At Wit's End - Mystery Dog Issue

[ZipZap]

Since the Vets have not been able to help, I thought I might throw this out here to see if anyone has had any similar experience.

I have a 7 yo female Basset (Daisy), spayed, and in good health until about 4 weeks ago. Right around 7/4, we started finding urine on the carpet. We have two dogs, so we had to go through a process of elimination (crating one) to determine which dog was the urinator. It was Daisy. Over the past 4 weeks Daisy has started to act strangely, sort of how I've seen dogs act when they're in some sort of pain. She paces and can't seem to get comfortable. She whines and has become less social. For a few days she stopped eating.

We have taken her to our normal vet, as well as a specialist. She has had bloodwork, x-rays, sonogram, urinalysis, basic cognition and all have come back absolutely normal. We are awaiting one more set of bloodwork specifically for some tick borne diseases that should come back tomorrow, but the way things have gone, I don't expect a solid answer.

About the only thing left is neurology, but I'm not too excited about pursuing that path.

Has anybody had any similar experiences? Seeing her this way is killing me.

[LisaJohn]

Have they checked her for bladder cancer or a urinary tract infection? My beloved Jack Russell Noodle, had bladder cancer.

[Blademaker]

Originally Posted by LisaJohn

Have they checked her for bladder cancer or a urinary tract infection? My beloved Jack Russell Noodle, had bladder cancer.

[ZipZap]

No UTI. Bladder got checked during the sonogram, as well as no elevated calcium levels.

[pappytinker]

Whipworm or hookworms?

Whipworms in Dogs - Signs - Diagnosis - Treating Whipworms

Hookworms in Dogs - Signs - Diagnosis - Treating Hookworms

[Vet4jdc]

check for kidney stones

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by pappytinker

Whipworm or hookworms?

Whipworms in Dogs - Signs - Diagnosis - Treating Whipworms

Hookworms in Dogs - Signs - Diagnosis - Treating Hookworms

Stool is solid, with no blood. Anemia ruled out via blood work.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Vet4jdc

check for kidney stones

They didn't see anything in the sonogram, and she doesn't seem to be in any pain while urinating.

[lander]

Did you check her flapper?

[Vet4jdc]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

They didn't see anything in the sonogram, and she doesn't seem to be in any pain while urinating.

stones won't cause pain during urination...pain comes from blockage, pressure, tearing the liner of the urinary tract.....different types of stones show up in different ways. (just so you know)

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by Vet4jdc

stones won't cause pain during urination...pain comes from blockage, pressure, tearing the liner of the urinary tract.....different types of stones show up in different ways. (just so you know)

We'll ask next time we talk to the vet.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by lander

Did you check her flapper?

Freaking toilet self healed...

Wish the same could be said for the dog.

I'm tired of mystery.

[CBonsall]

just lost my german shepherd to liver cancer.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by CBonsall

just lost my german shepherd to liver cancer.

Sorry to hear. While Daisy does not show any signs through blood work, liver and spleen aspiration may be the next step.

[Kevin_73]

Has there been any change in the way she walks/runs?

My male dalmatian started having problems while running. He couldn't control his rear end while cornering (oversteer). It got worse over time, and eventually he started having pain and trouble controlling his bowels.
The doctors could not find any reason for it until I took him to a specialist. They found that he had "boney proliferation of the spine". About 3 or 4 of the vertebrae in his neck had grown huge amounts of extra bone, and it was putting pressure on his spinal cord.
Treatment options were:
1) Surgery for about $3500 (I had already spent $1500 on the diagnosis) and they gave it a 50/50 chance of helping him.
2) Steroids and pain killers.

I tried the drugs for a while and it helped a little, but after about 3 months even that wasn't helping.
The surgery was expensive and painful for him, but after the recovery period it bought him another 2 years of quality life.

[simpleman68]

Originally Posted by LisaJohn

Have they checked her for bladder cancer or a urinary tract infection? My beloved Jack Russell Noodle, had bladder cancer.

Same thing with my Father in Law's Jack. Miss that little man; he was an incredible dog.
Same symptoms you're describing to a "t".
Scott

[LisaJohn]

Originally Posted by simpleman68

Same thing with my Father in Law's Jack. Miss that little man; he was an incredible dog.
Same symptoms you're describing to a "t".
Scott

How long did your FIL's JRT live with the bladder cancer? Noodle made it 9 months after her diagnosis. She was 10 years old.


OP-How is your furry friend?

[simpleman68]

Originally Posted by LisaJohn

How long did your FIL's JRT live with the bladder cancer? Noodle made it 9 months after her diagnosis. She was 10 years old.


OP-How is your furry friend?

He went for 3-4 months before they put him asleep. Was tough to see the other jack, his "stable-mate" of 10 years, come home and look for him
Scott

[VITE1]

Bassets are susceptible to Glaucoma. Have her checked out. Mine had it and made her anti social and irritable.

[onedef92]

Does she seem confused or disoriented? Could be signs of early-onset "doggie dementia."

Similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is caused by physical changes in the brain and its chemicals.

Daisy may have CCD if she has a number of the following behaviors:

• Becomes lost in familiar places around the home or backyard
• Becomes trapped behind familiar furniture or in room corners
• Has trouble finding and using doors and negotiating stairways
• Does not respond to her name or familiar commands
• Is withdrawn and unwilling to play, go for walks, or even go outside
• Does not recognize or is startled by family members, toys, etc.
• Frequently trembles or shakes, either while standing or lying down
• Paces or wanders aimlessly throughout the house
• Has difficulty learning new tasks, commands, or routes
• Frequently soils in the house, regardless of the frequency she is brought outside
• Sleeps more during the day, less during the night
• Stares at walls or into space and is startled by interior lighting, the television, etc.
• Seeks less and less of your attention, praise, and play
• Is hesitant to take treats, drink fresh water, or eat fresh food