A semi sluggy Doodle

[Heather & Brinkley]

Brinkley had been doing well with itching for quite some time until a week and half ago. While I still think he has allergies, this current round of itching was due to an infection that he's had before-- bacterial, I believe, but I always get bacterial and viral confused. This is one that can be treated with antibiotics, which he's been on. His paws get raw first which is how I know it's an infection and not allergies-- it always shows up there first when he has an infection. They also put him on something else for itchy skin due to allergies, which I did not like how he reacted so we took him off-- plus that wouldn't fix the allergies-- it would just cover it up. I have asked for a referral to an allergist for that part. When he first took the allergy meds (for two days before my vet and I took him off) he had terrible diarrhea and he just wasn't himself-- sluggy and out if it. I can't really explain it but he wasn't acting right and his back legs were not moving correctly, almost like he had partial temporary paralysis. Since then, he's been off-- he's normally very hyper. He still gets bursts of wanting to play but they don't last as long as they did. He refuses to eat his regular food. All he will eat is boiled chicken. And he's sleeping a lot more than normal. He's normally very hyper but he's been a lot more docile this past week. Also, he went 3 1/2 days without a bowel movement. We gave him pumpkin and that helped-- his bowel movements aren't as large or as frequent but they are happening. He is still on his antibiotics and I've started him on probiotics.

I'm at a loss. He's isn't showing the same signs as he does when he panceratitis. I'm at a loss. I'm calling the vet again tomorrow, who I've been in touch with every few days.

Here's the med info:

He's currently on Cephalexin 1000mg twice a day with food-
.
The other one he took for two days was Hydroxyzine- 50mg twice a day.

Thoughts?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Heather, it would help us try to figure it out if we knew what the medication was. Was it a type of steroid? Do you still have the bottle? Can you check the name and the dosage? 

What kind of antibiotics is he taking? 

[Heather & Brinkley]

One sec-- let me go get the bottles. No steroids as that caused internal bleeding in him last time.

[Heather & Brinkley]

He's currently on Cephalexin twice a day with food
.
The other one he took for two days was Hydroxyzine.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Cephalexin- 1000mg twice a day


Hydroxyzine 50mg twice a day

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, there's your answer. Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine but it's also used as a sedative. Some of the side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion. 

http://www.drugs.com/hydroxyzine.html

Cephalexin has some similar side effects and can also cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and abdominal pain. And that's a HUGE dose. 

I've been on cephalexin many times, and it always makes me feel dizzy and disoriented. And that's on about half the dose Brinkley is taking, and I weigh a lot more than he does, I'm sure.

http://www.rxlist.com/keflex-side-effects-drug-center.htm

Together, they must have really made Brinkley feel dizzy and disoriented, and even though the Hydroxyzine has been discontinued, the cephalexin is still causing the stomach issues, inappetance, and probably some dizziness.

As far as I'm concerned you can't get this boy to a dermatologist fast enough for me. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks! Yes, I agree. Our allergist in the area only takes new patients on a referral. We were also out of town last week-- with Brinkley--at my in-laws-- so I pick up the referral tomorrow.

[F, Calla & Luca]

How much does Brinkley weigh. I agree with Karen about hydroxizine being sedating. The usual dosage for cephalexin in dogs is 10-15 mg every 8 to 12 hours. Calla was once on it for a UTI, I think it was 500 mg and she weighs about 60 pounds.

[Heather & Brinkley]

He weighs 70lbs. Should I cut it in half?

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, it is on the higher end of the dosage and the vet probably wanted that. also he's only taking it every 12 hours, not every 8 hours. It is a reasonable dose.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Brinkley's on 4 times the dosage that Calla was, does that sound right? 

JD was on 2000 mg a day once (two 500 mg capsules twice a day), he weighed 85 lbs at the time, and it made him really nauseous. 

[Heather & Brinkley]

For some reason it won't let me reply to both of you-- it s only giving me the option to message you but, I bet he is nauseous and that's why all he wants is chicken.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Well, I am only recalling Calla's dosage. Also, medications have a range and sometimes the higher end of the range is indicated. according to the web this is still a reasonable range. I would give it with food, which may make it more tolerable. Oh and Calla may have been on it twice a day, probably she was so it's only twice the dose.