Jack Tar

Hi all, Just a quick follow up. I have now given him 2 doses of antibiotics and has had 1 pain killer at the vets. Since then I have blended up some low fibre special dog food with some water and spoon fed him. He has eaten nearly 200 grams of it in two sittings, plus drunk about 100 mls of water. Small step but this is a vast improvement on where we were 10 hours ago. Fingers crossed

Yeah thats where I am going. Thanks

Thank you all for your thoughts. I understand fully that no one here can diagnose him for me but as I am in a race against time at the moment was throwing it out there in the faint hope someone had been through the exact same thing before that may give the clue we are so desperately looking for. As stated there are many tests I could have done, but they all take time. We found out today there are some irregularities in his urine sample, but not enough to go on to make an acute diagnosis. We now have to wait until Monday for the results of whether they could grow a culture from the bacteria in the urine. In the meantime we have started the process of diagnosis by treatment, starting him on a general antibiotic to see if that improves the situation. I have also had him re-examimined by the local vet and requested some pain killers to ease his suffereing. Again, his vitals were fine and the only issue, a big issue mind you is the weight loss from not eating enough. Again, thank you all for your kind words, it has helped me greatly, if only just to be able to get on here and unload my thoughts and concerns.

Symptoms very closely match back problem. Vets less convinced due to physical examination. With your dogs was it something only the X-ray picked up?? Was there any loss of appetite? My boy had a compressed disc in front of his shoulders. There sure was loss of appetite, general depression and a high degree of pain. The fact that your dog responded to pain killers is interesting - I wonder what valium would do - worked wonders with my boy. If it is a disc issue, my guess is its lower back in your dog. Are or were you in the Navy Jack Tar - I haven't seen that expression in years. :) Thanks for the info. I'm really hoping it is the back problem after reading up on other possible scenarios. Will be back at the vets tomorrow as he seems to be getting worse after initially showing signs of improvement. Yes, I was in the Navy, used Jack Tar as a forum name years ago and it stuck as a nickname in some circles. Tried my own name on this site but was already taken.

Symptoms very closely match back problem. Vets less convinced due to physical examination. With your dogs was it something only the X-ray picked up?? Was there any loss of appetite?

Thanks for that, just read some info and thats sounds nasty. Will investigate.

Ultrasound of his abdomen. Not sure what he specialty is. Blood test performed by Vet number 2. His thinking at the time was pancreaitis but he did not respond to treatment.

Ive now seen three vets so you can tend to get confused with what has and hasn't been given but to the best of my knowledge it went like this. Vet 1: Pain relief and anti inflamatories - definitely perked up for about a week. Both Vets afterwards know this. Vet 2: On a drip with painkillers for 2 days: Perked up initially but then became docile to the point I thought he was about to die. Perked up a small bit when Painkillers were reduced. Thanks for your reply.

Thanks for that, As i said Im waiting on results of the urine exam. Ive been reading up on it today and a Urinary tract infection meets most of the symptoms so almost hoping thats the issue. My understanding is that stones would have been picked up in the Ultrasound, but I still think the fact that he has stomach tenseness keep the kidneys in the picture as a source. The Vet (specialist) did a thorough examination of the neck and back as well as all limbs. He did consider an X-ray but the lack of reaction from the dog lead him to believe the X-ray would not tell us much. I think its something I'll have to explore though. Thanks again everyone.

Thank you all for replying. He has had 3 examinations now, each one more thorough than the last. The specialist gave him a very thorough physical exam and found no issues with his legs or back. There has been some signs of neck pain but not consistently. He had a blood test, but the tests came back completely normal. He's had an Ultra sound, but again no problems. He's also had a urine test, but Im still waiting for the results. (due today) The next step if urine shows nothing is either a spinal tap or trialling medications in the hope of finding an answer. Problem is its killing us seeing him in this state. Again, thanks for your reply's and concerns.

Afternoon All, Im looking for some help with my 2.5 year old Maltese Shih Tzu. There has been something wrong with him for about a month now, though initially the symptoms were extremely minor. You'd have to really know him to recognise that something was wrong. We took to a vet 2 weeks ago who checked him out and said he was fine. He got better initially but has deteriorated even further since. We took him to another vet last week and he was hospitalised and put on a drip for 2 days. All his vitals are normal, he has not vomitted or had diarrhoea either. After 2 days in hospital the vet sent us off to a specialist who also could not find the sauce of the problem. He is now home with us but is very weak and sore. His symptoms include; Depression Lack of appetite Slow gait Can now longer jump or climb stairs Mild shaking or tremors lethargic Some urinary incontenance The only thing that he likes to do is go for walks, though he is certainly not going as fast as he once did. When inside he just lays under chairs and desks. His appetite comes and goes but is will go a day or so with out anything, he does want to eat grass when walking. Is there anyone who has had these dogs been through anything similar? I have studied everything I can on the net and am yet to rule out Meningitis (Though he has no fever), White Dog shaker syndrome or IVD. Any thoughts would be appreciated as my family and I are shattered watching him like this and not knowing whats going on or how to help him. Please help.