Goodbye, Emily.

[Lupis]

Recently, my small dog Emily (Mixed breed, at least partially Australian Shepherd) has been ill. Or I assume she is ill - it's quite obvious. It was not obvious yesterday, but today it's extremely worrying, to the point where my mom was wondering if she'd make it through the night.

The symptoms she's showing today are severe lethargy. She moves very, very slowly, often nearly dragging herself along. She can still jump up onto the bed, but she doesn't run or move beyond that. She doesn't come when called, unlike usual - she doesn't even move. We had to carry her to the bedroom.
She hasn't eaten all day, though that's somewhat normal for her - she's not a heavy eater. However, she didn't even look at the new pig ear we bought her.
My mom also noticed earlier that she's coughing a bit, but not constantly, and not often enough for me to notice it.

Now, she's active sometimes. Tonight, after not wanting to even walk, she trotted outside to sniff around. This morning she moved around outside a bit, though she wouldn't walk far.

We're taking her to the vet first thing tomorrow morning, but does anyone have any idea? Obviously lethargy is a common symptom of many diseases, but pain can be ruled out - she doesn't act or sound like she's in pain, and she hasn't vomited or anything like that. She's just... slow.

(If it helps, she's roughly 7 years old.)

[Miraga]

Her not eating much may be adding to her lethargy. Are her bowel movements normal? Poor puppy.

[Lupis]

I'm not sure about bowel movements. She's been urinating normally, and unlike when my old dog was having issues, she doesn't seem bloated.

Might be worth mentioning that her nose is cold, typically a good sign. We haven't taken her temperature, but hopefully the vet can figure it out tomorrow.

[Nimae]

I'm sorry to hear that your dog isn't feeling well! Just in case you haven't already, might I suggest you check her gums--just note the color (are they healthy pink / red / usual color, or pale / white?). If she's agreeable to you poking around, just press your thumb on her gums and see how long it takes for the color to return (e.g., when you time it, >2 seconds to return color is cause for concern--means low blood pressure). Also, are her gums wet, or dry / sticky (dry / sticky is cause for concern)? You mentioned her abdomen doesn't seem distended and that she isn't in pain. If you apply gentle pressure to her abdomen, does she act uncomfortable (only try that if she's agreeable, some dogs can be cranky if they're in pain but not showing it)?

It is a good sign that her nose is cold! Also, the fact that she will still jump onto the bed kinda rules out joint / back injury (but she just might be a tough nugget and insist on her bed time, even when hurt). I'd anticipate that, when you get to the vet's, they'll probably want to take blood samples (check for infection / panel levels), possibly an ultrasound to check her belly for obstructions or, if they suspect injury, an x-ray. Just a quick list of the possibilities is all.

Hopefully she clears up before then, all is well and the vet gives her a clean bill of health! I hope this helps somewhat, all my best to you and your pup!

[Lupis]

I pressed down on her gums as suggested - while they got their color back quickly, they're also very pale. Much more than usual. They're also dry. She doesn't have any sort of pained reaction to pressing on her abdomen.

Anyway, she's going to the vet today.

[Nimae]

Sounds like there may be something going on internally, given the condition of her gums / lethargy / sporadic coughing. Best of luck to you and your pup at the vet!

[Lupis]

Okay! Figured it out.
She has an auto-immune disease. Her body is killing her red blood cells.
What we *didn't* notice was that she has a fever of 104˚F and she's urinating blood.
So. She's staying overnight at the vet to get her through the worst of it - it's fairly advanced at this point and can be lethal. She's on a bunch of meds now and may or may not need a transfusion. Most likely she'll be on tons of steroids, too.
It was scary at the vet's office - when she left the room to go get our dog's treatments started, she got a ton of helpers and we could hear them nearly running around. It's not a common cold. >.>

Anyway, there's a good chance she'll live, but it's not certain. For now we gotta just wait it out.

[Nimae]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear that--it's scary to get that kind of diagnosis. It sounds like she's in really good hands, though, and has good people taking care of her, both at the vet's and at home. Your dog is in my thoughts!

[TygerDarkstorm]

Aw, poor thing. I hope everything goes well Lupis.

[Serendipity82]

Keep us posted Lupis! Poor puppy. I hope your vet can get her through!

[Sasrei]

awww poor puppy! I hope she gets better *hugs* ill be praying for you

[Litlemouse]

awww poor puppy! I hope she gets better *hugs* ill be praying for you

^ hope she gets better!

[Lupis]

Update - A blood donor dog just came into the vet, and Em (our dog is named Emily) will be getting a blood transfusion.

[TygerDarkstorm]

That's good news! I hope the transfusion goes well. Hang in there Emily!

[Serendipity82]

GoGo Emily!! We are thinking of you Lupis!

[Litlemouse]

Yes! Go!

[Nimae]

Aw, yay donor dogs! I'll send good thoughts that it all goes smoothly. Go, Emily!

[Miraga]

That's so awesome about the donor! Get well soon, Emily!! <3

[Tsiya]

Good luck Emily! thoughts and prayers are with you both!

[Dewclaw]

Best wishes for your doggy. Keep us updated please.