Would love some advice. UPDATE #9 & 11

[Kasianni]

So Theo's not been well for a couple of weeks. Started with a skin issue mid September, thought it was Demodex as it was on his face and feel. Bathed him, it went away, only to come back. October 20th at vets, he had bumps all over the top of his head, and muzzle and face. Tips of ears too. Nothing on his body.Vet checked for Demodex. Was not that. Had a antibiotic injection. Went back on Nov 3rd, skin had cleared up 50%, did another skin scrape, no demoded.. vet was amazed at how good he look. Those little red bumps were all gone but his fur was missing on those spots, and some of that had grown back already. So obviously, the antibiotics had started working, checked his ears, infections in both, gave another shot. Back on November 13 instead of 17th as vet was going away for 2 weeks. (I am sure with all the money I've given him since January) Vet was amazed how well infection cleared up, but was not quite gone so one more injection. Theo's skin is all beautiful again, just a few missing spots of fur still around the ears, but today I found another little pimple on his food and last week, a small one on his face so maybe its not quite gone. SO this is the problem, all his lymph nodes are still swollen, they do feel a bit smaller, have not grown for sure, but still there. Vet was still not concerned on the 13th, said sometimes they take a while to go down. We don't know what kind of infection he had I didn't do blood tests since I did a CBC in May and all was well. (after all those tummy issues) However, he is going back Monday, and I think the vet will want to do a blood tests, and mention aspirating a nodes to check for...you know what. I am beside myself with worry now. Vet said 80% not cancer but still a chance..I think they look for Lymphona or something. He said once if it was Lymphoma it would have not presented itself as bump all over his head and face like that. But I just don't know. I've been dealing with this for 3 months now. You would think it if was cancer he would show other signs?? He eats like a piggy, as usual, he's fun of energy, drives his sister nuts to get her to play..he's happy and I just don't know what is going on. Can glads stay swollen longer? Might now help that I play with them everyday to check on them. Maybe infection is not gone since he has a tiny bump above the paw pads (thats how it started in September) I don't know, I'd love some advice on this please. Oh and razy for Theo.we go back Monday. Worried about doing all these tests, well worried about the results that is. His cbc in May was perfect as was the pancreas test. 4 months later, all this started. He is eating salmon and potato..prescription diet, changed it a few weeks ago as vet suggested it.

[LexieLuvr]

Wish I had some constructive suggestions. Maybe a specialist? Tons of

[Alex's Mom]

OK. First of all, Kasia...BREATHE!!!!!

Swollen lymph glands can be anything from seasonal allergies to the antibiotics he's been on to infection to, yes, cancer. But if your vet's not concerned, then you shouldn't be. It COULD be the worst, but it most likely isn't. He sounds like he's really on top of things, and I rather suspect he might be acting more to give you some peace of mind than anything.

Remember that Theo's immune system was no doubt compromised when he was a puppy and so his lymph glands may be working overtime to do what they do, which is to filter bad stuff out of one's system, including the antibiotics. His skin stuff sounds like it's cleared up, and that's awesome because so often skin issues are almost impossible to resolve.

If Theo is happy in himself, then take your cue from him, and just enjoy him being a happy healthyish dog. And let us know what the vet says on Monday.

[Rae]

Great advice, Paula!

[Kasianni]

Thanks so much Paula! Yes, his skin has cleared up nicely, just a bit of the fur still missing where the little bumps where but if you didn't know what he'd been through you wouldn't know just by looking at him. That is what bothers me, obviously the antibiotics worked to clear up the skin so why are the glands not going down? I just wondered if they can stay swollen so long with the infection gone. I have moments where I tell myself he is ok, then there are those other moments....

[Alex's Mom]

Yup, they can sometimes stay swollen even if there's not much wrong. Just doing their job LOL.

[Kasianni]

Yup, they can sometimes stay swollen even if there's not much wrong. Just doing their job LOL.

Ok thanks, this I did not know. I heard the word Lymphoma, and its hard to get it out of my head now. Although that being said, I've never heard of Lymphoma presenting itself as a skin infection on the head, face and tips of ears and no where else. Apart from the swollen glands, those were his issues.

[lotsadox]

I agree with Paula. Swollen glands can be a lot of things. Lots of antibiotics can interfere with the body's natural immune response so I imagine that they could cause swollen glands. Bogart had swollen glands and elevated liver enzymes from heartworm preventative when he was older. If he's doing well, I'd just go with that and listen to the vet. I know it's worrying and hard not to go to the worst case scenario but try not to.

[Kasianni]

Back from vets. Blood tests done, exams done. Glands still swollen in neck, behind arms, back of legs, and one in chest. He STILL doesn't believe that its cancer, as Theo has two or three new spots on his paws..(they are little red bumps) So we did blood tests, and pending the results tomorrow, starting him on Prednisone for 3 weeks. Hard on his gut but it is what it is. Also bought him Juvita Pro B which is a great probiotic for the guts and helps the immune system. He still believes its a reaction to something, although he can't say what, could be to all the meds his had since January, which is basically every Month since then or a allergy to something. He said again, 80% plus that its not cancer and he didn't feel the need to aspirate a node this time. So waiting for blood tests results, will know tomorrow and then can start the meds. I'm exhausted. Vet said Theo is a very good boy. Sat while begin examined, didn't flinch when drawing blood and checking ears and glands. He was generous with his kisses tonight and was actually happy to see the vet..Vet actually gave him a big snuggle, which he never does. lol Cute, but then he barked his fool head off at a tech aid who came in the room and left rather quickly hahaha. Please send rayz for good blood results, I'll get them tomorrow.

[RDavidP]

I went through lymphoma with Dumbledore. Typically by the time the lymph nodes are swollen enough to notice, we had a difficult time getting him to eat and he had no energy what so ever. Blood work at the emergency vet pretty much immediately determined it was lymphoma, and lymph node aspiration confirmed the blood work. Blood work results can usually determine with a high degree of certainty if it is lymphoma or not. It sounds like a good chance that lymphoma may not be what is wrong here, but is something that just needs to be ruled out. Much of medicine is not finding out what is wrong, but ruling out what could be wrong.