your opinion on my dog's health status

[maxisawesome]

Almost 2 year old white schnauzer, nuetered, sick for 2 weeks. Presented first with back pain, not eating, lethargy. Normal blood tests and xrays just showing back issue on pain meds. 5days later normal blood tests, still no fever, bleeding, coughing vomit, but not eating on own, force fed and pedilight, xrays showed lung infection, and now labored breathing - antibiodics given IV fluids.Then 3 days later sent to specialist vet in San Antonio, receiving excellent care, in oxygen cage, IV 3 different antibiodics to treat unknown as of yet (waiting for pathology) infections, possible fungus or bacteria -while sleeping at night, breathing from diaphram is less labored. Last night ate on own for 1st time, threw up a bit this am,
So that is history on otherwise active, healthy dog - make that beloved family member. Are we just spinning wheels that he can make recovery - started at specialist Tuesday late afternoon, this is Thursday morning - when should signs of improvement start or when do we face the possibility that this expensive treament might not help? Please hurry with thoughts - and prayers. thanks

[maxisawesome]

Thanks so much for your response and encouraging words. My brain is divided into these sections of intuitively knowing it is going to take a long time, to the not-knowing-so-I am so nervous section, to the playing out all the scenarios in my head section, and one of them is the possibility he may not make it. But my heart is 100% with him and whatever it takes and as long as it takes to get him home. He's like my third son, if that sounds silly. Actually, my youngest son has had similiar illnesses, has been in oxygen tents, had endoscopies, lung infections, etc. If it weren't so sad, it could be funny. the docs did say yesterday that although his breathing is still very labored, he was showing signs of trying to use his chest to breathe and not his diaphram, so I'll take that as another positive sign in the right direction. So thanks again for caring enough to "talk" to a prefect stranger! God bless.

[ginger899]

I'm so sorry your dog is stricken like this! I'm also sorry I haven't any idea what could be the matter with him -or rather the initial cause -of these symptoms.
But all I can say is, it will take more than 2-3 days if your dog does have a severe infection, for the treatment to really bring him back up again.
He appears to be showing some slight improvement. That seems to be moving in the right direction, so far. He does appear to be responding in some small measure to the antibiotic treatment he's being given.
Wait for the path. report. Because then you will all have a better idea of the true nature of this infection, and antibiotic meds can be tailored to whatever bacteria/virus/etc, has affected him.
Meanwhile please do hang onto the thought that he HAS already shown a tiny improvement, and his treatment may even yet be long-haul. Sometimes when the correct antibiotic is used, improvement can be quite quick, and sometimes, it can take a week or even more. Even then, he may still be a little delicate for quite a while.
Be patient, and wait for the report. It does sound like your vet in San Antonio is doing his best for him.

I do hope your dog will pull through this just great eventually, and come back up again as soon as possible.