Has anyone had similar problems? Please look.?

Question

First off I want to say that I have taken my dog to the vet numerous times and we still can't figure it out. Now, on to the issues.

I bought a puppy in February from a not so great breeder (I learned this after the fact, she answered all the right questions and even called up my vet and references.) In May, he had his first episode. It was at 3:45am and I woke up with him having terrible tremors. It lasted 15 minutes and stopped when we were on the way to the e-vet. He had a fever of 105.4 and they kept him over night on IV fluids. The said that he has febrile seizures and over heating is what caused the tremors. They sent him home and it everything seemed fine. The same thing happened 2 days later at 10:30am. I took him to our personal vet. They gave him subcutaneous fluids and kept him over night.

Things were going great until he had his latest episode on June 22nd at 8:30pm. He had a fever of 104.5 and started to tremor. It lasted 35 minutes and was still shaking when we arrived at the e-vet. He stayed there for the next 6 days, 3 of them being in critical condition. They couldn't get his fever down no matter how hard the tried. By the 4th day, he still had a fever of 103 but it was a start. By day 5 his fever was gone and they kept him over night one last night to make sure everything was okay. During his stay there they also did a spinal tap. I declined the MRI as it would have added on an extra $800 to the bill and they weren't sure it would even help tell anything. The spinal tap showed inflammation but no bacteria, they also claimed they might have contaminated the sample. The believed that he then had steroid responsive meningitis and sent him home on prednisone, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin.

After a week, they received the tick panel and everything was negative. His blood work also came back completely normal. July 5th, I received a call that I never wanted to hear. They said that his CSF showed distemper. They said my puppy had distemper even though he was properly vaccinated at the proper times. Well after that, I panicked of course and did a bunch of research. Now a month and a half later, I do not believe he has distemper as he never showed classic symptoms and no longer has problems. He is still on the prednisone and continuing to thrive.

After going over things with my vet and fellow IG owners, we think it's possible he might have Addison's Disease. We will be testing for it once he has been weaned off the prednisone for 2 full weeks so they can properly test without having to worry about drug interactions.

The reason I'm asking this is I'm curious to know if anyone else has ever gone through something similar with their dog and if so, what was the outcome?

Sorry this is long but any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't know. You always pray to god.

Answer 2

Addison's disease is an adrenal insufficient and the ACTH stimulator test is to check the adrenal gland function. It's more prevalent in females and specific breeds and usually shows up between the ages of 4-5 years old. I have a 5 year old female westie with higher than normal electrolyte panels which could be an indication of Addison's disease. I have the vet do the blood work every six months, the electrolytes remain high and she's stable. The symptoms you're describing don't fit a dog with Addison's. There's a lot of info. on line about Addison's disease, typical symptoms, etc. While I understand that you want to get to the bottom of this before you spend another $200/$300 on an ACTH stimulator test do some research. Good luck with your handsome boy. By the way, there's an excellent group on yahoo  for help with Addison's and Cushings and I can't remember the name - contact me and I'll forward it to you if you're interest. I'd definitely join and solicite advice, they're are vets and many people who are knowledgeable who belong to this board.

Answer 3

My dog did this as well. Sadly, we had to put it down. There was medicine and it helped but didn't stop it. I was young when we did this and if it were to happen today, I would argue to keep it alive and try to help it. I wish you the best.

Answer 4

I would suggest you ask your vet for a referral to a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist.

I'm not particularly comfortable with the fact that they said the spinal tap could have been contaminated, but then said the CSF (Cerebral Spinal Fluid) showed Distemper. Which is it? If the sample was contaminated, how can they come back and say that the CSF showed distemper?

I'd like to know what his liver enzymes are like. It almost sounds like a shunt. Addison's is not unheard of in a dog that young, but I'd be looking elsewhere, hence the referral to the Internist.

I'd like to know if he starts back with the seizures after stopping the steroids, and how long it took to start.

I'm really sorry you are having these problems.

This is also the reason that BYB's and puppy mills should be put out of business. They don't care about the animals they are churning out, and people like you that see these puppies, want to rescue them. It is commendable, but the sad fact is, the puppies and kittens that need 'rescuing' will actually cost thousands of dollars trying to save them. They will have a lifetime of health issues, if they live long enough to have a life. And the cost to the owner is tremendous.

I hope you find the answer to your puppy's problems. Good Luck.  

Answer 5

well my cousin had a chihuahua that would all the sudden have seizures they out him on medicine and he was fine... so doubt its distemper they just want your money.

Answer 6

Wow, I hope a vet or a vet tech reads this one..... I'm sorry about your little guy & good luck.

& BTW Troy before you call some other creature "dumn" learn to spell it Dumb-***......

Addition:  Oh I'm glad someone removed that guy's comment.

Answer 7

wow that is awful!  im so sorry to hear that, it is difficult to watch a family member go through that.  he is lucky to have been adopted by somebody like you not somebody who would have put him down after the first episode.

it could be something with the breed, a trait that carries over.  the only thing you can really do is just take him to the vet.  perhaps try a different vet.  maybe yours is missing something.  

good luck to you both!

Answer 8

This little man is lucky to have you! Don`t give up, I hope you'll get the answers you're looking for. Good luck.