Unexplained Health Problem

[Noise]

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Eskil has been poorly. It started last tuesday, I woke up in the morning to go to work and Eskil was shivering on the bed, the window was open and I thought he's just feeling cold, I put the covers over him and left for work (my OH was on holiday so stayed in with the dogs). I got back from work for about 1 (only do part time) and Eskil didn't come to greet me, I found him downstairs on the sofa looking really miserable and shivering, I sensed something isn't right. Popsy was booked in that day to clear his anal glands, so called vet to ask whether I can bring Eskil along for a check up.

So we got to the vets for 5, she checked him over, temperature was normal, didn't seem to mind any poking, he hadn't had any vomiting or diarrhea, she said she can't see anything wrong and suggested he just might be depressed. so we went home. he hadn't eaten anything or drank for the day, I gave him some probiotic natural yogurt to get some moisture in him, he seemed to really enjoy it.

however, come wednesday and there was no improvement (thankfully I had wed and thursday off), he just laid on the sofa with an apathetic look on his face, didn't want to play, didn't show any interest in play, food. rang the vets again to make another appointment, soonest we could get was 4. went vets, temperature still normal, no vomiting or diarrhea, no discomfort when being checked over. the vet prescribed an antinflamatory drug, just in case. got home. then came back from last evening walk and he seemed to cheer up, started jumping up and down and playing with me and Popsy, with real enthusiasm finished his dinner of salmon, rice and veg.

thursday he seemed to be back to his normal self. we went park and he had a good runaround and seemed in high spirits. then in the evening he started to revert to the shivering, miserable wreck. saturday the same, although not quite as bad as for the first two days, but still, he just starts to shiver, all he want to do is sleep on the sofa, doesn't really drink, only eats if it's something extra special, shows little emotion. when we go for walks, he pees, does a little poo (since he's not really eating) and shock horror! doesn't pull on the lead. when outside he doesn't seem stiff, just miserable.

I have no idea what's wrong with him, I'm getting paid on tuesday so I want to book him in for an xray and blood test, I'm so worried and don't want to lose him.

I know it doesn't sound much, but honestly, I've never seen him or any other dog like him, it's like he's just waisting away like an old dog waiting for his last hour.

has anyone had similar symptoms? or has any idea what's causing it?

 

[jinnyfizz]

I see Alison (Hula) is reading this and I know she will have some sound advice for you.

Good luck with Eskil - he is a lovely boy and I do hope he is back to normal very soon :luck: :thumbsup:

 

[bertha]

It sounds as though he is in pain somewhere, the fact that the anti-inflamatory medicine had an effect to my mind points to that. A bitch of mine behaved like that, it took about 4 days before we discovered she had a chipped bone in her neck. She was presenting very similar symptoms to yours. I would get xrays done, you never know. Keep him quiet, don't walk him or let him run around incase he has an injury you can't see!

Good luck.

:huggles:

 

[Hula]

I would think the next step might be a blood test .

One of my whippets was like this ( many years ago ) and it turned out to be an auto immune condition , polyarteritis , which was diagnosed by blood tests and the treatment was prednisolone which cured it .

I'm not saying your dog has the same but a blood test can show up a lot of things .

Good luck :luck:

 

[AnnSa]

I hope your vet can sort Eskil out :huggles:

 

[Noise]

yes, the vet also said that if there's no improvement that we should check him in for tests. I will unfortunately have to wait til tuesday, it's end of month and we don't have the money, the xray alone will be at least 100 pounds.

I do hope it can finally be discovered what's causing him to act this way. my poor baby, he has always been so cheerful.

p.s. I had gone to shop, came back and he was happy to see me - jumped up and wagged his tail and cheers for your support

 

[Crystal]

Hi there my little Fleur was very similar to this at Christmas really poorly lost so much weight in a very short period wasn't eating or drinking, was very disorientated and sad - had bloods but these came back negative really thought we were going to lose her -vet wanted to do x-rays/ultrasound . I explained that a further two dogs on here had similar symptoms and were being treated for Steroid Response Meningitis - she was put on Steroids for three weeks and made a full recovery .I hope you get him sorted it's so worrying and they can't tell you how they feel. Good Luck Sue x

 

[kirsty]

I hope Eskil is back to normal health very soon :huggles: :luck: :luck:

 

[eve]

What a worry

I hope all goes well and that this is nothing un-towards :luck: :wub: :luck:

 

[jayp]

I agree with Hula and Crystal here, very difficult to diagnose but steroid responsive conditions should be seriously considered. Possibly ABs first to rule out any infection, then if that dosnt improve matters steroids could be considered. The symptoms are the same as many dogs I know that have turnrd out to have one of these conditions, even blood tests and spinal taps have not shown anything conclusive but steroids have been effective

Good luck with your boy, we met at stafford, he is a real sweetheart

jan

 

[jade scott]

How worrying for you, Eskil looks luck such a happy chappy, I hope you get to the bottom of the problem and have your little fella back to normal soon!

Well wishes coming from us.

x

 

[Noise]

thank you all for your support, I will update you on how it goes when I get some answers from the vets.

Eskil sends loads of kisses for the ladies

 

[whippetmad]

I hope you get your little boy sorted :thumbsup: All the best :luck: :wub:

 

[Whippets4eva]

No advice sorry, but I really wish you all the best with your handsome young man :wub:

Hope the vet can find out whats wrong and soon get Eskil back to his usual self :huggles:

:luck: :luck: :luck: :luck:

 

[kirislin]

Hi, I wonder if he's carrying an injury somewhere. I've found vets aren't really good with finding sore spots on whippets. Perhaps you could take him to a greyhound specialist, even a muscle man rather than a vet might find something. Good luck, I hope you can sort him out soon.

 

[Noise]

thank you all for your support. we're due to leave for vets in 10 minutes. now on top of the problem we have, seems like his colitis has appeared again he had mucussy, bloody diarhea in the morning. so he'll need ABs, which I was going to ask for as to rule out infection.

will let you know how it went at the vets.

 

[Suerose]

Poor chap, how miserable for him. Might be worth trying some slippery elm (ancient native american herbal remedy), it is very soothing as well as nourishing. Do hope he gets better quickly :luck: :huggles: :luck:

 

[cairo]

Really sorry to hear that Eskil is unwell....Any news from the vet yet?

 

[Noise]

ok, we're back.

the vet gave him an AB injection and a course for 6 days starting tomorrow and pro biotic paste. he seems to have picked up a little already (went shop, came back and he was jumping up, wagging tail and attacking Popsy - good news there). he hasn't had any food since morning, so tomorrow it's little portions of hills i/d.

the vet thinks his being unwell might be related to his tummy problems, so we'll do the course and see how he is, of course I'm really hoping it is just that and not something more severe. if, when his tummy has gotten better, he still is the way he was, then we'll do tests after the ABs. so fingers crossed for my brave little man - didn't make a squeak when got the injection and his temperature taken.

 

[jayp]

ok, we're back.
the vet gave him an AB injection and a course for 6 days starting tomorrow and pro biotic paste. he seems to have picked up a little already (went shop, came back and he was jumping up, wagging tail and attacking Popsy - good news there). he hasn't had any food since morning, so tomorrow it's little portions of hills i/d.

the vet thinks his being unwell might be related to his tummy problems, so we'll do the course and see how he is, of course I'm really hoping it is just that and not something more severe. if, when his tummy has gotten better, he still is the way he was, then we'll do tests after the ABs. so fingers crossed for my brave little man - didn't make a squeak when got the injection and his temperature taken.

That sounds very positive news, fingers crossed the Abs do the trick

Jan x