Unusual Symptoms

[mickeysmum]

Mickey seems to not be feeling well. A little background: Mickey is 4. When he was 1 and had his first rabies shot, he became very ill within the week that followed. We almost lost him. We were never sure if it was the shot--and there was some talk of it being lymphangectasia, but he was never diagnosed for certain.

He's been mostly healthy since then with only a few days here and there of him vomiting/ having diarrhea. He's on a special diet and he hasn't had to go to the vet for a sick visit for 3 years.

He was due for a rabies vaccination this summer. I consulted with his dr. who is wonderful. We decided to try a shot of steroids before the shot and oral steroids afterward. We did this, and he didn't have a reaction to the shot.

He has definitely gained weight on the steroid, and was eating, drinking and peeing more than ever. Also a lot of panting, which was listed as one of the side effects of the steroid. He hasn't seemed his happy self--seems a little uncomfortable with the weight gain, but is still eating, playing, etc.

He had the shot on Aug. 15 and finished the steroid this past week. He was on a schedule where he was gradually weaned from it.

So last night he started acting very odd. He had trouble sleeping and was constantly moving around the bed. He's also been licking his lips/ nose, swallowing a lot, and making some snorting and whining sounds. He sometimes starts to cough a little.

I walked him this morning and he had a normal BM, but wouldn't eat or drink this morning. My husband and I tried to use a flashlight to see into his mouth/ throat, but we couldn't see anything. It doesn't seem as though anything is stuck in his throat, as he does sleep peacefully for short periods.

I gave him a bath just to be sure there wasn't anything on his face that he was licking at, and he perked up a lot after the bath--ran around the house, chased his ball, but still wouldn't eat or drink. We have him laying on the bed with us now and he's snorting and licking, but will also doze off.

Any ideas what this could be? It almost seems to me like he has a cold/ sniffles, but the snorting/ coughing sounds are scary.

Thanks.

[BabyGirl Rosie]

Have you talked to your vet about him acting this way? Maybe its a side effect to the steroid? Hopefully someone here can answer this for you. Maybe he would be a pup who could be excluded from taking the required rabies shot. Sometimes, if there are health concerns, you can have the vet recommend not getting it. Hope he gets to feeling better soon!

[mickeysmum]

I haven't talked to the vet because this just started overnight and they are not there until Tuesday with this being a holiday weekend.

We did talk about him being excluded from getting the shot. We have a lot of rabies around where I live. His doctor said we'd try it this time and if he had another reaction, he'd exclude him.

Right now he's trying to rest. He'll sleep for a few minutes, then he's up licking his lips and letting out little snorting noises. It seems like he's swallowing a lot.

[Maximo]

The nose licking and swallowing/coughing can also be a sign of stomach upset, which could also be the reason he is not drinking or eating.

If he won't drink, you have to be concerned with dehydration, especially since he just came off a steroid.

I would get a waiver for rabies vaccinations and not give him another one.

Hope he is feeling better soon.

[sandy simpson]

Some days my Spud will not eat his food. I wonder if it is too hot outside or he does not like the food. Blue Buffalo is what he eats. I would definitely not take a chance with the shot again. You may lose him to that. I will pray he feels better. Perhaps his food is not agreeing with him. Check that out.

[kjc]

Steroids stop the immune system from reacting, so giving them with a vaccine is utterly pointless. When a vaccine is given, it's job is to stimulate the immune system thereby forcing it to make antibodies against disease. Steroids stop this from happening.

Also while the immune system is down by steroids, your pup is susceptible to catching anything he comes in contact with, as the immune system is responsible for fighting off any foreign invaders. You may want to check with your vet (or a new vet) to make sure he doesn't now need antibiotics.

I'd also ask a vet about getting him a Medical Exemption from having to get the Rabies Vaccine in the future.

[mickeysmum]

Well, my kids woke up and were successful feeding him by hand. He ate a little and the licking and other noises have stopped for now. He's resting in his bed, but seems to be feeling better.

I'll probably still make a vet appt. for him for Tuesday just to check on everything. I'm still really confused about what is going on with him.

Thanks for all of the information/ advice! I'd still appreciate any insight if anyone else has seen these symptoms in their dog.

[tricia208]

This is a previous post of mine but when someone finally told me about Dr. Ron Schultz I found most of the answers I needed to decide about rabies and other vaccinations. Titter testing can prevent many problems. I hope his articles and information helps you as well.

Dr. Ron Schultz, Vaccination Titter Testing I know this is a trying time for you and hope the best for your puppy. Vaccinations for all [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]animals[/COLOR][/COLOR] are serious but for the animals under 10 pounds it is extremely serious. Yorkies and other breeds are having abscesses, anxiety, seizures, digestion problems and a host of issues interfering with the health and happiness of the dog. Before vaccinating any animal I would suggest reading Dr. Ron Schultz's article and titter testing your pets first.
What Everyone Needs to Know About Canine Vaccines by Ronald D. Schultz, PhD

http://truth4pets.org/2012/06/what-everyone-needs-to-know/

Also, Titter Testing our pets before administering the vaccination is always a good idea. It is worth the expense and time. This information may be helpful.

REASONS FOR VACCINE TITER TESTING *


· To determine that animal is protected (suggested by a positive test result)

· To identify a susceptible animal (suggested by a negative test result)

· To determine whether an individual animal has responded to a vaccine

· To determine whether an individual vaccine is effectively immunizing animals

* from: Schultz, Ford, Olsen, Scott. Vet Med, 97: 1-13, 2002 (insert)


AVAILABLE VACCINE TITERS FOR DOGS

· Distemper Virus

· Parvovirus

· Adenovirus 2 (hepatitis)

· Bordetella

· Panleukopenia

· Corona Virus [not recommended]

· Rabies Virus (RFFIT: non export)

I hope this information helps with future vaccinations and wish I would have read it before my precious Yorkie had her [COLOR=green !important][COLOR=green !important]rabies [COLOR=green !important]vaccination[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]. All the best to you.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by mickeysmum

Well, my kids woke up and were successful feeding him by hand. He ate a little and the licking and other noises have stopped for now. He's resting in his bed, but seems to be feeling better.

I'll probably still make a vet appt. for him for Tuesday just to check on everything. I'm still really confused about what is going on with him.

Thanks for all of the information/ advice! I'd still appreciate any insight if anyone else has seen these symptoms in their dog.

These are rather general symptoms that could be the result of a large number of things.

I'm glad he appears to be doing better because the first concern would be something is caught in his throat.

It could also be a throat irritation -- my Max had that. I thought he was choking and we went to the ER. The vet said he had a very sore throat. Max recovered after having antibiotics.

Also could be stomach as I indicated above. Acid reflux from an upset belly.

[Marhcarter]

Just a thought: steroids can increase blood sugar, leading to frequent urination and dry mouth/mucous membranes. Usually increased thirst, not decreased, though. It would be something to have checked
Many times the increased glucose is transient, returning to normal after the course of steroids is completed, which could be why the symptoms are resolving, too.

[kjc]

It might be a good idea to have a Bile Acid Test done, to check his liver function. I'd wait about one month after the vaccine though to do this, as the liver is responsible for processing vaccines and doing it too soon afterwards may show his values increased.

[mickeysmum]

I really appreciate all of the very helpful and informative replies.

Well, Mickey stopped the licking/ snorting sounds after the kids got him to eat a little. He slept in his bed for a short time, and then was back to himself. He started eating and drinking from his bowls and was playful once again.

He hasn't made those noises at all from yesterday late-morning through now. I did find a spot on the carpet where he may have thrown up a little during the night on Saturday, but there certainly wasn't much there and I'm not even 100% sure that's what it was...

I've never seen him act like that before--with all of the licking, snorting, coughing, and whining sounds. I do suspect that it had something to do with the steroid...or perhaps he had a minor throat irritation or tummy ache. It was strange how it went on all night long and then stopped so suddenly.

Well, as I'm typing, Mickey has brought me his ball, so--time to play catch!
Thanks again!

[penelope65]

What bothers me is that they give the same amount of vaccine to a Yorkie as they give to a Great Dane. My mom had Chihuahuas and would give a smaller dose of the vaccine.

[Maximo]

Happy to hear Mickey is doing better.

[Lisa and Pic]

Originally Posted by mickeysmum

I really appreciate all of the very helpful and informative replies.

Well, Mickey stopped the licking/ snorting sounds after the kids got him to eat a little. He slept in his bed for a short time, and then was back to himself. He started eating and drinking from his bowls and was playful once again.

He hasn't made those noises at all from yesterday late-morning through now. I did find a spot on the carpet where he may have thrown up a little during the night on Saturday, but there certainly wasn't much there and I'm not even 100% sure that's what it was...

I've never seen him act like that before--with all of the licking, snorting, coughing, and whining sounds. I do suspect that it had something to do with the steroid...or perhaps he had a minor throat irritation or tummy ache. It was strange how it went on all night long and then stopped so suddenly.

Well, as I'm typing, Mickey has brought me his ball, so--time to play catch!
Thanks again!

Glad he is doing better.

Piccolo did all of the same things, but this went on for months. (licking, weird sounds, etc., plus lots more) After two months of going to the regular vet to try and figure out what was going on, she started getting scabs in her ears, on her paws, and on her body. It was a vaccine reaction. It doesn't sound like your pup has the same thing, since it stopped.