Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 12/29/2009

Question
Hello Dr.
Last month, we took our 9 year old Corgi to the vet because we thought he had a bad tooth.  He rufused to chew his rawhide which he loves. The vet gave us another kind and he refused those.  He barely looked at his teeth.  The very next week, there was a day he refused to eat.  I also noticed his lymph nodes were swollen under his jaw.  The vet, once again barely looked at his teeth, felt the lymph nodes, felt the other lymph nodes and said he had leukemia.  Ok.  So, he did a cbc and said his white blood cells were quite high.  He gave him prednisone and sent us on our merry way.  Of course, he began eating his meals like a hog.  We then took him in to get his teeth cleaned to force him to check the tooth.  It was fractured, but ok.  I know this is long winded, but I want to give you the whole story.  A week after that, he had massive diarrhea.  Pure liquid.  Just shot out.  He went on like this for a day, and we took him in again.  The vet gave him some kind of shot, and antibiotics.  Next day, he was fine, but his white blood cells had gotten higher.  Is there any possible way that a stomach virus could make his white cells shoot up?  I mean, he has no other symptoms of leukemia.  He's well cared for, good food, house dog, spoiled rotten.  I don't know.  I just doubt his diagnosis and wondered where to go from here.  Thanks a ton for hangin' in.

Answer
Amanda -

Certainly, a stomach virus can lead to an increase the white blood cell count.  However, if your question is to second guess your veterinarian, you should seek a second opinion.  

Are you sure your vet said that the dog had leukemia and not lymphoma?  Again clarify things with your vet and if you are not happy with the results, get a second opinion from another veterinarian or see an internal medicine specialist.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM