.  I'm relieved that he doesn't have something worse, but I'm also worried about him having to deal with this for the rest of his life.  Just when I was trying to get over "feeling sorry for Murph"....

This morning was another Murphy "crisis".  When we woke up...again he wouldn't move.  When I looked at him closely I noticed that his eyes were almost completely closed and there was "pus" in the corners.  One of the eyes was actually rolled back in his head.  He wouldn't eat anything.  So, again I called the Vet who said to bring him immediately.  We've been there for two and a half hours, but he's now home with me again.  He has Uveitis which is a very low pressure in both eyes (measured 7 versus a normal 15-20).  She said this is extremely painful for the dog and put in a solution to numb his eyes.  His fever is 103 which is down from the 104 yesterday.  Yesterday his platelets were low, and those are now in the normal range.  She again did a neurological work up, and he tested better today.  She does still believe yesterday's event was definitely a seizure, but that it was caused by some other underlying illness (which is also causing the continued fever and the Uveitis).  She is hoping that what he has is a tick borne illness of "undetermined origin".  She actually said "lets hope it's Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever".  When I asked her what it could be if it was not tick borne, she said she wouldn't discuss that yet....she said "we want this to be something that is treatable".  Of course, that makes me very nervous.  So, we have three different types of medication for his eyes.  She also thought that there might be an infection starting in the ears, so we have a med for that.  And we need to continue the antibiotic.  I have to check his temperature four times a day (that should be fun).  She gave me her home phone number and told me to call her over the weekend if I notice anything different or if he doesn't begin to act more "normal".  The good news is that he probably doesn't have a Seizure Disorder, and that the episode yesterday was related to something else (although she isn't ready to totally rule that out yet).  The bad news is that he's very ill, and we don't know for sure with what.  "F" Parker....you were so right with your posting last night! 

Again, thanks everyone....what would I do without you!

[cheryl & oliver]

Jane I was out most of the day, but I was thinking and praying and hoping there would be good news when I got back home and went to the doodle board...I see that he barked and wagged his tail. that is such great news!!!!...I am saying extra prayers tonight for your Murphy, or should I say OUR Murphy....Every doodle on here is one of our own, and when one is sick, we all feel for them and their families...Take care my friend, and please let us know tomorrow how our Murph is doing....

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

up for early morning church....thought I would check on Murphy and through tears of worry in the beginning and great joy by the last post I write I JUST KNOW THE WORSE IS OVER. God will be hearing a special prayer this morning again for Jane and all the DK family for the obvious love and support.
Murphy you keep showing us all positive signs, Jane you keep letting us know what they are.
Everyone have a Glorious Day!

[Martha & Cooper]

Cooper and I are sad to hear that Murphy is sick and are sending get well quickly wishes!

[F, Calla & Luca]

How is Murphy today? Thinking of you all.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks for asking "F". The fever's still 103. I just made him some eggs with cheese and he ate a little. Today he's not moving around at all...like it hurts to walk. He needs to be touching me all the time....poor sad boy.

[F, Calla & Luca]

So sorry to hear he's still so ill. I do hope things speed up on the road to recovery. I wonder if IV antibiotics would be better?

[Christine & Shelby]

Oh my goodness Jane.... what a stressful situation this must be! Shelby and I are sending prayers, good thoughts and puppy kisses to you, Murphy and Guinness with hopes that they find the right treatment soon so Murphy feels like his old doodle self in no time. Big hug to you!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jane, just know that you and Murph are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry he is still so ill.
In reading through the posts, I am unclear about the most recent medical opinion is regarding a diagnosis. Can someone fill me in?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There is no diagnosis yet, but it's believed that he has a systemic illness, hopefully tick-borne, that is causing the fever; the seizure is thought to have been brought on by the fever. The vet is not yet sure what kind of illness it is. The last paragraph of Jane's post up above in boldface is where we're at in terms of a diagnosis right now.

[Joy Williams]

Jane, I've been away from the computer most of the weekend, but please know that you have been on my mind a lot. I was even telling my husband about Murphy during breakfast this AM. I'm so glad to hear that there has been some improvement, and I'll keep those prayers coming so he keeps on improving. Hang in there and please give Murph a smooch from us.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sure Jane will update when she has a chance. Murph is not doing so well today. Jane feels he may be in pain, and went to the vet to get an Rx for him for pain meds.

[cheryl & oliver]

Thanks for the update Karen, I too just got in and went straight to the board to see how Murph is today. I am so sorry that the news is not better, but maybe tomorrow will bring better news. Please let us know if u hear something, I am sure it is hard for Jane to deal with Murph and the board today...And Jane if u read this, more hugs and prayers coming your way from Oliver Renny and me...