Introduction
It’s frustrating when your dog is clearly unwell – lethargic, vomiting, diarrhea – but diagnostic tests like bloodwork come back normal. As a pet owner, you know your dog better than anyone and can tell when something is wrong. But with normal bloodwork, what’s going on? Why is your dog sick with no obvious cause?
This was Piper’s story. This usually energetic Jack Russell Terrier had stopped playing, started vomiting, and refused her favorite treats. After an exam, the vet said Piper’s bloodwork was perfectly normal. The mystery illness left her owners feeling helpless. If the blood tests were normal, what was making Piper so sick?
While most diagnostic journeys start with bloodwork, normal results do not mean nothing is wrong. Many health conditions can cause illness without abnormal blood tests. This article covers potential reasons for a dog feeling sick despite normal bloodwork, additional diagnostic options, and tips for managing a dog’s care at home.
Common Causes
While blood work coming back normal may seem puzzling when a dog is clearly unwell, there are several common causes that evade detection through routine laboratory tests. Infections, cancers, and autoimmune diseases often do not lead to abnormalities on standard blood panels. Some of the most frequent hidden illnesses behind a dog’s illness despite normal bloodwork include:
- Urinary tract infections
- Dental infections
- Gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease
- Immune-mediated diseases
- Certain types of cancer like lymphoma
- Tick-borne diseases
While bloodwork gives veterinarians insight into a dog’s overall health, it does not provide a complete picture. Further testing like imaging, endoscopy procedures, or molecular diagnostics may be necessary to get to the root of a dog’s sickness when standard blood tests come back normal.
When to Suspect Underlying Issues
If your dog is sick for an extended period of time but bloodwork continues to come back normal, it’s important to be vigilant about any persisting or worsening symptoms. According to the veterinarians at St. Louis Animal Emergency Clinic, “Persistent lethargy, reduced appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea after initial treatment warrant re-evaluation” (Why Your Dog Needs Bloodwork & What It Can Tell You). Prolonged illness that fails to improve with standard treatment may indicate an underlying condition not caught by routine bloodwork.
Some signs to watch out for include:
- Continued lack of appetite or refusal to eat
- Recurring vomiting or diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lethargy that persists more than a few days
- Fever that does not resolve with medication
If your dog exhibits any of these ongoing symptoms without clear improvement, it’s a good idea to follow up with your veterinarian for further testing. They may recommend more advanced diagnostics like ultrasound, x-rays, or sampling fluid or tissue to check for problems not visible in the blood. Persistence of clinical signs despite normal lab work warrants a closer look to determine if there is an underlying condition requiring different treatment.
Diagnostic Tests
When a dog is sick but blood work is normal, veterinarians often turn to other diagnostic tests to uncover the underlying cause. Some common tests include:
Imaging – X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs can provide visual information about abnormalities or lesions that may not show up on standard blood work. These techniques allow vets to examine organs and body systems in detail (Understanding Blood Tests For Dogs – Dog Lab Tests).
Biopsies – Collecting tissue samples for microscopic analysis can definitively diagnose conditions like cancer or liver disease that may not always alter blood protein levels. Biopsies carry some risks but can provide invaluable diagnostic information (Understanding Your Pet’s Diagnostic Testing).
Allergy/Intolerance testing – Dogs with food sensitivities or environmental allergies may have normal blood work. Specific allergy tests can identify the exact allergens causing symptoms. This allows vets to provide targeted treatment recommendations (Understanding Blood Tests For Dogs – Dog Lab Tests).
Endocrine testing – Problems with glands like the thyroid, adrenals or pancreas don’t always manifest obviously on standard blood tests. Endocrine panels and hormone-specific tests can provide critical insight into hormonal imbalances contributing to illness.
Treating the Underlying Cause
Once the underlying cause for your dog feeling sick has been identified through diagnostic testing, targeted treatment can begin. Some common treatments include:
Targeted medications – Medications that address the root cause of illness, like steroids for Addison’s disease (1) or antibiotics for infections.
Diet change – Sometimes a change in diet, like feeding a prescription food for gastrointestinal issues or food allergies, can help resolve symptoms.
Addressing environmental factors – Removing toxins, irritants, stressors, or other environmental factors that may be contributing to the illness.
The specific treatment will depend on the diagnosis. The key is identifying and treating the underlying problem, not just managing the symptoms. With appropriate care for the root cause, many dogs can go on to live happy and healthy lives.
Symptomatic Relief
There are several medications and treatments that can help provide symptomatic relief for a sick dog with normal blood work:
Anti-inflammatories – Drugs like carprofen, meloxicam or deracoxib can help reduce inflammation, pain, and fever. Anti-inflammatories should be used cautiously and monitored closely, especially in dogs with pre-existing conditions like kidney disease (Ferguson Animal Hospital).
Antiemetics – Medications like maropitant citrate (Cerenia) and ondansetron (Zofran) can help control nausea and vomiting. These are often used when the cause of GI upset is unknown.
Fluid therapy – Administering intravenous or subcutaneous fluids can help dogs who are dehydrated from vomiting, diarrhea or decreased drinking. Fluids help maintain blood pressure and perfuse the kidneys.
Appetite stimulants – Drugs like mirtazapine or cyproheptadine can stimulate appetite in dogs who have reduced interest in food. This helps ensure dogs are getting adequate nutrition.
Holistic Approaches
There are several holistic or alternative therapies that may help relieve symptoms and support your dog’s overall health when sick with normal blood work. Some options to consider include:
Supplements: Certain supplements like probiotics, digestive enzymes, and omega-3 fatty acids can help soothe digestive issues and support immune health. Always consult your vet before starting any new supplements. According to an article on petMD, vets recommend slippery elm bark to coat and soothe intestinal tract inflammation, ginger to ease nausea, and chamomile to relax the GI tract. [1]
Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate healing. Some studies have found acupuncture can help relieve pain, nausea, and gastrointestinal issues in dogs. [2] It may support your dog’s body in fighting illness when other diagnostic tests are normal.
Chiropractic care: Gentle chiropractic adjustments can realign the spine and restore nerve function. This supports overall wellbeing. One study showed chiropractic care reduced symptoms in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease. [3] Consult a licensed vet trained in chiropractic care.
Always monitor your dog closely and seek prompt veterinary care if their condition worsens or does not improve with holistic therapies. But when used alongside conventional treatment, they may provide additional comfort.
Managing at Home
If your dog is sick but blood tests are normal, there are still things you can do at home to help them feel more comfortable while determining the underlying cause:
Monitor symptoms closely – Keep track of symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, appetite changes, etc. Note any patterns or changes to report to your vet. This can help identify the timing and triggers for symptoms.
Provide a comfortable environment – Make sure your dog has a quiet, peaceful place to rest indoors. Use soft bedding and keep the area at a comfortable temperature. You can even try calming music, pheromone diffusers, or essential oils if your dog enjoys them.
Stick to a bland diet – Feed small, frequent meals of a bland diet like boiled chicken and rice until symptoms resolve. Avoid fatty, spicy, or high-fiber foods that could further upset the stomach.
Use anti-nausea medication – If prescribed by your vet, give anti-nausea medication as directed to control vomiting. This can help avoid dehydration and provide comfort.
Try probiotics – Giving probiotic supplements or probiotic-fortified foods may help restore good gut bacteria and relieve diarrhea or other digestive issues.
Control parasites – Use prescribed parasite prevention/treatment in case an intestinal parasite is the culprit behind symptoms.
Avoid self-treatment – It’s tempting to give OTC medications when your dog is sick, but be cautious. Some human medications are toxic to dogs. Only give pet-safe treatments recommended by your vet.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
Even if initial blood work comes back normal, it is important to monitor your dog closely and seek veterinary care if certain symptoms arise or worsen. According to the VCA Hospitals article “Preparing Your Pet for a Blood Test” https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/preparing-your-pet-for-a-blood-test, worsening symptoms are a sign to bring your dog back to the vet.
In particular, watch for increasing lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. As explained in the VetChick article “My pet is sick – and his blood tests were perfect? What a …” https://vetchick.com/2020/11/bloodtest/, these can be signs of an underlying issue not detected on initial bloodwork. Persistent or worsening symptoms warrant follow up testing and care from your veterinarian.
Even if your dog seems a little better some days, a recurring illness with no clear diagnosis needs close monitoring and further veterinary investigation. Don’t hesitate to call your vet if symptoms flare up again or if your dog seems to be getting worse overall.
Prognosis
The prognosis when a dog is sick but has normal blood work depends significantly on the underlying cause. In many cases, identifying and treating the underlying condition early leads to better outcomes. Some conditions like infections or dietary issues can often be resolved with proper treatment. However, certain illnesses like cancer may have a more guarded prognosis even with early detection. The severity of symptoms and how quickly treatment is started also impact the prognosis. With prompt veterinary care and follow up testing, the prognosis can be improved in many cases where bloodwork is initially normal. However, if an underlying condition goes undiagnosed for an extended period, the prognosis worsens. Overall, while normal bloodwork does not provide the full picture, identifying the root cause early and following veterinary recommendations for treatment gives a sick dog the best chance at a good outcome.