One of my German Shepherds has fallen ill in the past few days and she may be going on an I.V. tomorrow. She has lost nearly 15 lbs in the past 3 months and her appetite has progressively gotten worse. Local vet is mystified after all the blood work, her White Blood Count WBC is 21.5 well over the norm indicating she has an infection. She's on Cortisone, Antibiotics and a whole mess of Vitamin shots. She asked me to take her home today to see if she will eat at home, but that has not happened. My youngest son Nick is depressed. Any help would be appreciated.
Damn. I'm not a vet but I've dealt with similar symptoms with my Labradors. Heart worms, valley fever, and cancer are the first three things that occur. The first two can be dealt with. Jet fell deathly ill two years ago and my vet did not check for heart worms because that NEVER occurs in dogs that have not been outside of AZ. When he was near death he was finally given a last battery of tests and he had heart worms. The treatment took him to the brink but he finally recovered and is fine today. Good luck to your buddy and to you Sam.
Chip
Chip
2112
Blue/white 06'
How old?
Lot of those symptoms are found with dental abscessing of the pulp (nerve) or periodontium (supporting bone and connective tissue).
Best wishes.....dog lover here.
Lot of those symptoms are found with dental abscessing of the pulp (nerve) or periodontium (supporting bone and connective tissue).
Best wishes.....dog lover here.
BlackICE
GT Owner
You must be a DDS. Sounds like a possibility and something that can be remedied. Are there any dog dentist?
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
Sam - I'm not a vet, however as an MD with several dogs we cherish, I've had to deal with quite a few issues. You need to get your dog to a specialist, such as a major veterinarian school or high end specialty practice ASAP!. Don't wait. Your vet might be able to make the referral as well or guide you a top specialist, if they are reasonable. I'll apologize in advance for possible disparaging sounding remarks to vets who might be on the forum or for the good ones out there. It is just my experience, where I live.
My experience with scores of my "local vets" has been terrible at best. Most have little basic understanding of physiology and have become mills for selling vaccinations and performing basic expensive tests. They don't practice anything scientific as it is too expensive for the average client, or they just don't understand having spent time studying horses to ferrets. The nonsense I have had vets tell me over the years is long and absurd. Fortunately, in my city, I ultimately found a small 'boutique' specialized practice of former University of Florida Veterinary school faculty. These guys practice vet medicine at as high of a level as most physicians practice human medicine, with internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology specialists etc... It is expensive to do it right - CT scans, body scans and other tests that we don't hesitate to order in people are often beyond the budget of most folks going to "local vets" hence they may dumb down their practice of medicine to folks' budgets. I suspect if you live in or near a major city there might be a well regarded vet school at one of the universities. Go there or ask if they have a relationship with some specialists in your area.
For instance - I'm not sure why your vet is giving your dog vitamin shots. Unheard of in people at least, and I've rarely seen in except in the rare cases of true deficiencies. In addition, in people at least, steroids classically can raise your white blood count. That could account for some of it. At the same time, they weaken one's immune system some so typically should not be used if a serious infection is suspected.
Unless you have a great local vet, I would not mess with them for anything but the most basic stuff like annual heart worm and fecal tests. The few vets I have treated as patients have even told me that the annual vaccines most vets push are total b.s. after the dog is a year or two old, and might even be bad for their health. About $250 a year though.....
My experience with scores of my "local vets" has been terrible at best. Most have little basic understanding of physiology and have become mills for selling vaccinations and performing basic expensive tests. They don't practice anything scientific as it is too expensive for the average client, or they just don't understand having spent time studying horses to ferrets. The nonsense I have had vets tell me over the years is long and absurd. Fortunately, in my city, I ultimately found a small 'boutique' specialized practice of former University of Florida Veterinary school faculty. These guys practice vet medicine at as high of a level as most physicians practice human medicine, with internal medicine, ophthalmology, dermatology, oncology specialists etc... It is expensive to do it right - CT scans, body scans and other tests that we don't hesitate to order in people are often beyond the budget of most folks going to "local vets" hence they may dumb down their practice of medicine to folks' budgets. I suspect if you live in or near a major city there might be a well regarded vet school at one of the universities. Go there or ask if they have a relationship with some specialists in your area.
For instance - I'm not sure why your vet is giving your dog vitamin shots. Unheard of in people at least, and I've rarely seen in except in the rare cases of true deficiencies. In addition, in people at least, steroids classically can raise your white blood count. That could account for some of it. At the same time, they weaken one's immune system some so typically should not be used if a serious infection is suspected.
Unless you have a great local vet, I would not mess with them for anything but the most basic stuff like annual heart worm and fecal tests. The few vets I have treated as patients have even told me that the annual vaccines most vets push are total b.s. after the dog is a year or two old, and might even be bad for their health. About $250 a year though.....
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Do what Jaxgt says. Our local vet, back when we had our dog, didn't hesitate to refer us to a specialist campus across town. There is a world of difference between them but even with that they will hesitate to do things with the cost. I was very clear on don't worry about it but even with that we had a doc wait 6 hours to do what we instructed to do.
One thing I've learned about the larger dogs, that you have to watch out for, is that they have a big enough cavity in their chest that the intestin or stomach will get twisted on itself and basically starve itself of blood. This happened to Reville while down at A&M one year and luckily with the vet school they caught it. Had to remove intestin and pin the rest of the stuff up so it wouldn't twist. I would not want to delay getting xrays and any other scans needed immediately.
Good luck....
One thing I've learned about the larger dogs, that you have to watch out for, is that they have a big enough cavity in their chest that the intestin or stomach will get twisted on itself and basically starve itself of blood. This happened to Reville while down at A&M one year and luckily with the vet school they caught it. Had to remove intestin and pin the rest of the stuff up so it wouldn't twist. I would not want to delay getting xrays and any other scans needed immediately.
Good luck....
As the father of a veterinarian, and former companion to several German shepherds and a timber wolf, I can understand some folks problems with local vets. Kind of like problems with some local M.D.s. However, the advice to seek specalists is excellent. I do not know your area, but you should try a Veterinarian School or a local emergency veterinary center. My daughter worked emergency for several years at a very advanced place. All the latest medical equipment and expertise. They even did physical therapy (treadmills, whirlpools, etc). Good luck with your friend. They are very precious. My best.
Cobrar
GT Owner
+1 on: "well regarded vet school at one of the universities" - this is the best path, and can attest to it. Michigan Sate, Colorado, et,al.
Best of Luck to you and your Pal.
Thank you all for your good wishes, they mean a lot. Stayed up with her practically all night. I really thought she was going to die in my arms, but she pulled through. Did a lot of research based on JaxGT post (I'm indebted to you sir) and followed up with the largest specialty center in here in SoCal (45 minutes away). They conference called the Vet which incidentally does a lot of referrals to them and they discussed an approach forward. Sent the kids to school and at 9.00 a.m. I carried her in (eyes ready to burst with tears) as she had no energy to walk and the Vet immediately took her in for more x-rays and scans. The only thing they could see out of the norm was an enlarged Liver which they are investigating. She is on an IV now, stable and resting while they do more blood work. She is drinking and licking a high-colorie based paste - she is alive and stable.
I have an all Black female German Shepherd who got really sick about month and half ago. We eneded up finding out she got into rat posion, her red blood count was just about low enough that we had todo a transfusion on her. But she spent a few days at our local vet and pulled threw after alot of vit k shots. He bought like a 40000$ tester to test the blood for various things and he is very good for being in a town of 1500 people. Hope you get it figured out and she pulls threw.....
Sam - I am glad things are moving forward. Although I'm not sure we've met (I have been to last 3 rallies), I feel your pain as a fellow dog lover.
I hate to say negative things about general vets - I've just had too many bad experiences not to generalize. Conversely, I've been very impressed with some of the dedicated veterinary specialists we've taken our gals to. We treat our dogs like kids and always go for the best care we can find.
Hopefully the specialist will be of help. Feel free to PM me anytime. All the best.
I hate to say negative things about general vets - I've just had too many bad experiences not to generalize. Conversely, I've been very impressed with some of the dedicated veterinary specialists we've taken our gals to. We treat our dogs like kids and always go for the best care we can find.
Hopefully the specialist will be of help. Feel free to PM me anytime. All the best.
Shelby#18
GTX1 Owner/Moderator
Hope everything works out for your dog Sam, and it lives to be with your family for a good long time.
skyrex
FORD GT OWNER
My 17 year old dog passed away yesterday morning and we are devasted. I will say that he had several issues over the years including a thyroid problem, Cushings disease, a heart murmur and finally succumbed to cancer. I saw a specialist for each one of these problems and they made a world of difference in the treatment. My local vet coordinated or set up all of the appointments. Your vet should be able to help you with this as well.
My wife and I both wish your "furry" kid a swift recovery.
.....and to my little guy Rex.....RIP
My wife and I both wish your "furry" kid a swift recovery.
.....and to my little guy Rex.....RIP
Attachments
daytrayd
GT Owner
From another dog lover, best of luck with the specialist. These animals truly do make our lives infinitely better. Your pup is in my thoughts.
Cavan
Cavan
I am very sorry, Tom. I know how much you loved that dog. No doubt he lived a GREAT life under your care! Take care, my friend.
Rex
Skyrex,
That your yesterday is inevitable to every dog owner does not make it any easier. It's cruel that the lifespan of a dog is so much shorter than the lifespan of his master. My condolences. Over 20 years ago I read something that I wish I had saved but it's long gone. I'll paraphrase it as best I can remember it.
Where is the best place to bury a dog?
The question was asked in advance of death to the editors of Gun Dog Magazine. They responded...
There are many good places to bury a faithful dog. In the fields where he ran and played as a puppy, and where he received his first training. Or near the banks of a stream where he swam to cooled off on hot summer days. A hill top with a beautiful view is always a fine choice. Or beneath the branches of a favorite shade tree that he dozed under before lifting his head to challenge some intruder, real or imagined. These are all fine places, in life and in death. But there is one best place to bury a devoted, hardworking gun dog. In this place, across any span of time or distance, you can close your eyes, and he'll come bounding back to you. And though you might have called another dog to heal, he will not growl or challenge him. The one best place to bury a faithful dog, is in the heart of his master.
RIP Rex.
Chip
Skyrex,
That your yesterday is inevitable to every dog owner does not make it any easier. It's cruel that the lifespan of a dog is so much shorter than the lifespan of his master. My condolences. Over 20 years ago I read something that I wish I had saved but it's long gone. I'll paraphrase it as best I can remember it.
Where is the best place to bury a dog?
The question was asked in advance of death to the editors of Gun Dog Magazine. They responded...
There are many good places to bury a faithful dog. In the fields where he ran and played as a puppy, and where he received his first training. Or near the banks of a stream where he swam to cooled off on hot summer days. A hill top with a beautiful view is always a fine choice. Or beneath the branches of a favorite shade tree that he dozed under before lifting his head to challenge some intruder, real or imagined. These are all fine places, in life and in death. But there is one best place to bury a devoted, hardworking gun dog. In this place, across any span of time or distance, you can close your eyes, and he'll come bounding back to you. And though you might have called another dog to heal, he will not growl or challenge him. The one best place to bury a faithful dog, is in the heart of his master.
RIP Rex.
Chip
