UPDATE***Sick Dog

cremator

Senior member
Sep 21, 2001
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My dog, has been very weird the past 2 days. Originally I noticed he was very weak acting. He has little intrest in anything now. When he walks, he basically staggers like he is drunk.

He refuses to drink any water, but he will eat. I've forced a small ammount of water down his throat just in case. I know I should be asking a vet, which I already have done. The main vet office is closed today since its Sunday.

The odd thing is, all of this happened to my dog in an instant. He was playing and doing fine Saturday morning, then I took him to town and he just seemed very weak.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do? Would it be worth the wait to see if he comes through? Could he have possibly eaten something that made him weak and staggering?

I'm lost for ideas on what might have happened to him. He's had his shots, and is on a heartworm preventative. No other medicine has been given to him recently. So all of this is very odd and confusing.

UPDATE
Took him to the vet, had an exam and blood work done. Apparently he has something wrong with his liver. His blood count "meter" is at about 12 and is supposed to be at 36 - 38. The nice vet gave me 100$ for initial blood work and an IV treatment to hopefully stabalize him over night. Keeping this short, I'm severly depresses.
 

OverVolt

Lifer
Aug 31, 2002
14,278
89
91
Your dog has diabeties!

But seriously, again, medical advice + ATOT = disaster My dog has gotten upset stomachs and not eaten for a few days, we just gave him real food (oppose to dog food) that he ate until he got better.
 

Isla

Elite member
Sep 12, 2000
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I used to be a veterinary technician.

What kind of dog do you have?

How old is he?

Could he have gotten into anything like antifreeze?
 

KarenMarie

Elite Member
Sep 20, 2003
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81
He could have been bitten by something poisonious, or rabid. He could have eaten something poisonous. He could have an upset tummy.

It could be any number of things...some serious, some not. You will only know by taking him to the vet.

Doesnt your vet do emergency appointments? He might charge you an extra $50.00 or something on top of whatever the normal bill would be, but wouldnt it be worth it?
 

cremator

Senior member
Sep 21, 2001
643
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He's a pitbull
He's 10 months

He *could* have eaten some poison or something in the house, but I've found no evidence of it. We spray for bugs about once a month, so the possibility is there. He could have over heated when I took him to town as well. He went from very cold (inside) to moderately hot (outside in my car) However, I didn't leave him in the car over 40 seconds or so. I've been using a syringe to force water in my mouth and throat, I'm going to give it until Wednesday since he isn't acting super deathly.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Originally posted by: cremator
He's a pitbull
He's 10 months

He *could* have eaten some poison or something in the house, but I've found no evidence of it. We spray for bugs about once a month, so the possibility is there. He could have over heated when I took him to town as well. He went from very cold (inside) to moderately hot (outside in my car) However, I didn't leave him in the car over 40 seconds or so. I've been using a syringe to force water in my mouth and throat, I'm going to give it until Wednesday since he isn't acting super deathly.

I think tomorrow would be the best time to take him to the vet if he still acts sick.
 

Azraele

Elite Member
Nov 5, 2000
16,524
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Has he been peeing? Like Isla, I thought of antifreeze or some sort of poison.Your dog needs to see a vet.
 

cremator

Senior member
Sep 21, 2001
643
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UPDATE
Took him to the vet, had an exam and blood work done. Apparently he has something wrong with his liver. His blood count "meter" is at about 12 and is supposed to be at 36 - 38. The nice vet gave me 100$ for initial blood work and an IV treatment to hopefully stabalize him over night. Keeping this short, I'm severly depresses.
 

MidasKnight

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2004
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Hopefully your dog will improve with treatment. I'd say if it's a one time treatment and he gets fully recovered it's worth the $$ shelled out within reason of coarse. On the other hand you need to way the possibility that this dog could suffer even if he's needing daily treatment ... i.e : pills / other types of meds.

Talk it over with your vet as they get the final verdict on his health.

I sympathize with your situation .. wife and I just got a healthy pup that 12 weeks old now and is doing great. Hope yours get better fast and turns out good for him and you.

Good luck.
 

cremator

Senior member
Sep 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: MidasKnight
Hopefully your dog will improve with treatment. I'd say if it's a one time treatment and he gets fully recovered it's worth the $$ shelled out within reason of coarse. On the other hand you need to way the possibility that this dog could suffer even if he's needing daily treatment ... i.e : pills / other types of meds.

Talk it over with your vet as they get the final verdict on his health.

I sympathize with your situation .. wife and I just got a healthy pup that 12 weeks old now and is doing great. Hope yours get better fast and turns out good for him and you.

Good luck.

Thanks. I'm thinking he may have eaten a chemical that messed his liver up. I seriously don't know.
 

cremator

Senior member
Sep 21, 2001
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UPDATE 2
Just talked with the vet. He said after further blood test, it seems its not his liver. They said his red cells are exploding, which they have stopped with steroids. The doctor said this is much less severe than a liver problem. Saying a prayer every now and then pays off.
 

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Originally posted by: cremator
UPDATE 2
Just talked with the vet. He said after further blood test, it seems its not his liver. They said his red cells are exploding, which they have stopped with steroids. The doctor said this is much less severe than a liver problem. Saying a prayer every now and then pays off.

Glad you took him and thanks for the updates.
 

maziwanka

Lifer
Jul 4, 2000
10,415
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im glad you took him to the vet. i really hope everything turns out well for him. keep us updated...
 

cremator

Senior member
Sep 21, 2001
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They said I may be able to take him home tonight if the steroids keep him stabalized, unless they call me, won't be another update until ~5pm EST. Thanks for the intrest though everyone!
 

cremator

Senior member
Sep 21, 2001
643
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Just pick my dog up from the vet. He said it could be a one time thing, or a genetic problem, and gave anti biotics for my dog. My dog is much more active and alert now, and is also drinking and eating fine. I gotta go back in a few days to get another blood count to make sure his antibiotics are working fine.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,374
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Originally posted by: cremator
UPDATE 2
Just talked with the vet. He said after further blood test, it seems its not his liver. They said his red cells are exploding, which they have stopped with steroids. The doctor said this is much less severe than a liver problem. Saying a prayer every now and then pays off.

wow that's scary. what kind of condition can cause blood cells to explode? did he go into detail on this condition?
 

Armitage

Banned
Feb 23, 2001
8,086
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This may sound really dumb, but is there any chance your dog got into some roadkill, especially deer?
When I was a kid, we had a dog that would getr exactly the way you describe if he got out during deer season and found some deer guts to eat. He'd get very weak and uncoordinated, especially the back legs. It'd clear up by itself in a day or so.