Mystery Illness

[lululaws]

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I am seeking advice really. My labs leg began swelling two weeks ago. We took him to the vets and he was given steroids and antibiotics. Over the last week the infection in his leg has become increasingly worse and he is now having trouble breathing. We took him back to the vet and they said he may be having a reaction to the tablets. He is still eating although in stages, he is still going to the loo but is exhausted when he gets back. He's not wimpering with pain from his leg but we just cant work out how a leg infection can lead to this. Has anyone experienced a dog having a bad reaction to tablets. I have googled so many things but even the vets are baffled as to what it could be. He is going in tomorrow for a chest scan and to be operated on the leg as it is still weeping and he is holding a lot of water. He has had all sorts of tests and all have come back clear, no organ failure, bloods are good, he just looks and seems really wiped out from the infection and the tablets haven't improved anything. We are hoping if he is sedated they can open the leg up and see what is going on. Anyone ever experienced anything like this? We are worried sick. Its heartbreaking to see him so unwell. He is only 9 and before this was happy, healthy and lively

 

[merlina]

I'm sorry...what I would do is ask for a second opinion. If you have a vets hospital or university department near you I'd be there in the morning. Only someone specialised can help. I really wish you and your poor dog good fortune health-wise but this sounds so complex and frightening, you must get the best help you can find.

 

[Rhythmpig]

I'm no vet or Doctor...all the symptoms you have said I also had. Swollen leg, out of breath,lathargic,tight stomach from retaining fluid (also reason for swollen leg which started weeping). My Gp started treating me for one thing,when in fact I was suffering heart failure. The cardiac nurse said I was showing all of the classic signs for having heart trouble. Heart failure sounds dramatic,but if it isn't pumping right you can't get rid of fluids so they build up. (Swollen leg)(tight stomach)which was making me out of breath when I walked.
The thing is,they said that I would be surprised at how many doctors fail to spot the signs. It's only when you start joining all of the dots together that it becomes clear what the problem is. Dogs show the same signs for heart troubles. I'm not saying this is what is wrong with your dog,but it's a possibility. May be the vets haven't joined the dots up yet.
Hope things go well for your dog and yourself,apologies for any spelling mistakes (not my strong point)

 

[Janer]

I have/had dogs who have reacted to medication, two culprits off the top of my head were Rimadyl and Metacam. Luckily they both happened while they were at the vets, I think Roxy had a reaction to rimadyl, it made her sick, trying to think but in both of mine it affected their breathing and Spike can’t have Metacam for the same reason. It could be a reaction to antibiotics or the steroids if his breathing etc was fine before the tablets but I would take him back to the vets either way x