Dog I Not Well, But Out Of Clues What Is Wrong

[Guest Alexandra_W]

ABout the weight gain. Therer IS a possibility that the weight gain is a separate issue, connected to the neutering. Some dogs seems to litterally live out of thin air after neutered. I have never experienced it before, have had another neutered male and several spayed femaled and none have gained. But I know several dogs own by friends and so, that have literally gained out of thin air.

 

And on the other hand the gain can be connected to whatever is wrong with him. But if you come to think of anything that fits the bill except for the weightgain, feel free to tell. As my vet said 'We MIGHT have more than on underlying problem here to deal with'. Ie, it is possible that everything isn't related.

 

Like a barin tumour or similar is briefley mentioned, but they do not do a CT scan of the brain without either more neurological signs (like loss of muscle control, seizures or similar) or when they have ruled out everything else they can think of. But it has been mentioned. And as said, the maloxicam trial is to see if we can narrow down the search, and either exclude or confirm pain. He did get tha first dose yesterday night, so still to early to say/see anything.

 

And of course I keep you posted. I feel a bit evil though, almost everything you mention I answer 'checked and fine' =/

 

But still has got some ideas what to check after the meloxicam, for example PRA and see if I can get the eyes/vision rechecked and checked in greater detail. Really grateful for every input.

 

 

[MaryJane]

septicemia - blood infection - they should culture the blood. A blood infection could cause a multitude of symptoms and possibly the swelling. Infection could have happened when he donated blood in November. He also fractured his paw and has an infection there that is not healing - could be there are two bacterial infections and the antibiotics that he is on for the claw is making another infection (like a blood infection) worse.

 

They have tested more deeply for blood infection both in december (before the claw), and in january (after claw). No signs. CBC diff is routine bloodwork and has been checked every time he have had his blood tested. Kidney, liver etc is also checked (by blood and urine samples combined) several times.

 

Blood donors have seperate waiting areas, so do not think he catched something there, he is always alone or with my dads dog (also a blood donor) when we wait? Needles are sterile and disposed after each use. I see when they hook up the stuff, and needle, bad and so on comes out of sealed, sterile 'one time' bags, and are disposed in front of my eyes after use. (Scary that they re-used needles..)

 

Did they do a blood culture? Do you by any chance have the EOs and WBC count from the CBC result?

 

One other possibility is meningitis which might cause some of these symptoms. Someone already mentioned a brain tumor. Another cause could be a fall and a fracture of the skull.

 

 

 

 

[tamborine]

Like a barin tumour or similar is briefley mentioned, but they do not do a CT scan of the brain without either more neurological signs (like loss of muscle control, seizures or similar) or when they have ruled out everything else they can think of. But it has been mentioned.

 

Loss of vision could also be considered a neurological sign. But just from your description of the signs/symptoms, it really sounds like something's going on with the thyroid, and the eyes are a separate issue (possibly PRA).

 

Sending good thoughts! Hope you get some definitive answers soon.

[turbotaina]

And of course I keep you posted. I feel a bit evil though, almost everything you mention I answer 'checked and fine' =/

 

No, you've just been very thorough. I'd pressure your vet as much as you can to get a specialist referral, either an endocrinologist or internist (endocrine relates to hormones: thyroid, andrenal, etc.). You must be pulling your hair out in frustration at this point!

 

A neurologist consult is probably a good idea, too, as others have mentioned. It could be, as you suspect, the inexplicable aggression and weight gain are not related. Hope you can get his figured out!

[Guest Alexandra_W]

The values of the blood I don't have in my head, but can get from my vet next week (he is on holiday this week, winter break in the schools in Sweden, and he and the family is skiing)

 

Only thing I Have in my head is the hematocrit yesterday that was 45%

 

Can get the answers from vet on monday, but not sure how helpful they are? I am thought that different analysis machines use different scales? Ie, they give the correct answer, but one can use a scale from 1-10, and a reference of 3 - 6, and another machine can use a scale of 1 - 20, and a reference of 6 - 12. I made the numbers up, but I hope you understand. And that both machines perfectly fine shows if the dig is high, low or normal for example WBC, but that you cannot compare the numbers only?

 

No problem to get my vet to write a referral, problem is to what kind of specialist. A neurolgist, internist or endocrinologist? But, I guess it just like 'close your eyes and pick one' to start with.

 

And vet and I have already agreed that if the meloxicam don't make any difference, then we will be referred to a specialist. I can call the veterinary college myself and book an appointment, don't need a referral. But then I don't get a specialist. And I dunno whats best really, or if it makes any matter in the long run. But a 'general' specialist in cats- and dogs diseases might be a good start, get som fresh eyes that look at all the pictures, and if a new pair of eyes can't get any more clues, then referral in the house to a specialist.

 

Well, I have at least this week to decide.

 

And yes, I pull my hair out and is at the edge of insanity at this point, knweing SOMETHING isn't wrong, but so far not have been able to help him at all.

[NevadasMom]

Here are my three thoughts.....

 

Thyroid, vision & cushings.

 

What test did they do to rule out the cushings? Does the weight gain make him look like a sausage with legs...a potty look?

[MaryJane]

Only thing I Have in my head is the hematocrit yesterday that was 45%

 

Can get the answers from vet on monday, but not sure how helpful they are? I am thought that different analysis machines use different scales? Ie, they give the correct answer, but one can use a scale from 1-10, and a reference of 3 - 6, and another machine can use a scale of 1 - 20, and a reference of 6 - 12. I made the numbers up, but I hope you understand. And that both machines perfectly fine shows if the dig is high, low or normal for example WBC, but that you cannot compare the numbers only?

 

Some machines might have a different value for controls but this is just to ensure QA in the labs. Thus, the crit of 45% should be repeatable on that same sample on different types of machines in different labs. You might expect one lab might have a value of 44 or 46 but another lab should not have a value of let's say 40. That would put it out of a tolerance specification. This particular test is a percentage of red blood cells to plasma and thus the values should be the same in Europe and US.

 

For example, when I asked for the EOs count yesterday - normally they take a certain amount of blood make a slide and count 100 white cells that they see and identify the type of cells. Some places may count 100 white cells, others 300, it would still be a percentage.

 

On the blood culture, it would either grow or not grow - but they may have done both an anaerobic and aerobic culture so there might be two results for this. They may also include the # of days that the cultures were allowed to grow for.

 

The white blood cell count is usually based on a specific sample size and this could be different between the two countries as you noted but, if the analysis specification states normal values equate to 5K to 10K (approx) then you are using the same sample size as the US.

 

 

[Guest Alexandra_W]

Ah, thank you. Then I should call my vet on monday and ask him to make copies of the labresults. I didn't ask for copies at the time, as I felt I had no use for them at home, and only looked at them at the vet. I don't understand the numbers itself, but I just compare it to the reference values.

 

But looked at another lab result, and exept for hematocit, and eosinophils etc, it is NOT stated in %, but for example X * 10^9/L or x g/ul and so on?

 

The only answers with percentage is

Hematocrit

PDW

PCT

And the neu, lym, mono, eos, baso is stated in both in percent of WBC, and with numbers.

[Guest Alexandra_W]

Update and a bit more information in a separate thread (as it wanted to know specific about SLO), can be found HERE

 

In summary:

 

Dog is responding to meloxiam, ie it seems that at least some of the behavioural symptoms COULD be pain-related after alla. But the claws are looking awfully, really strange. Flaky to the point the quick is revealed, and claws 'clubbed' and knobby and soft-ish.