No idea what's wrong...bouts of lethargy, stiffness, loss of appetite

[Cami]

We mentioned that to the vet and he said that he's "probably dreaming about going pee".

For the above statement alone I am glad you are seeking out the care of a new vet. That just struck me as oddly insane!
You are for sure describing symptoms of pain. Have any x-rays been done? Aside from various diseases that could be the culprit I'd be looking for something that could show up on x-ray. At minimum that could rule out the "what-ifs".
Kidney stone/crystals, spine issues or even something sitting in the stomach (although you would expect to see vomiting).
If that were all clear then of course have additional blood work looking for specific diseases other than your traditional CBC.
I hope you get answers soon.

 

[BendyBoxers]

I am glad you are seeking a second opinion. Wow.
He is obviously in pain.. battling some type of 'invasion', whether it be infection, inflammation.. who knows? He needs a competent vet that takes you and your animal seriously.

 

[griffdiz]

I would also request xrays and a combo heartworm/tick disease test. Most clinic have them and they test for lyme and two other tick diseases and it only takes 10 minutes. Shame on that first vet for not taking your dog's problem more seriously! Let us know what happens at the new vet.

 

[jlyonswolfe]

So Jackson is 100% back to normal. While I am happy about this, I am not completely relieved because of course, I'm expecting it will happen again but hoping that it won't. We are still going to take him for a second opinion. We have talked to a few new vets and should be getting in to see someone soon. I just have to get his records from our current vet...which I'm a little nervous about, I don't want to offend him. I know I shouldn't be nervous. Anyhow, we're changing up his diet to settle his stomach and see if it's something he's eating that's causing problems. He's eating like a champ now, which he's never done before, so hopefully that's all it is and we can get some weight on him. Mahalo nui for everyone's support. I'll let you all know how the new vet goes and see what he says about the different ideas everyone came up with. Thanks again, everyone!!!

 

[EAO76]

You can ask your new vet to get the records for you. Its common practice for a vet's staff to call and have records faxed over.

 

[princessmoog]

Our 18 month old girl did something similair to this a few weeks ago, we came down one morning so find her in her bed not wanting to get out and jump all over us like normal. She couldnt actually walk her back legs were just not working, head down and looking very unhappy. We took her straight to the vet where she proceeded to collapse right in front of them. they kept her in took bloods run tests etc... all came back negative, they spoke to practioners on the phone for help and advice and second bloods were done to look for a neuro disease? again came back negative, within 24 hours she was back to her normal self. She came home that night and peed in her bed without knowing she had done it, she tried to jump up when she realised she was wet thru....

We still dont know what it is was, the vet said maybe poisoning but hoping it never happens again. Good luck x

 

[jlyonswolfe]

Sick again.

So it happened again. Friday evening Jackson just wasn't himself. My husband and I knew exactly what was happening...again. In the past he'd eat significantly less but this time he wouldn't eat at all. We started him on a boiled chicken and rice diet just in case it is a GI thing, and he ate that with no problems. On Sunday AM we got him in to a new vet that was recommended by a few people who responded to my post on the Boxer Club of Hawaii Yahoo group. The place is great and the people are wonderful. They have several doctors with different specialties working together there. They kept Jackson for about three hours, collected blood, urine, and fecal samples and did a rectal exam. The preliminary tests showed his overall WBC at almost 26,000 with a very high monocyte count specifically. When we picked him up we made an appointment for this AM to bring him back to see the internal medicine specialist and do an ultrasound and x-rays. This AM, we met with the dr and she said that based on his symptoms, he may have more that one thing. His pain, posture, fever, lethargy and decreased appetite are leading them to test for steroid responsive meningitis. But his diarreha and urine leakage are not characteristics so they are thinking that maybe he has more than one thing going on. They are doing a full work up including tests for tick born pathogens. Some of the samples need to be sent to the mainland so it'll be 5-7 days before we get those results. In the meantime they started him on the antibiotic Baytril and we're going to keep him on the boiled chicken and rice diet until he starts feeling a little better and will accept some kibble with that. Just got to keep him eating and drinking right now.

Thanks so much for all the support, ideas and suggestions. Post more when we hear something.

J*

 

[fitchmeister]

Hi J, I am so very sorry to hear about Jackson but rather intrigued because that sounds like exactly the same thing I am going through with Fitch. Test after test and nothing conclusive. Responds for a few days to meds then worse than when we started. He just took a round of prednazone. He was eating like a horse and active for a couple of days and now just really really sick. Back to lethargy, not eating or drinking at all and just lays there. I will continue to keep Jackson in my prayers as I fear I have reached the end with Fitch. He is too far gone. Now only weighing 40 lbs. Fitch is also only 22 months old. I read somewhere that Pumpkin (canned) not the pie filling but just pure pumpkin helps with the diarrhea. I started Fitch on it about a week and a half ago and it did help his stool tremendously. I put about a tablespoon in his food twice a day. Hope this offers some relief for you guys. Again, Jackson will remain in my prayers. Best Wishes to you and Jackson.

 

[Gatorblu]

Poor Jackson! It sounds like you've got him to the place where he get the best care. We're sending lots of healthy ((vibes))!