Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Re: Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Moira Hamilton — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:23:12 GMT

Will definitely look into these, am speaking to the lab tomorrow. Thanks

Re: Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Moira Hamilton — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:21:00 GMT

We didn't do a spec pancreatic test, but the amylase and lipase levels weren't increased at all, most recent bloods fasting bile acids were marginally up 5.9 (0.1-5), increased cholesterol 6.8 (3.2-6.2) and raised inorg phos 1.66 (0.8-1.6). It also showed that the wbc's were quite degenerate. The pain seems to be spinal rather than abdominal, but it is not severe, the only way of seeing it is really the position of her tail and the hunching.

Re: Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Moira Hamilton — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:10:53 GMT

We did but there was a lot of interference so sent her to a cardiologist to repeat it and do an echo to rule out endocarditis, sadly don't have that ECG and ours is VERY poor quality!

Re: Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:05:54 GMT

I would have wanted to eliminate acute pancreatitis before I got involved in exotic diseases, it is under-diagnosed and is a common cause of non-specific symptoms like these, it doesn't always cause vomiting and diarrhoea, so do a specCPl although it may be decreasing now if it is resolving. But why MRI before X-ray seems the wrong way round to me if you suspect lumbar pain, you should see discospondylitis on radiographs.

Re: Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:21:37 GMT

My thoughts:

Anaplasmosis (very high on my list!, especially with low platelets!)

Lyme's disease

SRMA (also possible esp. with undulating pyrexia and pain)

Discospondylitis

Re: Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Andrew Kent — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 07:37:17 GMT

Have you done an ECG? Would be great to see it if you have.

I agree with above that the back pain is quite a specific finding (as long as confident not abdo pain etc) so I would image this area. I would start with plain radiographs as well, they may show more than you think.

Re: Anybody have any thoughts on what would cause a 11mo labradoodle who suddenly developed an arrythmia with back pain and pyrexia?

Utlendigur — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 23:14:28 GMT

Is it definitely spinal pain as opposed to abdominal pain? Any neurological deficits? Is the pain localisable to a small area or whole spine? Any joint pains or effusion or any pain over long bones (panosteitis, metaphyseal osteopathy)?

Discospondylitis would give spinal pain and pyrexia. Migrating FB eg grass seeds can get into odd places. Pancreatitis would give pyrexia, increased bile acids and abdo pain. You've nothing to lose by xraying her (unless costs are an issue) - you might not pick up boney changes (definitely won't if you don't xray), but on the other hand you might see something