My 2 year old Boxer Jake has had some issues and I'm not quite sure what is wrong with him. I'm hoping one of you can help me. At first he was having trouble getting up from laying down and didn't seem able to put any weight on his rear legs when gettting up. I took him to the vet for x-rays to check for hip dysplaysia. The x-rays were negitive. The Dr. did say he saw a little inflamation in his last veterbrey and perscribed a anti inflamatory to help. This has not seemed to work as Jake is now pretty much bed ridden and won't even go for walks. His major symptions are - lathargic, lameness in hind legs, loss of strength in front legs. He alos has had a hacking cough for a few days now. When he does get up and walk around he seems very stiff. He just seems to be getting worse each day. Any idea's out there? (Sorry for the spelling)
What is wrong with Jake??
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Lilypickle
Boxer Buddy
My first boxer was a male named Caesar. At about 8 months he became lame in the backend but was generally sore in all legs. The vet did x-rays and said it was panosteitis which is a growing pains disease. He gave us meds to keep him comfortable, but said he would have good spells and bad spells until about 2 years old - but that it would pass, he would grow out of it. Anyway, a really bad spell hit and lasted for two months. I took him back several times and on the last morning, I took him in and demanded to know if this was the course this disease usually took. He took one look at him that day and apologized saying he had misdiagnosed, he was sorry, but if I loved Caesar I would put him down. The disease he actually had was very crippling, very painful and there was no cure. It is called Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy. From what I undersatnd, it is very rare. Coughing was not a symptom I saw in Caesar and I pray that your baby doesn't have this horrible disease, but it might be something to mention to the vet so that he can check for it and rule it out.
So sorry to here that your Jake is ailing. I'm surprised that your vet did not run more tests, especially since he seems to be getting worse. I would get a second opinion asap, preferrably from a veterinary neurologist. Sending healing thoughts your way, and do keep us posted - Cathy
ssleighter
Completely Boxer Crazy
How long have these symptoms been present? Is Jake vaccinated against distemper? I'm probably just paranoid as we have lost two rescues to distemper this summer, but we had one come in a month ago that displayed symptoms in what I would say was reverse of what we usually see.
When he was evaluated at the shelter, we thought he might have an injury to his backend as he seemed to be very week in the hind legs. After a day or two, he seemed to possibly be blind as he would walk into things, yet we knew he saw at some times. His gait was also very stiff when he walked. It was very strange. He was wobbly and would also walk in circles. We didn't know it at the time, but he was exhibiting the neurological signs of distemper before the respiratory symptoms (it's usually the other way around in most cases). Soon after he became lethargic, he started coughing and had green snot coming from his nose.
The vaccine is VERY good, so if he's been vaccinated the chances he has it are VERY slim, so I don't want to worry you unnecessarily.
I would definately find a good vet and get a good diagnosis because his symptoms are certainly NOT normal.
I will send Jake all the boxer vibes we can muster!
When he was evaluated at the shelter, we thought he might have an injury to his backend as he seemed to be very week in the hind legs. After a day or two, he seemed to possibly be blind as he would walk into things, yet we knew he saw at some times. His gait was also very stiff when he walked. It was very strange. He was wobbly and would also walk in circles. We didn't know it at the time, but he was exhibiting the neurological signs of distemper before the respiratory symptoms (it's usually the other way around in most cases). Soon after he became lethargic, he started coughing and had green snot coming from his nose.
The vaccine is VERY good, so if he's been vaccinated the chances he has it are VERY slim, so I don't want to worry you unnecessarily.
I would definately find a good vet and get a good diagnosis because his symptoms are certainly NOT normal.
I will send Jake all the boxer vibes we can muster!
A blood test can determine (but not always) if it is a tick fever disease, it could also be spondylosis, degenerative myelopathy, there are also immune-mediated arthritis`, and infectious arthritis, just sooooooo many things it could be.
Good Luck and prayers are being said for your Jake. Talk to your vet, get second opinions if need be, find out what they recommend for testing and if they don`t offer much advise find another vet.
Good Luck and prayers are being said for your Jake. Talk to your vet, get second opinions if need be, find out what they recommend for testing and if they don`t offer much advise find another vet.
Update on Jake and thank you
Thank you to everyone who posted a response. The prayers and healing vibes mean so much to us.
I took Jake to the vet today and they ran some blood work. Jake was running a fever of 104.7 which is very high for a dog. Did you guys know that a warm nose is an indication of a fever? I had no idea. The vet has ruled out Lymes disease and thinks it may be some type of infection that is affecting his joints. He also placed Jake on two different antibiotics and discontinued the anti-inflammatory meds. They will call me tomorrow with more information on the blood tests. I am extrememly nervous because Jake lays there and his head just shakes like he's having a seizure. The doctor said it is not a seizure and is somehow connected to the other symptoms.
Jake has been vaccinated for distemper and these symptoms have been present for about 3 weeks now (except for the shaking head - that started today).
Again, thank you all for your help and positive thoughts. I'll post again as soon as I hear back from the vet tomorrow.
PS: Lilypickle - I am so sorry to hear about your baby Caesar.
Thank you to everyone who posted a response. The prayers and healing vibes mean so much to us.
I took Jake to the vet today and they ran some blood work. Jake was running a fever of 104.7 which is very high for a dog. Did you guys know that a warm nose is an indication of a fever? I had no idea. The vet has ruled out Lymes disease and thinks it may be some type of infection that is affecting his joints. He also placed Jake on two different antibiotics and discontinued the anti-inflammatory meds. They will call me tomorrow with more information on the blood tests. I am extrememly nervous because Jake lays there and his head just shakes like he's having a seizure. The doctor said it is not a seizure and is somehow connected to the other symptoms.
Jake has been vaccinated for distemper and these symptoms have been present for about 3 weeks now (except for the shaking head - that started today).
Again, thank you all for your help and positive thoughts. I'll post again as soon as I hear back from the vet tomorrow.
PS: Lilypickle - I am so sorry to hear about your baby Caesar.
lovepotion25
Boxer Booster
Hi,
The only 2 things I can think of off hand would be spondylosis, but it is not associated with inflamation and fever as far as I know.
Also a symptom of what you mention may be Wabblers Syndrome which is: Symptoms usually appear first in the rear legs as a mild uncoordination in gait (ataxia) and can escalate to involvement of the forelegs as well. The severely affected dog moves like a drunk and the uncoordination shows up most when the dog is walked and then moved sharply into a turn. An unsuspecting owner might simply conclude that his older puppy was just clumsy.
Have you had a spinal and neck x-ray for these diseases if your vet thinks it may be a possibility?
I hope you find out what is wrong with your baby
The only 2 things I can think of off hand would be spondylosis, but it is not associated with inflamation and fever as far as I know.
Also a symptom of what you mention may be Wabblers Syndrome which is: Symptoms usually appear first in the rear legs as a mild uncoordination in gait (ataxia) and can escalate to involvement of the forelegs as well. The severely affected dog moves like a drunk and the uncoordination shows up most when the dog is walked and then moved sharply into a turn. An unsuspecting owner might simply conclude that his older puppy was just clumsy.
Have you had a spinal and neck x-ray for these diseases if your vet thinks it may be a possibility?
I hope you find out what is wrong with your baby
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sinbad'smom
Super Boxer
i dont know anything about the symptoms but just wanted to send healing vibes and prayers your way for your baby...... from sinbad, sierra, & dora
bommy
Boxer Booster
Big healing vibes being sent your way Jake
I'm sorry I couldnt even begin to suggest what could be wrong as I have never come across this before...but please know we are following your story & sending you healing vibes every day we tap into the post tto see how you guys are coping.
Jacqui
I'm sorry I couldnt even begin to suggest what could be wrong as I have never come across this before...but please know we are following your story & sending you healing vibes every day we tap into the post tto see how you guys are coping.
Jacqui
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