Swollen Glands in 5 year old *****

[macmarsh]

We returned to our  home in South China from a 5 week holiday to find our 5 year old dog lethargic. Her lymph nodes under her throat were very swollen. She had been looked after by friends who also have a dog. They did not notice the problem, presumably becasue they don't know her normal behavior.

We immeadiatley took the dog to a Chinese vet for examination. They did a blood test and found her liver enymes were not normal. They also did an Xray of her liver and found some issues (they did not have the English words to describe) but said it was not related directly to the swollen glands but more likely related to her age and general physical condition (she is overweight but not obese). They advised not only were her neck glands very swollen, but the glands in her upper legs were also swollen. I asked them to do a needle biopsy because I am frightened she may have lymphoma.

They performed surgury on her back leg leaving a 3 inch hole. The took away about a 1/2 sq inch of tissue to be biopsied in the Guangzhou Vet training hospital. The dog was very sore following surgury and still (30 hours later) can not walk well.

They are also giving her two different antibiotics.They told me the antibiotics needed to be given for 3 days. The result of the tests from the biopsy will not be  ready for another couple days. I do not know the names of the antibiotics administered (by injection). The first shot did not distress her but the second shot was extremely painful.
The dog has not been able to eat or **** in the last couple days. She is very weak and I am so frightened.

The area we live in is fairly modern, but China has very primitive vet services because they are an emerging economy. No Chinese have had the money to care for pets until the last few years. Consequently the vet services are rudimentary. Their are no vet specialists such as an oncologist.  They are doing what they can, but I have no confidence they have experience to deal with this.

I have searched on line for information and am desparate for a diagnosis. My fear is lymphoma. Could this be any other illness? What are the diagnostic procedures to confirm her condition. Please help me guide our Chinese vets and save my precious dog.
Name: Montana
Breed: Mixed
Sex: Female spayed at 8 weeks in a Florida pound.
Weight: 25 kg
Age: 5 years
Diet: At home shey eats imported Australian or American dry dog food.and bottled water supplemented by people treats occassionally when she is with us but she has been looked after by friends for the last few weeks who have another dog who eats Chinese wet dog food. (I assume she has been eating what thier dog has been eating.)
Symptoms: lethargy, extremely swollen glands under her chin, also in her upper legs. No appetite, no defecation.
She is normally playful and affectionate. Now she is too weak to get up.
Please please help me.

[ne55]

Hi

Im so sorry to hear about your dog..
If it was just the lymph nodes in the neck I would say it was possibly a throat infection/tonsilitis but due to the fact there is other lymph nodes effected I would say it is possible that it is lymphoma , your only option to confirm that it is not just a simple infection is to have the biopsy and unfortunately you will need to wait for the results.
The symptoms of a throat infection or lymphadenitis is cough,drool swallow repeatedly
and be reluctant to eat.......this infection can be bacterial or fungal.
The symptoms of lymphoma are related to the location of the tumor(s). Tumors that develop in the lymph nodes often present as swellings with no other symptoms...
The gastrointestinal form often is accompanied with vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and lack of appetite.
Your dog has other symptoms ........
If blood test comes back negative for lymphoma you need to get your vet to do further blood tests to find out whats causing the lymph nodes to be enlarged.
You need to try and get your dog to drink water try using a syringe and squirting water into the dogs mouth she is probably very dehydrated and this wouldnt be helping matters she also needs to eat... try plain cooked rice hand fed....



ne55

[macmarsh]

Thank you for responding to my post. We are still waiting on the biopsy results. They have been giving her two broad spectrum anitbiotics through her muscle tissues and for the last two days an IV drip to hydrate her. She was perkier following the first drip but still not her old self.

I have been giving her steamed rice with ground chicken and carrots and she has eaten which is encouraging.

I have contacted a vet in Hong Kong who is supervising long distance the Chinese vets but there isn't much he can do without the lab results. He has told me there are two types of lymphoma of which one is more treatable. He is suggesting we get the tissue sample to a lab in South Africa for a more definitive result than can tell us how far along the cancer is, if in fact she does have cancer.

It is so frightening to have a sick pet in China. There are no local facilities that one can have confidence in. The vets are nice, but I think they toss a coin to decide who gets to wear the white coat today. Shenzhen has 12 million people but they have to send the tissue sample to Gaungzhou which is 2 hours away.

Hopefully I will have better news tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed.
Again thanks for responding. It is most appreciated.

[ne55]

Hi
I wouldnt lose faith,  I think the vets are doing the best they can ,   its good to hear your dog is improving  eating is a good sign that she is getting better...and this helps give her the energy she needs to fight this..I sympathize with what you are going through I understand how frustrating and upsetting it can be when your pup is sick , it is heartbreaking, I know....
Hang in there , stay positive  I will keep my fingers crossed for you...
keep me updated on her progress ..

ne55