My poor Winnie is sick, what could it be?

[Nicole]

Usually Winnie is a bundle of energy.  My husband and kids can get her running and jumping around the house like a crazy girl.  A game of soccer with the family in the yard is her all time favorite thing to do.  Since Friday afternoon we have noticed that she is acting odd.  The best way to describe it, is that she is acting like a 12 year old dog.  She walks slowly, she won't jump or run.  When she gets on the couch it is really slowly and carefully.  She walks slowly around the house, and then she just stops, and stares into space for minutes at a time.  She approaches her food and water as though she is expecting them to attack her.  She just lays around with her eyes half closed. And nobody can coax her into playing!

Friday evening I was so alarmed by her behavior that I took her to the emergency vet.  Winnie has eaten socks and underwear before, so we thought that she had done it again.  They took x rays but couldn't find anything.  The vet thought she was just a really nice, well behaved dog.  Little does he know, that is why we were concerned.  Ordinarily she would have tried to jump onto his reception desk!  We kind of laughed it off and said she was suffering from "good girl syndrome".  But now we are onto day three of this odd behavior. I will take her to our regular vet tomorrow.  But in the meantime what could this be?  Is she depressed? She seems to be hurting, but we can't figure out where?  This is just the oddest thing.  Any thoughts, anybody?

[Nicole]

So off to the Vet's we went this morning.  She has an elevated temp still and her blood work showed elevated white blood cells.  They are treating her for an infection, although they don't know the source.  They gave her fluids and checked her over very well.  Because she is peeing and pooping alright, and she is not bloated or anything, they feel the intestines are not a problem.  So she was given antibiotics and anti nausea medicine.  They will check back in with her in a couple of days.  Now I have to say, if it weren't for the fact that the behavior changes are caused by her not feeling well, I would really enjoy this calm snuggly fluffball I have on my hands :)

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm glad to hear your vet is being pro-active and treating Winnie's symptoms. Hoping she feels much better later today. 

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin had the exact same symptoms and was three times treated for "fever of unknown orgin"  over the course of 9 months.  The vet used what he called a shotgun approach with the anti-biotics despite the fact that he really could not pin down the source of the infection.  After some consultation he finally figured it was a kidney infection that the drugs were knocking down but not totally curing.  We did six weeks of anti-biotic treatment and (touch wood) all has been fine since.  Please make sure that the vet follows up with blood tests  at the end of the course of anti-biotics even though she seems better.  The white blood cell count tells the tale.

[Nicole]

Well I spoke to the vet again.  I guess her temp. this morning was 103.2.  All her bloodwork for kidneys, liver, etc. came back normal.  Just her white blood cells were elevated.  I brought in a urine sample, also negative.  Poor dog is barely moving.  I wish she could just tell me what is hurting.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Awww.  This is so sad!!  I hope Winnie gets better soon!  Doodle hugs from Knox and prayers from me!

[BG and Gavin]

Did he prescribe any painkillers?  Rimadyl?  That really fixed Gavin up - brought down his temp and appitite and drinking back.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh gosh. I'm sorry. it is so frustrating isn't it?

[Bonnie and Kona]

I really hope you see a marked improvement by morning! Sorry you and Winnie are going through this. 

[Nicole]

The vet said she would like to see if Winnie improves by tomorrow after having three doses of the antibiotic.  If no improvement by then, she will put her on painkillers. She reassured me that if she is not improving with these antibiotics, they will do further tests and will not stop until they figure out what is wrong with her. That was nice to hear.  

[Bonnie and Kona]

I am so glad to hear that your vet is really showing concern and care. I know I would want my vet to assure me that they will do everything possible to help my sick dog. I hope you and Winnie sleep well tonight and wake clearly recovering.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

It sounds like you have a good vet who is diligent about getting to the bottom of things! That is reassuring.  I've been pretty shocked and disappointed with the stories I have heard lately about emergency vets! OMD! Yours being ONE of them!

How is Winnie doing today?

[Nicole]

Winnie appears to be on the mend!  She is still moving slowly, but she got up today to greet the kids after school.  I knew for sure she was on the mend when she snuck into the laundry room to steal my shoes :)  The getaway was still slow though! Hopefully she will continue to improve.  Thank you everybody for your words of wisdom and support!