Hi, I know you can't Diagnose on here but I do need some help. My doggy Jerry is nearly 6 years old. I've had him for 4 years. He was poorly in November after his yearly vaccinations (he developed 2 ear infections and ?Kennel cough got given antibiotics and injection and cough stuff) since 23rd December (2010) he has been poorly, not eating. Lethargic, bloody diarrhoea, muscle loss, weight loss. Have taken him to the vets numerous times now so far he has had 2 blood tests, stool sample taken and a test for Addison's Disease. The blood samples showed a very elevated white cell count which was treated by antibiotics, stool sample came back negative, Negative result on the Addison's Disease test. He was put onto steroids and responded really well to them then went 'downhill' after he came off them (hence the Addison's Disease test) he is now on steroids again as he perked up last time. Vet has given me 2 options option 1) Keep Jerry on Steroids for a couple of weeks and see how he is when he comes off them (he thinks it could be as he was ill before this happened his body could be trying to recoup and steroid's might help) or option 2) Refer him to a specialist as he has now run out of idea's.
I have no problem with taking him to a specialist (besides the nearest one being miles and miles away from me.. however I have a car and will happily drive there)but I don't know whether to see if keeping him on steroids for a couple of weeks will do the trick. Poor little bugger's got me worried sick.
Any advice anyone?

Andile, I just happened upon all of this and I must tell you I went through this with my walker hound starting at l0 years old. Vet was very good, one I have used for years, put her on steroids because she was enemic (much like your dog, high white cell count which isn't good) humans as well as animals need a lot of red blood cells, too many white means there is too much infection.

Steroids are okay, dosage is critical because once your dog starts on them (they are used to perk up appetite to stimulate good red cells) they can't come off if the dosage is too high. So you are are constantly feeding them steroids, they are eating, but it is not benefiting what it is supposed too.

I would have to say change vets, all doctors human/animals have different approaches from where they have been tought, but you may have to realize my dear that there is no hope, as I did, and only prolonged my friend's suffering.

I wish you luck, and patience and just realize that you can't do anything else. Take the time with your lovely pet that you have, days, months, whatever and make it the happiest time you two have ever had. And then say goodbye as I had too. Many hugs.

Tick

Thanks for your post tick. Just thought I'd update you on what's happened. We have a sort of Diagnosis... We kept jerry on the steroids for a month or so then weaned him off them we also cut wheat out of his diet. (I am a student nurse and had a lecture on coeliac disease not long after the original post and the symptoms matched. To me the symptoms described an immuno-crisis) And Tada! Jerry is back to his usual self. Has put on weight he's gone up from his lowest weight 9.2kg to 13.2kg and is bouncier than ever! I don't know whether it was the steroids or the cutting out of wheat as we did both at the same time but I'm not reintroducing wheat as I don't want to risk causing him to become ill again And the vet agree's with me. We have decided to keep him wheat free and the vet has been keeping in contact to find out how he's doing. It's nice to have the usual Jerry back.
Andiie