Looking for some help.

We have a 15 week old GSD that we piked up from the breeder at 13 weeks. The first night we noticed that when he was lying down resting or sleeping, no physical activity, that his breathing was very labored and rapid. At times he was even panting pretty hard. At one point it was so hard that it was shaking the bed. He has NOT been coughing. He also has very loose/soft stool, sometimes runny.

We took him to the vet and they did some x-rays, sent them out for review, and the following was noted...

"Radiographic findings:
Multiple views of the thorax were obtained. There is a prominent bronchointestitial pattern with calcification and thickening of the bronchial walls. There is air noted in the cranial thoracic and cervical esophagus. The cardiovascular structures are unremarkable"

"Radiographic Conclusions:
Radiographic findings are consistent with bronchitis most likely due to underlying bacterial infection. Air in the esophagus examination could be associated with aerophagia at the time of the radiographic examination. The presence of esophagitis cannot be excluded. Aspiration of gastric juices from underlying gastritis and esophagitis cannot be excluded as an underlying cause of the lung field changes."

He was originally being fed puppychow, but since been weened off of it for raoyal canin puppy 30. vet thought the puppychow could have been causing the soft stool.

Anyway, regarding the breathing, he was originally put on Clavamox. This seemed to be doing nothing. We took the x-rays and diagnosis to another vet for another opinion. He agreed with the findings and said Cavamox would do nothing. He prescribed 1/2 table of Baytril twice a day. (68mg total baytril tablet cut in half) After a few days on Baytril, the Vet rechecked him and gave him an injection of Gentamicin and said to continue the Baytril. He was also put on Guaifenesin once per day to help clear his lungs of any mucus and open the airways. And the vet also said to give him Hill's I/D food to help the stool problem. It has now been 6 days on the Baytril and we see no real improvement in his breathing. Where do we go from here? WHat are the next steps? Could we be looking at something more serious than just baterial bronchitis?

I know that after the shot of Gentamicin, he reacted wierdly, seemed kind of sketchy and was drinking and peeing like there was no tomorrow. This I think was possibly a side effect of the Gentamicin. This has passed and peeing is normal again. Not sure what else to do. I have pictures of the x-rays if someone would like to see them.

Any help would be appreciated.

Here is a link that I hope works to a picture of "Tristan" and his x-rays.
http://members.dslextreme.com/users/cnsheets/index.html

Edited by Chris Sheets (03/13/2007 07:34 PM)
Edit reason: added link

Chris, you have had this pup for 2 weeks, I wonder or have you asked your breeder if these pups were ever sick during their first 13 weeks?
I had bought a pup moons ago that had Parvo and was treated for it by the breeder .The breeder (before shipping it to me) never told me anything about it, but 3 weeks later my pup was having seizures, and later had to be put down.Of course at first I thought he had epilepsy and thought he was just born with it.One day I decided to call the vet that did the health exam before shipping it to me and the vet told me the story about the Parvo.
Had I not asked that Vet i would have never known , when I confronted the breeder with my find ,she hung up on me.I was in college at that time and didn't have the time to pursue it , I lost $1200 then.The reason why I am telling you this is that their might be more to this illness your puppy has that maybe the breeder knows and not telling..Just a thought..

We have asked the breeder, He is guaranteeing the pup's health, his sister, older brother and both parents were onsite and all looked healthy. Breeder did not indicate any illnesses with any of the dogs and said we could contact his vet for information on the health of the parents. They all seemed healthy.

Also when he does poo, it is only maybe once per day, and when he does, it is soft. Other than this, he is happy, and energetic and normal I guess.

Also, at 4 months old, should we start worrying about his ears? oh yeah, he is also thus far, cryporchid... we have hope the other shows itself.

This was a back yard breeder. AKC dogs. Father is 120lbs, mother 110lbs.

I would probably return the dog, especially if the parents were not hip x-rayed/OFA-ed. Did you sign a sales contract? What exactly do they mean by a health guarantee? Go ahead and contact that vet, ask the vet if hip xrays have been done and the results.

It's a little late to do this, but the sooner you do it the better off you will be. This pup's current and future health problems could cost a fortune and plenty of heartache.

I am with you on this Anne, too many red falgs in this pup if you ask me for future problems.Chris you say it is a back yard breeder?? what made you buy this pup??? His ears look normal for now at that age it can take a dog up to a year to get his ears all the way up.. SO don't worry anbout the ears..worry about the vet bills you'll be getting later.I hope everything goes well for you Chris, I really do >I'm sure you are attached to this little guy but look at the big picture and his background.
let us know what you decide or what info you find.
My male is 100 solid and lean, a female at 110 yukk,and Chris I can';t believe in Southern california you didn't look harder to purchase a GSD I know so many great breeders overthere with nice pedigree ,health history, ect.. Man that's too bad your $ went to a sorry breeder..

Good thing that you're getting in with vet care and "doing your homework" regarding this pup's health. For what its worth, my first GSD was from a BYB and he lived to be 6.5 years old. Good family pet.

Be prepared to spend some money if you are already having health issues. There are so many variables, maybe you'll get this health issue cleared up and have a good time raising your pup into dog-hood with no more issues, maybe you'll have more problems...

In my experience, the BYB was of NO help regarding my dog's health. Get with and stick with a vet you trust. Keep us posted on his progress.

Thank you for your concern. Chris and I appreciate all of your help.

Chris and I have decided to keep the dog. I know that if he is returned to the breeder, then he will not get the medical attention he needs.

Good call, IMO. That pup is lucky to have you.