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?

[Donna K & Quincy]

Heather, I don't have any pearls of wisdom but am sending good wishes that Brinkley is feeling better soon.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

I am sorry Brinkley is not feeling well.  I know Jake became very ill this past summer when on the 1000 mg of Cephalexin for his skin issues.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Did you end up finishing the dose? Or did you have to stop? I feel like it's making him worse!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

How long has he been on it. It is usually a bad idea to stop an antibiotic before the course is finished but calling the vet who prescribed it would be a good idea.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Quincy took Cephalexin for three weeks without any problem, I on the hand cannot tolerate it, it makes me totally nauseated and I have an iron stomach. Nausea can be one of the side effects for humans, I don't know if it's the same for dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It was for JD. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

It is. My dogs have tolerated antibiotics well except for some looser stools. Luca was recently on two course of cefpodoxime and did fine.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

No, he did not finish taking the dose and ended up at the vet for observation.  He had been on it before but a lower dose with no issues.  Definitely check with the vet. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I hope you are able to get Brinkley to the allergist soon. You must be so concerned. Blessings to both of you.

Reading this thread makes me so thankful for F and Karen, AGAIN! 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thank you! I hate seeing him suffer. He just looks at me with his big brown eyes. I want him back to being his bouncy self.

[Bonnie and Kona]

So sad.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Heather (and Karen and F) I'm not sure how the Vet diagnosed that the infection from the raw paws...did she do some sort of testing to determine the type and source of the infection?  I ask this because Murph has seasonal allergies in late April and May, and his paws get VERY itchy and he licks them raw (if they're not treated)...but there's no infection.  We treat the symptoms with Claritin and what I believe was a hydrocortisone spray.  I also have to clean his paws well every time he goes out and there are no "hikes" in the fields or woods during this period.  I'm confused because these symptoms sound so similar yet Brinkley's diagnosis is so different.  I'm guessing that I'm missing something.