labored breathing and eye discharge

[kgarc]

My 12 year old german shepard has started to breath very heavy and he's getting a white discharge from both his eyes? Is this a sign of something failing? Im waiting for my vet to call me back...

[kgarc]

Hello Karla, I am happy to say that after a grueling week of watching my poor doggie struggle to breath or move or drink water, he is finally starting to go in a positive direction. I had a vet friend look at the labs and xrays. He stated he did not see any valley fever or tumors. He did see a serious pleural effusion and what appeared to be pneumonia. We hooked him up to some IV fluids at home and gave him some iv antibiotics ( he wouldnt take the oral ones). This morning I put a towel under his belly to help him up. He went outside to do his business and walked around a little. He was very weak. He laid in the sun for a bit then got up on his own and walked around a bit more! This is a huge improvement over the last few days. His breathing is less labored today as well :) Thank God. Thank you for responding to my post. I was so worried. I didnt know what to do with myself while I waited for the vet to open. I really appreciate your concern :) Kelly

[Misfits4Me]

Thank you for the update...I sure hope they can provide you w/a diagnoses......I really don't have anything to add except I'll pray for a good outcome for you & your guy.....Again, please let us know & good luck....Karla

[kgarc]

Yes we did get him to the vet that morning. They examined him. he had a fever but his bowel sounds were good. He gave him an antibiotic shot and something to make him comfortable and drew some labs on him. The next day he called. labs were normal except WBC was elevated. His symptoms had not improved. We brought him back in for IV fluids and x-rays of his abdomen and chest. The results of the x-rays : Possible valley fever, tumor  and pleural effusion. We will take him for thoracentesis today to see if they can reduce the difficulty he has breathing and they will test the fluid to narrow the diagnosis down. I was given oral antibiotics to give him but he wont eat ANYTHING :( Not sure what to do. They suggested a few things but they all involve him willing eating ??

[Misfits4Me]

Labored breathing is an Emergency.....Hopefully, you have already taken him to the Vet.....Please let us know what you found out......Karla