Oreo doesn't want to walk = update #7 5/15/10

[Scooter's Mom]

So... old vet was great with Oreo.
We're running blood tests. They're suspicious of it being Valley Fever.

Also, he may have torn the cruciate ligament (?) in BOTH of his back legs. She said it's not usually a small dog injury, you usually see it in bigger dogs.

I don't think his legs hurt like this when we went to the other vet - he didn't even act like he cared when they poked and prodded him... so maybe this is new, as a result of whatever else is wrong.

Either way - we will find out in a few days (3-5) if it IS valley fever. Should find out on Tuesday if anything else is going on - we did the entire blood workup.

Also, he got torbogesic (sp) that we can give him every 6 hrs if needed for being in pain.

He's such a good boy.

[Freedom]

Valley Fever? Hmm, not familiar, how would he have caught that?

As or the torn ACL, small dogs DO get that! Dogs who do Agility are prone to it. Any dog who jumps can land "wrong" and tear it. Just getting of the bed, a sofa or chair could do it. Going down steps and landing just plain wrong will do it too. THAT can be fixed, surgically if needed. The 6 weeks recovery is toughest; keeping the dog from running or jumping!

Pain meds are good while you wait for the test results!

[Scooter's Mom]

From the mayo clinic:
Valley fever is a fungal infection caused by coccidioides (kok-sid-ee-OI-deze) organisms. It can cause fever, chest pain and coughing, among other signs and symptoms.

The coccidioides species of fungi that cause valley fever are commonly found in the soil in certain areas. These fungi can be stirred into the air by anything that disrupts the soil, such as farming, construction and wind. The fungi can then be breathed into the lungs and cause valley fever, also known as acute coccidioidomycosis (kok-sid-e-oi-doh-mi-KOH-sis).

Mild cases of valley fever usually go away on their own. In more severe cases of valley fever, doctors prescribe antifungal medications that can treat the underlying infection.

...
The poster hanging at the vet's office says symptoms in pets are:
Asymptomatic coughing - check
"Flu" like symptoms - not so much
lameness - check
neurological signs - not so much
limping - check
weight loss - check - 15.6 lbs on 2/20 - 12.0 lbs today
decreased appetite - check

As far as Valley Fever in humans - a man I used to work with spent 3 months recovering from it - he nearly died. Both of his lungs collapsed, it was terrible.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear about Oreo. Hopefully you'll find out what is causing this soon and that it's nothing serious. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent his way. Please take care.

[MonicanHonda]

Valley Fever does not sound fun, but at least it is curable! As for the torn cruciates... that sounds so painful. I was just at an agility show today and overheard a lady saying that her dog tore both the ACL and PCL... ouchies. I'm glad Oreo got some pain meds though... I hope Oreo feels better and they find out what is wrong soon. PT prayers.