IMPA without fever??

[Ann_W]

Hi - I was here many years ago when our beloved springer Megan was diagnosed with SRMA and I'm back    She's now nearly 13 and hasn't had an SRMA flare since 2008, but in the past fwe weeks she has suddenly gone lame, initially on her left shoulder, which got very bad very fast, and then her toes and her right shoulder joined the party and in the past week or so she's become utterly miserable and barely mobile, hobbling omn her front legs as if she's walking on pins. The vets initially said arthritis aggravated by an injury. it got a tiny bit better with Metacam but she was refusing to take the liquid, so the vet changed her to Onsior tablets and she got a lot worse and stopped eating entirely. The vet added Pardale V and she brightened up for a few days but then went downhill again, and today they changed her to Tramadol and she's slept all day. She's lost loads fo weight and is barely eating anything at all, although she's still drinking. Bloods have all been normal. Our vets are taking her in tomorrow for x-rays and joint taps under sedation.

I am sure, from the way the lameness has come on so quickly and is now shifting, that this is autoimmune rather than age-related arthritis, but her temperature has been normal throughout. One friend of mine had a dog who had IMPA confirmed by joint taps and had a fever with her first episode but has since had flares with no fever. Could this be secondary to the SRMA and acting as a flare rather than an onset episode and hence no fever? I'm worried sick at how quickly she's gone downhill in the past few days and would appreciate any words of wisdom or pertinent questions to ask the vet tomorrow.

Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Ann and Megan

[Clover]

Mine had a high fever but I've read they can present without one.

[Ann_W]

Thank you - that's really useful to know.

[Jo CIMDA]

HI Ann

I'm sorry Megan is not well again but I have a hunch it is not IMPA or her SRMA.  After all this time if she were to have a relapse then I would expect the clinical signs to be classic.

I expect your vet will do a complete blood count and a full biochemical blood test, checking her electrolytes and other major body functions, and this may indicate where the problem lies.

Hope it all goes well

Jo

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

Very sadly, Megan had cancer and Ann and her family had to say goodbye to Megan 

I've known Megan literally since the day she was born in rescue locally to me, I am so very sad, she was an adorable lovely lovely girl and I know she will be sadly missed by Ann and her family.

[Clover]

Oh I am so sorry 

[Jo CIMDA]

That is very sad news.

Rest in peace Megan.

Jo
xx