Sick Corgi Mystery...

[halpey1]

Hello,

After almost three weeks, two vets, five visits, and almost $1,500 in vet bills - I ask for your help. My six year old corgi, Marvin, has been quite sick. I've been emailing the breeder of my other corgi, and she has been extremely helpful...

About three weeks ago, Marvin appeared to have an upset tummy... no biggie, he began to become finicky with his food, something VERY unusual for him. Every time I took him to the vet, they would think it was something else (diabetes, giardia, no and no) - and finally my regular vet sent me to a specialist. They did an x-ray, scope and ultrasound, and found absolutely nothing. The only thing they found was a "prominent" spleen, but they didn't say it looked cancerous at all and this sometimes happens when the body is fighting off something. When he went in on Friday, they took samples of his spleen, stomach, and intestines for testing, but the vet said she would be shocked if anything was cancerous based on what she saw. They also did a lyme test. The results will all be back tomorrow (Monday).

He's been on I/D wet, I/D dry and various other gross wet foods... now the ONLY thing I can seem to get him to eat is dry Beneful, which I know is the dog food equivalent to giving him potato chips, but I'm just grateful he'll eat anything!

Right now he is on Metronidazole and Prednisone, which is supposed to help his appetite. He is eating a little, but still ultra picky about what he chows on - which is unlike this guy... any ideas about what you think might be causing this or other suggestions are greatly appreciated!

-Matt

[glencorgi]

You mentioned they tested for Lyme, did they test for any other tick borne diseases (TBD's)? Ehrlichiosis comes to mind and with some of Marvin's symptoms, it sounds as if that could be a possibility.

Free Information About Tick Borne Disease in Dogs

Debbie

[halpey1]

Ok - the vet JUST called (on Sunday no less!) Marvin has Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever!!!! I'm actually glad - I know that sounds weird, just to know what it is!

[glencorgi]

I definitely can/do understand how having a "name" and knowing what it wrong can be a relief. Glad you have an answer and will be sending thoughts and wishes for Marvin to have a speedy recovery.

Debbie

[halpey1]

Just got back from getting him new medicine - doxycycline, which apparently can cause vomiting and loss of appetite... I guess if he's not hungry NOW, I'll know why... I just want him to feel back to normal and be back to his normal piggy self!

[Michael Romanos]

Gee, I don't mean to be flippant, but did you get your money's worth. For $1500, the vet came up with something only he/she and Debbie have heard of.
It must be a 'pet' name. A lot of ailments and diseases are given pet names or names that cover several problems. Anyway, poor Marvin. I just hope he gets back to his normal self as quickly as possible so life can again be a happy event by the minute.

[Dillydoodle]

Umm, Michael, Maybe there is no Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever where you are, but it is a REAL diagnosis and does happen here in the USA... Michael, maybe you should GOOGLE this to see that it is not just some made up sickness... sometimes it is better to look something up before you open your mouth... just a thought...

Glad that your little guy was diagnosed and the proper meds are being given for his condition. I wish him a speedy recovery and sure hope that he gets back to a healthy happy and hungry self!!!

Emilie

[colbycorgi]

hope that marvin is feeling better soon....so glad your able to get him the right care now that you know what it is...

[halpey1]

Thank you! He is actually doing better already with only 2 pills so far - I think they are making him a little nauseous, just like the doctor said they would... so far (fingers crossed) he hasn't vomited, so I'm very happy, as his little corgi brother, Dylan.

[LaRogue]

For $1500, the vet came up with something only he/she and Debbie have heard of.

Just because you haven't heard of something doesn't make it any less real. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a real tick borne disease in the US and it affects both dogs and people.

Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever | CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People
Zoonosis: Rocky Mountain spotted fever

[MyPemCharlie]

I'm glad they figured out what it was in time for effective treatment. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever can get really bad. Since Marvin's feeling better after a couple of antibiotics, sounds like he'll make a perfect recovery in no time. Sending good healing thoughts your way!

[halpey1]

Let me tell you this was real and scary - like most dog owners, I KNOW my dogs - and the loss of appetite for my guy, over a period of weeks, not days is not normal and cause for alarm... Marvin is a 'pokey' corgi, a bit on the lazy side, so his lethargic manner was hard to pinpoint at first - but I knew he wasn't himself. Lesson 1 - when something is up - have them do blood work for various diseases first. Of course the irony is, I have my dogs vaccinated against Lyme disease, but RMSF, is different I guess.

[glencorgi]

Everything you said above is why I asked if they tested for other tick borne diseases. I know of several corgi owners who went through some nightmarish times with their corgis and vets' not being able to pinpoint the cause of their dogs' problems, final diagnosis was a TBD. Ehriliciosis, from what other corgi owners have shared about their ordeals, is particularly difficult to catch sometimes and unless the correct antibiotic is given for it, the dogs still get worse even being on treatments. Because some of the symptoms for TBD's can be found in other health problems, they are not as easy to catch unless specifically tested for. In the duration, vet bills pile up and dog doesn't get any better.

So while a certain party may scoff, a quick GOOGLE of canine tick borne diseases might prove enlightening.

Happily the vet did catch it and relatively early compared to what some have gone through.

Debbie, still sending get well vibes and wishes for Marvin