please help..my dog is very sick.

[teekhan]

I have a lab who is almost a year and a half old.About 10 days ago he was very lathargic and wasnt eating.We took him to our local vet and they kept him saying he had a fever and an infection.We were going there everyday to see him.The first 2-3 days,he lost a lot of weight and went really weak as he wasnt eating no matter what the caretaker there did.The 3rd day he ate and by the 7th day,he started to look a little better.My dad had car trouble the next two days and we couldnt go see him.We went today and he looked horrible!deathly sick!His lips were so swollen and he had two ulcerated areas on his body(One on his dorsal side a little above his tail about 2-3 inches in diameter and the other on his right front leg the size of a dime)it looked like when someone grazes their skin off and you can see the pink flesh underneath.We got soo scared,my dad scolded the caretaker why he hadnt told us.He said it was nothing to worry about and that he had been dressing it but i doubt he was.He has been on ampicillin and an analgesic for the last couple of days.I dont think the vet knows what he's doing.I mean no disrespect to vets but i live in  small town in Pakistan and we dont have the best vets here...Please,help!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I am very sorry about your dog and apologize for not being able to help more being so far away.  It sounds very serious.  If a dog is unable to move and remains in one position for a long period of time he will develop bed sores.  From what you describe it does sound like he has developed bed sores.  Just the fact that your dog is unable to move is quite serious.  

Since the caretaker doesn't seem to be doing the best job it might be better to bring your dog home and give oral antibiotics and analgesics. He will be properly cared for there and he could still be taken back to the vet daily if necessary.  If he needs fluid therapy you can be instructed to give sub-cutaneous fluids at home.

[teekhan]

Thankyou for all the information.We did bring him home about 5 days ago and have been giving him oral medication.His vet said he has completed his antibiotic course and we need not give him more of that.We're applying an antiseptic and then a topical antibiotic on all his ulcerated lesions(which are also at places that dont even touch the ground while he's sitting or even lying down).One lesion has also formed inbetween the soft pads of his right front paw and he's immobilized mostly(He just walks a little on three legs and then sits back down).We thought he was getting better and he looks healthier but he didnt eat anything yesterday and didnt even wag his tail.He was just lying there like he was in a lot of pain.We have no idea what to do next.