my old buddy doesnt feel well

[gymdog813]

i have a black lab mix, about 9 yrs. old. she's overweight and usually eats like a horse, but the last 2 weeks has been very sluggish and sad--drinks water, but wont take any of her favorite foods. she's also vomiting clear fluid after she drinks and has developed a dark diarrhea.vet ran blood tests and said she sees high counts of "something" in her liver. am taking her also for x-rays. this could be just a major coincidence, but about the same time she got sick is about when i gave her advantix flea control for the first time. does anyone know if a dog can have a reaction such as my dog's from this medication? it was the liquid drops that you put on the nape of her neck. vet said she'd never heard of any such reaction!!---- maybe I'M the one whos overreacting but---this has always been a healthy happy dog but she seems to be going downhill pretty quick. maybe its also just her time, but i dont want to think about that until i've eliminated other possibilities. id be happy for feedback. thanks!!!

[Love Bird B]

The poor girl! I'm so sorry.

I don't have a dog but it never stops me from putting in my two cents worth. Could she be having an allergic reaction to the Advantix? I imagine this stuff is fairly new?

[myDogMaggie]

hello i am Ross i hope you buddy gets well real soon my
maggie is realy sick she is my sweet babby and i am praying for her to get well and i will pray for buddy as well and hope you will do the same 9 and 11 years are to young for our dogs to pass on and i am dooging everything to help maggie :(

[Redstorm1721]

I am so very sorry for Both of you. Hope all gets well real quick and "PLEASE" let us know how you are both doing?

[gymdog813]

my big lab is better!! she lost about 15 pounds but is back to herself. she was prescribed some high dose antibiotics that seemed to do the trick. vet suspected liver problem, wanted to do ultra sound, but i asked for meds first--she's smiling at me again, thats all that matters!!! no one could give me an answer about possibility of a reaction to advantix, but i know i wont give it to her again!!!

[Squawksx3]

Hello gymdog and welcome :)

Im so happy to hear she's doing better. Sounds like it may have been an allergic reaction to something.... hoping its not her liver. Please keep us updated :)



Ross, praying Maggie gets better soon.

[RWDVM]

Hi there. I am a veterinarian. I agree with your vet that Advantix would not have caused liver compromise. On the rare occasions that I have encounter any problems with Advantix, it was superficial skin rash.

Possibilities for elevated liver enzymes in a dog her age are cancer, hepatitis, liver degeneration (which evetually leads to cirrhosis). I would recommend a biles acids tests and an ultrasound for a more precise classification of the liver disease and prognosis. I wish you the best. I too have a lab. Please feel free to check out my veterinary advice and health management website, at http://www.askdvm.com Please also feel free to e-mail or reply to this post me if you have any further concerns.

Roger L. Welton, DVM

[gymdog813]

thanks, Doctor!! she was doing GREAT for about 6 weeks , but is back down and out---took her back to our vet today and was re-precsribed prednizone and an antibiotic. if its not successful, will go with the ultrasound. shes been x-rayed and blood work done already--held off on the ultrasound due to the expense, but looks like it may be the next step to see what is going on with her internally. thanks for your suggestions---i appreciate your concern---she's been my good friend since she was a puppy, it's hard to see her so sad. gymdog813

[krazy4birds]

gymdog813..
I don't know very much about dogs so the best I can offer is my love and prayers. Please keep us posted.

[maryann]

My doxie is ill also. It has been a downhill slide since July. His liver tests were off and subsequent testing has shown he has nodules in the liver, diagnosed via ultrasound, and probably has liver cancer.

Cushings disease is also another possibility for your loved pet.

It is hard to watch them not eat and go downhill. My heart goes out to you.

[dlaura]

I am so sorry to hear about everyone's ill pets. Hoping all will recover quickly and be back to their old selves.

[gymdog813]

thanks for everyones thoughts and concerns. my lab continued to get worse and, after more tests and ultrasound, was diagnosed with lymphoma. i had to put her down 3 days after i found out. it was almost like when she knew i knew what was wrong, she was ready to let go. someone told me once when your dog cant do its 3 favorite things, its time to let her go---well, mine refused to eat, couldnt lie down because she was filled with fluid, and couldnt jump up on the couch.
ive never had to put a dog to sleep,but as she faded away, i realized how sick she must have been because i told my self i finally felt like i could pet her all over without being afraid that i was hurting her. i'll miss her forever.

[DaisyJRT]

I'm so sorry, I know how it feels to lose a friend. :(

[maryann]

I am so sorry for the loss of your pet. I hope you can find a measure of peace about it.

I am dreading the time when I will need to do likewise--thank you for sharing your experience.

[Redstorm1721]

I am so sorry gym. I send my warm thoughts and prayers your way. I hope you are doing okay? please keep in touch! Gail

[Cocoa's Mom]

I'm so sorry that you had to put your long time friend to sleep. I think the last gift that we can give to our beloved pets is to free them from pain and that's exactly what you did for her. I hope that your memories of happier times together comfort you in the days ahead.

I too am the owner of a Lab and my heart breaks for you.

[macassie]

Gym,

My heart goes out to you and your family. I'm so sorry about your beloved pup.