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Listless dog

3K views 19 replies 11 participants last post by  doggymom 
#1 ·
Bailey is 7 years old and has recently become listless. She is drinking a lot of water and doesn't seem to have much energy. When she goes to sleep at night she seems to stay in that same position. She also doesn't want to be moved. When we move her so we can get in bed, she growls at us (not in a horrible way that worries us other than that she may hurt). We've had bloodwork done, and there is no diabetes. Kidneys and liver are fine, but thyroid is "just a little" low. With no other ideas, the vet put her on thyroid medicine. She's just been on it 4 days, but I was hoping to see something change. She doesn't follow me around or seem overly excited about anything. I did notice last week that there was visible dander/dandruff, and just yesterday I noticed that her coat doesn't have that luster it used to have. I am worried and don't know what else to do. Should we go for a second opinion or wait a bit? I don't want her to be in pain or feel bad. Any ideas?:--sad:
 
#5 ·
Could it be an injury, like a sprain? When she went to the vet did the vet manipulate her joints? Take a look at her gums are they nice and pink or pale?
 
#6 ·
It all started about a month ago with ear issues. We noticed the drinking about 3 weeks ago, but we thought it had to do with the medicine for the ears. Since it kept on and she started to become less active we went back to the dr. to see what was going on. I don't remember them moving her joints much, but they did look in her mouth. They said she was a little dehydrated (even with the drinking), but they didn't say how they knew that. She is still eating, but somet imes she stops part way through to drink and sometimes leaves a little food. They did x-ray and ultra sound, because the vet thought she saw something but the second x-ray showed nothing.
I have been considering getting a second opinion, but I don't know if I should wait a little longer. I'm going to call her vet today to say I don't notice any difference, but I think they'll say I need to give it more time.
 
#7 ·
So sorry to hear your pup is not feeling well!

Take a look at her gums. If they're stark white, definitely take her back to the vet for additional tests. Have them test her hematocrit (aka HCT - the number of red blood cells). I think the norm is 40%-50%. If it's lower than 40% it might be IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia). It can also be called AIHA (Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia).

My last rescue, Lacey, was diagnosed with IMHA last April. Other members on this forum have experience with this as well. Here's one link to read through to see if your pup's symptoms match any you read about. You may also search "IMHA" or "AIHA" here on the forum and get more info.

http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com...d-standard/113384-lacey-not-feeling-well.html

Please keep us posted as to how she's doing!
 
#9 ·
Bailey hasn't really gotten any better. The dr. is trying a steroid shot in the event it is Addison's. If she goesn't get better by Monday, we are going to a specialist. Thanks for the good wishes.
 
#12 ·
Bailey has gone to the bathroom in the house a couple of times (pee once and poop twice), so I know she really doesn't feel well. Saw our vet again today and got all the test results to take to the specialist. Liz still thinks she feels something in the area of the spleen, even though the ultrasound doesn't show anything. She said the specialist has a much better ultrasound machine. Another vet at the office agreed that she thinks she feels something. Our choices are having an ultrasound at the specialist or exploratory surgery. Liz is leaning toward a mass on the spleen which is probably cancer. We are going to talk to our friend who is has his phd in vet medicine and runs the research lab at a large university. Hopefully, he'll point us in the right direction. I just don't want to prolong any pain or suffering. Thanks to all for the good wishes.
 
#14 ·
I was also going to say that thyroid meds take a few weeks before you start seeing results. Also underactive thryroid (at least in humans) can cause hair to fall out and be lack lustre. I hope it's nothing serious.
 
#16 ·
Praying for the best.
 
#17 ·
Specialist didn't see any tumors or growths, but we still don't know what is wrong. I'm really glad we didn't go with exploratory surgery. They think maybe neurological or inner ear. We could do an MRI, but that is $1600. Besides, if she has a brain tumor there is nothing we can do. We visited our regular vet after the specialist and discovered that her ear drum in one ear is thickened. We're trying a strong antibodic and a steroid to see how that works. I guess time will tell.
 
#19 ·
Sending good vibes and prayers, hope the treatment she is on right now takes care of all problems.
 
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