Hot Rod is sick--need input.

J

Joy

New member
Over the week-end, Hot Rod became lethargic, quit eating his regular dog food, became lame on the right side--front and rear, and was in pain. Went to the vet Monday and right front knee was visibly swollen. Blood work was negative for Lymes. WBC, NEU (?), and Globluin were elevated.
I suggested Metacam rather than other Nsaid because of NN postings, and he also was given Doxycylcine 100mg. He is peeing and pooping and is now eating ground beef. The Metacam helped him to walk better yesterday, but he is still just lying around. He is exposed to many things, since he is a farm-woods dog and goes for long runs. Additional blood and urine have been sent to labs for more testing.
Has anyone experienced this, and how do you feel about these medications the vet has prescribed?
 
Prdmary

Prdmary

New member
Is he turning his neck side to side---looking up OK?

There are other tick borne diseases that could cause these symptoms--the Doxycycline should address that. Sometimes the tests can be false negative or false positive.

Sure it is both front and rear right legs?

Hope you see improvement quickly!! Poor Hotrod!!
 
2Paws

2Paws

New member
I haven't had any experience with Lyme disease or it's symptons or these medications. It sounds like the vet is on top of things. I hope he starts feeling better real soon. That's not like him to be down.
 
ardeagold

ardeagold

New member
It might be a different tick borne illness that doesn't show on the in office SNAP test for Lyme, Ehrlichiosis or Anaplasmosis. Like...Rocky Mtn Spotted Fever. OR the in office SNAP test could be wrong.

That happened to us once when we took Chance in. The SNAP was totally negative for Lyme and everything else, but fortunately our Vet sees so many tick borne illnesses in a day that he drew blood and sent it to the lab for a full tick serology and started our boy on Doxy right then and there...just like your Vet did. IMO it's the smart move. If the bloodwork comes back negative (you should have results in about 5 days), then he can stop the Doxy. But in the case of tick borne illnesses...better safe than sorry.

Our Chance's test came back HIGH positive for Lyme and also positive for RMSF (which is NOT part of the SNAP test at all), so we continued the Doxy for a full 6 weeks.

Those in-office tests (SNAP 4Dx) have a 98% accuracy rate, so they're not perfect. It so happens we had one of the 2% who fell into the "error rate" range.

Of course other things could cause the same symptoms, and it sounds like your Vet has done the right thing, sending bloodwork to the lab.

I hope Hot Rod is feeling better soon, and makes a full recovery quickly.
 
J

Joy

New member
Thanks, friends. He seems to be able to move his head\neck fine, and he seems to be improving some. His entire right front leg and foot is swollen, not just the joint. When he stands, he leans to the left to keep weight off right side. The vet and I talked of the horrendous tick problem we have had this summer, and he mentioned the lab would do additional tick borne illness testing. I'll be driving the vet crazy--the last two mornings, I have been at his door before his office opens. Ginny has e-mailed me research sites. Again, thanks NN friends!
 
Prdmary

Prdmary

New member
Did he xray his leg? He might have a fracture.....if he has THAT much swelling.

Snake bite? I would imagine it might be hard to find with newfy hair.......if you feel along his leg.....the swelling in the bite area would be harder compared to the other swollen areas.

Is he licking any certain area on that front leg?
 
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Ivoryudx

Ivoryudx

New member
I hope he gets better soon! Its not easy when they hurt and your not sure from what or where. I have to ask the same thing as Sue Lynn. Did they x-ray? Even if my Vet is sure of what he believes it to be, I always insist on an x-ray, for my piece of mind.

From your description, it could be simple cellulitus which is very painful and has a lot of swelling but responds well with meds. My boy has had it a couple of times over the years for no reason that we could find, and after his meds for a few days he was good as new.

Hugs to you and Hot Rod!
 
2Paws

2Paws

New member
Also check between his toes for any type of seed that may have become embedded in the webbing. There is a type of grass seed that actually becomes embedded and works its way inside to become infected. It's almost impossible to see the seed or the entrance.

A friend of mine that I water train with is a vet and one of her boys had this happen to her. If you want, I can email her and find out what the name of the seed was.
 
J

Joy

New member
All lab results are negative so far, with more results to come tomorrow. Hot Rod is much better, but still limping . His appetite has returned, loving the ground beef. I have checked his whole body with a fine tooth comb, looking for any kind of bite(since we have poisonous snakes at the farm). I asked the vet this morning about snake bite, and he said the antibiotic we are using would be the treatment.
Hot Rod's temp was still 104 this afternoon. His feet , toes, and webbing are going to be checked again right now. Thanks much, gang. And thanks GAD! This is a wonderful reassuring forum to research at 2:00 in the morning when you are scared your dog is going to die before morning. We are both much better!
No he did not x-ray. Might be next step.
 
Murphy

Murphy

New member
Joy said:
Hot Rod just died from blastomycosis, and just 3 years old.
Click to expand...

Oh My God... I am so very sorry.. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this terrible time.. Please know that there are many hearts breaking for you.. :grouphug:
 
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