About 3 months ago my Black lab started slowing down and having trouble getting up, going up stairs and walking. He has been to 2 different vets and been on everything from muscle relaxors to steroids to antibiotics because of a temp of 104. He had x-rays that showed only very minor arthritis and his labs were all normal. He refuses to eat but drinks water. I try to get him to eat anything but he won't. Any help would be great.

You may have a tough choice to make: expensive tests or time to let him go, especially if he won't eat. I'm wondering about Lyme... especially with the fever and sore joints. Possibly not enough antibiotics for that... (speaking as a human who had it). But not eating often means something more serious, if not a bowel obstruction, or a twisted bowel (did they look for those?). How pink are his gums? Will he eat anything? When my golden had cancer, he wouldn't eat his dog food, so I gave him hamburger - the vet said give him whatever he wants.

Has the fever been an issue for this entire time? Do you have a digital thermometer that you can keep track of it with?
I would track it often, you should find that his temp will be more normal during the middle of the day. Fever tends to spike (normally) first thing in the morning and then about mid afternoon and on.
Is he on antibiotics now? Any other meds?
The fact that he is not eating could be caused by different things, but if he constantly running a temp that could factor in pretty heavily.
Joy brings up a good point, has he been tested for Lymes?
Unfortunately I cannot tell you anything about what might be wrong with him, I can only guess.
I can however, give you tips on getting some food into him.
There are also a couple of things you can do for him at home that may help with the fever.
Food-Try boiled chicken or hamburger and rice, drained of the fat, no skin, no bones, no seasoning.
There are also some high calorie prescription foods that you can pick up from your vet.
Track his temp, the closer to normal it is (101-102) the greater the chance he may eat.
Make sure to offer him food at this time, spoon feed, hand feed, whatever you have to do.
You may literally have to talk him into eating.
Can't promise you that he will eat, but it is worth a try.
Fever-Fill a spray bottle with alcohol, your regular run of the mill isopropyl alcohol.
If your tracking his temp, and it is high you can spray the pads of his feet with the alcohol.
You can also make a cool (not ice cold) just cold tap water compress.
Sit with him and place the compress on his inner thigh, there is a large vein running right up that part of the leg, the idea is too slowly cool the blood itself, resulting in dropping his temp it may not be much but any drop is better than nothing.
These are simply suggestions on what you can do for him at home, it is in no way a solution to any problems he may have.
I would urge you to call your vet first thing in the morning, call one or both, if he is no better then they may need more diagnostics in order to figure him out.
I wish I could be of more help.
I hope you get him sorted out, good luck.

Thank you both, He has been tested for Lyme disease and it was negative. Right now he is on Doxicycline and Tramadol and Neurontin. He won't eat anything, I have boiled chicken tried soft food from the vet with high calorie, Hamburgers, he will take a bite or two then is uninterested. He will take his pills with a piece of cheese but is hesitant and I almost have to force him. His temp at the Doctor was 104 then after he started antibiotics he was at 102.9. I have not checked since yesterday but he pants a lot of the time but his ears are not warm. I am not concerend about money just if he is in pain or suffering. Is cancer a possibility? He poops OK and drinks his water. Thank you again for any help.

I had you a pretty detailed response and then my computer crapped out so I'll try to remember it all, it might be tough.
Not Lyme disease, good to rule that out.
Doxicycline can make him nauseous if given without food.
Neurontin (Gabapentin) can also make him nauseated.
We use Tramadol quite often with good results, I haven't noticed stomach issues so much with it, but not impossible.
Given all of that, perhaps you could discuss adjusting his meds and see if that helps or maybe a stomach protectant that you can give before the meds.
Nauseous dogs will usually lick (almost like a smacking action) and drool a little more, something to watch for.
Rectal temp is the way to go, you want a core temp you can't always tell by touching his body.
I understand you don't want him in pain or suffering it is evident to me that you have his best interest at heart, bless you. Your dog thanks you and I thank you.
If he will let you syringe feed him then making a slurry of the soft food may be what you have to do, he probably won't like it, but if he doesn't spit it out or vomit then it is in.
Have you discussed the possibility of cancer with your vet?
This is not at all what I want to say, but yes, cancer is a possibility and I say this mainly because it is such an indiscriminate disease.
I would discuss this if you haven't already, you may be in for more diagnostics, but an answer is an answer.
Im sorry this looks like a bullet presentation of sorts I was trying to get it typed again just in case the computer went wacky again.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I understand how you feel as I have a Bernese Mountain Dog who is suffering from a mast cell tumour and was given less than a year to live in October, 2010. You have received excellent advice here so far. I would definitely ask the vet(s) what they feel is the cause of the fever. I would also request a second round of blood tests and have them look for anything they can think of.

It is good that he is drinking, and I assume he is eating a bit. Have you checked his teeth and gums? If so, are there any loose or infected teeth/gums? If not, have you examined the inside of his mouth to see if there are any obstructions (ie: bones/stick, etc.) that might be stuck in the teeth at the back? If all appears well (or even if it doesn't) then you might want to try baby food, yogurt or tuna.

Failing all that, it might be time to start preparing to say goodbye to your best friend. There just comes a point in time where you determine that having all kinds of tests and seeing your boy suffer as he seems to be is just not the way to say good-bye. He deserves dignity as well as love.

I hope that they can get to the root of his problems soon. Please keep us updated.

Hugs, Didi

Thank you for responding so quickly. He is really worrying me and I just want him to be OK. He does not seem nauseous and he has not thrown up at all. He has been on the Tramadol for over a month now and is still hesitant to get up and slow at moving around and has difficulty with stairs. He has only been on the antibiotic for 2.5 days and the neurontin for a week. I am calling the vet today as cause she is very good and seems to care a lot about the animals, she even calls to check up. I will bring up cancer with her although it makes me nervous as I am a nurse at a cancer hospital. Anything to be able to make him more comfortable though. Thank you

Put some liquid cheese in with his food my dogs love it.
Olive oil is also good for dogs

Sorry, I just had a flash back to my Sammy who I lost back in 2005 when she first started having issues. So, I was just wondering if they have tested for any type of kidney disease or infection? Have you taken in a urine sample? If not, please do so. It could explain the drinking, not eating much and his reluctance to get up, etc. If this is his problem, the sooner it's caught, the better his chances would be. Anyhow, was just a shot in the dark.

Hugs, Didi