Very lethargic puppy

[Berna]

Does she have a fever?

Did the vet run tests for other TBDs, except from Lymes?

[Charlotte K.]

Maggie (11 months) seemed completely herself yesterday. She woke up this morning seeming quite lethargic. She did not want to take her morning walk (actually laid down in my driveway) and came back into the house an immediately fell asleep. I got her up and fed her, she did eat her breakfast. She immediately passed out on the floor again. This is not at all like her. She was seen at the vet. They did blood work (CBC, electrolytes, liver, kidney values, etc.) they also tested for three tick bite transmissible illnesses including Lyme. All blood work was normal or negative. The also x-rayed her stomach, intestines and uterus. Pyometra does not seem to be present (based on x-Ray, no elevated white blood cells, and her age, but she was in heat two months ago) nor do any foreign bodies. Stomach does not seem to be bloated or distended in any way. She was sent home on Doxycycline and instructions to take her to the emergency vet if she gets worse (vomits, refuses to eat, etc). She has not improved at all since coming home. She just lays around and looks miserable. If she does move it almost seems to be in slow motion. I am really worried about her. Any ideas, or thoughts?

My first thought is that she was in season 2 months ago and that, barring an unlikely uterine infection, this is simply NORMAL hormones at play. Are her mammaries at all enlarged? She probably has a normal mini false pregnancy, which all intact grls have, but some show the effects more than others. It is the drop in progesterone and the interplay of other normal hormonal cycling making her "hormonal."

Bloodwork was not a bad idea, nor was checking her uterus and stomach in case she had infection or had eaten a toy. To me, the doxycyclne is a bit over the top.

Vets need to learn what normal biology is. Some of the younger ones do not know. Hope you both feel better soon.

[Sue]

To me, the doxycyclne is a bit over the top.

Actually it's not. If there IS a tick borne disease, a SNAP4 will not necessarily show it. The infection may have just started, and not even antibodies are being produced to show up. And the SNAPs are known for false negatives, either due to mishandling, age of the test, or just because the titer would be too low for it to register. It's pretty standard when it's suspected to give a short course of doxy, just to see if the dog improves. If it has, then further, better titer testing is warranted. And you cannot forget, there are numerous tick borne diseases out there that aren't even being tested for, since the SNAP only does the 3 most common. Perhaps the vet is suspecting RMSF, which would not be on your standard testing with the SNAP.

To the OP, I have no further advice, as I'm not a vet, but want to send good wishes that Maggie starts to feel better. Let us know.

[Maggie's Mom]

Thank you so much for all the responses. Maggie was tested for a total of three tick borne illnesses. The antibiotic idea was to cover a false negative. She had a slight fever and dark colored gums. The vet did mentioned a false pregnancy but though Maggie was too lethargic and withdrawn to not have some illness and she does not have mammary enlargement. She is no better this morning- she doesn't even want to get up at all or even lift her head. think I may drive her to a specialty hospital later today if I don't see an improvement.

[barry581]

Hope you find out something soon.

[Berna]

This is weird. If she is feeling that bad I'd take her in again. Hope you find some answers soon.

[charliebbarkin]

Sending well wishes. Hope you figure this out quickly, poor thing.

[Charlotte K.]

Actually it's not. If there IS a tick borne disease, a SNAP4 will not necessarily show it. The infection may have just started, and not even antibodies are being produced to show up. And the SNAPs are known for false negatives, either due to mishandling, age of the test, or just because the titer would be too low for it to register. It's pretty standard when it's suspected to give a short course of doxy, just to see if the dog improves. If it has, then further, better titer testing is warranted. And you cannot forget, there are numerous tick borne diseases out there that aren't even being tested for, since the SNAP only does the 3 most common. Perhaps the vet is suspecting RMSF, which would not be on your standard testing with the SNAP.

To the OP, I have no further advice, as I'm not a vet, but want to send good wishes that Maggie starts to feel better. Let us know.

I'd be more comfortable with an ultrasound and an antibiotic that could help with tickborne disease AND uterine infection. Also, has she been bathed in something that could kill any ticks still on her without causing more problems? Some ticks, attached, transmit weird diseases in addition to RMSF, Lyme, etc.

Since she is not better today, the specialty hospital may be the way to go since she now has a fever in spite of being on doxycycline. Hope she feels better soon. Even if you do not go today, pick up her records, just in case.

[Sue]

I'd be more comfortable with an ultrasound and an antibiotic that could help with tickborne disease AND uterine infection. Also, has she been bathed in something that could kill any ticks still on her without causing more problems? Some ticks, attached, transmit weird diseases in addition to RMSF, Lyme, etc.

The vet has apparently already ruled out a uterine infection. And doxycycline is THE antibiotic to give for any tick borne disease.

OP, it might help the vet if you can document everything she (and you) did the day before this happened. Plus what she ate (or might have eaten). For example, a walk or run in the woods, where she might have found something toxic, and so on. The symptoms you are seeing are so general, it's going to be hard to track things down. Wishing you and Maggie all the best. Your vet sounds like he/she is pretty competent, but the more info he/she can get, the faster a diagnosis can be made.

Adding to suggest documenting up to three days before this happened. Include any contact with other animals (dogs, cats, wildlife).

[POPTOP]

Sending more prayers for Maggie.