Pending lab results but what could it be? - Page 1

Well I took my rescue dog back to the vet today (the one with pyoderma) to let the vet know that the antibiotics did absolutely nothing. To my shock he lost 10 lbs in less than a month even though I have changed his diet to include more fat. SO want to know what the board thinks.  Thyroid or Cancer. Ive never had a dog loose 10 lbs in a month without any increased exercise (he is actually getting less since he is now lame)

Here are his symptoms:

Pyoderma
Rapid weight loss
dry dull coat
Sores between pads
drinking alot of water
but normal stools

If its not either of the two things I mentioned suggestions??????

Excessive water drinking is kidney failure. Look into ketoacidosis had a min pin that had same symptoms diagnosed with this hope it helps could be cancer.

Steph,

Ive had the dog since Dec of 09' . The owner told me that the dog was self mutilating (pyoderma) and I told her that Ive never seen that in the years Ive worked with dogs. I should have known then to not take this dog in.

The dog is on raw diet along with kibble since I cant maintain weight. He is 6 and an import. I feel bad for him that he has been like this for some time with the owner actually thinking he was doing this to himself on purpose. People can be so dumb. The owner tried to dump him at the SPCA but they wouldnt take him. He broke out with the pyoderma within a month of getting him

The pyoderma is probably secondary to what else is going on. He does need antibiotics to clear the infection up and probably for a longer period of time. You might also have to give some special baths to help his skin. You might try adding some apple cider vinegar to his food, if you can get him to eat it. But I would want to know first what bloodwork has been done before I would do that. He could also have some problem with his kidneys or with his hormone balance. What is the pH of his urine, for example?

There are a lot of possibilities, and yes, diabetes insipidus is one and this is different from diabetes mellitus. Based on the weight loss, and the drinking of a lot of water it could also be diabetes mellitus. Your vet should be able to diagnose this dog with proper lab tests. There are also other possibilities, but these are the first ones that I would be checking for given what you write.

In the meantime, feed him more. Try giving him some cottage cheese, 4%, not the low fat type. If he is having kidney trouble, you will probably have to reduce the protein amounts he is fed. But wait until your lab results come back. Don't give up. I bet with the right tests you can get a diagnosis and treat him with improvement.

Good luck.

did they test for Ehrlichia?

Yep...diabetes, cancer..thyroid....please post when you hear.

The pyoderma is clearing up on its own without the antibiotics. I decided to treat the dog and not the condition by boosting his immune system. This seems to be working but I know that the pyoderma will come back if I cant find the main cause. The dog has been on antibiotics for years. I wouldnt be surprised if his body is giving out. I suspected hypothyroid all along since he also has NO libido (like if he werent a rescue dog I wouldnt even bother neutering him)
Its the weight loss over the month that has thrown me. Would the diabetes make his coat all dried out though?

I looked up Ehrlichia and I dont live in that area (map provided by the CDC) Im in NV