Mystery Illness

Hi

I am posting for the first time here because our dog is experiencing some illness that I cannot seem to identify.

She is a black lab / Australian Shepard mix that we got from a shelter 2 years ago. She is a very friendly and highly energetic animal.

About a week ago she threw up a small amount of dog food and seemed really bloated. She seemed ok after having some diarrhea but 2 days later she couldn't / wouldn't get out of her bed. She went to the vet and had a high temperature. Anti Biotics did not help after 2 days, and she did not pass any stool so we took her back to the vet. They performed tests and she still had a high temperature and a very high white blood cell count so surgery was done as she was experiencing a lot of pain in her stomach/abdomen. The thought was she ate something that she could not pass. Surgery did not reveal anything other than a possible kinked intestine, although that is not conclusive.

Her temperature dropped to 39.5, so high end of normal but has stayed there. Her energy is marginally better, but she is still lethargic and rather grumpy - snapping at our cat and my wife which is not common. She is on a range of anti biotics, eating a little and having consistent stools which appear soft, but normal.

There is still something wrong with her and we are stuck as to what it may be or what caused this in the first place. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Oh Brett I am sorry to be reading this, made worse by not having a conclusive answer for her symptoms.
Do you think that at the moment her insides are still sore from the op?
I just cannot think what could be the trouble but I do think she should go back to the vet if she doesn't improve.
All the best to the both of you xx

no one knows her better than you and if you think she's still not right then I imagine you're spot on.I'm sure your vet is great but since he/she can't get to the bottom of what's going on then I think i'd be seeking a second opinion.Could be something really simple,try not to panic but maybe worth having someone else check her over,for peace of mind at least.
She's beautiful btw Get well wishes on the way

Thanks for the quick responses. I agree and really just needed to hear it I guess. We will look at a second opinion if things don't improve more over the weekend.

Has she been spayed? If not, has your vet ruled out the possibility of pyometra?

High white blood cell counts occur in the presence of infection, inflammation, hormonal regulation disorders and white blood cell cancers. Did your Vet provide you with the results of the blood test?

Could your dog have eaten something toxic? Were there any abnormal liver issues shown up by the blood test?

Apart from that the conditions that spring to mind are chronic pancreatitis, chronic inflammatory bowel disease (including food allergy even though it isn't highly likely) or bile duct infection. Trauma and perhaps a congenital disorder are also possible.

Can you ask your Vet for a referral to a specialist at a Veterinary Hospital where they can go over her blood work and consider other relevant tests to pin down the cause.

Wishing you both well

I'll agree with Apache.. hope you get to the bottom of it soon..
Always a worry when our fur babes are ill.
xx