A 6-Year-Old Lab Cross With a Fever No One Could Explain
by Lynn
(Seeley Lake,Mt US)
Update: After two weeks with three different vets in three different offices, Kenzie died today. The specialist finally did an ultrasound and found two tumors on her liver. We don't know if the tumors were treatable, because by this time she was so weak she had to be put down in the afternoon. If your dog has a fever nobody can explain, ask about thorough testing early. Maybe you can save your best friend. I lost mine today.
We're so sorry about Kenzie. Losing her after two weeks of worry and so many visits must be heartbreaking. You clearly fought hard for her.
A fever that keeps coming back or won't settle, and still has no clear cause after the first round of tests, is called a fever of unknown origin. It's one of the harder problems vets face, because the cause can be an infection, an immune condition, a hidden inflammation or cancer, and the first tests are often normal. Vets usually work through it in stages: blood and urine tests and X-rays first, then tests such as joint taps, ultrasound and biopsies if the cause still isn't clear. Even with a full workup, a cause is never found in some dogs, and tumors in organs such as the liver can be hard to spot early. Steroids, which are often used for suspected immune disease, can also change the picture.
Your advice to other owners is a good one. If a fever isn't settling, it's reasonable to ask your vet what the plan for further testing is, and whether imaging such as an ultrasound would help.
See dog fever and normal temperature and lethargy in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
