Sick Dog. Please read.?

Question

Our chihauhau is only five years old. She has been to the vet three times about this same illness and first they said she had a sore throat and fevor, next a virus, and the last time the virus was still there so the antibiotic they gave was stronger. That last visit was four days ago and she is still very sick. She is breathing heavy and sometimes sounds grunty. She lays flat on the couch all day either asleep or looking sad and listless. She still eats and drinks, but hardly anything. She hasn't the energy to go outside to the bathroom and has been occassionally urinating on the carpet. My dad is worried she isn't going to make it since the vet has not been able to improve her health. She's been sick like this for a month. Any suggestions? We love our little dog.

Our dog has died. Not even one day after I posted the question, she had a convulsion and died in my mother's arms. We drove her back to the vet anyway because her body was still making "live-like" motions. They got her heart to beat but the breathing never came. She is gone. I read each answer and I was wrong when I first said that she had a virus. It was an infection of some sort they think...she's had all her shots regular. The vet was as shocked over this as we are---her blood work came back normal. She said it is not typical to have such symptoms and then pass like she did. It was freakish. Please love and cherish your pets. This has taught me alot. Unfortunately, it one thing it has taught me is to brace myself for the worst when living things become ill. Life is not garunteed. Thank you to those who answered.

Answer 1

Find another vet ASAP. Depending on where you live, there should be a group of vets with a senior vet on staff. Ask for him or her. Five-years-old is still relatively young. Chihuahuas can live on the average 8-14 years. Note: Antibiotics don't work on a virus. Too, for your information, the main symptoms of heart worm infestation are as follows:
*coughing
*lethargy
*exercise intolerance
*and anemia
I can only assume that the vet has already ruled heart worm out by taking a vile of blood to look for anemia and maybe a chest Xray (?).

Answer 2

First, is there smoking in the house contributing to the breathing difficulties?

Next, the stronger antibiotic will help decrease the chances of pneumonia. Try taking the dog into the bathroom, closing the door, and turning on the hot shower, creating the steam -- just like when there's a baby with a cold or croup. Do this several times a day. Keep up with the medications as prescribed!!

If you don't see improvement in the next 3-5 days, consult your vet again, or maybe even a second vet for another opinion (although vets hate to give second opinions).

Good luck, I hope the dog's feeling better real soon!

Answer 3

She could have diabetes as mentioned by another member, but it sounds a bit like it's a cardio pulmonary type problem doesn't it?

I find it a little funny that your vet thinks she has a virus so they prescribed her antibiotics. Antibiotics don't work on viruses.

I would take her to another vet straight away. If this vet isn't helping her and she's been sick for this long and she's this miserable... go to someone else and keep trying until you find an answer.

Dogs with heart conditions often display these symptoms but I'm NOT a vet, I'm just a breeder.

No one here is going to be able to diagnose your little girl - even a vet, without having seen her... so you really do need to take her to see someone.

I truly hope she gets better - it's obvious you love her very much.

Good luck to you both.

Answer 4

Take your dog to a second vet unafiliated with the first vet. Antibiotics DO NOT treat a virus as they are only effective against bacteria.

I don't think it's heartworm as usually the first signs of an heartworm infection are cough, exercise intolerance, and abnormal lung sounds.

You may want to ask the vet about both Diabetes and Renal Failure. The sluggishness may be caused by organ failure, but it could also be caused by your dog just generally not feeling well. I would have a full blood panel test done to test all of the enzyme levels, blood counts, and to test for possible parasites.

Answer 5

Ask your Vet about giving your dog some yogurt mixed in her food, and if you can sprinkle a capsule of Acidophulus over it. Since she has been on so many antibiotics she could be sick in part from the "friendly" bacteria being gone. Also, give her water that is 1/2 water and 1/2 pedialyte.
So sorry to hear about your dog. Also give her some Ester C.
It may help, it may not. Hopefully it will. You can crush up the Ester C tablet and mix it in her food.
Run all this by your Vet.

Answer 6

Get your vet to do some blood tests and just do a general screen for anything unusual. Some more deadly diseases and infections have the same symptoms as a virus and if she isnt responding to antibiotics its possibly something worse. But most of the things that are worse can be alleviated by medication. If at any time you dont agree with your vets diagnosis, argue with them, you would do it with your doctor and your health wouldnt you.

Answer 7

Don't take her back to that vet. You need to go to another vet for another opinion ASAP!

She may have pneumonia from the way it sounds. Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria or virus. Does she have a fever now? Antibiotics are useless against a virus. She's obviously in pain and needs help. Don't waste any more time...get her in to see a good vet.

Answer 8

Have you been making appointments with the same vet, for every time? If so, try a different clinic/vet. What one vet might overlook, another might be able to figure it out quickly. Always worth a second opinion, when a life is at stake.

Answer 9

it sounds like heart worm my dog died of it a few years ago and that sounds like the symptoms she had no energy and when she did have a burst of energy she be ten times worst the next day.she started losing weight. i think u should get her back to vet a demand some test and some answers;.good luck i hope she is ok

Answer 10

Go get a second opinion at another vet. I hope your dog gets better. I am the biggest dog lover. She looks sad and listless because she does not feel well.