sick doggie!!

Question
I recently moved to phoenix 2 months ago. My precious jack russell is 8yrs old. She started getting sick 1.5 weeks ago. At first I just thought she was depressed (sleeping in the closest and not begging for walks) but then she felt really hot and was shaking. So I took her to the vet. She had a temp 104 and elevated WBC. they tried her on doxycline. after 3 days she did not get any better. The test results for valley fever came back neg. No diabetes and "healthy except for this infection". We switched antibiotics to cipro. Now after another 4 days she is still hot, now throwing up, rapid shallow breathing, some haking with wheezes. It is like it is hard for her to breathe. I have another appointment at a DIFFERENT vet tomorrow but I am so concerned. They say the next step in CXR and Ultrasound. Does that sound right? I love my dog but also don't have thoussands of dollars to spend if there is no hope. Is this serious?!  

Answer
Hi Jillian,

It sounds like you've done everything right so far. It also sounds like she needs to be observed in the hospital if she's not getting any better. She's only 8 and has at least another 8 healty years left to live but I do under
stand financial pressures. Most vets can offer you a payment plan if necessary. Did the vet check her for any snake or insect bites?? Those are tricky to diagnose and have the same symptoms you are describing. I hope you'll like the new vet, and good luck. I hope she'll be OK.