I received this email from a client, have no idea what they are talking of nor do I have any kind of response that will sound any way intelligent???

"Since I last sent you Yaz' 4 month picture, she has fallen ill. She became sick on Sat. night and was taken to an Animal Hospital in Easton, Md. (We were staying with in-laws) After a very thourough exam and x-ray, Yaz had no signs of bone or joint injury. However, her white blood count was double and a fever of 106, which indicated an infection. We kept her at the hospital overnight to receive anti-biotics intraveinously. SHe did also have swollen tissue proximal to the right hawk joint, which in spite of the anit-bi. has gotten worse. There also is no wound or puncture of skin in the area that is swollen. Last night her fever came down, but went up a bit in the morning. After consulting with her collegues at The referral hospital in Annapolis, Dr. Donna Nizola will administer another type of antibiotic for the remainder of the day. If this works, she will continue on that path for 4-5 days. If Yaz does not respond, she will be transfered to a referral center of specialists.
Matt and I are very worried for Yaz. I have also spoken to Veternarian Referral Center in Frazier, Pa. We may consider tranferring her there. THe Dr.'s are a bit miffed. Have you ever heard of this type of infection of the soft tissue? Have you heard of either Vet. centers? Do you have any advice for us new dog owners?
We miss her very much.
Andrea

did they run the usual tests for tick borne diseases

Have they done a joint tap?

I have used the VRC in Frazier and have has good experiences with a few of the specialists there. I agree that the first think I would question is a tick borne illness. Good luck and keep us posted on on Yaz.

Possibly infectious arthritis. Kind of young for that though. I would do a tap of the joint fluid asap. One of my girls (at 4 1/2-5 months) crashed into a kitchen cabinet and got ephyisitis of her hock joint. I will say that even with lots of crate rest and rehab it will act up on ocassion, swell and be painful(she's 8). Hope the best for your baby.

Sounds like it could be HOD (Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy). I know the symptoms can vary a lot.

the great dane lady is a great source for info on HOD:

http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/feed_program_for_hod.htm

The only advice I have is def. go to VRC in frazier.
They are the best.

Sounds like similar symptoms my dog had at five months old after his rabies vaccine. It happened approx. three weeks after the shot. I almost lost him.

Sounds like HOD.
I went through this earlier this year with a boy, same age at the time.
He was so sick....came on very sudden, high fever, staggering like he was drunk, swollen joints, very lame all around. Looked almost neurological in symptoms.
Took to the vet and was put on the standard treatment for HOD at home - antibiotics and NSAIDS - which I asked for (many vets do not even think HOD, they don't know enough about it).
He was better within a couple of days.
I cut his protein drastically as well.
He is 100% now, back on regular protein and sound and healthy
Please let us know how it turns out.

Definitely sounds like HOD to me. I had this happen to a 9 week old puppy. I followed the Great Dane Lady's food/supplement recommendations for HOD which helped but what really turned him around was Metacam. Good luck.

Sounds like it may be septic arthritis to me. I had a young pup go through this and he recovered after a few weeks off antibiotics. I've been to the refferal clinic in Annapolis for an oncology visit and can only speak fo my experience which was ok.

Sounds like Lyme Disease. It's something I test for whenever I have a "mystery" illness regardless of circumstances.

I do not believe a 4 month old puppy is old enough to show symptoms of Lyme...

Be careful of the "Easy" diagnosis from a third-hand description from someone who is reporting what someone else told her!
Note that the owner of the dog said the swelling is PROXIMAL to the hock joint, meaning closer to the body from the hock joint and not in it. Also xrays were done and did not show anything in the joint according to the owner.
Also, an elevated temperature and high white cell count can be from infection OR INFLAMMATION. Simple answers for a swelling NOT in a joint (i.e., soft-tissue swelling) could list from spider or other insect invenomation, to infection, to anything. Soft-tissue injuries or infections are not at all uncommon.
I would give the team of veterinarians a chance to treat her as long as she is not worsening. Sounds like they are diagnosing and treating agressively.
"Instant" diagnoses are difficult in complicated cases. Good luck to Yaz!