HELP! My 7 month old Doodle is sick!

[Donna]

I need your help, please!  I got my doodle at 9 weeks old.  She was a normal puppy with no problems.  I got her spayed at my vet on Nov 8th.  Everything seemed fine.  On Monday Nov 25th I left for work.  When I got home she was acting very lethargic.  I called the vet and they said to keep an eye on her but since she wasn't throwing up or having diarrhea  they weren't too concerned.  First thing Tuesday morning I called at 6:00 and took her in.  At first he said she could have the flu.  I asked them to keep her since I was going to work. Her fever spiked to 104.7.  They gave her fluids and ran tests.  They kept her overnight.  They said she had a UTI.  Sent her home with antibiotics. 10 days later, same exact symptoms while on the antibiotics.  Took her back to the vet on Dec 6th.  They ...kept her overnight 2 days until they got the fever under control.  Retested her urine.  Came back normal.  Vet called me later and asked how she was.  I said she's doing great.  She talked to the pathologist and after 5 days, the culture grew a stain of e-coli.  She pretty much dismissed it since Sophie was doing so well.  She thought maybe the sample got contaminated in the lab or something.  They did X-rays and various other test.  They ruled out tick born diseases.  They were stumped.  I decided to make an appt for an ultrasound.  This was Friday Dec 20.  Ultrasound came back fine.  He said her adrenal glands were a little small so maybe check for Addison's disease.  After that appt we had a checkup at her normal vet.  Everything was good. Saturday.  Dec 21st.  I could tell Sophie was not herself again.  By evening her temp was up to 102.8 so we took her to the emergency vet hospital (not my normal hospital) Again they gave her fluids, did spinal X-rays and reran another urine culture.  X-rays looked perfect.  No signs of anything.  They touched her all over and she shows no signs of pain.  They kept her overnight.  Doc called me this morning and said her fever spiked to 104.9 after we left a few hours ago.  She gave her an injection of baytrol and an NSAID and her fever is now at 102.9.  She said another doc came in and examined her and he is leaning towards disco spondylitis.  I'm confused because last night she had no pain and X-rays were perfect.  Again they are stumped and don't know what is wrong with her.  They call it a "fever of unknown origin".  She suggested I let her there and they will assign her over to the internists tomorrow morning for more testing to rule other things out.  She said this would be an additional $3500 and could go higher depending how far they had to take it. Has anyone got a clue as to what this could be?  Reoccurring fever and lethargic every 10 days like clockwork.  Please I need your help in figuring this out.  Thank you

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

F, I think you may have responded to the wrong discussion. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh dear yes, sorry . I will delete my comment.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I am very sorry....you must be so worried.  I really don't know what this could be.  Murphy had similar symptoms (especially that really high fever) when he had the tick borne illness, but it eventually cleared up with the antibiotics.  I hope that they are able to get to the bottom of this and that Sophie is feeling better soon.  Sending positive thoughts.  Please keep us posted.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Donna, I'm very sorry to hear that Sophie is so ill.

I don't think that anyone here, or anyone on an internet social forum, can give you good answers as to what might be wrong with Sophie. You really do need a veterinary internal medicine specialist. My guy has a couple of immune-mediated diseases, and despite all kinds of testing by his regular vet, he just kept getting sicker; it wasn't until he was seen by an internist that we got answers and a treatment plan. Usually, there is bloodwork required that your GP vet cannot run, and that has to be sent out. It doesn't sound like your vets have done bloodwork, or at least not the right bloodwork. $3500 sounds absurdly high for a consultation, and without knowing which tests are needed, I don't see how they could give you that price. But I would definitely consult with an internist. Good luck, I hope you get some answers. 

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

No answers here either. Just want to wish you well. I'm sure this is very stressful for you. Best of luck

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Donna, I have no clue but I see you're in Boyertown. Since you've been struggling with this for almost a month, and everyone seems stumped, I'd be inclined to take Sophie down to the University of Pennsylvania, if she can travel. It's just a suggestion unless you feel the specialists at the emergency hospital are very good or you're not able to move her safely.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is an excellent suggestion. The veterinary school clinics are usually less expensive than the private vet specialists, and usually have the best information.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes, good idea.

[BG and Gavin]

We went through a similar experience with Gavin.  Read about it here:  http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/fever-of-unknown-origin I remember how worrisome it all was and we are symptom free for the past year (touch wood) but still no definitive answers.  Best thoughts.  I will certainly answer any questions you want about my experience.

[Donna]

This sounds so much like Sophie's symptoms.  She has episodes every 10 days though.  No vomiting or diarreah just high fever and lethargic.  I will have to talk to my vet tomorrow.  The emergency hospital where she is now suspects it is Meningitis.  Early today is was Disco spondolitis and yesterday it was Addison's Disease.  I don't know where to turn anymore. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I am so sorry Donna, that you and Sophie are dealing with this. Here's hoping a Vet can pinpoint this quickly and Sophie is back to her ole adorable self. Please, keep us posted!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I don't have any answers but sincerely wish that you get answers and that Sophie is back to full health very soon.