Has anyone any experience of a young dog with polyarthritis?

[Holdmyhand]

We think this is what our 8 month old lurcher has. She has swollen joints on all 4 legs and is in a lot of pain : ( she has a high temp and White blood cell count up. She is at animal hospital tonight - from what I've read on Internet prognosis not good - anyone any experience of this particularly in such a young dog?

Oh you poor thing. I have no advice but will keep you company on here. Our lovely rescue lurcher (approx 18 months old) has been at the vets hospital for the past 2 weeks with acute gastroenteritis and an added liver complication. (See my Pointy One thread on here)

Keep us posted - will keep everything crossed for a good outcome for your lurcher.

(what lurcher is she? Sam is a whippety one)

She's greyhound lurch - been at emergency vets all weekend - I've got to collect her tomorrow & take her to regular vets. Went to see her today and she had picked up a little - not sure if it was painkillers. The vet treating her at emergency vets is lovely - we're not happy with our regular vets though (little compassion) so have registered with with a new vets which I am taking her to tomorrow as she can't stay at emergency vets. She is still very poorly - if they do confirm polyarthritis outlook not good so will have some difficult decisions to make. Really hoping it is something else that can be easily treated. House just not the same without her here : (

Hope your lurcher is ok - 2 weeks is a long time to be at vets. Hope she is on the mend.

Oh I really hope the diagnosis is less serious for your grey lurcher. She is still so young

Our lurcher did come home for 4 days within the two week period but deteriorated so quickly he was re-admitted.

We went to visit him last night which was nice but awful - he looked like a cruelty case Painfully thin, a bold patch on his neck from where they have drawn blood, 4 red raw patches (one on each leg) from where each of the various cannulas went in, a raw bald patch on his shoulder from where an abscess popped and a completely bald tummy as it was shaved to enable ultrasound.

They are keeping him in for a few more days but if he begins eating and if his poos harden up they may release him soon.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome for both our lurchers.

They loose weight so quickly don't they - I guess because they are quite thin to start off with.
We have had loads of tests done today and are now waiting for results. The vet we saw today was great and was more positive that she has something treatable which is fantastic but we are trying not to keep realistic and still be prepared for the worst if it happens. They are keeping her on a drip and sedated.
Hope your lovely lurcher has had a good day.

Good luck for the test results, will keep everything crossed for you.

We too are waiting on blood test results, will know more tomorrow.

fingers crossed for good test results for both of you then xx

Let's hope we both get good news tomorrow. Xx

Good luck to you both. Holdmyhand- it isn't hopeless, here's hoping your wee lurcher comes through it, I've certainly seen some that do well. She sounds like she is getting everything done to find the cause, so fingers crossed. Keep us posted, sending good vibes.

Spoke to vets today and she has improved some more and even eaten a little. Some tests back today rest should be tomorrow. They think it is either an infection - possibly limes disease or her immune system reacting to something. Vet thinks it is treatable and hopefully she can come home in a couple of days. Told DS we are waiting for her test results - he said "if she gets 10 out of 10 can she come home"!

Behind - how is your lurch doing?

Great news for your lurcher Holdmyhand, I am pleased . Fingers crossed it is indeed a treatable infection and she will be home soon.

Sadly things are not too good down this end. Blood results were not good, showed yet another drop in protein levels despite being pumped full of plasma.

They are now thinking he has Crohns disease or inflammable bowel disease. He has temporarily gone back to the charity we adopted him from 10 weeks ago. Not because we dont' want him home but because the wonderful lady who runs the charity has funded his treatment and is a vet nurse herself so is able to keep a close eye, administer B12 injections and give him all the other meds he needs (and it is a carrier bag full!)

So I don't know what the prognosis is. If he does not respond to the steriods then I don't know what they can try next.

They are a worry, these dogs...

Behind - I am sorry your news not so good. Hope you are ok - yes they are such a worry. Your lurch sounds like they are in good hands - let's hope for a good day today. X

We got our lovely lurch home - very thin but much better than she was. Vets said it was immune reaction - she is on steroids & special diet. She is so pleased to be home.

Awww, wonderful news

I went to visit my lurchery boy this afternoon at the rescue kennels where is is recuperating. He is all snug under a heatlamp and there is a detailed timetable of all the various meds he needs.

He is still very very thin but looking better He is eating small amounts of food and his poos are becoming more formed. He is also a lot chirpier, wagging his tail more and pricking his ears up. So much better

I know he picked up once before and quickly relapsed so am not going to hang out the bunting just yet but I am cautiously optimistic

Bet he loves the heat lamp. Glad he is improving - sounds like he is getting fab care - fingers crossed for another good day tomorrow.