Beagle with high neutrophil count

[pts79]

My beagle was tested for thyroid problems and Cushing's disease, and both came back negative.  She has an extremely high neutrophil count and a low lymphocyte count, they say.  She has a very large belly that is constant.  To look at her she looks overweight because of her belly, but the rest of her is normal.  Other symptoms include a noticeable aging look about her and thinning of the hair around her highquarters.  She is definitely less active and hasn't been for the last 8-10 months.  This happened rather suddenly with her not wanting to run and get her frisbee after I throw it, which is something we've done for years nearly every day.  The vet put her on a special diet for her liver, I think it is, and started her on Lasix.  I have noticed no difference at all and it's been over a month.

Any ideas on what other tests could be done or on what could be wrong with her?

[pts79]

Thanks so much for talking with me and helping with your ideas.  I will definitely call my vet and discuss an U/S and x-ray.  Hopefully, they will show something we can "fix" and move on!  Thanks again!

[sojka123]

The abdomen must be x-rayed, ultrasound and perhaps a "tap" to examine the fluid itself.  One would immediately think heart failure - but sounds like that's been checked.  Peritoneal effusion, leukemia, other form of abdominal tumor.  I'd be less concerned about the nutrophils than the abdominal extension.  More tests are needed.  

[pts79]

Thanks!  Me too, I hate it that she's not her normal happy and healthy self!  

She's 8 years old and has always been healthy as a horse.  Her blood work and Cushing's disease test were done about a month and a half ago.  According to the vet, everything else was normal, except for the neutrophils (high) and lymphs (low).  

She never mentioned palpating any enlarged organs and she said when she listened to her heart that is sounded great.  She started her on Lasix thinking that maybe she had some fluid in her belly, but it hasn't changed at least as far as I can notice.  

They haven't done any x-rays or ultrasound yet, but I'm sure that's probably the next step.  

Thanks for your help!

Cathy

[Thomas Dock, CVJ, Vet. Technician]

I am sorry to hear that your Beagle isn't feeling 100%.  

How old is she and when were the blood tests run?

Did your veterinarian palpate a large liver, or were other liver values on the bloodwork abnormal?   Has he/she recommended xrays and/or an ultrasound?

Are there concerns about her heart?  Has the veterinarian heard an abnormal rhythm or is he concerned about the size of her heart?

Let us know more about the bloodwork that was done and maybe we can help pointing you in the right direction.

Take care

Tomcat