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.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

BG, Does Gavin get the Lymes vaccination? They really push it here, because we have so many ticks. I was just curious if in your area, they encouraged it like they do here. I have already found one tick (I believe deer tick) on Vern this year and he gets the second round of his Lymes shot soon.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I give my dogs the vaccine too. My son's standard poodle tested positive for Lyme's right before we discovered his cancer so it was never fully investigated. I found a tiny tick a couple of weeks ago right after I had posted I'd seen none. We do Frontline too.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree about FUOs. There is a reason but sometimes it's very hard to discover the cause. Keep searching and bring him to a veterinary infectious disease expert if you can find one after your vet has done his best.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I hope Gavin feels better soon, and you as well!

[Anna and Achilles]

Oh poor Gavin, Feel better buddy!

[Melissa & Porter]

:-(  I am sorry.  My human son had this a year ago.  He was tested for everything--negative thank God-- but somehow he had a fever for a month after a bout of pneumonia that cleared up pretty easily.

I hope Gavin feels better soon.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

BG, I'm so sorry to hear about Gavin.  I understand how concerned you must be.  These symptoms sound very similar to the way Murphy acted last Fall when he had that "tick borne illness"....probably Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or Lyme.  The Vet told me there are all kinds of these tick borne illnesses now, and they do present with the lethargy and fever.  Murph was totally out of it for several days....just sleeping and it seemed to bother him to even move.  The greatest concern for us was the fever....I was taking his temp every four hours during the day and if it got to 105 he needed to get to my Vet or the Emergency Vet.  He also went in a couple of times for fluids during this period.  The good news is after about a week on the meds he was fine again.  Please keep us posted....sending lots of positive thoughts your way.  I wouldn't worry too much about tomorrow's presentation....you'll be just fine.  I'm going to try to think of a limerick....but I stink at that.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

BruceGirl, I'm so sorry to hear about Gavin! I am not familiar with these symptoms at all but I did write a limerick!!

 

We're all beginning to worry

We want a diagnosis in a hurry

We all want to hear

That Gavin so dear

Is once again happy, healthy and furry

 

 It is never a GOOD time for things like this to happen but it sounds like you are under a lot of stress due to other issues as well right now. OMD! You're all in a prayers!! Please keep us posted!

[L.M.]

I hope Gavin is feeling better soon!! Stella and Seamus send their love!!!  

While I'm sure this is a bit of a different situation....but I, myself, actually have/had Lyme Disease.....I tested positive for it back in high school.  I had flu like symptoms but when I was first tested, it showed up negative.....(I was lucky to know to get myself tested because I had the bulls eye) I was tested weeks later and it showed up positive.  I don't know if it's the same for dogs, but it's definitely worth getting at least one test done....and even if it shows up negative, see what the vet says about testing for it a second time. 

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

I have no advise to offer, just support. I feel your concern and frustration, but it certainly sounds like you are doing everything. Unless he gets worse in the next 24-48 hours, it seems all you can do is give the meds some time and be sure he is hydrated. Ice cubes? If he likes them, maybe some low sodium chix broth frozen, frozen yogurt? I really don't know, just trying to help. Keep us posted.

[Pat and Traveler]

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Gavin's problems!  Wish I had some helpful advice, but I don't.  What an awful week for you, and for Gavin.  My heart is with you.

[Dori & Rua]

We send our hugs and licks

We certainly hope it wasn't a tick

We will keep our toes & fingers crossed

And hope that your week is not totally lost

We want Gavin not to be sick