2981. A 16-year-old Shih Tzu has runny nose and right eye discharge.

Dec 4, 2016

The dog had enucleation of the left eye around 7 months ago. She ate and could pee and poop normally outdoors, hurrying the lady owner to go downstairs faster on occasions when she came back from work.

So, I was much surprised to see her recumbent as if dying. No fever, temp = 37.9.
"Her blood pressure is low," my assistant said as we could not locate the jugular vein for blood collection. We could not find the cephalic vein distended easily unlike normal dogs.

"The femoral pulse is strong," I palpated the femoral artery again. "So, the pressure cannot be low. Take blood from the hind leg vein."  She did so as we could see the vein well.

I suspect the dog to be septicaemic as she just could not stand up and made noises when she was held for blood collection. Blood test will tell. An IV drip with antibiotics, vitamins and pain-killer pacified her. She laid down quietly. No movement, as if dead. Yet no rapid breathing. Tongue was cyanotic now and then. There was a left mitral murmur. Yet the owner said no coughing, rapid breathing or drinking lots of water.

X rays

We hope she will recover overnight by being able to sit up.