The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: Sudanpan on July 19, 2012, 09:52:24 pm
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One of our dogs, Yanni, has been really off colour for the last few days :(
He was his normal active self on Sunday - we were over at Loe Bar for a walk and swim (fresh water lake) with the 2 boys (now 3 years old, litter brothers collie/cocker/springer cross) and nothing untoward.
On Mon morning Yanni did not get out of his bed as normal and he was very lethargic so immediately we knew something was not right. However he did seem to perk up and was still drinking. He had a fairly normal meal that evening, then next morning seemed to be back to his normal self which was nice :)
However, the day after that we had the same lethargy and inactivity in the morning - and he felt really hot. I rang the vet and they told me to make sure he was getting fluids - not eating was not too much of a problem but dehydration was a problem. So I used a syringe to get small amounts of water into him every hour or so and by the afternoon he was a bit more responsive. But after even a short walk he gets pretty breathless (but short pants) (completely unlike him) - I think I'd describe it as if he had the flu and associated body aches.
His brother is not showing any signs of illness, which makes it even more surprising as they do everything together.
If there is no change by the morning I am taking him to the vet - but I just wondered if anyone had any idea of what might be wrong? His eyes are a bit rheumy - but there are no discharges from anywhere - he just looks really miserable :'( :'(
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Gotz to be a vet trip I would have said, :fc: For you
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Oh dear - I so wish Annie was still on here, I'm sure she'd be able to advise on this ...
From your description it could be a virus, but, I know we get warnings up on the freshwater loch here telling us not to let the dogs go in the water at certain times of the year - something to do with green algae.
Definately a trip to the vet - hope he's feeling better soon :fc: Let us know how it goes.
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Are you confident enough to take his temperature rectally?
If so see what it is, it sounds to me like an infection but I am not a vet.
Not being an alarmist, but I would get the vet to check as due to the recent history of water, I would want to rule out leptospirosis (weils disease).
Good luck :fc: :-*
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Sounds like he's picked up a virus or bacterial infection of some sort. Vet appointment if persists I think s :thumbsup: just like us, if not back to normal within a couple of days then medical treatment may be needed.
Hope he is feeling well soon :fc: :bouquet:
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Yes, plenty of nasties possible in fresh water, so it could easily be a virus or lepto. I'd definitely take him to the vets.
Hope he recovers soon :-*
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could be as all the other replies or may be a sign of under active thyroid? hows his coat looking? a classic sign of thyroid is thinnning of the hair on the tail creating an almost zebra like tail. under active thyroid causes lethargy and depression in the dog but is easily treated with thyroxyl or soloxine. i would take to the vets to be on the safe side incase it is just a virus that need medication. good luck to the little fella :fc:
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Sorry I can't help but hope he is better soon :fc:
Sally
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It could be heart trouble or, as said, something picked up in the water. The panting would say to me heart trouble but do take him to the vet. I hope all goes well for him. :fc: :dog:
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how is he doing, any change. :fc:
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Hi All
Thanks for the messages and suggestions :) Yanni is much better today ;D ;D
I have been taking his temp rectally - on Weds it was 40.3 which is what prompted my initial phone call to the vet. This morning his temp is below 39 and he was up and about in more like his normal fashion - ie padding around at 6am and wanting a morning cuddle :thumbsup: His breathing has also returned to normal. I did speak to the vets again and they said because his temp had dropped to normal range, and he was drinking and eating a bit that they were happy not to see him - but advised us to keep him quiet and not overdo things for another couple of days.
Very relieved ;D
:wave:
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Hope he stays fit and well :fc:
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Great news :fc:
Sally
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Sound promising :thumbsup: