Question:
My dog is a red-nose pitbull. She is only about 4 years old. She became very ill on Sept. 11th, and has not been the same since. She was tested over and over for different diseases and the vet could not find anything. Finally, about three weeks into her sickness, she was diagnosed with leptospirosis. She even had surgery prior because they thought she had a blockage and that was not the case. She was put on antibiotics and steriods which was the only thing that saved her. Since then, all she does is sleep. She seems to want to constantly be laying down. She only gets up to eat and go to the bathroom. We have to help her get up on the couch or bed because she cannot get up or down by herself anymore. She seems to have lost a lot of muscle mass. She doesn't run or play anymore. She acts like she is out of breath and breathes heavily. She doesn't bark anymore. She makes strange gurggling sounds. If we don't give her the steriods she starts swelling up. She acts like an old dog ready to die. It breaks my heart. We owe over $3,000 to the vet and are making payments, but we don't feel like he has helped us in any way. Is there anything else we can do?? I love my dog so much. I have gone to three other vets. Thanks everyone for caring!!!

Answer:
Try a different vet.

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I'm so sorry to hear about your poor dog. She seems to be suffering and needs help. Could this be an effect of lepto? I know next to nothing about it. If you live near a veterinary school, you could try bringing your dog there. Sometimes they can get into studies and the treatment is not as expensive, and possibly free, depending. Yes, it seems your vet has not helped much. Having a different one take a look could help a lot. It has for me in the past.

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I would also get a second opinion. The only thing I've read about leptospirosis is that it can lead to kidney disease if not treated properly. Good luck and keep us posted.

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What did the other vets say?

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liblady,I can sense your pain in your post and I am so very sorry
I can imagine nothing worse than seeing your beloved dog/cat deterioate,unable to get answers and help.
You say you've seen several vets,how do they explain his lethargic condition?
The little I know about Clepto,I've learned from here and it is a serious condition.
Like someone said,I think your best option would be a Veterinary School/Hospital if there is any near you,even driving further would be well worth it for your poor dog.
Did you Google for more info about Clepto? Maybe you can get some answers there.

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You may need a second opinion, particularly if Lepto was the original diagnosis. The things you're describing sound awfully alike to congestive heart failure in humans, which an ultrasound on her heart and lungs would be able to tell you immediately if the heart is enlarged and the lungs have fluid. Good luck to you both, and thank you for doing what it takes to be an awesome dog owner by seeing her through this. I know it gets very expensive, but thank you for trying your best

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Lepto is extremely hard on a dog. That she survived it is wonderful. The lethargy we have seen in other dogs who made it through lepto as well. She has been sick for a few weeks now so she will have lost weight and lack the energy to exercise. She will improve in time. You've noted that you've been to three other vets, obviously they have not been any more conclusive. Also, it does take 2 weeks to get a result on a lepto blood test so no vet can conclusively say it's lepto until the results are back. Thus the slow process. If she is eating, drinking and producing waste in liquid and solid form then she is back to the road of recovery. If she has no fever, then that is a good sign. Have you asked the vet about the swelling? What does he/she say... the solution is not always to get another vet but to work with the one you have more efficiently. Sometimes, when a pet is ill, we forget some of the information we are given and need to hear it again for it to all make better sense. Just some things to think about.

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BMDlover,thank's for the voice of knowledge,I am sure the OP will appreciate your advice and know there is hope for improvement

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I agree. BMDLuver is a wealth of knowledge.

Liblady48.....how is your little girl doing? Please keep us posted.

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Maybe you want to get her checked for Lyme Disease? That can mimic so many other things.

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When dogs undergo major cancer surgeries or chemo , the owners are often sent to nutritionists and dogs will be provided with immune system builders to help boost their immune system and to manage appetite and weight, might be something worth discussing with the vet to help speed up her recovery

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Do you have an update for us?

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Dear everyone,

Thanks so much for your replies. You all are so caring and wonderful pet owners. My dog is still hanging in there. She was diagnosed with Lepto in October, but has been sick since Sept. Some days she has good days and some are bad. We spent over $3,000 trying to help her and we are now out of money. My husband was injured and has not been able to work. All we can do is pray and hope she recovers. It is so painful watching her sometimes, but she has good days too. She still eats and goes to the bathroom outside. It seems more difficult for her to walk. She seems to get so tired. Sometimes she will take a few steps and will have to stop. The other vets have not done anything different to help me. I will keep you all posted. Has anyone had a dog with lepto that has survived???? Love you all!!!

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We lost our beloved Trouble yesterday. I can't believe she hung in there for nearly 5 months. I just wanted to say thank you for all your kind words. I will miss my Trouble sooooo much. The house seems so empty without her. She was such a wonderful companion.

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Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how you must feel. Take comfort in knowing that your precious Trouble was loved and taken care of right to the end.

Take care.

Nikki

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I'm so sorry for your loss..It is always so hard to lose a pet that was so devote to you...My Condolences to you and your husband Trouble

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Liblady,you fought a valiant fight to help Trouble,she knew she was loved and cherished to the end,she had a short life,but a wonderful one
Give yourself time to grieve,the emptyness after such a loss is huge,but with time you will be filled with only happy memories of Trouble and your time together. sweet Trouble

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I'm so sorry for your loss. Trouble sounds like she was a wonderful dog and you did all you could for her. Sometimes, no matter what we do, it's not enough. You can only do your best.

Trouble knows she was loved and that's what matters. My heart goes out to you.

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I am soooo sorry for your loss rest asured you did everything you could. my thought are with you

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I am so very sorry

You did all that you could including loving her right to the end, she has been given freedom from the body that has failed her and can now once again run around and play and enjoy life while she waits for you

When a dog is taken from us early, there is often a very good reason for it happening, even though it does not make sense at the time, I have lost a couple youngsters and I know all about the pain and anger from having them taken so young, but each one ended up providing a new blessing in the form of another dog who our bridge kid picks out for us and they almost need to whack us over the head to make us realize this is the one.
My last girl that I lost was a prankster with a wierd sense of humor, and the bonk on the head I recieved came with only the sense of humor she could possess , though she did well with the girl she picked for me though at first I had my doubts, I gather Trouble came with her name for a reason. It could be 2 months or 2 years but there is no doubt in my mind you will know when the right one has arrived and the message will be delivered with a capital T

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That's lovely OG

Sorry for your loss. I'm sure that she'll always live on in your heart.

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