Strange illness, has the vet puzzled

[oliveview01]

At the refuge about a 3 weeks ago a young dog, about 10 months old started to stagger about, her back legs looking like they did not belong to her. That was on Saturday evening, Sunday morning she was staggering a bit, but not too bad. She was due to be taken to the vet first thing Monday, but sadly she died overnight. Then a few days later another dog was showing the same symptoms, staggering about, as if drunk and back legs all wobbly. She was taken straight to the vet and kept in for observation and treatment. She sadly did not respond to treatment and got worse, unable to walk at all. The vet did all sorts of tests and ruled out meningitis, which was the first thought, then a few other illnesses were ruled out, I don´t know what they were. In the end she had to be put to sleep. Her body has been taken to the University Vets school for a post mortem. Now we have another dog with the same symptoms, walking fine, then staggering, then fine, then staggering. She is going to a special re-hab type place to try to help her.
Has anyone else had or heard of a dog with the same problem? All the dogs are b-itches, all young, around 10 months to 2 years. It is very worrying. All the dogs have had treatment for mange over the past month, the vet ruled out that treatment making the dogs ill.
You never know, someone here might just know something.....

[ValL]

These come to mind, ear infections, inner ear problems and poisoning.

[oliveview01]

We are wondering about poisoning, but nothing has shown up, we are at a loss as to know what it is.

[knowal]

As all three dogs were treated for mange, using Occam's razor, that treatment is probably responsible for the illnesses and deaths.
The topical skin treatments given can be toxic to dogs.

[ValL]

Maybe far fetched but could they have they had any sugar free treats ? there is an ingredient in them that is dangerous to dogs .. Xylitol it is used in baking as well...
Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog's body. That can cause your dog's blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures. Liver failure can occur within just a few days.

Or chewed on any nuts ..just read this Macadamia Nuts

Dogs should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they can be fatal. As few as six raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating chocolate with the nuts will make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.

[oliveview01]

I had wondered about nuts or chocolate Val, I hope the post mortem shows up something.

[Gasman]

please let us know the results of the autopsy as this would seem to be something that Refuges need to look out for!

[crazyred]

It sounds like the dip used to treat the mange was not diluted enough as the same symptoms come up if you do a quick internet search.
http://www.drlarrypetvet.com/health_mange.html

[oliveview01]

The wash we used was 2.5ml to 1 ltr of water. It was put into a spray and sprayed on the dogs bodies, just their bodies, not their heads. . I am also wondering if it were the spray, but the vet insists it wasn´t. The spray is dangerous if the dog has heart worm, but the vet said she was clear of heart worm. I have not heard of the post mortem result yet, I am away for a week so will let you know any outcome of it when I get back.

[oliveview01]

The results said distemper. The other dog that is poorly is on the mend, at a volunteers house. The vet is sure the other dog will pull through. We are hoping to get all the dogs vaccinated now. Thankfully, none of the other dogs have shown symptoms.

[knowal]

The results said distemper.

Fair enough. It was that which lowered their immune system and allowed the mange to develop.
Interesting case though.

[oliveview01]

A vet is visiting the refuge every week now, she said the other dogs are all healthy, thank goodness.
The dogs that were suffering badly from the mange have all got their fur back and are looking good. We all have nice white (well white when we start the ´shift´ ) overalls to wear, so no bringing the infection home to our dogs.

[Nignoy]

Don't mean tobe negative, but when distemper was diagnosed , was the refuge completely emptied of animals and then double sterilised, everything from dog runs to beds and bowls, and left for at least 48 hours, before using again!!Sorry I wont be able to answer any replies until the 22 of march , I fly out to Vietnam tomorrow, and will be offline till then any pms will be answered on my return

[Chica56]

Distemper is highly contagious so full sterilisation as Nignoy mentions is the best way to protect future inmates. Do you know if this was done? If not any dog below par or never vaccinated will be at risk

[oliveview01]

The refuge was not emptied of animals, when you struggle to find foster families for 1 dog, let alone 35-40 it is impossible! We cleaned everything in sight, high, low, got rid of all the bedding and were very strict with the cleaning regime. All the dogs are now vaccinated and any new dog is put into solitary confinement.

At the vets the other day a lady arrived with a very ill dog, she came with it into the waiting room, which was full. She went into the consulting room and came out about 15 min later without the dog, he had distemper and was put to sleep. What shocked me was she came in to a full waiting room, knowing her dog had distemper, why did she not keep him in her far, which was parked at the door? Also, why do people put puppies on the floor when they arrive for their first injections?

[biribiri]

There has been a vaccine for distemper available since 1923. It beggars belief that dogs are still contracting this terrible disease in this day and age.

The first vaccine against canine distemper was developed in 1923 and 1924 by an Italian named Puntoni, although he did not use a large population of dogs for his trials, his work shows dogs can be vaccinated against this disease producing solid immunity.
A commercial vaccine was developed in 1950.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_distemper#History

[oliveview01]

We had taken our 2 rescue dogs to be castrated, chipped etc and when we picked them up we did not check the passport, we paid the bill and took our dogs home. They had had the first jab just before leaving the refuge. We knew aprox what date the rabies etc were due and when we got out the passports to check the vet had only given the rabies jabs and not the second ´illness´jab! So for a year our dogs had been living in danger! They are now vaccinated and safe!