[bobsfloor]

I purchased a german shepherd puppy that had very large paws, we thought it was just going to be a big dog, what did we know. well a few days after having her she had a 104 fever and had to go to the vet and put on iv and was given multiple meds for pain and anti flam. predizone was one of the meds. well the legs became smaller and the dr cut back on the meds and sure enough the paws got even bigger than the first visit to the vet. so they increased the predizone and other meds and the puppy is like a zombie. the puppy is about 7 months now and they did bone tests blood test and every test they could think of. well after getting no where with our vet we took her to a specialist before we could consider putting her down. well she went to a animal hospital that was nicer than any hospital Ive ever been in. they kept her for a few days and ran all the same test again to see if something has changed and sure enough nothing changed. they increased the meds even more and that worked for a week or so. what is so weird it goes from one paw to another and she can walk very little. but she is eating and drinking fine. I have to take her back to the hospital this week to get her checked out again but I don't have much hope that they can figure this rare problem out. so if theres anyone who ever heard of such a thing or knows anything it would mean the world to my kids and family. thanks

 

[Rallhaus]

It sounds like her heart ins't pumping enough blood, or her kidneys are not working correctly.

Have you kept your breeder informed of all of this?

 

[huntergreen]

if this is an infection, hopefully the antibiotics will start working. any vet schools near you ? if there is, i would try going there.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I would also be worried about the heart and kidneys. Did they ultrasound her legs?

There is also this:
Fluid Retention and Tissue Swelling Due to Collection of Lymph in Dogs | petMD
Lymphedema - Page 1

The rescue I volunteer with got a dog from KY who had no lymph nodes in her hind legs at all. She's been adopted and is doing well, but will always be monitored due to the swelling.

I second the idea of a vet teaching hospital - that is where she got her diagnosis.

 

[NancyJ]

I also agree with the vet school idea. The clinic should be able to give a referral.

 

[RebelGSD]

Problems with lymph nodes can cause swelling. My niece has this and wears special stockings and gets massages etc. She is ok otherwise but she needs continuous management.