I took my girl to 3 counties on Thurs, she was fine in the morning, had a skip round the garden before she went in the van, the journey was about 3.5 hours but the van was cool....

got to the show and she had a drink and sat on the grass in the car-park for a while whilst I got our bits together.

she was fine walking down to the show, when we got to the outdoor ring I noticed the muscles in the back legs were quivering, and she laid down whilst I looked in the catalogue to get my bench number.

got to the bench and she went straight on it when I put her bedding down, and had another drink of water.

everytime I got her off the bench to groom her she wanted to go back on it, and I noticed her back legs were still trembling. I thought maybe she needs to stretch her legs a bit as she'd been in the van...so I tried walking her around outside behind some of the stands, but I noticed her movement at the back was getting worse and worse.

I made the decision to withdraw her from her class and told the steward, and then went to the vet tent, my girl by this time walking very unsteadily and taking tiny stiff steps with her back legs

we got to the tent and the vet checked her over, said she was in pain in her rear end but could find no obvious cause. Her temperature was 105. She was given a shot of metacam and a shot of antibiotic and rested for 20 mins, and I told the vet I would drive straight home

I had to carry her out of the van at home, my hubby sat with her on the grass for a while and then she hopped in, her back legs hopping together.

In herself she was alert, she just lay on her side in the kitchen, and we left her to rest. She seemed to rally round by the evening and managed to walk into the sitting room to climb on the sofa with us, and she happily ate her tea. She went out for a wee at about 10pm but we couldn't see what it was like.

Fri morning she was still having difficulty walking, and I was worried about the strain it would put on her upper body and heart, she went out for a wee and I managed to collect a sample for my vet, and it had blood in it.

The vet took her temp at 10am Fri morning and it was 103. She could find no obvious cause for the rear stiffness and told me she was very worried.

So my girl has been admitted to the Hull branch. She has had blood tests that showed her blood was a bit concentrated, so they flushed 2 litres of fluid through her, she had a scan of her spine, which showed no narrowing in the spinal canal, or between her discs. She had a scan of her abdominal area, her diaphragm is in order, her stomach is fine, she has a lot of faeces inside her as she hasn't defecated since weds 2200hrs, her left kidney looks fine, they couldn't see her right kidney properly because of the faeces, the only comment the vet made was that her liver appeared pushed forward, but seemed to be fine other than that.

They are conducting liver function tests today, and are hoping to x-ray her pelvic area.

She is not happy walking they tell me, and is shuffling her back legs.

She is 39k dog, and I am very very VERY worried.

Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be???

The vet initially thought kidney stones, but can see no crystals. She is still passing blood.

She is 5, and I have always considered her healthy, I wouldn't take her to a show if there was any problem. Is this a virus?? It came on so suddenly, the vets assure me it's nothing to do with me taking her out on that day, cos I am really beating myself up about it...

can anyone help?? Please..

:(

So sorry to hear about your girl.  Sorry I cant offer any suggestions.  Hope she gets better soon

Jill

further call from vets - she has deteriorated overnight, but is described as "ok"

her heart rate has gone up to 180 and she is panting again, and she has started vomiting

they are going to take further bloods, and check for pancreas levels, but won't get results until Tues!!

they have increased her fluids and she is on antibiotics and multi-vitamins, and they will continue to feed her

they asked me if anyone gave her anything to eat at the show, they asked me about pesticides in my garden, we don't use pesticides, and all my other dogs are fine at home, and they run and play in the garden the same as she does...

I really don't know what to think right now...  

i went on monday  and a friend with their fcr to.
one of their fcr was rush in on wednesday night shaking and beeing sick, ring her now to find out what the situation is with him but i do know that the other two have gone down with it as well,
may be some thing on the grounds there,
i do know that they had to roll the ground over the weekend the stewart told me that in the main ring on monday.

briedog please let me know what the problem was, I might try and contact the Showground and see if they know anything about this that I can pass back to the vets......

i try to call her now,no reply.
but left a message,

but i got to to work now untill 5pm.

i be in touch
send me your phone number pm i give you a call asap.

the computer keeps freezing up on me!!!!

I have managed to PM you now.....bloomin computer

I will let vet know anyway in case they can make any enqs, does anyone have the detaisl of the site vet?? I am at work and don't have the catalogue with me, my head is all over the place :(

Didnt go and burned the schedule a few days ago - but the secretary might be able to help

Sec. Mrs J Lane: Dept D The Showground Malvern Worcs

Tel: 01584 711094 Fax:01684 584910

Email: lane@littlehereford.fsnet.co.uk

Jill

thanks Jill, have got number for vets to pass to my vet, and she said she wasn't aware of any similar symptoms reported by the vet during the show

I know I'm clutching at straws, but I don't know what else to do

Dearlady I do hope your girl will be ok. Fingers crossed and praying that everything will be fine. xx

am still waiting for news, I feel so helpless :(

struggling to concentrate at work and keep bursting in to tears......

I just don't want to lose my girl, she really is my heart-dog and I love her so so much :(

Just caught up with this and I'm so sorry to read about your girl  :( :( :(  Please God the experts will get to the bottom of this and she will soon turn the corner and make a full recovery.

In some ways this sounds very similar to what happened to one of mine over Easter weekend - the shaking, fever and in that instance acute abdominal pain.  Bloods were done and nothing untoward discovered despite repeated physical exams, being hospitalised for initially 8 hours and the next day 24 hours and being on IV fluids.  I don't know if there was blood in the urine but blood was evident in both D&V.

After explosive bloody and watery D, the abdominal pain seemed to ease immediately and no more vomit with blood in.  Temperature returned to normal also.  It was diagnosed (somewhat vaguely TBH) as haemorragic gastro entiritis (sp) and thankfully after almost 4 full days of seeming likely to lose this precious girl, she made an almost immediate recovery.

Please God your girl will do the same.
Hugs and blessings,
Teri x 

I certainly hope she does make a full recovery

the vet just called, she states her liver function appears to be getting worse :( bloods have been taken, but again no results til Tues. They have conducted liver function test, again, no results til Tues

the next option is liver biopsy, but vet unwilling to consider that until her condition improves

the increased fluids appears to be helping her red blood cell count get back to normal, but it indicates she is dehydrated. How can my girl be dehydrated, I fee like I have let her down, there must have been something I could have done!! She showed no symptoms of anything until I got to the show, I feel like I have neglected her, even though I know I haven't :( :(

the vet says she hasn't vomited again and is keeping her food down, she still has blood in her urine, and appears "brighter"

I can go and visit her tomorrow, I so want to see her, but I don't want to distress her.....

Can't offer any advice, just moral support.  Hope your girl is OK.

All the best.

> She showed no symptoms of anything until I got to the show, I feel like I have neglected her, even though I know I haven't :-( :-(

Of course you haven't neglected her!!!!  My girl came down VERY suddenly with illness and she had been to no shows, clubs, anywhere unusual - in fact not anywhere that the other two hadn't also been, all eaten the same diet etc. and they were both absolutely fine.

You're both officially on the prayer list kiddo ;)
Teri x

I cant offer any advice, but I do wish your girl is ok.  Please dont feel you have neglected her!  You are doing everything possible to find out what is wrong with your baby.

You and your girl are in my prayers

Sorry to hear about your girl and sending lots of positive healing thoughts your way.

Oh am so sorry your little girl is so ill. I do not know anything that it could be but just wanted you to know I am thinking of her, and you. I do know however  how it feels as I have a rough collie,Amber very ill  at the moment. she is 11. The vet thought she had a womb infection but she didnt show the signs that went with it, drinking a lot and weeing a lot. After antibiotics monday until thursday he saw her again. Did a scan of womb and again signs of pyometre maybe he thought. Took her in and yesterday decided to do operation. He took her womb away but said it wasnt like a womb infection normally is,liquidy but more thicker. He also said he felt a node in her  spleen and didnt know what it was. Anyway they have let her home today because she will not eat and they thought she would at home. But cooked white fish,  she doesnt want it or chicken. I am worried sick about her.
I do hope you have good news soon. love to you both xxx

thankyou all for your moral support, and Lilacben - I hope Amber is feeling better soon

I went to see her today, I seem to have spent the last few days bawling my eyes out

She seemed pleased to see me, but is obviously unwell. She made no attempt to stand, though every now and then she half sits up, though it seems to make her pant.

Her gums look more their normal colour (they were very dark) and the vets say her heart rate and temp is virtually back to normal.

They showed me the scans of her liver, which is what they are concerned about, it seems to have a finger-like tendril that projects towards the stomach, if that makes any sense? For all we know, it could have always been like that, we have no other x-rays/scans to compare it to. The scans don't show any abnormalities, but her liver enzymes are elevated, so they want to do a biopsy when she is well enough to have GA

she still hasn't defecated, though the vet manually evacuated some for her last night after I expressed my concerns (bless him)

she had a wee today, typically not whilst I was there so I don't know if she stood up or just wet herself :( but there was no blood in it, which has to be good??

we don't get any results back until Tues, so everything is still very much a guessing game.....

so fingers crossed for my girl, I am trying to stay logical and realistic, the bottom line is that I don't want her to suffer, though I am hoping for a positive result 

my thoughts are with you.
wishing a speedy recovery for your girl

Ditto...
Positive thoughts and hugs xxx

thinking of you -everything crossed here for a positive result

Many thanks for your kind words. I am so pleased to hear you saw her today and she seems to be feeling a bit better.I am keeping everything crossed for you that results come back ok. take care and give her a cuddle from Amber and I when you see her.  xx

Hi Dearlady

I know all results not yet due back, but has she perked up at all?  Please update when you can.

Teri x

yes, please do! we're all hoping for her

Was there something in DW about dogs taking ill etc. at a show recently?  Don't know which one but I'm sure my mum mentioned it and it was in last weeks.

How can my girl be dehydrated

vomiting and fever cause dehydration so not your fault at all, don't blame yourself. Hope all is well with the tests tomorrow and she is back home with you soon
marion

well it's not good news

she was in vets near me (well 20 miles away) from Fri morning until 5pm today, during that time they have taken numerous blood samples, tested electrolites, taken scans.... no results from bloods til Tues

they were due to put her under for full x-ray of spine and pelvis today, as they were happy with her general condition.

I got a call at 3.45 this afternoon to say that they now thought it was neurological so would not be taking any x-rays...and could I take her to Chester for an MRI...

I'm not very happy that it's taken them this long to think of this, I've paid the bill at the vets where she was (nearly 2,000) and have taken her to Chester animal hospital. She is now struggling to walk at all, and has to be virtually carried. She also lost bowel control in the van, so it looks like she has little control of her body from rib-cage down. Other than that she is still quite perky, she kept sitting up in the van to look out of the rear window, and kept nudging me to stroke her whilst we were waiting to go in to the hospital.

She will hopefully be having MRI tomorrow once they get her settled.

I'm not sure what I think right now, it's hard to stay positive, I guess I'm still hoping for a viral cause that can be medicated, rather than a physiological cause, I don't think it's fair on her to put her through test after test, and if she ends up with a physical disability I don't know how we'll cope.....but let's cross that bridge when we get to it

I just want my girl back home, it's not the same here without her and I feel so sad :(

please keep her in your thoughts, if you met her you would know what a sweet gentle girl she is, everyone loves her, the nurses at the vets in Hull were sad to see her go, she touches everyone, she's so beautiful inside and out, I love her and can't bear to think of being without her

SO sorry to hear that it wasnt good news.  I am and will continue to pray for an answer for you.  Hopefully, your baby is gonna be ok. 

was watching an episode of Campus Vets, I know, not the best thing, but they had a dog with similar symptoms.  They said it was parvo, and this dog didnt have diarhea (sp I know I spelt it wrong).  But it couldnt walk, mostly in the rear legs.  Had a fever, dehydrated, and had problems with blood levels, no energy etc.  They treated it, and the dog came round. 

I could be totally wrong, and I dont want to worry you at all.  But has your vet tested for this? 

Prayers are with you. 

Haven't any suggestions, I'm afraid, but just to let you know I'm thinking of you and your girl.

Praying for your girl and you, Dearlady. I hope so much for you to bring her home safe and well. xxx

I have called the vets, they say she was bright overnight, and has been trying to get up...

her temp etc is normal, and they have catheterised her to make her more comfortable

they are intending to scan her at some point today

I forgot to leave a blanket with her yesterday which smelled of home, but hopefully I will get it across to her sometime.....

hang in there Leah x x

all the best with todays results.

chin up and take care
terri

Still thinking of you and your girl and hoping and praying all will be OK.

Hugs,
Sarah.

Hugs and prayers to you both - please God the scan and test results will point your vets in the right direction on how to get your sweet girl fit and healthy again :)

God bless, Teri xxx

If it's Geoff Syrett's hospital she's gone to she's in the best hands, the nurses & vets are lovely, our Loukar isn't over keen on strangers when he's on his own, but he was wagging his tail & offering Cavalier kisses to everyone when we went to pick him up after his MRI scan.

Everything crossed for your girl

I only know it's at Chestergate

the staff seemed very nice, and I asked them to take good care of my girl, and that she likes hugs and kisses.....

thankyou all for your kind words and thoughts

I'm a bit of a mess

I hope you have some good news today . My thoughts and  are with you at this worrying time .

Thinking of you. Hope today there is some progress, even if its only tiny it would be a step in the right direction.
Hugs to you both.xxx

Thinking of you and your girl today, hope all goes well (((hugs))))
xx

Oh your poor baby. I'm writing this with tears streaming down my face. I really really feel for you and you baby. Please God make her better. Keep strong for her and God bless you both.

Thinking of you and your girl today

Chestergste is Geoff's & he is the leading expert so she is definitely in the best place

Sending some positive vibes to you & your girl

Well I may be wrong but if she has a temp that generally means she has something IE a bug , virus, infection so it may not be physical just the reaction to previous said.

Fingers crossed she comes out the other end soon.

thankyou Moonmaiden, it's great to know she is in good hands

and again thanks to all for keeping her in your thoughts

I'm trying to not cry, but every now and then I have a wobble

But I have stayed strong for my girl, I save my wobbles for when I'm at home etc

Ohh so sorry. I'm praying for your girl too. Thinking of both of you, your so brave. (((((hugs)))))

Dear lady,

Just to let you know I am thinking of you and your girl - I so hope she is okay. It sounds like you are doing everything you can for her. xx

I am wishing for a good outcome for you both. As other have said, hopefully it is a viral infection. Sending lots of positive thoughts and best wishes.

I've only just seen this. I'm so sorry, I hope your girl fully recovers and is back home with you very soon.