[cigwyllt]

My parents' dog has been unwell for a week or so. He went to the vet on Tuesday and had his anal glands cleaned. On Thursday he was still unwell so the vet prescribed anitbiotics.

By Saturday he had deteriorated a lot - basically unresponsive to anything although he could still walk and take himself off outside to the toilet.

On Saturday evening we took him to the emergency vet. All his lymph glands are swollen and he had a very high temp. She gave him an AB injection and also a non steroid anti inflammatory. Throughout the day yesterday he got better and better and we were very hopeful. He was jumping on and off the furniture and asking for food. He even went out for a brief walk.

So we were very hopeful when we took him back to the surgery this morning. However his temp and condition have not changed. She has taken blood samples and has taken samples from the lymph nodes and we will get the results late tomorrow.

I spoke to the vet alone when I was paying the bill and she is convinced he has lymphoma and in her words "will crash very soon". Does anyone have any experience of a wrong diagnosis? I am just hoping against hope that this will not be the end for him.

He is 6 years old, spoilt and cared for like a child, until now in good health, well fed and well exercised.

[CorkyMax]

Sorry to hear about this--What breed(s) is this dog? I found this site on the web--I hope it answers some questions---The very 1st question does not apply but the rest may. There are some links at bottom of page also to try---Cushing's Disease for one.
Lymph Problems - Canine

Hope the poor guy doesn't have cancer.

Here is another site to check out Lymph Node Inflammation (Lymphadenopathy) in Dogs | PetMD--2 pages here ----I think this is the one!

http://www.pethealthandcare.com/dog-...en-glands.html

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5678410_ca...ands-dogs.html

[cigwyllt]

Thanks for the link. I've read through it but all those dogs seem well in comparison to poor Ianto. When we came home from the vet he had to be lifted out of the car for the first time ever - he has always been happy to go anywhere that my dad was going. Since coming home 4 hours ago he has slept and is not reacting to any noises.

He is a Springer spaniel cross - not sure what with. The rescue said Jack Russell but as he was picked up as a stray at the age of 9 months it is hard to see why they would think that. I'm more inclined to think he is a Springer cross Staffie - he has the slightly puffy cheeks of a Staffie and is a medium sized dog - much larger than a Jack Russell.

Mum and Dad have been talking about what they will do if the news tomorrow is as we fear and they have decided he will be PTS. He is clearly suffering now. Treatment to prolong his life would be for our benefit, not his. I am hoping that he might just pass away before the decision has to be made. It is awful to think like this but he is clearly so desperately ill.

[CorkyMax]

I don't know if you saw where I added 3 more links to my above 1st post.

I hope the blood work comes back as good. If the kidneys or liver are not good--really bad---Corky did not have cancer but his readings were off the chart and I know I should have left him go sooner than I did. He had heart disease and was on meds (3) although I think the last med hastened his death---It was only 3 weeks that he was on that med and in 3 weeks time--had blood work--which was fine before but 3 of the readings were way bad--kidneys off the chart and 2 of the electrolytes were way bad too. I had to carry him to the car to go to the vet. I am glad that your parents have decided to put him down and not let him suffer if it is the worst news. I hope it is something else and he makes a quick recovery--I can see that you want to make sure what it is before making that decision. Will be hoping for the best news!

[EscVelocity]

Could be autoimmune disease. This can cause the lymph nodes to swell. It would require life long therapy and the blood test will be able to diagnose it.

However, there are many causes to the lymph nodes swelling, and they are not all fatal and can be managed.