General has respiratory infection

[Shelly]

I took General to the vet today.  He had been lethargic, trembling, had labored breathing, red eyes, discharge from eyes and nose.  He had a temp of 103.4.  He just wasn't himself, no interest in even people food or treats, or anything.

The vet did bloodwork, that all came back ok.  Then she did an xray.  At first she thought pneumonia, but after two more xrays she didnt think it was pneumonia after all.  It may be a respiratory infection.  She gave him some pills to help with the infection.

I took him this morning, and while there his breathing became more raspy and has continues being raspy all day and evening.  He isn't eating much dog food, so I've been giving chicken and brown rice so he will at least eat something.  He has to eat with his pills. 

I'm just really nervous and not sure what to do.  He can't seem to get comfortable.  I pointed a fan towards him on low, which seems to have calmed his breathing, but I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do either.  I did call her back this afternoon and she said to give benadryl, but that doesn't seem to help the raspy breathing much.

Has anyone else been through this with their bullie?  I am supposed to go back to work tomorrow but I don't know if I want to leave him alone.

Is there anything else I should do, or anything that will help make him more comfortable?

[Susan & the bullies]

Sending along support and positive thoughts for General, Shelly.  We've been through pneumonia but didn't experience the discomfort (aside from being sick, Auggie wasn't restless or anything) that General is going through. I know some people here have used a steam bath / inhalation therapy of some sort ? I believe Kim has more info on this.

Please let us know how he is doing. Hopefully the antibiotics will kick it in the butt and he will feel better asap. 

[winwinsmom]

No advice here except I hope General is feeling better soon 

[brumzoo]

I think Kim has put shower soothers in the shower and let her bullie stand in the bathroom to help with respiratory issues. Hopefully she will be on later and will tell you how to do it.

[Shelly]

Thanks guys.  I did sit with him in the bathroom with the shower on hot and I think it has helped with the raspiness a little.  But he is still breathing more heavily than normal.

Also, he is pretty much unable to walk or move much on his own.  I took him outside earlier and he fell down in the snow. 

I am wondering if the medication is making him maybe dizzy or something?  He was having a little trouble with walking and stairs before the medication, but now he is falling over a lot so he doesn't even try to move much without my help.  And I am carrying him around everywhere and helping him change positions.

He is on 200 mg of Doxycycline, twice daily.  He is also on 50 mg of benadryl, but I gave that to him at 8am and I don't think that would still be affecting him.  That is to help with the raspiness and nasal discharge.

[Susan & the bullies]

hmmm. i'd call the vet about the falling over part. that doesn't seem right! hope its just his lethargy.

[Shelly]

Called the vet, she says he should not be falling over and weak like this.  He did walk outside, with my help, and back inside.  He can hardly even hold himself up into a sitting position.  The only other thing she can think of is neurological......    

I don't understand how it can be one thing yesterday and now this today?

[brumzoo]

Is he going to the vet? I know how scary this is! This is what I found about the side effects of Doxy in dogs:
What are the possible side effects of Doxycycline: If any of the following serious side effects occur, stop giving doxycycline and seek emergency veterinary medical attention: an allergic reaction (hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat); severe headache; dizziness or blurred vision; fever; hair loss; bull's-eye lesions; vesicles (small bubble of liquid in a cell) around the mouth, ears, or groin; urinating less than normal or not at all; dark colored urine; confusion or weakness; loss of appetite; or jaundice. Continue giving doxycycline and talk to your veterinarian if any of these less serious side effects occur: mild nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Side effects other than those listed in this guide may also occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effect that is unusual or seems especially bothersome to your pet. http://www.1800petmeds.com/Doxycycline-prod10340.html

i found this on VIN and it does not say anything about the confusion and weakness: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=642&S=1

You and General will be in my thoughts and prayers! Please let us know what you find out! Hugs to you and kisses to General! 

[ksdstny]

It doesnt sound like an uri to me. Just a question any meds he is on? Flea products etc. Comfortis etc. The trembling is not really something ud see in a uri. Imo. Those are alot of the same symptoms i experienced when harlow had a recation to the comfortis. It bothers me when the vet says "well it ould be" n then gives meds. Id delve further.

I did use the shower soothers for harlow when she had pneumonia, along with cupping her chest, saline nasal spray, suctioning out any excess nasal discharge with a baby syringe.

I hope general feels better soon. I know how scary it is!

[Shelly]

Trish- thanks for the info.  The thing is, he already had the difficulty breathing before the meds, as well as being a little slow and unstable on his feet.  It's just now he is very unstable.  It's like his legs give out and just keep sliding.  On all surfaces.  And he does seem out of it, yet he snaps back to normal at times, as far as confusion goes.  When he starts to fall, he panics, but I am always right with him to catch and help him, or carry him.

ksdstny- He is on cosequin, and heartguard.  Frontline on in spring/summer.  And that is it.  The vet is perplexed.  He was in there 1 week ago, when my mom had him for a visit, at that time they thought it was shoulder pain causing him to act funny.  I was stuck in a blizzard and couldn't go to the appointment, and he had not acted like this before my mom had him.  I took him in yesterday, she ran all these tests, and gave what she thought may help.  That is why I am so confused, it's going from these things which I thought would get better with the meds, to neuroligical.... And she called me back a while ago and thought of liver problems.  Which I googled and it does sound like the symptoms he has.  So many things can though!

He doesn't having vomiting or diarreah.  His gums look normal colored.  His urine could be slightly dark, I need to get a sample before taking him in again.  He refused to pee with the vet following with a ladle.

[ksdstny]

I would do a search on ALL the meds he is taking and look for reactions. They can happen at any time. U can search on here for my experience with harlow and the comfortis. It is similar to what general is going through. Just a thought and u want to cover all bases imo. All the best of luck figuring it out.

[Shelly]

I would do a search on ALL the meds he is taking and look for reactions. They can happen at any time. U can search on here for my experience with harlow and the comfortis. It is similar to what general is going through. Just a thought and u want to cover all bases imo. All the best of luck figuring it out.

Thank you.  I will search for what you went though with Harlow and do some research on meds. 

General is not eating this morning.  Not treats (even peanut butter cookies from the dog bakery), not hamburger and rice, not even cheese.  My vet is supposed to call back this morning and I will be bringing him back in.  I am just cuddling on the couch with my baby til then.

[Shelly]

OK, I did find a couple people who said their pets had reactions to cosequin.  This one is a cat, but the side effects are the same:

Has anyone had a weird reaction with Cosequin? I have tried twice to get my cat on Cosequin and both times, she has exhibited some weirdness not long after taking it. My vet insists there are no side effects, but I thought it suspicious that as soon as I put my cat on Cosequin, she would no longer jump and seemed to stumble and acted really weak. (She was on it for a urinary tract problem, not arthritis). The first time, I noticed the behavior after maybe 2 days of medicating. I took her off of it and she was totally better within a day. Then she got another infection so I decided to try the Cosequin again, thinking maybe the vet was right the first time. I gave her half a dosage (and one dosage of antibiotic - something called Benza-Pen injectable) and she was immediately glassy-eyed and wobbly again. I don't know if it's a reaction to the antibiotic or the Cosequin, but it's a very similar reaction to the first time I gave Cosequin - just faster this time. The reaction hasn't completely worn off, but I'd say after about 5 hours today, she was better. I'm not sure if it's Cosequin or Benza-Pen.... Anyone???



S maybe this is the whole problem.  I mean, at first the vet thought it was a cold, pneumonia, URI.  And he may still have that, but after the first vet visit is when I put him on cosequin, and he started doing worse last weekend.  I think it makes sense.  I wonder if the vet can put an IV in him to get the cosequin out of his system???

Thanks very much for your help and concerns, everyone.  I don't make it on here much anymore, except to mostly read and look at pictures.  But it means a lot that I can come here for an emergency and get support.

[brumzoo]

Make sure your vet does bloodwork, especially to check liver and kidney values. I am sure she will. Please let us know what she finds! 

[ksdstny]

As ubread if u what happened  with my baby they did give her an iv ...not to get the comfortis out unfortunately their bodies have to metabolize it but because she had become dehydrated. If general is not eating or drinking it might be the same with him. Sometimes the blood work shows something sometimes not  its a crap shoot but i would as trish suggested have it done.

Is the cos something u give everyday? I am not familiar with it. If it were me i would stop all unnecessary meds until u figure out whats going on.

I dont know who the manufacturer is but lilli sure stepped up to the plate with us reimbursing almost all of a 600 dollar vet bill.

Keep us posted n give him a xo from me.