Watching Kilo struggle to stand up is heartbreaking but I’m going to keep searching for answers 💔
For months, we’ve been trying to figure out what’s wrong and despite multiple veterinary visits, we still don’t know what’s causing all of this.
It started with changes in his mobility. He began walking with tiny, slow, painful steps, putting very little weight on his TPLO leg, struggling to stand, and holding his head down almost all the time.
Since then, he’s developed progressive muscle wasting throughout his body, including severe muscle loss in his head, making it clear that this is more than just a bad knee.
Over the last week, he also developed a fever (103°), very red eyes, thick green discharge from his eyes, swelling around one eye, severe pain and muscle spasms throughout his neck, and increasing lethargy. While the eye discharge has started improving, his weakness, stiffness, and pain remain.
So far, we’ve done extensive bloodwork, abdominal ultrasound, X-rays, lymphoma testing, Addison’s disease testing, and repeat orthopedic X-rays, which only showed mild progression of arthritis.
His veterinarian has also documented generalized muscle wasting, severe atrophy of his masticatory (jaw) muscles, fever of unknown origin, and an underweight body condition.
Right now, he’s being treated with Galliprant for pain and is currently on a course of clindamycin antibiotics while we continue searching for answers.
We have another appointment this weekend, and I’m also reaching back out to the internal medicine specialist who previously evaluated Kilo. I’m hoping to discuss additional diagnostics and figure out what our next steps should be because I know there’s still something we’re missing.
If you’ve experienced anything similar with your dog, or you’re a veterinarian or veterinary professional who has seen a case like this before, I’d be incredibly grateful to hear your thoughts. Even if you don’t have answers, we’d appreciate your prayers, positive thoughts, and support as we continue fighting for Kilo.
We’re not giving up on him!❤️🐾
as you could imagine, we’ve almost exhausted his insurance for the year and if you stick around and watch this for a minute, it will help support his care!
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Caring for a senior dog with unexplained health issues can be one of the most challenging experiences for any pet owner. Like many, I’ve witnessed how symptoms such as difficulty standing, muscle atrophy, and behavioral changes can be puzzling and heart-wrenching when diagnostic tests don’t reveal clear answers. In these situations, it becomes crucial to look beyond typical orthopedic problems and consider systemic or neurological conditions that might be causing the symptoms. Muscle wasting, especially when it affects large muscle groups or the jaw muscles (masticatory muscles), can indicate diseases like myositis or even neurological disorders that affect muscle control and strength. Fever, eye discharge, and muscle spasms add complexity and may point to infections or inflammatory conditions. When common diagnostics—including bloodwork, imaging, and disease-specific tests like those for lymphoma or Addison's disease—come back inconclusive, consulting a specialist in veterinary internal medicine is a critical step. In my experience, documenting every detail about your dog's symptoms and how they evolve over time is invaluable. This record helps veterinarians identify subtle clues that might change the diagnosis or treatment approach. Additionally, discussing pain management options, such as Galliprant or other medications, is essential to maintain quality of life during diagnosis. If you find yourself in a similar situation, support networks can make a big difference—not only for emotional backing but also to exchange advice on specialists, second opinions, or advanced diagnostic tools like MRIs or biopsies. Carrying hope and sharing your journey online has the power to connect you with professionals and fellow pet lovers who may have insights or solutions. Most importantly, never give up advocating for your pet. Kilo’s story is one of determination to find answers in the face of uncertainty, highlighting the importance of persistence, community support, and love as we navigate the complexities of senior pet health.
