no one knows what's wrong with my dog

[worriedaboutbailey]

I'm wondering if anyone has come across this group of symptoms. I'm very worried about my dog. He's a 4 year old golden retriever in good health until now. He was at a kennel for 5 days. Picked him up and he didn't seem himself and was very sleepy. We noticed his face was swollen. Then his face and neck became very swollen and we took him to the vet. he was concerned and gave him antibiotics, steroids, and lasics (sp?) injections. he prescribed antibiotics and steroids. the swelling went down. but now he won't move. he mostly refuses to go down stairs. He would stay in the same place all day if I didn't force him. I have to put a leash on him and pull him. he pulls back and shakes. he whines like he is in pain at first but then once he starts moving he stops whining and appears to walk with no pain although he is slow. Not sure if this is phsical or psychological. Until now he has been a normal, healthy, boisterous dog. I am very worried. His blood work showed high cholesterol and a high white blood cell count. we were planning to go back to test for thyroid problems after he was down the antibiotics and steroids for the mysterious swelling. anyone seen similar symptoms?

[leanne928]

A high white blood cell count definitely means infection.  Antibiotics should help with that, I would say something at the boarder bit him or maybe he is allergic to the bleach stuff they clean the kennels with.  My basset had infected feet from that one time.  I would get a second opinion from another vet.  The affected area is limited, not his whole body, so an allergy may be out.  Does he have a fever?  You can get a regular thermometer (human), digital, and put in his rectum and take his temp.  If it is high 100 or above, he definitely has an infection.  I am not familiar with canine leukemia but it happened so fast, seem unlikely.  Did the vet do an xray of his neck?  could be his spine.  Maybe the boarder jerked his neck and did something to his cervical spine.  I think it is something from where you boarded him. I hope he is OK and you find out soon to treat him.  

[suzi-q]

Could it be lymes disease by any chance?  Could he have been bitten by a tick?

[Jaybay]

I just found out the vet board typically has a 4-question a day limit.  If the doctors are out of town, the limit goes to one a day.  I hope you've been able to get some kind of answers by now.

Erin, I really hope you aren't right, but leukemia would be something to look into.  :-(

[Erin23606]

Leukemia would be my first guess too.  The swelling could be lymphnodes, and leukemia is often accompanied by fatigue.  Leukemia can also cause a decrease in the red blood cells leading to fatigue and a decreased platelet count as well.  They can do a blood test to check for leukemia.  Not sure if they do bone marrow biopsies on dogs or not.

[worriedaboutbailey]

Thanks. I've tried posting but every time I do it says they aren't accepting anymore emails and to try again tomorrow. What do you think is the best time to post.

[Jaybay]

What a conundrum.  Something tells me it's a contagious illness since he was otherwise healthy until he was boarded.  Peekawho made a great suggestion about a possible bug or dog bite as well.  With the high lymphocytes there's obvious some kind of infection/ inflammation happening.  Dumb question - is he current on his vaccinations?  You sound like a very responsible owner, but if he's not current, that opens up a whole other set of possible illnesses.

I hope you will post this information to the vets here at Med Help.  Click on the "Ask a Vet" forum and be sure to tell the whole story including his most recent vaccinations and whatever test results your vet has provided.  I'm sure either Dr. Cheng or Dr. Sims will have several ideas for you and your own vet to look into.

Please keep us posted, and I hope and pray he gets better soon.  :-)

[worriedaboutbailey]

now they are saying the new blood work shows high lymphocytes and he might have leukemia. i don't want to put him through invasive tests if they aren't more sure than they sound.

[worriedaboutbailey]

I wondered about the bite myself but the vet said that wouldn't cause the white blood cell count. He has no external marks and no pain when you touch him. I thought maybe he fell down stairs as he is now terrified to go down our stairs. perhaps it's more than one thing and that's why this is all so strange. Thanks for your suggestions. I wil mention them again to the vet. I'll post if we find out more.

[peekawho]

It is certainly baffling.  I'd wonder if he had been beaten at the kennel, but the high white count might not go along with that.  

Is there any possibility he was stung by something, or bitten by either another dog, or a snake, or spider?

If he were bitten by another dog or got into a severe dog fight, that might explain some of his symptoms.  Our dogs have all been bitten by copperheads (due to where we lived) and had severe swelling.  
Perhaps a spider bite might have done it, too.

Let us know if you find out anything.

[worriedaboutbailey]

I also would like to add that I have taken him back to the vet and have been in contact with him by phone but the symptoms remain a mystery. He thinks maybe it's muscle cramps but today it has not been occassional but constant. he just won't move. I will take him back to the vet on monday and show him a video of how he is behaving but in the mean time I thought maybe someone else might have suggestions.