Expert: Kaza - 3/22/2008

Question
QUESTION: My 8-year-old Bichon has suddenly become lethargic today.
She's normally very energetic and love chasing her ball around the fied but today she just walked slowly, wasn't interested in her ball or her treats. Any idea what is wrong with her?

ANSWER: Hiya Valerie is she spayed, is she drinking lots of water, is she in pain, look at the gums what do you see, are they blue , pink, moist.
How is her diet, has she eaten today if yes what?
Smell her what do you smell?

Look in her ears, are they clean and not smelly?
Feel her tummy, is is soft or hard, has she had access to bones at atll.
I can help you if you answer these xx

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt reply.
To answer your questions:
she is spayed; not drinking any more water than usual;
doesn't appear to be in pain; gums pinkish-purple, moist
hasn't eaten today (but she doesn't normally eat until evening; however she normally shows interest in what I'm eating, but not today. Wasn't interested in her treats either. Just ate a tiny sliver of cheese, which I give her as a treat when I groom her.
No unusual smell
Ears look clean (faint smell, but haven't smelled her ears before, so don't know whether this is normal).
Tummy feels normal
Nose is quite hot and dry
Thanks again for your help
Valerie

ANSWER: Hiya Valerie
It all sounds quite normal , however I am not a vet, I would just offer her some fresh chicken broth and fresh water and leave her to rest for 12-24 hours. I dont think its anything too serious , she may just want time out.
Ensure she is warm and just ensure she has been wormed up to date and vaccinated up to date.
If tomorrow she is still quiet I suggest taking her to the vet and ask for a thorough examination .
Usually though within 24 hours dogs like this just start to get second wind and its as if they were testing us all the time.
You could try her with a vitamin B tablet to encourage her appetite.

Good Luck keep me posted
Karen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again Karen,
Well it's 24hrs. since Bailey showed signs of lethargy, and she's still the same.
I gave her some chicken broth last evening which she readily drank, but doesn't appear to have moved from her bed upstairs during the night. I put her outside this morning, but she didn't pee, just stood where I put her.
I offered her water but she's not interested, just wants to sleep...
Her nose is cool and moist and her eyes appear bright, her breath is a little unpleasant, but I don't know what her breath usually smells like - I only adopted her 2 months ago.
What are your thoughts?...it would be a long weekend when the local vet I know well is closed...do you think I should take her to a vet anyway? Sorry for the indecision...if she was showing signs of pain, or had vomiting or diarreah I wouldn't hesitate.
Thanks again for your help
Regards,
Valerie

Answer
I think its now time to get her to a vet, If not taking a pee it could be infection, stones, that are causing this .I would get to a vet soon and explain that she is not peeing etc.
In meantime give her some cranberry tablets to help her.

Good luck


Please ask the vet to test her thyroid function please, Bichons can suffer from addisons and I would like you to read all of this so you understand what Iam saying
http://www.addisondogs.com/addisons/whatis.html