Expert: Jannie Balliett - 1/26/2011

Question
My 3 year old male boxer has several issues.   A couple weeks ago he was lethargic and his gums were almost white so we took him to our the vet where blood work (including tick born disease test) were done.  His red cells were low but a second blood work test showed they were coming back to normal and he did NOT have the tick born disease.  A couple days after this issue, he was playing (jumping up) and suddently stopped and just fell to his side and they did an EKG and his heart looked fine, but the vet recommended an ultrasound at a specialist vet clinic, which we have scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday).  BUT, I also wonder if it could be something else?   I have witnessed a number of times where he gets up from sleeping/resting (which he does a lot!) and then stops suddenly and his legs are wobbly.  He just stands still for about 30-45 seconds and then he seems okay.   His pees are also very long....very long!   We lost a boxer to cancer so I'm familiar with lots of dog issues, but not this one.  Before I spend $500 on the cardio ultrasound, are there other things I should be checking first?  Thanks so much for taking my question.

Answer
Being lethargic and white gums is anemia. Blood work is necessary to determine what is causing anemia. He can go into shock and die from being anemic. This is a big issue-- what is causing the anemia? This is the first issue that needs to be diagnosed and treated.

Falling over is another symptom of some underlying issue that is serious. Neurological? Or from being anemic?

Wobbling legs and weakness is an anemic issue. Anemia causes lethargic and tiredness, sleepiness, disorientation, passing out, etc.

I think it sounds like diabetes. That is the first thing that should have been checked-- after the tick disease.

Ask your vet to run a diabetes test on him.

Let me know in a follow-up what was diagnosed.

In the meantime, give him whole, plain (no flavors) yogurt as a treat and on his food, and children's Pediolyte (generic alright- and no flavors-- clear only) until diabetes test is ran and the specialist vet runs his tests-- ask him to run the diabetes test while you are there.