Sick dog - need advice

[Ron & Carol]

We are dry camping in far sw New Mexico. Our 9 yr old golden retriever went from happy and energetic on Wed night to "sick" on Thursday.

She started to act frightened and confused on Thursday morning - then started to "slow down" and is now just laying down - not wanting to move or drink. Her eyes look dull.

She has a small bloody spot on her lower lip - but it is not swollen or sore to the touch.

She has not had any local water and we have not seen her eating anything unusual.

If she is not better by Monday - we will look for a Vet.

Any ideas on causes? Remedies? Thanks in advance.

[Ron & Carol]

We are dry camping in far sw New Mexico. Our 9 yr old golden retriever went from happy and energetic on Wed night to "sick" on Thursday.

She started to act frightened and confused on Thursday morning - then started to "slow down" and is now just laying down - not wanting to move or drink. Her eyes look dull.

She has a small bloody spot on her lower lip - but it is not swollen or sore to the touch.

She has not had any local water and we have not seen her eating anything unusual.

If she is not better by Monday - we will look for a Vet.

Any ideas on causes? Remedies? Thanks in advance.

[LindaH]

Assuming she wasn't bitten by something (rattler, spider, scorpion), then have her checked for Valley Fever (coccidiomycosis). Valley Fever is endemic to the Southwest so that condition should certainly be tested for.

[TXiceman]

A dog has a higher metabolism than a human and will therefore get worse faster. From your description of the symptoms, you should get her to a very quickly. A large city near you should have an emergency vet clinic.

I really do not like to say this, but Monday may be too late. having had dogs get sick on trips ourselves, it is really important to get prompt medical care.

Ken

[hondo122]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by TXiceman:
A dog has a higher metabolism than a human and will therefore get worse faster. From your description of the symptoms, you should get her to a very quickly. A large city near you should have an emergency vet clinic.

I really do not like to say this, but Monday may be too late. having had dogs get sick on trips ourselves, it is really important to get prompt medical care.

Ken </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I must agree with iceman, since a dog can't communicate how it feels it is most important to get help sooner rather than later.Here's the phone number to the ER at the University of Pennsylvania Vet school. Open 24/7 and will give advice ( 215.746.8911) give them a call.

[Howard Leap]

She has already been sick 3 days without signs of getting better. It sounds like your dog may have been bitten/stung by something. But whaever the case....Please get her to a Vet ASAP. I hope everything will turn out OK, please keep us posted.

[Jo/Lee]

Whats the word on your pup?

[Ron & Carol]

Thanks for all your advice - After I wrote this email - we took her for a ride in our Jeep up into the mountains - into streams, trees, etc... after an hour she was getting peppier - and looked 100% improved. I am amazed that she could go from looking "near death" to almost recovered that fast. Maybe a combination of heat, age, and maybe a bite of some kind.

Again - Thank you all.