Lymphoma, Virus or something else?

[Nuggetsmum]

On 17 December our bouncy boxer dog suddenly became subdued, off her food and reluctant to walk. We took her to the vet who thought it was probably something she had eaten and prescribed antibiotics. She didn't improve and a further vet visit showed raised glands in her neck and high protein levels in her blood. Xrays were taken of her stomach and chest and showed a very slight area of concern on her liver but nothing definite. She's been on Medrone steroids ever since. After several further vets visit over christmas and 2 more bloods taken - both were back to normal and glands not raised - she's still ill. She suddenly bounces back with great gusto for a few days and then goes down again. She is eating from my hand, she's not being sick and goes out normally but she has no energy and seems uncomfortable. Vets still do not seem to know whats wrong with her but think it may be Lymphoma or an aggressive virus. She's seven years old. Can anyone offer any advice please? Thanks

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

None, wish her better real soon!! XX

Edit as didn't want to seem unhelpful, it's just your vet has all the xrays etc infront of them, and they sound a bit stumped, and if we do wild guessing we will just frighten you, I would say if you don't think they are getting to the bottom of it fast, ask for a 2nd opinion.. Boxers are prone to many conditions XX

 

[karen_c]

If it is lymphoma then the steroids may have shrunk the lymph nodes/glands in her neck back to normal size.
Did your vets take any samples from the lymph nodes when they were big? This would be the most helpful way of trying to diagnose, or rule out, lymphoma.
Do you know which proteins in her blood were increased - albumin or globulins?

I'd second DD's advice about a second opinion if your vets aren't getting anywhere. If they are going to refer her somewhere then it may be worth asking about weaning her off the steroids beforehand as they may make it more difficult to get to a definite diagnosis.

Hope it's something simple and that she's on the mend soon

 

[SusieT]

Have to say I'd be looking a second opinion.
If it's lymphoma thats easily diagnosed by sticking a needle in them. If it is anythign nasty do youw ant to go downt he route of chemo?

 

[Nuggetsmum]

Thanks so much for the replies. I realise its impossible for anyone to second guess what it may be but just wondered if anyone had been through anything similar with their dog. Unfortunately the vet didnt take a sample when the glands were enlarged and went straight for x rays. Thats interesting about the steroids shrinking the glands Karen_c - could they also affect the bloods? I don't know which proteins were increased but I shall ask the vet tomorrow. Its so frustrating not having any definite diagnosis. Thanks again for the support. It looks as though I should be asking for a referral. Susie T - the vet said in the early stages if it was lymphoma he wouldn't recommend chemo and I tend to agree.