LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom General Sick Dog Questions

I'm sorry to hear about the problem your Rottie pup is having. You will need to have your vet examine him in person to get a truly accurate diagnosis, but it's possible your pup's foot problem could be related to an orthopedic problem called Carpal Sublaxation Syndrome. Dogs with this condition are often referred to as being "down in the pasterns". The pastern is akin to the human wrist in the front legs or the ankle in the rear legs. This would make it look like your puppy was walking on his wrists, and this would make the feet appear to drag and flop. Does this sound like what you have witnessed?

If this is the case, your vet will decide how to best treat the problem. There seems to be some debate over whether this is a genetic problem or a developmental/nutritional problem. To be honest, it's probably a bit of both. Pastern problems are most typically encountered in young large breed puppies during periods of rapid growth. A pup that carries a bit too much weight may actually put too much stress on the joints, leading to a temporary or sometimes permanent breakdown.

Treatments for this problem often include modifying the pup's diet, administering joint supplements and keeping him off especially hard or slippery surfaces. The condition often improves with care and time, but for some dogs the problem remains permanently.

As you can see, there is good reason to consult your vet about this problem in order to figure out the best way to proceed. Hopefully your puppy's condition can be easily reversed and his development will continue normally.

Thank you for your question, and best wishes for your puppy's health. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear how sick your dog is. Only a vet can make a diagnosis, but this illness does sound serious. It sounds like the paralysis in your dog's rear quarter is progressive. This could be a case of diabetic neuropathy, but your vet would need to run tests to check for that. What concerns me the most right now is the fact that your dog isn't eating or drinking anymore. This will lead to a much weaker condition, but it will also become very dangerous if dehydration sets in. The fact that your dog has only urinated twice in the last two days may indicate dehydration already. While I am not qualified to diagnose your dog's illness, I do want to urge you to take your dog to the vet right away before her condition becomes irreversible.

Please accept my very best wishes for your dog's health, and I do hope the vet is able to help her recover. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your puppy is feeling a little under the weather. Honestly, watery itch eyes are usually a sign of an allergy. They're sometimes also associated with a respiratory infection or the kennel cough virus. That's not to say your pup doesn't have worms, but this isn't a typical symptom of that condition. I recommend you have your vet examine your puppy to find out the source of the irritation and if it can be treated. While you're going, be sure to bring along a stool sample in a plastic bag for analysis. A routine worm check is always worth doing.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you enjoy the site. :) - posted by:Kelly

It truly sounds like your dog is having a reaction to the medication based on the shaking and drooling. Usually a bath is sufficient to strip the medication from the skin, but since your dog had the preventative on overnight, it may take some help from your vet to ease the situation. I think your best option is to call your vet, explain what happened and bring the package from the flea preventative with you to the appointment. This way your vet will know the exact active ingredient he/she is dealing with.

Thank you for sharing your question, and I do hope your dog is back to normal very soon. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear how ill your dog is. Unfortunately, I am not a vet, so the help I can offer is limited.

It seems the place to begin is finding out exactly what kind of tests your vet did on your dog. Blood tests should have been ordered at the minimum. I think it would also be useful to perform a sonogram of the entire abdominal region to look for anything unusual such as a growth or another enlarged organ. I don't want to alarm you unecessarily, but stomach cancer often goes completely undetected until it's too late for treatment, so it's worth a specific look.

As for the milk, it causes a digestive distubance in many dogs. If you want to give it a try, I recommend using goat's milk instead of cow's milk. It's easier for dogs to digest.

Whatever is going on, it's apparent that the illness is very serious. It may be necessary to hospitalize your dog to provide vital support while your vet digs in to find the cause. You are your dog's strongest advocate, so call the vet and insist on probing further.

Thank you for sharing your situation in this difficult time. I will keep your dog in my thoughts. Let us know if you find out anything. - posted by:Kelly

This is a great question. It seems that dogs can detect undigested food within the stools, so to them it's still a food source and they go ahead and eat it.

That's the simple answer, but the follow up question would be how to stop dogs from eating their stools. This can be done by mixing a digestive enzyme into a dog's food and letting it sit for about 15 minutes before serving. This should help break down the nutrients so the dog can thoroughly digest them, making the resulting stools less desirable. You can purchase such an enzyme from a dog supply company like Doctors Foster and Smith, but meat tenderizer from the grocery store also works well. You may need to weigh the dog food and compare it to label instructions to find out how much you need to use. Your vet may also have a recommendation.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find this info useful. Be sure to take some time to explore the site. There's a lot more useful info here. :) - posted by:Kelly

It is very important that you consult with your vet about any human medication you want to give your dog. Some vets have begun trying Claritin out for dogs, but you have to be very careful with the dosage or there could be serious consequences.

I'd like to refer you to our article on Canine Dosage of Claritin. It explains why you should use regular Claritin and not Claritin D. Some of our visitors have begun leaving comments about the dosages their vets are recommending for their dogs' weights, but I would not depend on anecdotal information in this instance. The best course of action is to consult your own vet for the proper dosage.

Thanks for your question. :) - posted by:Kelly

So far, it sounds as though your vet is pursuing the right steps to diagnose the problem. There are many things that can cause nose bleeds, and I'm not sure which additional tests your vet ran in addition to the blood test to check for clotting disorders. However, the sneezing and excessive mucous production might indicate that there is a foreign body in your dog's nasal cavity. This is probably what your vet wants to check with an X-ray, but a nasal scoping might be just as effective. I would go ahead and let him do it. I actually had a Poodle that displayed the same symptoms except for the bleeding, and we couldn't figure out why. This went on for two days and suddenly there was the tip of a blade of grass sticking out of the end of her nostril. My husband pulled it out and it was covered in mucous. The dog was immediately better with no further complications. It just goes to show that odd things like this can happen, and hopefully your own dog's problem will turn out to be no more serious than this.

I hope you find this info helpful, and please let us know what you do eventually find out. - posted by:Kelly

Let's address the possible food allergy issue first. Simply switching from one brand to another usually isn't sufficient to analize a food allergy. This is because a dog could be allergic to a single component that might be found in many brands. If you suspect a food allergy, you really need to isolate which food(s) might cause the skin reaction.

As for the seizures, which we'll call them for now, it might be useful for your vet to order a brain scan to take a look at what's going on neurologically. Sometimes tumors will cause the same kind of reactions, and it's possible that a growth could be pressing on a portion of the brain that deals with light sensitivity, hence the trigger.

As you can see, it really will take a qualified veterinarian to help you sort out what's happening to your dog. I recommend you make an appointment to at least discuss the situation and get your vet's opinion on how to proceed.

Please let us know what you find out, and best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

First, let's talk about the food allergies. Has your vet actually diagnosed this problem, or have you made the diagnosis based on what you observe from your dog. If you haven't brought this particular issue to your vet's attention, now is the time to do it. The itching could be food related so it's worth isolating the food sources that might be behind it. Your vet can help you do this with skin testing.

Now for the biting at invisible bugs. I am not a vet myself, but this does sound as though your dog might be having psychomotor seizures. These kinds of seizures are quite different from the average seizure that causes a dog to have rapid leg and head movements. Psychomotor seizures present as odd behavior ticks that are repeated a number of times during an episode. Some dogs walk in circles, other ram themselves into a wall repeatedly. The behaviors can be quite astonishing. I think it is really worth exploring this possibility with your vet. Be sure to let the vet know that light seems to trigger the episodes. If this is indeed what's going on, your vet may be able to control the seizures with phenobarbitol.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope these suggestions put you on track to a solution. Good luck. - posted by:Kelly

It sounds as though your dog is experiencing some constipation. Sometimes it is helpful to add some plain canned pumpkin to a dog's diet to help move things along. The pumpkin is a good source of insoluable fiber, and the bulk helps push the stool out.

You can add a spoonful to your dog's dinner, but withhold the treats so he will eat his kibble. If this doesn't work within a few days or your dog begins to show more signs of distress, contact your vet right away.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes that your dog is feeling better soon. - posted by:Kelly

There is a lot of debate about whether to vaccinate for leptospirisis. First of all, this vaccine seems to cause the largest amount of reactions, as you've already experienced.

The second argument involves how effective the vaccine actually is. There are numerous strains of the leptospirosis bacteria, yet there are only vaccines that cover four of those strains individually. This means that your dog could be vaccinated against one type of lepto, yet still be infected with another and need to go through treatment anyway. When you couple the efficacy of the vaccine weighed against the rate of adverse reactions, many owners wonder whether to vaccinate against this disease at all.

Since your dog does travel in areas where he is more likely to be exposed to one strain or another of lepto, vaccinating is a reasonable choice. However, you should still take all of this information into consideration before making the choice whether to continue with the vaccination booster. My advice is to let your vet know about the reaction your dog had, and then decide together if it is safe to give him future boosters.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this information was helpful to you. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but it does sound like your dog's urine is very concentrated. This, along with her distended abdomen, might indicate a sever urinary tract infection or some type of kidney problem. The best advice I can offer is to take your dog to the vet right away. The fact that her breathing is now affected indicates the problem has become quite serious, and she needs immediate attention.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope everything will be alright. - posted by:Kelly

Thanks for letting us know how your dog is. I'm so happy the news was good. Good luck with the surgery. :) - posted by:Kelly

I think the best advice I can give you is to book an appointment with your vet first to have these growths examined. Your vet should be able to get an idea of whether the growth could be malignant from its shape. If the vet suspects a malignancy, he/she will most likely want to have it biopsied to be sure. Depending on the results, you may be referred to a surgeon.

I know it will be difficult, but try to take this process one step at a time. Leave the medical issues up to the vets, and try to concentrate on daily life with your dog. Otherwise you might make yourself sick with worry, and that won't help you or your dog. There's still a chance these growths could turn out to be benign, so try to keep that in mind for now. If they're not, your vet will advise you about the treatment options. Sometime surgery is the best option, other times radiation, chemo or a combination of these treatments is used. It all depends on the type and location of the growth.

Thank you for sharing your situation with us, and please let us know what you find out.

- posted by:Kelly

First let me say how sorry I am to hear about your dog's diagnosis. This is going to be a big adjustment for you both, and I think this is the root of your dog's personality change.

Right now, his world is dimming, and this would naturally cause some anxiety. My feeling is that in time your dog will begin acting a bit more like his normal self, but he will never be quite as carefree or rambunctious. In a word, things are going to be different, but that doesn't mean they won't be good.

You can help your dog regain some confidence by keeping his environment stable. Always keep his food and water bowls in the same spot. Likewise with his bed. You should also avoid making significant changes to your furniture placement. Your dog is going to begin relying on memory to help him navigate.

Here is a book you might find helpful for dealing with your new situation. You may want to check your library first rather than purchase it.

Living With Blind Dogs: A Resource Book and Training Guide for the Owners of Blind and Low Vision Dogs by Caroline D. Levin RN

It really seems to cover the issue from every angle.

Thank you for sharing your situation, and I do hope that this adjustment goes as smoothly as it possibly can. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but this sounds like your dog may either have a bad urinary tract infection or more likely a kidney stone blocking the urethra. This prevents the release of urine. The bladder begins to fill up like a balloon, and the toxins are absorbed back into the bloodstream. The condition is very painful and most likely will be fatal if an affected dog doesn't receive medical care immediately.

Since you can't be certain which type of ailment your dog has, it would be best to take her to the vet as soon as possible. I truly hope she will recover quickly.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your puppy, as well as your other pup's illness.

I'm not a vet, so I did some searching about ascities, and as far as I could find, it hasn't been directly linked to vaccinations or heartworm medications. I did find a website that gave good information about ascities, including causes and treatments of the condition. I hope this info will help you in the fight to save your remaining pup.

• PetPlace.com

Best wishes for your puppy's recovery. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's tumor. I commend you for having done everything you possibly could to help him, but it sounds as though your vet feels there is nothing more to be done.

It is very difficult to know when the time has come to say good-bye. You know your dog better than anyone, and if you pay close attention, you'll pick up on the cues that your dog is in significant pain. Refusing to eat anything but soft food is an indication that his jaw bothers him. I think that when he refuses to eat all will be the time to consider ending his suffering.

If it helps, you might want to keep a diary of your dog's daily habits, especially his activity level and eating habits. This way, you'll be able to compare each day's records and see when the real decline begins. This may help reassure you that you're doing the right thing when the time truly comes.

Thank you for your question, and I hope that this advice is helpful to you. Best wishes during this difficult time. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear that this dog you have so kindly taken in has become so deperately ill. I'm not a vet, so I can't really say whether this might be a case of rabies, but I do believe that the situation is serious enough that your dog might die if he doesn't receive veterinary care right away. During dehydration, the the tongue and throat tend to swell, making it very difficult to swallow, and this might be why you dog can no longer take water by mouth. The vet can test him for rabies or any particular illness these symtoms might indicate. The vet will likely also want to start the dog on an IV to replace his fluids and reverse the dehydration if it isn't too late.

Time is of the essence right now, so please try to take your dog to the vet right away. You have my very best wishes for his recovery, and thank you for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Yes I believe this is something your vet should be informed about. A bladder infection might make your dog feel like she has to go even after she has emptied out. On the other hand, a kidney stone could cause a blockage that prevents your dog from emptying her bladder, and this could lead to a dangerous situation. Whatever might be the cause, this definitely isn't normal, so make an appointment with your vet right away. - posted by:Debbie Vasen

It sounds as though this could be seizure activity. A seizure is a bit like an electrical storm in the brain that triggers random, rapid muscle movements. It can present as the shaking and drooling you've already observed. Further symptoms depend on which parts of the brain are being affected.

Seizures can be caused by many things, including metabolic changes, ingestion of toxic substances, etc. Your vet can help you figure exactly what is going on, and there is medication that can help control seizures if this is indeed what your dog experienced.

In the meantime, I have a couple of articles that will provide more info and give you tips on how to care for your dog in the aftermath of a seizure.

• Canine Epilepsy
• Canine Seizures

Thanks for your question, and best wishes for your dog's health. - posted by:Kelly

Our article Cushing's Disease in Dogs will give you a good start in researching this disease. Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to her about your predicament. When dogs feel very sick they will sometime try to crawl into a small, out of the way place. It might be a good idea to search places like under the porch or crawl space, in any holes (like those belonging to woodchucks), under a garden shed, etc.

It's also possible he may have wound up in a neighbor's yard and been taken in by someone who realized he seemed sick. You could also try calling your local humane society/shelter and vets to see if your dog was brought in. Hopefully you will still find your pet alive, so don't give up hope yet.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and please let us know if you find him. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear that your puppy is having this kind of problem so early in life. The symptoms you describe do often go along with hip and elbow dysplasia, but there are other things that could cause joint pain and stiffness. This could turn out to be attributed to your puppy's rapid growth, otherwise referred to as growing pains, and he could grow out of it.

I'm glad you're going to have the vet examine your puppy. Although he is too young for OFA x-rays and certification, the vet should be able to determine if there is some sort of abnormality in the joint. If it does eventually turn out that your puppy has dysplasia, his quality of life will largely depend on just how deteriorated the joint is. An OFA rating of "fair" can still be managed with some pain medication and joint supplements. Anything less than "fair" presents a major problem. That said, there are things owners can do to make a dysplastic pet feel more comfortable. An orthopedic bed relieves stress on the joints when a dog is laying down. A set of doggie stairs makes it easier for your pet to get up and down from furniture, if this is something you normally allow. It's really a matter of looking at things from the dog's point of view and figuring out how to make life easier.

For now, let's leave the diagnosis up to the vet and find out what her recommendations are. Hopefully this will only be a passing problem, but if it's not, don't be afraid to ask your vet all the questions you can think of so you'll have a clear idea of the challenges your pet may face.

Best wishes that things work out alright. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear about your senior pet's health problems. Many of us struggle with the high cost of veterinary care, and it's a very difficult position to be in when a beloved pet needs treatment. Have you discussed making payment arrangements to cover any bill you may incur? Some vets will do this for an established client. If your vet is unwilling, perhaps your local Humane Society can help.

As for Buddy's condition, it sounds as though he at least has arthritis in his hip, and possibly Canine Hip Dysplasia. A glucosamine and chondroiten supplement can help, but it takes time to build up in the system, as much as several months, before you'll see any relief. In the meantime, I'd at least ask your vet to recommend which over-the-counter pain reliever would be safe to give your dog, as well as what the proper dosage would be for his weight.

The pain around your dog's head also concerns me. He may have an ear infection, and this is something your vet would need to treat because it may require antibiotics. You could attempt to clean out your dog's ears yourself using a cotton ball dipped in a commercial ear cleaning solution found at any pet supply. This might bring some relief, but if the infection is deep in the canal, the vet will need to flush it clean before administering medication.

Thanks for your questions, and I truly hope you are able to get your dog the help he needs. Please give Buddy a soft hug from me. - posted by:Kelly

Raw dough is dangerous for dogs because it begins to expand in the warmth of your dog's tummy. This can lead to painful bloating and it does pose some danger for your dog. My best advice is is to call your vet right away in case he/she wants you to bring your dog in. Your vet will examine your dog's abdomen for distention, and may want to use ultrasound to gauge just how much dough is in there before deciding on the next step. Hopefully your dog didn't get as much as think he may have.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this episode passes safely and quickly. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your dog was attacked. Although it's possible that the animal had rabies, it's not definite so I don't want you to be too worried about that just yet.

First let me ask, has your dog had its annual rabies shot? If so, she most likely won't contract the disease. Additionally, it takes about 90 days for the rabies virus to incubate in your dog's muscle tissue before you would begin to notice any signs of the disease.

Right now, your dog might be suffering from a bacterial infection from the bites, so you should still take her to the vet immediately. She must be feeling very low to go off food and water. Your vet will check her entire body to locate each bite, and clean the wounds. If they look infected, the vet will also prescribe a round of antibiotics. This will give you an opportunity to describe the dog you think might have been mad from rabies. Your vet will then offer advice on how to proceed with the situation.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog will be alright very soon. - posted by:Kelly

Although this situation will likely require veterinary care, I don't think it has reached the emergency stage yet. Is there any chance your bitch is in season? If so, this could account for the ocassional blood you're seeing in her urine. If she's not in heat, it sounds like your bitch might have a serious bladder or kidney infection, and this could also explain the intermittant blood you've observed.

I'm glad that you already have an appointment. Treatment becomes more difficult the longer it is delayed. Thanks ofr your question, and I hope your bitch is back to normal very soon. - posted by:Kelly

This is a tricky situation. Let me tell you how many reputable breeders handle health guarantees and then you can compare your situation.

• Before a puppy goes to its new owner, it receives a vet check to make sure there are no recognizable health defects, as well as its first set of shots. This is the bare minimum any responsible breeder should do before selling a puppy.
• Most reputable breeders also give a written health guarantee that stipulates the puppy must be checked out by the buyer's vet within 48 hours (extra time given over weekends) to re-establish that the puppy isn't ill or defective at the time of sale. If the puppy has a health issue, the buyer can return the puppy for a refund. Handling things this quickly lessens some of the heartache experienced when longer attachments are formed.
• The health guarantee may also state that a replacement puppy will be given (as available) if the dog turns out to have a genetic defect that wasn't fully able to be detected at the point of sale. This varies from one breeder to the next, and some breeders do not offer replacements.

Replacement puppies are often given in these situations, and while most breeders also let you keep the original puppy, some do stipulate that the dog has to be returned to them.

Some breeders might even offer a refund for the sick puppy and allow you to keep it, it just depends how committed the breeder is to standing behind his/her breeding line and reputation.

To sum it up, yes, this a fairly normal practice, but not the ideal way to handle the situation. This situation illustrates why it's so important for buyers to get some kind of health record and written guarantee before purchasing a puppy. Ask lots of questions about what the breeders is or isn't willing to do in the event the puppy turns out to have a health condition, and if there are any time limitations on the agreement. Always get it in writing so you are both clear about terms and expectations.

Thanks for your question, and please accept my best wishes for your dog's health. I hope you're able to resolve the situation. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about this dog's sad story, but thank goodness she is out of a bad situation and finally receiving food and medical attention.

I'm not a vet, but I don't really think the bloody stools are necessarily life threatening. This dog could simply have a bad case of worms that is resisting treatment, but it should clear up eventually if this is the actual problem. Bloody stools can also be a sign of a bowel infection. This condition is also treatable with antibiotics, although it might take some time to clear.

My best advice would be to ask the shelter for the attending vet's name and number so you can speak to him or her directly. This way you can get the information about this dog's medical problems first hand. You'll be able to make an informed decision about whether you'll be able to provide the kind of care this dog will need to fully recover from her abusive situation.

Thank you for your question, and I hope I haven't dissuaded you from considering this dog for adoption. Animals that have suffered the kind of abuse you describe often have these kind of infections when they enter the shelter. Once everything is cleared up, this dog could turn out to be a wonderful companion, and I'm sure she could use the love and care of a kind person such as yourself.

Best wishes that everything turns out well and that you can soon bring this dog home. - posted by:Kelly

Frequently vomiting bile as your dog has been doing can be an indication of fatty liver disease. That said, under no circumstances would this frequency of vomiting be considered normal, so I think it would be best to ask your vet to examine your dog as soon as possible. This way you'll know exactly what you're dealing with, and possibly whether a change in diet is in order.

Thanks for your question, and I hope the vet is able to get the vomiting under control. - posted by:Kelly

First of all, I want to commend the breeder for his/her honesty in being forthright about finding the murmur. Not all breeders are this ethical. It is also encouraging that the breeder is willing to forego the fee and give you this dog if you still want him. This shows that the dog's best interests are this breeder's first concern.

That said, murmurs are graded on a scale of one to six with six being the worst. A two is fairly low on the scale, and will most likely only require some medication to keep the problem in check. What I recommend is that you talk to the vet that actually examined this puppy to understand exactly what his condition is, and what this vet feels will be necessary to care for him in the future. This way you can make an informed decision on whether you will be able to provide the kind of care this pup will need as he grows.

That said, I would never think it was a foolish decision if you decide to bring this dog into your family. It would actually be a very generous decision, and one that not every potential owner would commit to. That you're still considering this pup shows that you have a good heart. If this is truly the dog for you, I think you'll know it after talking to the vet.

Thanks for your question, and I truly hope that this works out for you and the puppy. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your dog is having this difficulty. I can't determine what has caused the megaesophagus in your dog's case, but a condition called Canine Myasthenia Gravis is sometimes the cause.

CMG impairs the communications between the nerves and muscles in a dog's throat among other things. Since megaesophagus and CMG are so often related, your vet may want to perform a follow up test to see if this is the cause of your dog's condition.

The good news is that the condition is treatable, and corticosteroids often bring some improvement. If this is CMG, many dogs do experience spontaneous remission, so there is that hope too.

The main thing is to follow up with your vet and continue to monitor your pet's food intake closely. If you notice an increased difficulty in swallowing, alert your vet right away.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this won't be a lasting problem for your dog. - posted by:Kelly

In your dog's case I don't think you should consider the foaming normal. Some dogs will foam at the mouth when they are playing strenuously, but from what you describe, your dog is foaming when you just walk her.

When your dog was diagnosed with heartworms last June, did your vet actually treat her for the infestation? This is necessary to eliminate the worms and microfilaria from her bloodstream and heart. Without proper treatment, the worms continue to multiply and infest your dog's body. The majority lodge in the heart and impair function, but the larvae can migrate to other organs and do damage their too.

I suspect that even those mild walks are taxing your dog's heart, and her current obesity is only adding to the problem. This is likely the main cause behind the foaming.

Keeping a dog infected with heartworms quiet may put less immediate stress on her body, but it doesn't treat the infestation in any way. If your dog truly hasn't been treated yet, make an appointment right away. I only hope it isn't too late to reverse any damage.

If your dog actually did go through the treatment for heartworm, you should still contact your vet to find out exactly what is causing the foaming during moderate exercise.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog will be alright. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not sure how fully this dog's condition was explained to you, so let me take a moment to talk about heart murmurs. A murmur is a sound that can be heard in the heart when there's a disturbance in the blood flow. Typically, when the vet listens to a healthy heart, it makes a kind of lub-dub rhythym. If the valves don't close properly, some of the blood being pumped out of the heart actually flows back into it, adding an additional sound that alerts the vet to the condition.

Murmurs are graded on a scale of one to six, one being the least problematic and six needing a surgical correction. Now I'm not a vet, but I'm guessing that since the murmur could only be heard when the dog was stood on it's hind legs, it's a relatively low grade murmur. So, my question is, did the people currently caring for this dog tell you exactly which grade of murmur he has? A grade one or two murmur is usually quite livable, and some dogs live their entire lives without experiencing a heart-related problem. As we go up the grade scale, medication and surgical intervention may be necessary to keep the murmur from progressing into heart disease.

One of the things to watch out for with any dog that has a murmur is the use of anesthesia. It tends to have an adverse effect, making even simple surgical procedures more risky.

Bottom line, I would have another discussion with the person or shelter staff you're considering adopting from. You should find out which grade of murmur this dog has, and ask to either speak directly with the vet or see the diagnostic paperwork. This way you can make a fully informed decision about whether you'll be able to provide the care this pet may need in the future.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything works out. - posted by:Kelly

Although Zoloft is sometimes used off label to treat behavioral problems, my worry is about the dosage your dog may have eaten. I was able to find out what to watch for in an overdose situation, but I couldn't find any info about dosage rates, so I strongly recommend you call your vet immediately for further instructions.

A Zoloft overdose may cause:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Agitation/mental confusion
• Rapid heartbeat
• Muscle tremors
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Coma

As you can see, the symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on how large the overdose might be. This makes it even more urgent to call your vet.

I truly hope your dog doesn't have a serious reaction to the Zoloft. Thanks for your question, and I'll keep your dog in my thoughts. Best wishes for a safe outcome. - posted by:Kelly

It's possible that this could have been a mild seizure. During a seizure, the brain transmits faulty chemical signals that cause the muscles to move without the dog's control. The type of seizure you've described sounds as though it could be psychomotor in nature. A psychomotor seizure differs from the average seizure in the way it presents. Behaviors can include circling, barking at seemingly nothing, whining and momentary detachment from the dog's surrounding.

Since I'm not a vet, I do recommend you record what happened in detail and give your vet a call. Seizures can be caused by a variety of things, and they are not always lumped into the category of epilepsy. It would be good to have your vet confirm whether this was indeed a seizure, and if so, what the possible cause was.

For further information about seizures and how to treat them, I'd like to refer you to the following articles. I think they'll give you a better understanding of the situation.

• Canine Seizures
• Canine Epilepsy

Thanks for your question, and I do hope everything turns out alright. - posted by:Kelly

I don't know which breed you have, but Collies tend to have a reaction to some of the heartworm preventatives on the market. I can't say for sure whether the asthma attack was related to the pill, but I tend to think your dog would have had a reaction to the medication much sooner if that were the case.

I am wondering if your vet tested your dog for heartworms before putting her on the preventative? Testing is standard procedure because giving the a dog the preventative when it is already infected with heartworm can produce a strong reaction. Again, if this were the case, I believe you would have seen a quicker reaction, but it is something to discuss with your vet. You should find out exactly what kind of infection your dog was treated for, and it would be helpful to know the name of the antibiotic.

I understand your reluctance to give that next pill, but you should also keep in mind that heartworm is very detrimental to a dog's health. If you are satisfied with your vet's answers about prior heartworm testing, it is probably safe to give your dog the next dose. Be watchful for a reaction, and if it happens again, take your dog straight to the vet. This should confirm whether or not your dog is allergic to the pill.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope that your dog doesn't have any further problems. - posted by:Kelly

I think you might find our article on Canine Valley Fever helpful. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so glad to hear there's been a major turn around. Give Rio a hug from me. :) - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about what has been happeing with your dog. I'm not a vet, but here are my thoughts.

At the very least, the presence of blood in your dog's urine probably indicates a urinary tract infection. However, the clotting could indicate a more serious problem with the bladder or kidneys. The bottom line is that your dog needs to be seen by a vet to diagnose exactly what's going on. Ideally, you should collect a sample of your dog's urine. I realize this isn't easy, but perhaps you could catch some in a clean bowel when he goes and then transfer it to a clean jar with a lid. This would help your vet do an immediate dip stick test to search for an infection. Your vet will also likely want to do some blood work and possibley X-ray the kidneys and bladder to get a better look.

I understand your fears about losing your old friend, but you have to overcome them in order to give your dog the kind of help he truly needs. There's a very good chance that his problem is treatable, but that chance may evaporate the longer you wait to seek treatment.

Best wishes for a happy outcome.

- posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear that. Some dogs are able to live many years with seizure conditions, and I had hoped that would be the case with your dog as well. Under the circumstances, I think you made the kindest decision you could. Instead of getting better, the clusters were becoming worse. It's just a blessing that you could be with your dog at the end. I'm sure that somehow he sensed that you were near.

Please accept my condolences on your loss, and thank you for sharing with us how things turned out. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Great Danes are wonderful dogs that lead all too short lives. I am truly sorry to hear of your sudden loss. The only way to reliably know what happened to your dog would be to have your vet perform a post mortem exam. It could have been a heart attack, because nausea and panting fit the symptoms. I believe that the loss of mobility and bowel control you witnessed later was due to the body shutting down. I realize this is a terribly sad situation, but please take heart in the fact that it happened while you were home. Instead of passing away alone, your pet passed with you there to see him on his way.

Please accept my condolences. - posted by:Kelly

I found your question first at Dog Urinary Tract Questions so I answered it there. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Is your dog actually unable to close his mouth? If so, he may have a rare fifth nerve infection in his brain. I've had a visitor ask about this condition before. There is no known cause for this type of infection, and once it begins, it can flair up from time to time. Check out our archived question at Canine Fifth Nerve Infection. There is a link to Michigan State University you can use if your vet isn't familiar with this condition.

If your dog actually can close his mouth if he chooses, then his condition might be related to a respiratory infection. In this case, he would still need to see your vet because he may need an antibiotic.

Thanks for your question, and please let us know what you find out. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

This does indeed sound like an epileptic seizure. In fact, I believe that what you're seeing is a seizure cluster, in which a dog has repeated seizures at short intervals. I'm not a vet, so I can't make recommendations about medication and dosages. For that you should go ahead and call your vet directly.

I want you to read our article about Canine Epilepsy. It has some good info that I think can help you until you can see your vet. Nutrition is very import for interrupting the cluster cycle. The key is to bring your dog's sugar levels back to normal. Try to follow the feeding instructions recommended in the article and see if this helps.

There's also a chance that your dog can't see right now, and that would explain why he's wandering around and bumping into things, as well as why he struggles when you try to pick him up. I would talk softly to him as you're feeding him handfuls of food so he comes to recognize you through his mental fog. This may enable you to pick him up and take him straight to the vet. I also recommend that you ask someone else to do the driving while you sit with your dog and reassure him with your presence.

Thanks for your question. I'll keep your dog in my thoughts today, so please let me know what you find out from the vet. - posted by:Kelly

It sounds as though you have some real problems going on. At first thought, it seems like your dog and cat's problems are completely separate issues, and this could well be the case. On the other hand, you have two sets of unprecidented behaviors going on in the same environment, so environmental factors should also be taken into consideration. Most of the products we use in our homes contain chemicals. Is there a chance you've changed any floor cleaners, tried a new carpet deodorizer or anything of that nature? Try to think of anything of this nature that you can report to the vet, and bring the product along if possible so your vet can read the ingredients. There's a slight possiblilty that a chemical ingredient could be producing a hallucinatory affect on your pets.

Yet another possibility is that you might have an uninvited guest in the form of a small rodent. This might be what is making your dog frightened periodically, but it wouldn't account for the sexual stimulation your cat has been experiencing.

All things considered, I'm very glad that both your pets will be seeing your vet soon. I suggest you write down all your observations about both pets so you don't forget to tell the vet anything.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope your household gets back to normal soon. - posted by:Kelly

What kind of testing did your vet do? Did she take any X-rays? The fact that your dog yiped when you moved her leg might indicate some sort of orthopedic problem. However, the pattern of panting and trembling in his sleep, and then waking and crying out repeatedly leads me to think that there might be a neurological problem behind what's going on. I can see why you'd think it was seizures, and I'd still say don't rule them out completely until your vet has the opportunity to see one in progress. I recommend that if these spells happen again that you take your dog to the emergency vet right away. This will be the best opportunity for anyone to venture a diagnosis.

Thank you for your question, and I truly hope your dog fully recovers. Keep us posted on what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

Unfortunately, yes I have. Although some vets do use this medication for dogs, it wasn't really developed with canine use in mind so they have to be very careful. It's essential to get the dosage correct for a dog's size or you can easily give an overdose. Vomiting and diarrhea are just two of the side effects associated with Zantac use in dogs. If I understand you correctly and your dog had already been vomiting prior to giving her the Zantac, I'm not surprised she had such a strong reaction.

I'm certainly glad to hear she's on the mend. You can learn more about this issue in our article Canine Zantac.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

It does indeed sound as though your dog is sick, although I can't venture to guess what the illness might be. With dogs this small, it's usually better to seek a vet's help sooner rather than later. Their small bodies seem to succomb to illness much quicker than larger breeds.

I would say the sleepiness is an indication that the problem is already quite serious, so please don't delay in making an appointment.

Best wishes for your dog's quick recovery. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear that your dog isn't feeling like her normal self. Her symptoms seem a bit vague, but that doesn't mean there is nothing going on. Since you spend the most time with her, you are most sensitive to subtle changes in her behavior. I think you should trust your instincts that something isn't quite right and schedule an appointment with your vet.

It's a good sign that there has been no significant change in her bowel movements. At least you need not worry about a bowel obstruction or constipation. Drinking less water is a bit worrisome because you don't want her to become dehydrated, so try to encourage her with fresh water every couple of hours.

Thank you for your question, and I hope the vet is able to pinpoint the cause of your dog's sudden behavior changes and get her quickly back into shape.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear your dog isn't feeling very well. It does sound like she's in pain, but she could also be running a fever. If you have a rectal thermometer, try taking her temperature. Anything over 101 F is generally above normal for dogs.

In our article If a Dog Got Sick Would it be Able to Use Human Medicine, there's information about giving dog human pain killers. Some can do damage to your dog's stomach and liver. My advice would be to call your vet and see what he/she recommends. My hunch is that the vet will want to examine your dog to figure out what's really going on. Pain medication may be beneficial, but you'll only be masking the symptom, not really addressing the illness.

Thank you for your question, and I do hope your vet can see your dog soon. - posted by:Kelly

Thank you for sending us the update. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear your dog isn't doing well. The kind of muscle stiffness you describe is often associated with joint problems such as arthritis and hip dysplasia. Both of these conditions lead to painful joint deterioration.

It is possible that your dog isn't eating and drinking as well because of the way she feels, but the shaking spells concern me a bit more. I really believe that the best thing you can do at this point is to take her in for a veterinary exam. If it does turn out to be a joint problem, your vet may put her on a glucosamine and/or chondroiten supplement to help rebuild the linings of the joints. This would lessen the pain to some degree, although it isn't a complete cure.

Thank you for your question, and I hope your vet can bring your dog some relief. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

With just the one symptom, it's difficult to say whether the shaking is due to a health problem or an anxiety issue. My advice would be to keep a close eye on him, and call your vet right away if he seems to get worse.

Best wishes that this is nothing serious. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, and I wish I had more help to offer you. My first suggestion is to call your vet, update him on your dog's current symptoms and ask if you can bring her in now and make payments on the bill later. Hopefully the vet will allow this since you're an established customer.

That said, I can offer a few thoughts.

• If an ear infection becomes severe, it can throw off your pet's equalibrium, making it difficult to walk. While I don't believe your dog's problem is this simple, the ears should be checked for infection anyway.
• Recurring seizures might mean your dog has Canine Epilepsy.
• Your dog's stiffness and lack of muscle control might indicate a neurological problem. These same symptoms are also seen in dogs suffering from Canine Myasthenia Gravis. If you bring these ideas up to your vet, he will be able to let you know if they are truly a possibility.

As you can see, the combination of symptoms is really too difficult for a layperson to diagnose, so it's very important that your vet takes a look at your dog as soon as possible.

The good news here is that your dog is still eating and drinking, which should help her situation from deteriorating unnecessarily. Until you can see the vet, try to keep her warm and comfortable, and attempt to keep household stress to a minimum.

I will keep you and your dog in my thoughts. Please let us know what kind of diagnosis you get. - posted by:Kelly

Has your dog been drinking water since you came home from your walk? If she hasn't and she was overheated, it is possible that you're looking at a case of heat stroke. However, since your dog never pooped, it's also possible that she has some sort of blockage. In situations like this, foaming can indicate nausea. Considering all the symptoms, I think it would be wise to take her to your vet right away to have her examined.

I truly hope that this is nothing too serious and that your dog is feeling like her old self very soon. Please let us know what you find out. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but it does sound as though your vet has tried to be thorough with the testing. Perhaps it would be good to ask a second vet to go over your dog's records, and see the test results so far. Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to see patterns that could lead to a diagnosis and treatment.

You have my very best wishes for your dog's full and speedy recovery. Please let us know if you get a diagnosis of what's going on. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but I do think this is something you should ask your vet to examine. It may indeed be a wart, but I have never seen one the size of a grape. I don't want to alarm you unduly, but this could be a mouth tumor. Your vet would have to confirm this, as well as whether it is benign or malignant. Since the growth is on your dog's outer lip, surgical removal might be the best option.

Since the growth has progressed so rapidly, I would make the appointment right away. Please let us know what you find out.

Thanks for your question, and best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Is there any chance that your dog is getting into something in the yard that she shouldn't be eating? It doesn't sound as though she's actually being poisoned because you would see other symptoms, but there is a chance she's chewing on something that is mildly toxic and causes the foaming. Toads can have this affect.

That said, some dogs foam when they're very excited or they run themselves hard. As long as the foaming is accompanied by anything that looks like a seizure, your dog is probably alright. However, if it still worries you, you should call your vet for a consultation.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

I'm so sorry to hear how seriously ill your puppy is. Your vet is the true expert in this situation, so if she recommends carrying out a spinal tap, I suggest you go ahead and let her do it. Meningitis can be fatal, so there's no time to lose. If meningitis is ruled out, your vet can save valuable time and begin searching for another diagnosis.

You have my very best wishes for your dog's full and speedy recovery. Please let us know what you find out. - posted by:Kelly

I don't think your dog's panting is related to her heat cycle as much as it might be related to her medication. I don't know exactly which medication your vet has her on for her ringworm, but oral ringworm meds can produce a number of side effects. I didn't see panting listed specifically, but some can really make your dog tire out easily. Some of the meds also need to be given with a fatty food, such as some canned dog food in order for the medicine to be properly absorbed. This might also play a role in your dog's condition.

I recommend you go ahead and call your vet to let him/her know what's going on. Your vet can tell you exactly what the side effects are for the medication your dog has been prescribed, and whether or not this reaction is relatively normal.

Thanks for your question, and I hope your dog recovers soon. - posted by:Kelly

I'm not familiar with the disease you mentioned and couldn't find any info using that word in a search, so I can't offer an opinion as to whether your dog is suffering a relapse. However, excessive thirst is one of the classic signs of both diabetes and kidney disease, so I think your best course of action would be to contact your vet as soon as possible to have your bitch checked for both of these conditions. I believe that your dog's reluctance to walk is tied to her current health, so be sure to mention that to your vet as well.

Thanks for your question, and I do hope you're able to get your dog's symptoms under control. Best wishes.

- posted by:Kelly

I'm not a vet, but your puppy sounds seriously ill. The very best advice I can give you is to take him to the vet right away. Please don't delay.

Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

The symptoms, although worrisome, are too broad for me to guess what's going on. Definitely you're either looking at an illness in development or a severe case of anxiety. My hunch is that the problem is medical.

If these are the only symptoms you're currently seeing, you may be able to wait until morning to call the vet, but don't hesitate to take your dog to the emergency clinic if her situation becomes more serious.

In the meantime, here are some things you can do to care for your dog until you can take her to your vet.

• Keep her warm and comfortable. You can even warm a towel in the dryer to wrap her in. Just make sure to check she's not too hot.
• Encourage her to drink water or unsalted broth. Keeping her hydrated will be important to keep her condition from deteriorating even more.
• Try to keep her environment peaceful. You might want to dim the lights, and play some soft music for white noise.

I truly hope that this doesn't turn out to be a serious illness. Best wishes for your dog's quick recovery. - posted by:Kelly

I think your vet has limited the scope of his diagnosis. First he was sure the smell came from the anal glands, but then he backed off and said they were fine. This indicates the need to look in a new direction.

Skin problems are the biggest cause of bad odors. Ear infections, kidney disease and even liver disease can also cause distinctly bad odors. Even a gum infection can make your dog smell bad.

I do not know of anything you can feed your dog that will take care of the problem from the inside out, but I do suggest you find another vet and get a second opinion. You can also try bathing your dog once a week with a deodorizing shampoo to see if that helps cut the smell.

Thanks for your question, and I hope you find these suggestions useful. - posted by:Kelly

I'm sorry to hear about what happened. It sounds as though your dog suffered internal injuries during the accident, most likely a punctured lung.

It's extremely important that any dog that has been hit by a car be taken to the vet immediately, whether it appears to be significantly injured or not. Internal injuries can be masked for a short time, but they are usually fatal if left untreated.

I'm sorry for your loss. - posted by:Kelly

Just how much drainage are you seeing. If it was just a one time thing in a small amount, I wouldn't worry. Puppies sometime snort and emit a little fluid. The clear color is also good, because yellow/greenish fluid would indicate an infection.

That said, if this is a constant drainage, I would call your vet about it, even if the color is still clear, because it could be an indicator that there is something going on. Puppies of this age have incredibly small lungs, and infection can overtake them far more quickly than it would a healthy adult dog.

Thanks for your question, and I hope everything is alright. - posted by:Kelly

Since the female is spayed, the fact that your dog isn't neutered is less important.

The real issue is whether these two dogs' personalities are going to be compatible. It's very important that you first allow them time to meet on neutral territory so they can get to know each other a bit. After that, you can move on to an in-home visit from the female to see how territorial your dog might be around her. From what you've said about your dog's personality, I don't particularly anticipate a problem, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

If the in-home visit goes well and you feel you can give both dogs the attention and veterinary care they deserve, then I say go for it.

Please let us know how things work out, and thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Wow, I am so sorry to hear what your family has been going through.

First, I'd like you to read our article on Canine Valley Fever. I believe it answers many of your questions about the disease. The recovery period can take as much as a year, but dogs that make it through are generally immune to the disease from then on. And yes, you dog's reaction while on the medication is quite typical, and it will take a while for her to show improvement. Your vet may decide to extend her time on the fluconozole depending on what follow up antibody tests reveal.

What I'm not clear about is whether your dog actually has cancer, or why the second vet would have prescribed Baytril, an antibiotic, in response to that diagnosis. This is one aspect I believe you should follow up on.

In the meantime, try to keep your dog as comfortable as you can while she is still experiencing the painful symptoms of the CVF. If the medication is effective, this stage will pass. I don't know if she will be exactly the same dog she used to be before the illness, but I do believe you'll share an even stronger bond for everything you've been through together.

Hang in there! - posted by:Kelly

Pugs are a brachycephalec breed, which basically means their noses and accompanying breathing apparatus are tucked into their heads. Dogs like this often have breathing problems, and the gagging or snorting spells you describe are typical.

The best advice I have to offer would be to follow up with your vet about the additional symptoms of hair loss, weight loss, shortness of breath and constipation. With this many symptoms, there has to something more going on than back problems. I would make that appointment as soon as possible.

Thanks for your question. - posted by:Kelly

Any growth that suddenly shows up should be treated with some suspicion. It might just be a hairy cyst, but it would be better to let your vet have a look at it. Many vets can tell whether a growth is benign or malignant simply by the way it is shaped. I think you would feel better knowing exactly what you're dealing with. If the growth is something to be concerned about, removing it at the earliest stages gives your dog a better chance of recovery without complications.

Thanks for your question, and I hope things turn out alright. - posted by:Kelly