sick boxer

Question
my sister in law has a boxer, he is almost 8 and a few months ago she says he just overnight became different. He just lays around, doesn't want to play or go for walks, won't eat his dog food and if he does he throws it up, he is eating chicken and rice now and keeping that down, but just no "life" in him. The vet did his blood work and says all is fine, cant really afford a specialist. Any opinions on what it might be? Do you know of any Vets we can take him to that she can pay over time? We live in Orange County, Ca

Answer
Hi Pam,

I'm sorry to hear of his illness (if there is one).  The problem with dogs (and most animals) is that once they show symptoms they are usually very ill.  It is naturally ingrained in them not to show weakness so they aren't weeded out of the pack.

She doesn't need to go to a specialist.  She needs a second opinion.  I would have a urinalysis done, a fecal exam and possibly a set of xrays.  I would also have his blood panel re-done.  I'm very hesitant to guess at what it may be.  It can be something as simple as a thyroid issue and something as serious as cancer.

Please be sure to let her know that an elimination diet, which is what chicken and rice should be used for, is only supportive nutritionally for about 2 weeks.  If he's been on this diet for a longer period, he's not being fed soundly and this could be exacerbating his problems.  She'll need to put him back onto a balanced diet.  If he isn't ill, as the first vet suggests, then the vomiting would be the result of a food intolerance.  Unfortunately, though, this wouldn't explain the lethargy.

I would have no idea which of your vets take payments and your sister in law can do the research as easily as I could.  If she is low-income and/or at the poverty level, have her google (or you google) low-income veterinary care.  She could also contact the local ASPCA for a referral.  If she is not low-income, she will have to spend an hour or two on the phone contacting veterinarians and asking if they accept payment arrangements.  I know nothing about CA, but if you are an hour or two away from a rural area, many 'country' vets are more flexible with their bills than city doctors.

Good luck...I hope she can get it sorted!