Guest raqi Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Tom (my grey) is 5 1/2 years old and was extremely healthy till about a l year ago. When the vet visits first began they were fairly far apart. Recently however he's had to go quite a few times due to the following: - 1st he gets real lethargic - then the left lymph node on his neck would swell up - after he'll stop drinking - then he spikes a fever and it all goes to hell from there He'll have it for a week then after a few weeks of antibiotics the swelling will subside. I know these are classical signs for infection but as much doxy as i throw on it, it just won't go away. He's had tests for babisia, lyme, and other tick born diseases. He's also gotten several CBC this no other abnormality then high white blood cells (common this infection) His biopsy came back negative for cancer but otherwise inconclusive for fungus. Eventually my vet and i felt having the node removed was the best option Tom recovered beautifully however not even a month after the surgery that side of his face got swollen again! I got him on antibiotics and went to the vet, who is just as frustrated at the inability to diagnose this thing Now about a month after that and a few after the surgery his other lymph node is swollen but it is not as severe as the left one would get. Once again it is reacting fine to the antibiotics but these re-occurrences keep happening more and more often Honestly i'm scared what ever this is is going to become immune to antibiotics due to the heavy dosages i keep having to give him Please let me know if any of you have been through something similar or have any ideas Tom & I would be very thankful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 How are his teeth? Could an infection have started there? Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 I'd find a veterinary oral surgeon. It sounds like a salivary gland or a tooth issue. It could also be a foreign body that is lodged in the mouth somewhere. Ear maybe. Given it's just that one node, it's most likely something local. Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Have you done a tick panel at Protatek? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest raqi Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 How are his teeth? Could an infection have started there? I've been to several vets. The first one though it was his teeth as well and put him under to have his teeth deep cleaned... That was almost 6 months ago so his teeth look sparkly new, all at least for a grey they do Have you done a tick panel at Protatek? I am not sure what lab did the tick panel, but i know he has had one within the last year. Does the lab that conducts the test make a large difference in quality? I'd find a veterinary oral surgeon. It sounds like a salivary gland or a tooth issue. It could also be a foreign body that is lodged in the mouth somewhere. Ear maybe. Given it's just that one node, it's most likely something local. i've honestly never considered the ear mostly due to the fact that he's never really had discharge from any facial cavities... Are there ear problems that can cause this type of thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 How are his teeth? Could an infection have started there? I've been to several vets. The first one though it was his teeth as well and put him under to have his teeth deep cleaned... That was almost 6 months ago so his teeth look sparkly new, all at least for a grey they do Have you done a tick panel at Protatek? I am not sure what lab did the tick panel, but i know he has had one within the last year. Does the lab that conducts the test make a large difference in quality? I'd find a veterinary oral surgeon. It sounds like a salivary gland or a tooth issue. It could also be a foreign body that is lodged in the mouth somewhere. Ear maybe. Given it's just that one node, it's most likely something local. i've honestly never considered the ear mostly due to the fact that he's never really had discharge from any facial cavities... Are there ear problems that can cause this type of thing? When you had the deep dental done, were x-rays done? I speculated about the ear because a single node is usually something local. If the ear is draining for some reason, it could affect the ear on that side. It may be a long-shot, but given how difficult this is to diagnose, it seems that the culprit is something that is not obvious. Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest raqi Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 When you had the deep dental done, were x-rays done? I speculated about the ear because a single node is usually something local. If the ear is draining for some reason, it could affect the ear on that side. It may be a long-shot, but given how difficult this is to diagnose, it seems that the culprit is something that is not obvious. I have not done X-rays.. I've heard from other grey owners that its practically useless to use to diagnose stuff like cancer because Osteo can pop up very quickly... Ear drainage? sounds like it may be worth givin it a shot at least... Ill do my homework but now that one lymphnode has been removed the other one is swellin as well but at least its localized to those two lymphnodes... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 If there is a problem with the root of a tooth, it will show up on an x-ray. There are probably other things that might show up as well. Unlikely that it's osteosarcoma. Too much time has passed, OS is a solid tumor kind of cancer (I think it's unlikely to ever just involve a node), and the jaw is an unlikely place for OS. It may be time to consider a different vet and/or a specialist since the first vet is stumped. Not to say the first one is bad, but it's time to get a new set of eyes on the problem. Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaineysMom Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 just throwing this out there -- have you had his thyroid level checked? (keeping in mind a low T4 without a high TSH doesn't really mean low in greys). Quote Kim and Bruce - with Rick (Rick Roufus 6/30/16) and missing my sweet greyhound Angels Rainey (LG's Rainey 10/4/2000 - 3/8/2011), Anubis (RJ's Saint Nick 12/25/2001 - 9/12/12) and Zeke (Hey Who Whiz It 4/6/2009 - 7/20/2020) and Larry (PTL Laroach 2/24/2007 - 8/2/2020) -- and Chester (Lab) (8/31/1990 - 5/3/2005), Captain (Schipperke) (10/12/1992 - 6/13/2005) and Remy (GSP) (?/?/1998 - 1/6/2005) at the bridge"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." -- Ernest Hemmingway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 It's time for skull and dental radiographs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted December 18, 2010 Share Posted December 18, 2010 How is Tom doing? Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest raqi Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 How is Tom doing? Still swollen on the side that the lymphnode that wasn't removed is on... I had a doggie dental hygienist check his teeth and she said that his teeth looked fine (no sign of infection or anything) I honestly seems now that something is draining into his front limphnodes and now that the left one isnt there the right one is catching the brunt of it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Have you had an x-ray done yet? Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest raqi Posted December 22, 2010 Share Posted December 22, 2010 Have you had an x-ray done yet? Not yet... Vet doesnt get in till Friday I'm emailing ohio state with his history n hoping that maybe they have seen this before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest raqi Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Tom's doing good! X-ray was clean... Ive just had to except i have a strange dog xD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaisyDoodle Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Has the node gone down in his neck? Was a biopsy performed on the node that was removed? Was anything found? Hope all is well. DD Quote DonnaMolly the Border Collie & Poquita the American-born Podenga Bridge Babies: Daisy (Positive Delta) 8/7/2000 - 4/6/2115, Agnes--angel Sage's baby (Regall Rosario) 11/12/01 - 12/18/13, Lucky the mix (Found, w 10 puppies 8/96-Bridge 7/28/11, app. age 16) & CoCo (Cosmo Comet) 12/28/89-5/4/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tallgreydogmom Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Where are you in Florida? Someone might know a vet in your area that figures out greyhound idiosyncrasies. Quote Then God sent the Greyhound to live among man and remember. And when the Day comes, God will call the Greyhound to give Testament, and God will pass judgment on man. (Persian Proverb) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AEB Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I am probably totally off-base but is it possible that he is allergic to something? A food maybe? Something environmental (if you're not up North where everything outside is dead). If it's coming and going . . . Poor baby- sending him scritches. I hope he feels better and you solve the mystery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest raqi Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Has the node gone down in his neck? Was a biopsy performed on the node that was removed? Was anything found? Hope all is well. DD If node has not flared up since I first began this topic thankfully! The biopsy on the lymph-node that was removed came back inconclusive after being sent to two specialists. Fungus and not ruled out. Cancer was however. They did say he was prone a type of growth (I'll have to quote the literature to get the name because its one of those ridiculously long medical terms) Thank you for the sentiment, Everything is going well! -raqi Where are you in Florida? Someone might know a vet in your area that figures out greyhound idiosyncrasies. I'm in South Florida. Currently i am going to let the sleeping dog lay or should i term it leave the uninflammed lymph alone.... I would love to learn some specialist names around Florida just in case! I'm willing to drive north if need be. Thanks for the time, Raqi I am probably totally off-base but is it possible that he is allergic to something? A food maybe? Something environmental (if you're not up North where everything outside is dead). If it's coming and going . . . Poor baby- sending him scritches. I hope he feels better and you solve the mystery. scritches? Tom seemed to know what they were better then I! Allergies have been ruled out but it was one of my thoughts originally... Plus he's been real great lately all through allergy season! I'm hoping what ever it was took care of itself with a his diet and exercise! Thanks! Raqi & Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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