Collapsing

[niteworm]

Can anyone help me or have any advice on what could be wrong with Sabastian? Yesterday morning I had to rush him to the vets because he collapsed twice and then he refused to move a muscle. He couldn't walk or stand Lost all of his strength that quick. They checked his temp and it was low for a dog and put him on IV for antibiotic fluids and a heat lamp. They said the first bag of fluid pulled him out of it. But they had a blood panel done on him and they came back this morning and everything was normal. The vet said thats the best blood panel he's ever seen for any dog. But Has no clue what could have happened to him. He is still at the vets right now finishing the last of his fluid IV and we can pick him up at 2:00 this afternoon.The vet said their seems to be nothing wrong with him. He did say his blood sugar was elevated a little but nothing to worry about. My husband went by to see him and said he is acting normal. Drooling heavily but thats from being in there without his family. Has anyones elses boxers done this? Could it be a hidden problem that a blood panel won't pick up? Please any advice is accepted. I don't want to go through this again. I felt him dying in my arms yesterday waiting for my sister to get here to get us to the vets. A friend from church put him on the prayer chain. I thought that was cool! Thanks to all ahead of time for your advice and suggestions.

 

[matilda8255]

See a cardiologist asap. Sudden collapse can be indicative of a heart problem and your vet will not be able to tell you anything with just a blood test. I am surprised they didn't refer you to one yesterday. I hope Sabastian is feeling better. Please keep us posted.
Stephanie

 

[Linda/NJ]

Sorry to hear about Sabastion collapsing. I agree, he needs his heart checked out ASAP. I have heard that collapsing can be a sign of heart problems. Sending positive vibes to Sabastion~~~~

Linda & Ginger

 

[bustermom]

A heart condition was the first thing I thought as well. I'd ask your vet for a recommendation to a cardiac specialist in your area and make an appointment ASAP.

My chihuahua had congestive heart failure which was managed with medication for many years, and the collapses you describe sound very much the same as his symptoms. Heart problems cause lowered oxygen levels which in turn cause the collapsing, weakness and lethargy.

 

[niteworm]

Well the vet said he listened to his heart and it sounded fine. Maybe I'll ask anyway to be on the safe side.

 

[matilda8255]

Just listening to the heart is not sufficent. Sabastian will most likely need a chest x-ray an ultrasound and holter test. These are the only things that can diagnose SAS or cardiomyopathy. Listening to the heart could possibly diagnose a murmur, but even that is iffy. Please see a cardiologist often vets don't know squat about Boxer Cardiomyopathy and all it takes is one bad heartbeat and your dog could die. There is medication that will help these conditions (if it turns out to be) but Sabastian should be on them NOW.
Stephanie

 

[VTbxrFan]

I agree with others that you should continue with additional testing, but also wanted to share an encouraging story - my parents' boxer collapsed very suddenly one day - sounds very similar in that he wasn't moving or anything for several minutes. He's an older dog - probably about 8 or 9 yrs when that happened. He went through a whole battery of tests and no cause was ever identified. It's been at least 2 years - maybe 3 - and he's still doing just fine and hasn't had the problem since that one time.

 

[niteworm]

Sabastian is 5 and will be 6 in march. He'll be home in about 1/2 hour cause they didn't have the Bill ready. I'm Dreading that! Can't wait to see bastian though. It's real tough on us all not having him here. I'll do what it takes to get him better and find out whats going on. I'll keep ya all updated. Thank you so much for your precious time with feedback. BoxerWorld is a lifesaver!

 

[bigears]

Please, please, please follow the advice of others! It took 7 vets to examine my dog before one finally came close to figuring out what was wrong. I trusted the old family vet so much that I let him try this med and that med before seeking other opinions or specialists. Now that we know what is wrong, we have been doing everything to help our Mugsy, but the old vet who I thought was so wonderful...he is very negative and says it won't help. Definitely pursue another opinion. I wish I had done so sooner.
I wish you and Sabastian the best of luck and health.

Allison

 

[niteworm]

Sabastian is home and doing good! His leg from where the IV was is swelled a bit but is going down. Poor baby didn't get to go potty since yesterday when I took him in at 9:30 am. He had to pee so bad when he got home he couldn't go. He kept going in and out till he finally could. He won't potty in a crate or house and will hold it forever and I told them that. I don't understand why they couldn't take him out while he was there to go. Also they said they've never heard of a pet cardiologist around here. So if anyone knows how I can search for one in Oregon please let me know. I'm praying this is the only episode he ever has. Thanks Everyone!