My dog is sick for weeks with cough, fever, weight loss, no diagnosis.

Question

We have been to 2 vets and no one can give us an answer. Rex has had a fever, cough, lethargy, weight loss for 5 weeks. 1st xrays indicated pnemomia, but he did not respond to antibiotics(Baytril & amoxicillin) 2nd x-ray showed swollen lymph nodes. Bloodwork was normal. Vet started him on fluconzole for valley fever, but he tested negative for valley fever a week later. He did not show improvement on fluconazole, but he's still taking it. He's also been on doxycycline for a week. Any ideas? Pet's info: Dog | Welsh Corgi | Male | neutered | 4 years and 11 months old | 17.5 lbs

Makenzie Kurth, DVM · Accepted Answer

This is tough. I practice in Arizona where Valley Fever is common and Rex does have many of the signs. Bloodwork will also show high globulins and mildly high white blood cell count if that helps. If you have been in this area at all in Rex’s life, it’s worth pursuing. (Titers can be negative and it still be the cause.) On a dog this sick, I usually also start an anti inflammatory dose of steroid which we think helps the fluconazole penetrate and provides the more immediate improvements of our treatment. A good broad spectrum Dewormer in case of lung worms or abnormal parasite migration is worth a shot. I also must note that though he is young, we cannot rule out cancer- horrible though it is to contemplate. Please feel free to consult with me using the link below if that would be helpful. Best wishes to you and Rex.

My dog is sick for weeks with cough, fever, weight loss, no diagnosis.

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