What is Wrong with My Lab??? Poor guy..

[cvan]

I have a BIG black lab.
About 3-4 weeks ago, he was experiencing pain in his shoulder areas. Having a hard time getting off the bed and he was panting heavily. Took him to the vet, they biopsied a lump they found in his armpit, took blood, did a heartworm test and gave us antibiotics and some pain killers. Test results, high white blood count and negative for cancer on the biopsy.

He got better...

Then about 3 days after the meds were all gone, he started limping again and the muscles above his rib cage keep going into spasms. He had lost his appetite. This time, he seemed like he was in major pain. Back to the vet where they prescribed him the same antibiotic, just increased the dosage and duration.

He also said it looked like he had an ear infection and prescribed him some antibiotics for that.

SO, he has been on the meds for 2 days and is EXTREMELY lethargic and this evening, his NOSE started to bleed! It has been bleeding on and off for 5 hours and I can see a couple sores in his nose. I KNOW he hasn't scratched or injured his nose because I have been with him all day and he hasn't gotten off the bed except to go potty and I watched him do that.

Do any of these symptoms sound familiar to anyone? My vet said he was at a loss and referred me to an Internal Specialist. The only problem is that we have spent over $700 on vet bills and our emergency fund is depleated due to a loss of one income in our family.

If you have any ideas...please let me know. Thanks for reading.

[hazelrunpack]

I'm going to PM the link to your thread to Dr Lee. He's a vet who is a member of the board. He may have some insight for you. Not sure when he'll be logging back in, but he does log in frequently.

for your dog, cvan!

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by cvan

about 3 days after the meds were all gone, he started limping again and the muscles above his rib cage keep going into spasms. He had lost his appetite. This time, he seemed like he was in major pain. Back to the vet where they prescribed him the same antibiotic, just increased the dosage and duration.

He also said it looked like he had an ear infection and prescribed him some antibiotics for that.

SO, he has been on the meds for 2 days and is EXTREMELY lethargic and this evening, his NOSE started to bleed!

Do you have tick borne diseases in your area?? If you do, then a course of doxycycline might solve these issues. Ideally I would test for them but depending upon which ones and how many it can range from somewhat inexpensive to somewhat pricey. Also has he traveled anywhere that has tick borne diseases? Tick borne diseases can lead to lameness, pain and nasal bleeding. Fungal diseases like Vally Fever can also do all of these. Do you have these in areas that you live or he has traveled?

Tests that should be done: Coagulation profile to establish his ability to clot blood, Fungal and tick blood tests if applicable, chest radiographs (X-Rays), and repeat of the CBC portion of the blood panel. Depending upon these results, then an internal medicine specialist referral would be indicated. Nasal endoscopy and imaging might be needed. Direct referral to a specialist is also another alternative to having initial work up at your vet.

Final thoughts, the sores on the nose, might also indicate an immune mediated disorder. While limping, nasal bleeding and sores on the mucous membranes can all occur from immune mediated diseases, the signs are not exhibited together. This might want to be evaluated though.

I do wish you the best of luck. If there is more I can do, please contact me directly.

[cvan]

Thank you for the prompt replies.

We have not been out of the area. He did go swimming in the river just before the onset of sypmtoms.

He was tested for ticks and it came up negative.

He has been sleeping for the last 5 hours and is very difficult to arouse. I'm really worried and I don't have anymore money to spend on treatment.
Can anyone offer any places that I can get help from? I would love to take him to an internal specialist, but simply cannot afford to.

I am in Northern California. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Winston]

cvan i am so sorry your going through this! i have heard others mention this for assistance but not sure of all the details..maybe you could check it out:

http://www.carecredit.com/vetmed/whycc.html

please let us know how you make out!

cindy