EPI * Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Thor has been coming to work with me since we got him a few weeks ago, and I figured this would be fine seeing as he had all his shots and a clean bill of health. One of my regular customers have been coming in frequently to visit with her 2 dogs. She just came in 2 days ago to tell me that one of her dogs has kennel cough. Yesterday I noitced a bit of discharge in one of his eyes but didnt think too much of it. But today he had discharge in both eyes AND from his nose. He hasnt lost his appetite or anything but he didnt seem as outgoing this morning as he does usually. When I get up he comes to greet me but he just layed in the kitchen this morning. I have been reading about distemper and kennel cough(as 2 of my other dogs have had kennel cough) and usually the vet just sends you home to wait it out unless the dog has severe symptoms like vomiting or seizures(which he does not have) I also read a previous post on here about someone using Vibactra plus for distemper. Any advice from anyone who has had to deal with this would be greatly appreciated. I really hope this is not what he has but I just want to avoid a trip to the vet if we are just going to be sent home with nothing. Especially because our regular vet is on vacation.

Ashley

Surely his shots would have covered distemper .

The only treatment i ever used for kennel cough was a  childs cough medicine  are your   other dogs vaccinated against it because as you know it spreads .

Ann

Hi,

I agree with Ann, if Thor had all his shots (I assume his previous vet records came with him), then chances of distemper would be very very very small. If he is exposed to many other dogs, then I would suspect some viral illness...especially if the customer told her that Thor had been exposed to her dogs with kennel cough. Can you call your vet and just run Thor's symptoms by them?

Hello Ashley - With the combination of Thor being new to your life, having traveled cross country recently and especially the change your noting in his behaviour... I'm thinking time to see what the vet thinks... just to be on the safe side.

It is probably just a viral or bacterial infection. His immune system is most likely stressed from the move and new environment. If the discharge is discolored, green or yellow, I would go to the vet and get some antibiotics. It could turn into pneumonia if not treated.

Louie got kennel cough even though he had just gotten a bordetella shot. My vet says they don't really work all that well. Then last summer they both got a bacterial infection from going to the beach and sniffing around in the sand. Louie recovered, but Biscuit, who has cushing's disease and whose immune system was depressed, developed an advanced infection with runny mucosy nose and sneezing. It took 2 courses of antibiotics(Baytril) to get rid of it.

Now distemper... My beloved Nico, got sick from a distemper shot and it was awful. Nico had several bouts of pneumonia and neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. She had what they call "chewing gum fits." Her head would twitch and she would constantly lick the air. She also developed lesions in her stomach which led to vomiting and eventually she would not eat. Ultimately she died of a seizure. To this day I feel so awful that I made her get that shot.

Luckily sounds like Thor just has a respiratory infection, which a strong dose of antibiotics like Baytril will clear right up.

Wishing him well and let us know how it goes.

Sophie

I agree with Becky.  Thor has had some major changes in environment which could easily trigger health problems or lower his resistance to infections.   Sometimes just having different kinds of pollen in the air can cause allergic reactions.   I would see the vet to be safe.

Barb

hello hun

this could be something and nothing but the vet is the best start as the temperature needs to be taken and a full check up but I sure you are on top of it

i remember one of mine had this and it was a grass seed allergy especially in the spring which is where we are

it was firstly diagnosed as rhinitis and then when the cultures came back basically hay fever!!!! which we dealt with using anti-hystamines for humans, massively cheaper than the vets and this was all through the summer for his entire life

keep us up to speed

jxxxx

Thanks for all the advice! I havent seen any more discharge from his nose, but his eyes are still a bit goopy. This morning it is a mix of clear and yellowish stuff. I think I over reacted with the distemper, I think with the mix of someone coming in and telling me they may have exposed him and that he is so new to me I was worried I got him sick and Ive only had him a few weeks:( Everyone I talked to said something along the lines of a doggy cold. Mya and Shelby had the same kind of cold a few weeks ago(no dishcarge though) but because Thor has a lower immune system he may just have more/worse symptoms then the others who do not have EPI. He was also more energetic last night and more himself this morning. Woke up to a nice greeting from him(he comes in a few times to see if im awake yet hehe) I do have an appointment booked for the vet for him so I will get it all checked out for my own peace of mind.

Its like being a new mom, so many worries!!

And you are a good mom !! Good thing you are gdetting it checked out.....then you can ask all of your questions!! It takes will take awhile to learn all about Thor....sounds like he LOVES  his new home !!

HI Ashley..... so glad to hear that Thor "sounds" a little better.....but best that you made the appt with the vet to have him checked out.

If there is such a thing as reincarnation..... and if i come back as a dog..... i know where i am going........ to Ashley's home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are an amazing mom!