I just had my 3 yr old male shepherd to the vet Wednesday. Test came back negative for tick diseases and heartworm. Blood work came back today and all was within normal. My vet is gone so I can't go over the results with her til tuesday.
His energy seems less than normal, and he seems to tire before I think he normally would. His coat is awful, dry brittle and falling out. Skin looks good underneath- not red or sores or anything. No fleas. He has not had allergy issues in the past. Early summer his coat was like a duck, glossy and gorgeous and water would run off of it. The vet and I, our initial thought was a tick disease. I asked if it could be diet, she didn't think so and said I could up the salmon oil or try switching to cod.
I feed chicken backs or thighs, usually beef heart for the muscle meat, liver a couple times a week and a can of mackerel once a week. Supplement, but not every day, salmon oil, vit.e, alfalfa, kelp, c, and meg. vitamin.
Anyone have any ideas?
Could it be a false-negative on the tick disease, and if it was how much would it effect the blood work if it was?
2 of my other dogs eat the exact same diet, and both of their coats are beautiful. They have all swam in the same water, played in the same places,....
He had lyme's when he was just under a year old, and it seems similar to then, but then it had progressed further to lameness and he was very lethargic and didn't care to eat.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
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4 squirts - is that the label dose? I forget what a squirt is. I would give it every day, but what you are describing doesn't sound like just a fat issue.
Anything look "off" on the results? Each line probably has an example of "normal" range. http://www.thepetcenter.com/pha/cp.html
(Scroll down for normal values.)
Well an update, but don't know much yet. Talked with the vet finally today, played phone tag yesterday. Picked up antibiotics today to try. With blood work looking fine and negative tick/heartworm test, thinking maybe still tick disease that isn't registering yet, since he did have a couple, and some general symptoms. I feel more comfortable trying antibiotics just in case it is from ticks, it will give me peace of mind. I know too many people that have lost their dog to lymes waiting too long. Will know in a few days if the antibiotics work. Should be a very obvious sign of the dog feeling better. If they work will follow the 30 days and treat for tick disease, if no change in the dog, not to follow thru.
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