Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Looking for any insight if anyone has experience with the below symptoms? Alexei (out of nowhere) appears to be winded and rests (sometimes lays down) on the landings of the stairs before continuing. His belly got really big and bloated. Took xrays which didn't reveal much because of the cloudy color of the fluid which has accumulated. Didn't aspirate for a few reasons mostly no ultra sound in office. We started him on Rimadyl because of a slight limp and to see if it alleviates the inflammation. He appears to be doing better, but his belly is still big (put on 9 lbs, I think all fluid). He has never stopped eating or losing interest in anything going on in the house and he does not appear to be in any pain…
We're sorry to hear about Alexei's latest challenge, and hope Pam can offer some professional advice. Are you anywhere near a vet with ultrasound capability? We truly don't mean to jump to such a negative conclusion, but a number of members have described their dog's "swollen belly" which turned out to be a splenic tumor.
This video below shows how beneficial an ultrasound can be for proper diagnosis. Good luck, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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If he has a belly full of fluid it is possible that he has congestive heart failure secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is unfortunately common in Dobies, and worse in males. Did your vet take a chest xray? Sometimes the heart is enlarged and fluid is present in the lungs. An ultrasound of the heart is the best way to diagnose it.
If his heart is okay other possibilities for fluid in the abdomen include liver disease, abdominal tumors, or infection. An ultrasound is often the best way to diagnose these problems but bloodwork and analysis of the fluid can help. I usually remove the fluid to make the dog feel better and your vet should be able to do this without an ultrasound if needed.
Pam
Pam, my Vet (Dr. P) said his heart sounds good and strong. He didn't want to aspirate it without an ultrasound for fear of hitting a tumor if present. We could see the top part of the xray where the intestines looked good and were in their proper location, there was stool present and he told me to watch if it was loose of solid, (it was solid). The bottom of the xray was too cloudy to see anything. He explained a tumor in the Spleen could cause the fluid and is common. I'm thinking that if there was a tumor in the stomach he would not have such a good appetite? No?
I will talk to Dr. P tomorrow because Alexei's belly did not go down any. (It was last Friday when he was last examined.) I would hate to have to find another vet even if just for an ultrasound and aspirate. Any other procedures that may be as good? Anything else I should ask? Thank you for all your assistance with Alex over the months...
I don't know if what we experienced with our dog Max is the same as what's happening with Alexei, but here's what happened with us. Max already had at least two visible lung mets when this occurred. He was breathing shallow (he wasn't winded, just breathing shallow and a little quicker than normal). We could tell that his chest appeared to be bulging out more than normal (Max was really barrel chested up front). We took him in and x-rays were done. They found fluid around his lungs. They told us this was a by-product of the lung mets (the tumors were causing fluid to build up). So, the fluid pushing against his lungs was causing the shallow, quick breathing. They told us they would need to do an ultrasound to pinpoint exactly where the fluid was, then insert a needle in between ribs and remove the fluid. However, because this was the lung mets causing this, the fluid would return anywhere from 2 - 7 days. It sounds from your post like Alexei's fluid is further down in his body than Max's was, so I'm not sure this is the same thing. I would think your vet would be able to call around to other vets in the area and refer you to one of them that has an ultrasound machine. Then that vet could forward the results to your regular vet. Either way, good luck with your boy; please give him a big hug from us.
Was a chest xray taken? The heart could sound okay but still be enlarged and that is the only way to evaluate for fluid. Many dogs with ascites (abdominal fluid) will still eat but you are right a stomach tumor is unlikely. If the spleen is bleeding causing fluid buildup then most dogs should have pale gums and would be quite lethargic. A blood test is an easy way to check for blood loss.
Your vet should be able to tap some fluid off to at least get a sample to see if the fluid is clear or bloody. Maybe your vet is uncomfortable doing a belly tap but even with a tumor it is not very traumatic to use a blunt metal cannula or even an IV catheter without the needle to tap fluid. Even if you like your vet you might want to get another opinion. Depending on what is causing the fluid he might need diuretics or meds to support the liver.
Pam
I know exactly what you are talking about with Max. I lost my first Dobie, Beukeboom, about four years now to what was probably Lung cancer. I took him in because of a persistent cough. He went on to have fluid build up and all the breathing issues you dealt with. But all this fluid is way down low like a pot belly pig. And it came on so quickly. Alex is chewing compressed raw hides with his brothers now and was trying to pull the covers out from under the other two earlier in the night, belly and all...
Well, it sounds like it's not bothering him any!! Still wants to play and cause trouble for his brothers! Maybe your vet can suggest something else when you talk to him tomorrow. Good luck, and keep us all updated.
No experience to offer on this one, but just wanted to wish you lots of DOBE POWER! Hang in there, bud.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
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