Chase sick again....

Good Morning Guys!

Any feedback, insight, knowledge would be VERY much appreciated.

Chase wasn't himself all weekend, he was very mopey and wasn't his typical spunky self.

This morning, Chase went to the bathroom in the house this morning around 3 am,the stool seemed relatively solid. We put chase outside, he came back in and went to bed. Around 6 am I thought chase was chewing on something so I put my hand in his mouth to try to fish whatever it was out but instead he threw up.

The vomit seemed to be relatively solid. After throwing up chase seemed VERY lethargic. Chase didn't move for an hour. He moaned occasionally but his breathing didn't seem overly labored. He hasn't coughed. I was about to take him to urgent care but he eventually got up and seemed a little bit better.

At 8 am I took him to his vet. Unfortunately, his vet is on vacation this week and we got stuck with someone new.

The vet took xrays of his stomach and chest. All seemed clear. They took blood work and it showed a very high white blood count. The vet took a ultrasound and it seemed clear. The vet also took a lyme disease test, it came back negative. We are waiting for another panel of blood work and urinalysis screening.

Chase still isn't his typical self. Anybody have any ideas of what could be wrong? Sorry for the long narrative I just don't know what to do.

Just a little more

Just a little more sorry.

The vet just called:

- They gave him fluids under his skin
- They tested his Urine but results wont be back until tomorrow
- They are treating him for Aspiration Pneumonia even though his lungs are clear on the xray and he has no coughing
- They are sending him home on a bland diet tonight.

I really don't think this he has Aspiration Pneumonia.

AmyandSophia's picture

Well, I can't give you a diagnosis....

Very high white blood cell count is generally an infection somewhere. There are several things that come to mind, and if you research it online you may find more, but here is what can cause it...

1. Infection

2. Cancer

3. Severe allergies

4. Some corticosteroids and epinephrine (would be used in severe allergic reactions or skin conditions)

5. Stress

If your pup has exhibited any symptoms such as itching more, hot spots, peeing more frequently, or nervousness, then you need to go find another vet who has a bulldog experience and get a second opinion so you can start getting the situation under control instead of waiting for much longer. An infection, especially pneumonia (which may not present with anything but a high fever and possibly drooling, lethargia, etc.), should not be trifled with. 

if they are treating him for aspiration pneumonia, that is a good start. All of your symptoms you mention sound like pneumonia to me, but like I said above, it could be any form of infection or several other issues. I seriously doubt the cancer possibility, but put it on the list because it is associated with a high white blood cell count, but again, I believe you are dealing with pneumonia. What medication are they treating with?

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Amy and Sophia

Thanks Amy! Last night,

Thanks Amy!

Last night, Chase looked like HELL, I took his temp myself and it was 104.7 so I took him back to the vet. When we got to the vet he looked better. The vet took his temp and it was 102.9 and rechecked his lungs. She said that his left lung sounded a bit more congested so we brought him to Tufts animal hospital. Prior to leaving the vet checked his temp again and it was up to 104 again. The fever kept spiking for some reason.

When we got to Tufts, Chase looked happy again. Two vets checked his lungs and they said he sounded crystal clear. I asked them to take xrays and they said that they were negative for pneumonia. They recommended us to take chase home and to monitor him. When chase got home he ate then slept. Sleeping and breathing was normal all night.

This morning Chase still seems mopey. He is not himself. We are waiting on the Urine prelim tests that should come in this morning.

I don't know what to do. Chase isn't himself and nobody seems to know whats wrong with him. Any feedback, suggestions, experiences?

Three vets have seen Chase yesterday- not one definitive answer of what could be wrong.

AmyandSophia's picture

I would get the vet who saw him first...

To prescribe a broad spectrum antibiotic to start him on until they determine an exact cause. Your description lends toward pneumonia, but differing opinions by the different vets can keep him from getting the medicine he needs to stop it. Talk to your vet that saw him first and get him on something to at least knock down infection, even if undetermined at this point.

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Amy and Sophia

Thanks! He is on a

Thanks!

He is on a prescription that is supposed to treat aspiration pneumonia. I will let you know what they prescribed when I get home.

One oddity that I have noticed, his stools seem orange in color.

So stressed out about this.

The vets prescription was for

The vets prescription was for clavamox. 2 tablets daily with food.

AmyandSophia's picture

That's a good antibiotic...

I use Clavamox for my dogs for uti's and anything in the chest...sounds like your pup is getting good care, it takes a while to break through pneumonia if that's what it is...

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Amy and Sophia