Expert: Kaza - 8/11/2008

Question
Bailey will be 5 in October. I took her to the vet for vomiting. She was given tummy coating meds and amoxicillin, and something to tell her brain she is not nauseous. She seemed worse that night - still vomiting and unable to get comfortable in bed - also drinking water and pacing for several hours. Took he back to the vet who did X-rays with barium drink and watched it curl down through her intestines. Noticed vertebrae that were scrunched together and thought she was in pain due to this and prescribed Prednisone and a muscle relaxer. She seems reluctant to jump up on some things. She only groans when she goes to lie down. She is drinking so much water I can barely keep her bowl filled. She is urinating what appears to be straight water frequently. She does not want to run around the couch, which is her favorite game - she will play a bit of tug-o-war. Her appetite is huge. She is not herself. She seems tender in her midsection. She rubs her face on the rug or the couch. She no longer wants a belly rub - keeps her legs closed - will not open up for the belly rubs she used to cry for. Sometimes she seems hestitant to bark at times when she ordinarily would. We have at least 10 days on these meds to go. I will need looking after soon. Can you give me any advice?
Cindy Campbell

Answer
Cindy try giving her some cranberry in her water, I would take back to vet immediately this isnt right and she needs a second opinion and a full blood panel doing , check for diabetes, Cushings, and IMHA.

Get this done asap.
Also ask vet for orthopaedic referral to ensure her vertebrae are not dislocating or even fusing....
THIS DOG NEEDS URGENT VETERINARY CARE.