No News - Our Black Lab is very sick

[whirlcool]

Kurt, our beloved black lab is very sick at this time.
He started getting ill almost two weeks ago when we noticed he wasn't eating as fast as he usually does. Then we noticed he didn't want to play ball or Frisbee anymore which is his favorite thing. So we went to the vet, who ran a complete CBC blood test panel. All looked well. Everything was within normal limits. She X-rayed him as she suspected he may have an intestinal blockage, these came out inconclusive.
Last Friday they did an exploratory surgery to see if there was anything inside him that didn't show up on the X-Ray. This surgery was done during a conference call with the head of internal medicine at Texas A&M. They biopsied everything they could and sent the samples to A&M. In the meantime he doesn't want to eat or drink, all he wants to do is pace aimlessly around the house.
Our vet said it's the darnest thing she has ever seen. On paper this dog should be strong and healthy, but he seems to be getting weaker and weaker. Right now we are feeding him Pedialyte with a syringe every hour and he's on a high dose of anti-biotics.
Based on the results of the biopsies we may end up at Texas A&M with him this week. Right now they are thinking it may also be something neurologic or maybe even cancer, but they didn't see any masses or anything unusual inside or on X-rays. He doesn't even have a fever.
Needless to say we are both hearbroken over this. We are hoping for the best possible outcome, but it doesn't look good at this time.

 

[panthera]

In my thoughts

You and your lab are in my thoughts. I hope they figure out what ails him.
I'm a firm believer in alopathic medicine (scientific medicine) but when nothing seems to be doing any good, maybe it wouldn't hurt to also (not instead, also) have a good Chinese doctor or holistic vet take a look at him.
They are frequently excellent diagnosticians.
Keeping my fingers crossed,
panthera (Keven)

 

[frigilux]

Labs are such wonderful dogs. Hope you can find what is ailing Kurt. How old is he?

 

[whirlcool]

Thanks for the thoughts... we appreciate them.
Kurt is only 5 years old and has always been in the best of health, I don't think he's had a sick day up until now.

 

[hoover1060]

My heart goes out to you and Kurt

Thoughts and prayers go with you too. I hope whatever it is turns out ok.

 

[gyrafoam]

I lost my black Lab. back in 2002 to bladder cancer.It took many specialists and an exploratory before anyone finally figured out what the problem was----but it was too late. She made it to 9 yrs. but the last year was very uncomfortable for her. Many of the same symptoms you describe. She finally just quit eating and I knew it was time.

Wishing the dog and all of you well.

 

[petek]

Oh no he's much too young yet for all this
Keeping my fingers crossed

 

[perc-o-prince]

Our thoughts are with you

for a fast resolution and good outcome!!

Rich & Chuck

 

[appnut]

Allen, we both know A&M is the best place for Kurt to be treated. Their Vet school is outstanding.

 

[cvillewasherbo]

So Sorry

I'm so sorry that your companion/pet is going through this--and you too. My best wishes to all of you. I'm an animal lover (cats) but I like dogs too, especially labs.
Courtney in VA

 

[maytagbear]

Oh, Allen-

I am so sorry.

You, Karen, and Kurt are in my prayers and heart.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[58limited]

How old is Kurt?

There are several possibilities here. Neuro would be at the top of my list, there are several neuropathies that can show up as rather indiscinct symptoms. Don't forget about West Nile, it causes flu-like symptoms and doesn't always elevate the white blood cell count.

There are several tick-borne diseases to consider, but they usually show some abnormal readings on a CBC.

When they x-rayed, did they x-ray Kurt's joints? Labs are predisposed to hip displasia and sometimes the pain is bad enough that they stop functioning - but your case sounds a little too extreme for this.

A&M is a good resource. I had a hard case a few years ago with my friend's dog. The dog would spike a fever and become sore all over, but we could never find anything wrong. I called A&M and they suggested doing a muscle biopsy for an obscure parasite called Hepatozoon canis, which is only found in Alabama and parts of Texas. The dog was from Alabama. The biopsy was negative, but I treated anyway and the dog is fine now.

 

[whirlcool]

David:

I asked about West Nile and my vet said that there have been so few documented cases of it in dogs that she doesn't think that's it especially since Kurt is a house dog. He's 5 years old. They X-Rayed him from head to tail and couldn't find anything unusual.
Hips, joints all look fine and in the proper place with no calcification or inflammation.
During the exploratory, all organs looked fine and there was no inflammation anywhere. Right now he's on Antirobe 300mg twice a day and a mild dose of Prednisone.
I am hoping A&M can come up with something. Today he seemed to perk up considerably when I put some Pedialyte in him. He won't touch the Science Diet I/D, but I gave him a thin slice of roast beef (unseasoned) and he gobbled that down quickly. And as far as drinking goes while he won't drink out of a bowl, he'll drink the Pedialyte out of the syringe like a pup that's nursing. So far, I got about 12oz of Pedialyte in him today, and about 1/2 can of I/D. If I formed it into little balls and put it in his mouth he'll chew and swallow them.
I'll ask about the Hepatozoon canis, as Kurt does travel around with me to different parks, etc for Frisbee. We use Frontline on him to combat fleas. One dose usually lasts him 10 months or so. I'll let you know of any updated findings.

 

[laundromat]

I wish you the very best.I too am an animal lover and hope for a full recovery of your little friend.

Chuck

 

[whirlcool]

Thank you all so much for your best wishes and compassion. I'll let you know what tomorrow may bring....

 

[rp2813]

Hoping for the best Allen. Seems he'll be in excellent hands at A&M

Ralph

 

[spankomatic]

I have had 3 black labs. #1 was poisoned with anit-freeze. #2 died of seizures. #3 got cancer in his elderly years.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dog.

Jim

 

[whirlcool]

The latest update is that Kurt looks a little better today. He actually ate some food. But while he goes over to the water bowl, he stands there but won't drink. We are still giving him Pedialyte via syringe. His tongue is still hanging out of his mouth slightly but he seems to have a little more energy and he stopped that crazy wandering around the house.
He's at the vets right now. She's consulting with A&M further on the results of his biopsies.

A mighty thanks to all of you who are keeping up faith for us!

 

[panthera]

Allen,

I'll keep my fingers crossed. His no longer wandering is a good sign, I think.
Let's think outside the box. Did anything you got from your secret Santa possibly get chewed on or eaten? Hard to imagine, but I worked as a kid in a kennel which bred black labs, and sweet as they are, they have been known to worry, chew and eat the weirdest stuff.
Second thought - a nasty one, sorry, but - have you asked the police or local animal control if there has been a rise in similar cases lately? No species come close to ours in nastiness,not even close. Sorry to mention it, but if they have even a clue...
Third thought - one of my cats had bladder cancer. It didn't show up on the Xrays or MRI (ok, this was a while back, technology is better today) but it did on a very early 3D ultrasound...helped her lots. Doesn't have to be cancer, but there are many things which we tend to overlook because they are not the newest technology.
My thoughts are with you and I hope for the best.
panthera (Keven)