We have had one very sick dog over the past few weeks and the vet now thinks it may be discospondylitis ie an infection in the spine. Aila originally went off her food; went very quiet (bit difficult to tell because she is pretty quiet most of the time); came on walks very begrudgingly and then using 'fairy footsteps'; had a temperature of 40.2; had a stiff neck and held her head very low, yelping in pain if you tried to lift it up. The vet put her on a course of antibiotics for five days and by day two she was much perkier but had developed a very swollen throat and a flap of skin filled with fluid between her chin and her chest that made her look a bit like a monitor lizard.

By the time we finished the antibiotics the swelling had all gone and she was back to her normal happy self. Unfortunately it only lasted a week before all the same symptoms came back again. This time she is on three different antibiotics and will be for at least a month but after two days, although she is eating again and the temperature is back to normal her throat and neck are still very swollen and she is only able to totter outside for a pee before readopting the prone position on the persian carpet.

Her offsider Taog is beside himself because he doesn't understand why she won't play with him as usual so its a pretty miserable household all round at the moment.

Has anyone else had any experience of anything like this? Apparently it is most common in large dogs.

I'm sorry I can only offer my heartfelt sympathy and have forwarded your info to friends who might have some knowledge to offer. I will hope that Aila will recover quickly with no further complications. Barb

Oh Dear, poor Aila.I have no knowledge first hand but can sympathise as Xena suffers with chronic arthritis and she suffers a lot with that. For pain relief she is currently on a course of Pentosan injections. She still has 2 more to go (which I'm dreading) Anyway we have already noticed a difference after 2 shots. She is venturing outside more and isn't as quick to be so defensive with Lockie.
I hope the new treatment is successful

Poor little girl, hope she is better soon. Never heard of this either.

Sorry, never heard of it, but can sympathise with Aila. I have Spondylolosthesis and it
is very painful. I hope she is feeling better soon.

After a pretty rough patch we have finally got some better news. The first week on the second course of antibiotics had no effect on the very swollen lymph glands so we took her back to the vets. He said it wasn't looking good and in all likelihood the problem was Lymphoma rather than Discosponylitis. He wanted her to go in for a biopsy and Xray of the neck and then to start her on chemo.

We spent the weekend frantically searching the net for info on both diseases but in the meantime Aila obviously didn't like the sound of a biopsy so promptly started recovering Three weeks on and she is still on the antibiotics but is now one seriously happy dog who is chasing around like a puppy again. Her downward slide started so gradually that we had just thought she was getting older and quieter but now we have our wonderful lively dog back and we couldn't be happier.

That is wonderful news I hope she continues on her road of recovery.

BTW Great photo

Yes it is nice to hear some good news. We're really pleased for you.
Rob

Glad to hear the good news. ATB.
Spring

Wonderful to hear Aila is feeling better. I am so relieved for you. Beautiful picture too.

So pleased to hear your good news.

Glad to hear things are getting back to normal. Such a relief.
Nice to have lively dog again !

So so pleased she is getting better.

I am so happy she has got better, great news and lovely photo:)

Thank you everyone for your good wishes. We've had another great morning with a trip to the beach for a long run, a lie down in the shade and lots of admiration at the coffee shop and now back to her favourite rug for a well earned rest! Only question remaining is how long we should leave her on the antibiotics so we don't get another relapse. (Oh and how can we stop tripping over her on the rug since she is so well camouflaged)

Look at those beautiful dark ears, she looks very ladylike.

She is very beautiful, so glad to hear that she is feeling better