West Nile in dogs

Question
Our 2 outside dogs became drunk-like.  Lost mobility in hind legs and ran into things.  Eyes were dialated.  One dog drug herself to drink water.  We immediately brought dogs at first sign to our vet who said was West Nile.  He gave medicine and shot for fever and told us to keep them hydrated.  Both dogs died within 12-14 hours of first revealing symptons.

Vet said it was rare to lose a dog to West Nile.  The day before they were running, jumping, appeared in good health.

Do you agree that our dogs had WN?  There was no foaming of the mouth to indicate poison, but these dogs deteriated FAST and we have no idea what could have happened.  

Answer
I highly doubt it was West Nile.   *A recent article (Austgen et al. Experimental Infection of Cats and Dogs with West Nile Virus, EID, Vol. 10, no.1 Jan 2004) in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases discusses WNV infection in dogs and cats in detail.

Q. Can West Nile virus (WNV) cause illness in dogs or cats?

A. A relatively small number of WNV infected dogs (<40) and only 1 WNV infected cat have been reported to CDC during 2003. Experimentally infected dogs* showed no symptoms after infection with WNV. Some infected cats exhibited mild, nonspecific symptoms during the first week after infection--for the most part only showing a slight fever and slight lethargy. It is unlikely that most pet owners would notice any unusual symptoms or behavior in cats or dogs that become infected with WNV


It sounds more like a poisoning or toxic exposure to me. There are many poisonous plants and substances that could have been the culprit.  Many things can be toxic and not cause foaming at the mouth.

Any antifreeze on the property?  
Mushrooms or moldy food?
Did they eat any plants, grapes, chocolate?
Lead exposure?


Infectious Disease that I would be concerned about would be Tick Diseases and Leptospirosis.