What can be wrong with our dog? Any vets?!

[Picoloangel]

We have a 5 1/2 year old Lab/Weimaraner cross. Basically looks like a lean lab. She’s v v fit and active, not overweight and usually has a minimum 3 hours walks per day split in 2 walks.

About 6 weeks she kept pulling us to go on shorter walks. Didn’t ever not want a walk but seemed to lack the appetite for her normal long walks. Added to this her breathing seemed very fast and she was sitting down on walks. Not off her food and just seemed a “bit off.” Nothing major or concerning.

We took her to Vet who thought her heart seemed fine, breathing a bit fast but nothing too concerning and gave her antibiotic injection and said wait and see.

Nothing really changed and we took her back - she had a chest x Ray which showed her heart was fine but that her lungs were restricted and looked like the lungs of an older dog. She was diagnosed with bronchitis, prescribed antibiotics and an expectorant. Blood tests all fine.

She’s improved, more up for her usual walks though this is inconsistent. Some days she just wants a short walk and sits down a lot. This is v out of character for her or at least it was until recently!

She just still seems a bit off. Breathing is less erratic. Vets on both occasions thought she was pretty healthy, said she was too young though for there to be a sudden change in her pattern of exercise. We are just a bit baffled about whether to accept that she’s “a bit off” and not quite herself or whether there are some other investigations she could have.

issue of stress etc has been explored - nothing has changed in our family life or in hers. Anyone experienced anything similar or have any advice?

Not a vet.

My spaniel consistently sits on walks when he is in pain. Doesn't matter where the pain is (back or stomach) but this is the behaviour when something is hurting and he can no longer push through it.

I would go back and maybe ask for a specialist referral if they can't suggest anything.

Lungworm? My dog had it and was similar.. I have a panacur less dose as directed on packet for lungworm.
She's fine now

Yes I was going to say lungworm. My last dog had a mild case which was treated with milbemax I think and was fine. She was a bit breathless and had a very mild cough. She was super fit so we knew it was unusual for her.

Get a second opinion. My sister's dog was ill and the vet couldn't get to the bottom of it. They eventually got a second opinion. The more experienced vet knew straight away what the problem was. Unfortunately by that point it was too late!

Yes, we considered lung worm and she’s been treated for that.
The Vet has also checked her for pain (as have we) and no apparent pain. She isn’t listless or lethargic, v excited to see us etc etc just this sixth sense that we have that she isn’t quite right but in a way that we just can’t put our finger on.

Could it be allergy related?

I would also get a second opinion. Hope she's feeling better soon.

Have they checked her blood pressure , our dog has high blood pressure and if his meds need increasing we can tell because he stops playing with toys and really lags on walks .

Thanks all some suggestions. It’s so frustrating that it doesn’t fit neat with anything. No cough for example, no real lethargy more a slight change in energy levels. I’m wondering whether there’s a lingering lungworm issue 🤔

I would not settle for her being "a bit off"

X rays should show if there are lungworms present. I would want a repeat x ray to see if there are any change after the antibiotics

Once you begin to notice a change in behaviour there is usually something wrong.

I would want a detailed talk with a vet and ask them how to proceed diagnosing the issues.

Dogs are really good at masking pain so if she's showing signs that she's not quite right, she really does need to be checked.

I would want x-rays of her lungs as well as blood tests to rule out infection somewhere - is she eating and toileting normally? Any changes in the house or her routine that could be causing any issues?

I'd look into getting a referral for a specialist to have a look at if general vet drawing a blank as you will probably end up there eventually after spending more £ exhausting further testing.

She needs more investigation including an ECG and an echocardiogram (usually done by a very skilled ultrasonographer) which will tell you more about her cardiac function. I would ask for a referral.

Thank you all. We are going to take her back.

Arthritic changes? I would potentially want X-rays of major joints

You said that blood results came back fine Were there no markers on your dog’s blood results? Might be worth considering referral if you’re insured or can cover the costs. It definitely seems something is going on from what you describe. 6 weeks would be a significant period of time to not see an improvement in. Alternatively might be worth going to a different vets for a second opinion depending on much you trust your current vets? Of asking for a senior small animal vet in your current practice to have a look? Sometimes you can have symptoms and not find the cause at all or until other changes also happen. But I would expect some changes to show up on the blood results with bronchitis even if mildly elevated white blood cell count.
I would definitely say you need to go back and see that this needs further investigation as no improvement. Good luck getting to the bottom of what’s going on.

@CoronationQuiche thank you. I don’t know what the blood test markers were we weee just told it was all normal though we had the results that day so they couldn’t have been sent off or anything.

Our vet is a private practice, v, v experienced and well respected and luckily we saw him the second time. We are definitely going back this week. If only she could talk!

great you trust your vet. They’ll steer you right. Sometimes things can be a bit of mystery because as you say they unfortunately can’t talk. Definitely pop back this week and see what they say. Ask for an appointment with the specific vet you want. All the best.