I've never had a dog, but I would have thought blood work should have been part of the exam ... especially at that age.

I hesitate to answer this because when it happened to one of our dogs, it was very, very bad. Did the vet do bloodwork? About five years ago, our very strong, nine-year-old border collie started to act like that. He had developed a lethal immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

Our Akita mix started doing this over Thanksgiving of last year. He would be moving and thinking he was fine, and then would yelp in extreme pain. After a few episodes of this he was scared to get up and down too much. For about two days he wouldn't do anything but lay curled up, very still. I would bundle a blanket around him to keep him warm, and he wasn't interested in much food or drink.

When I got him in to the vet, he was acting more normal. The vet explained that was mostly adrenaline from simply being at the vet with the attending stimulation (masking the pain and symptoms). Turns out he had strained a muscle in his hip. I got some medicine for him and he was still a little ball for a few days, then was fine after that.

We have an Australian Shepherd we adopted when he was 4. He is now about 6 1/2. Usually, he can't get enough attention, and is very food-driven. But, periodically (about once every other week or so), he'll segregate himself from the family, won't eat his morning cookie, won't eat his dinner. At first we worried, then found out he had an infected tooth. We had that removed, thinking the problem would go away. It didn't.

We've accepted that he has a need we don't understand. In his former home, he spent a great deal of time alone - up to 12 hours a day. Now, he has either another dog or me and DH here all the time (we're both retired), so maybe he just sometimes craves alone time (just like me!)

It sounds like you've checked everything out. If you trust your vet, I'd just accept this behavior as potentially part of his "baggage". Good luck.
Dee

I recently received an email from my vet informing me of this virus, and should consider getting him the vaccine. Apparently it's on the uprise and more severe that we realize.

What I don't understand is, if your dog isn't around other dogs at all, where would he come in contact w/the virus? And there has to be an incubation period where the virus is active/non active, right?

Here is a link that might be useful: canine flu

I wondered about something muscular myself.

As for the bloodwork, nicole stated the vet mentioned the bloodwork, but I'm guessing since he said they didn't know what they are looking for, it was decided not to do bloodwork. Our vets would not do bloodwork without our permission. There is some kind of general panel of bloodwork I believe - I know Abby had her teeth cleaned in the past year, for the first time. Before sedation, they asked about a chest x-ray and a bloodwork panel. It was our choice to do these (since she had not been put under in so long) to rule out any potential problems before sedation. We opted to do the tests.

tina

Our vet recommends a CBC for elderly pets. Artie had his first one in August. Some of his numbers were off, but not alarmingly, so he was scheduled to be re-tested in November. Unfortunately, he died about 6 weeks later.

Here is a link that might be useful: blood tests for pets

I'm not sure if our vets do that as Abby is not to that age yet. Good idea though. That might be what they did on her before sedation. Six is not elderly, but it's certainly something Nicole could ask for and if that's what we had - it wasn't expensive.

Our vet does routine blood work (with our permission) if anything is wrong at all.
It tells them so much more than they could otherwise know since our pets can't talk.

With Jack's latest visit, the "Chem 15, Lites, CBC" line of our bill totaled $115.50. The CBC alone is cheaper but not itemized specifically.

I just talked to my best friend who took her dog in since she noticed Tootsie(beagle mix)hasn't been herself the last couple of weeks. Eating/drinking fine, but not her usual chipper self. Upon examination, the vet noticed her neck and back seemed to be somewhat 'out of alignment' so put her on steroids as well as pain meds. She's also holding her tail between her legs, something she has never done. Said it will just take time for her to be back to herself, but bloodwork showed nothing wrong. Vet said to also keep her head raised with a couple of pillows when lying down. ;o)

along the line of pattycakes post....I was wondering if he could have slipped and fallen on the stairs when you weren't there. Maybe that would explain his hesitation about going down them and perhaps has hurt his back or neck?

Maybe he has a parasite or bacterial problem. I would watch his stools and behavior for a couple of more days and if it doesn't ease take him back for the blood work and maybe a culture. The Vet told me they can get all kinds of things just by smelling and exploring their world outside. Our puppy is on antibiotics for this right now. She started out not so peppy and then it showed up in her stools, as it turned out she got some kind of bacterial infection.

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

The weird thing about this is that it seemed to come on kind of suddenly - over 24 hours - and he hasn't gotten better or worse since.

I am calling the vet tomorrow morning and hope to take him for blood work on Friday if he doesn't show signs of improvement. I will take a stool sample as well.

The suggestions of anemia or a bacterial problem seem like possibilities to me. He would still be eating and eliminating normally and show no signs of injury.

Thanks again to all.

Nicole

Thank you everyone for your feedback.

The weird thing about this is that it seemed to come on kind of suddenly - over 24 hours - and he hasn't gotten better or worse since.

I am calling the vet tomorrow morning and hope to take him for blood work on Friday if he doesn't show signs of improvement. I will take a stool sample as well.

The suggestions of anemia or a bacterial problem seem like possibilities to me. He would still be eating and eliminating normally and show no signs of injury.

Thanks again to all.

Nicole

Nicole,

I need to stress the bacterial infection that Ellie got did show more evident symptoms eventually. Her stool gradually over a period of days went from normal to basically water but it took time to get that way. I think you're definitely smart to get the blood work done and a stool sample tested if it continues. I hope its nothing serious and passes soon.

So sorry about your doggy. :o(

We adopted a dog last year and about 2 weeks afterwards, he wouldn't get out of bed (couldn't?). We were late for an appointment and we wanted him to go out before we left for a couple of hours. Turns out, he really COULDN'T get out of bed.

Turns out he had contracted Lyme disease before we got him but the symptoms took that long to come out. The vet said he was in pain before the symptoms actually showed, my poor baby. He went to bed "fine" to us, woke up so visibly sick and swollen.

I assume your vet would have known the looks of it as soon as she saw him but just in case. Started 2 meds and was as good as gold the next day.

I hope you find out something soon and that your doggy is back to his old self.

Okay, so we went to the vet today. He did lots of blood work and X-Rays of chest and abdomen. Long story short, every thing looks fine. All of his blood levels are normal and similar to his last blood work (done about 15 months ago). No anemia, infection, bacteria or viruses. Organs are functioning fine. The x-rays looked fine - no tumors, enlargement or abnormalities.

As the vet said, "I can't tell you what is wrong with him, but I can tell you what ISN'T wrong with him."! So perplexing...

In the meantime he is still moping around, moving slow, barking half-heartedly (if at all) and really not excited about anything. My poor little guy, he seems so sad.

Thanks again for your feedback. I guess this is just something we are going to have to wait and see about.

Nicole

Does he have any dog friends that could come over for a playdate? Maybe he would perk up around another pup? Or did the weather get a lot colder where you are, my dogs always get lethargic when the temperature starts to drop.

Did he check the thyroid? I don't remember which but hyper or hypothyroidism can cause the symptoms you've mentioned. Just a thought.

Sounds like he might be in some kind of pain. Did your vet recommend a steroid injection? Sometimes if they can't find a problem, they give this injection and it will sometimes clear up whatever the mystery is and then if it doesn't they investigate further.

Your dog could have a back injury or a pulled muscle and the steroid would give him relief and probably clear up the pain.

I am sure he did, but just wanted to throw this out, a lyme titer? They can be done in the office or sent out, depends how your vet is set up. Lyme titer isn't part of a regular CBC, so I thought I take a stab in the dark. Do you happen to live in an area where could have encountered and been bitten by something that could make him sick. The general malaise sounds like lyme to me, so I would have the titer if you haven't already.

Hope your pup is feeling better very soon!

Re: thyroid - thyroid levels came back slightly suppressed (hypo) but still within the range of normal. I think they were also consistent with his previous blood work from over a year ago. The doc did point them out to me (he went over every result with me) and said he doesn't think this is a thyroid problem.

Pain - This poor guy has been pushed, pulled and prodded everywhere. Never once did he show any signs of discomfort. I agree, it does sound like he's in pain. Except for the slowness, though, he doesn't act like it.

Lyme - interesting suggestion. The vet never mentioned Lyme. I checked the American Lyme Disease website and we are in an area where Lyme is rare. Still, there are deer in the area. I will mention it to the vet if things continue.

Thanks for all of your suggestions... Nicole

Every now and then, our dog will mope around too. I think in some cases he's gotten a little over active and hurt himself, but it would worry me too if it lasted this long and the vet couldn't find anything wrong.

Is he lethargic even when you offer his most favorite thing - like a ride in the car, or going for a walk? He sounds depressed to me....do they have doggie Paxil?

I didn't read through the ideas to double check for this one but at 6 he should still have a good bit of energy, is he a social dog who hasn't had visits with other dogs lately? Have you had changes in the house as far as new pets or pets that are no more? My thoughts are if there is any reason for depression. Dogs do get depressed so???? Also, another thought would be the change of seasons, with darkness coming earlier and/or the colder weather.

Well, guess who came BOUNDING down the stairs this morning? And then FLEW up them later today? And in between has been very interested in treats, outside noises, and pestering for affection???

Mr. Mopey! Yeah!!! He seems to be feeling all better.

Yesterday we had workers at the house so we put him in his crate. He was in there for 4 or 5 hours, very quiet. Once he was let out, however, he was bursting with energy. He came flying down the stairs, barking at the workers (who were now gone). He was jumping on us for attention and dancing when it was time to eat. It was like we put one dog into the crate, and a few hours later a different one came out.

I still have no idea what was wrong with the dog, but he appears to be his old self. He has been perfuming the air with the most noxious odors today, so maybe he had some stomach problems??? Although... his stools did look fine and his abdominal x-ray showed nothing - so, who knows???

I just wanted to thank everyone again for their suggestions and help. I really appreciate it.

Nicole

That's great news.

Glad he's feeling better!

tina

Hi Nicole,
Wow, just in time for Santa Claus -maybe he heard he better up his game through the doggie grapevine!

A small suggestion...maybe you should keep a small journal of his general health. It's always hard (for me anyway) to think back and remember things. It wouldn't have to be every day, but if you just noted, "low energy, refuses to play, in bed all day," things like that...If you do have to go to the vet again, it would be very useful.

So glad to hear he's feeling back to his normal self. No symptoms are so hard since you don't know what to fix!

Maybe his time in the "hole" made him appreciate his freedom!