Dog not eating, very weak and now limping

[SuperCharge]

Hi. I have a 4 year old Yellow Lab named Dora. For the past 4 days she has not been the same. The first few days she just wanted to sleep, then she stopped eating and I noticed she hind leg was limping. The limping went away but she was walking very slowly and still sleeping all the time. She doesn't want to eat, we have to bring her water bowl to her in order for her to drink. Last night we took her to the vet and they took blood, exrays, and urine samples. The results came back fine, but this morning she could not get up. She isn't fixed and has not been bred but she did just come off a heat a few weeks ago. She isn't the same dog. Right now she is at the vets getting I.V and anti-biotics and a barium? The vet thinks she may have pyometra. So far with today's visit we're $1000 dollars into it, not including the surgery.

I'm just so worried. If it is pyometra the surgery will help her, but i'm afraid it could be something worse like a cancer. Her symptoms are getting worse really fast. I hope someone can help me out.

[SuperCharge]

Hi Connie
Thank you so much for your reply and kind words, it means alot. It's funny that you mentioned Lyme Disease because the vet also mentioned that to me, but her tests came back normal. Her leg shifting limping is condusive to Lyme Disease so she is still at the hospital getting her IV and they gave her antibiotics for Lyme. The vet just called me and said that she ate a little bit and it seems that she's perked up a little bit. Too early to tell right now I suppose. It's just weird how fast her symptoms came on, In a matter of a few days. I am praying for her speedy recovery and hoping that it is the Lyme disease because that seems to be very treatable.

I will say that this is the first time Dora has gotten sick and it really gave me a wake up call. Once she is better, I am going to spayed her too, because in doing research all day, it's healthier in the long run since I don't plan on breeding her.

Once again Connie, thank you so much.

[ginger899]

It could well be Pyometra. The IV fluids and antibiotics she is receiving will support her until she is fit for surgery (probably tomorrow?) The fluids will help her kidneys flush out toxins in the bloodstream which build up fast in cases of Pyometra. The antibiotics will fight any infection and hopefully prevent it going fully systemic.
It's not unusual for them to go off their legs with this. Pyometra is really serious.

The vet will probably do what is called an "exploratory abdominal" surgery, go in there and look at her womb. Believe me, the best thing would be to remove it if he does that. If it is Pyometra of course, then removal is the only real cure.
My dog got through this, it was tough but she was ok afterwards.
I send good thoughts and prayers for Dora, and hope she will be OK too.

[TwoBitsMom]

Hi,
I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I hope that you will find out what is wrong with her soon, and hopefully whatever is ailing her, can be taken care of easily.
It sounds like you and your vet are working at figuring this out as quickly as you can.  Other than what is already being done, the only thing I can think of off hand, would be to have your dog checked for lyme disease. Or any other tick borne disease. Lyme Disease can cause "shifting leg lameness" along with several other symptoms.

I hope you get a good report on Dora today....please let us know how things are going.
My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
Connie

[SuperCharge]

Ohh and one more thing, not only could she not get up this a.m but her front paw is limping and she was walking around like she was a 90 yr old lady. We had to carry her into the car today. She is just too weak to walk or do anything. I hope they can figure out what's wrong with her and fix her.