What could be wrong

[roadrunner63]

have an eleven year old cocker spaniel who last tuesday was just fine, then on Wednesday he wouldn't get up and just acted funny.  Took him to the vet that day and they did a blood work up ( which was fine) and gave him a shot of antibiotic and an antiinflammatory.  Said his heart sounded good, but he might have a virus or hurt himself someway.  Well five days have passed, and this whole weekend he was pretty much imobile.  He would not eat, not even his favorite things and when he did finally drink some water he would drink in large quantiy.  When he walks its almost like a drunk type of walk, breathing seems labored and he can't wait to lay down.  In 6 days he is a complety different dog.  Talked to vet today and he thinks it may be muscular related and gave a rimadyl pill an hour ago and vet said of its this I will know within 24-48 hours. He has been on steriods for at least six years due to chronic ear infections, just not sure what to do or think at this point, he is my little baby and I don't want him to suffer.  Any ideas??

[roadrunner63]

I just want to thank you for posting a reply.   Sadly I have to say that I had to put him to sleep tonight.  He had not eaten in 3 days, still very lethargic, and the vet said I was doing the right thing.  He believes it was either a heart issue or cancer in the stomach, as it was diaended (sp?).  Anyways I wanted to thank you and just wish the outcome would have been better for my baby.  God bless and you are an asset to this community.

[Jennifer Mathis, D.V.M.]

It sounds as if he's not doing well.  He should be seen and xrays of the chest and abdomen should be done.  There are lots of things that can happen to cause problems without detection until xrays.  Also, if he's still on steroids, the rimadyl shouldn't be given.  Often back pain can cause the symptoms you're seeing and sometimes that's seen on xray and sometimes it's not.  There are back pain meds that can be helpful as well.  Please have him examined again by a/your veterinarian.   Please consider xrays.  It sounds as if he's too painful somewhere in the body to eat.
A good place to go in your area to get answers is Wisconsin Veterinary Referral Center, Waukesha WI 866-542-3241.  Dr. Gwenn Schamberger is the excellent veterinary dentists there.  (I doubt you would see her initially.)