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by dogshome9 on 21 August 2009 - 00:08
A puppy that I bred and sold last year born August 18 2008 is in hospital at the moment, being treated for a neurological disease, his owner said that he has been showing signs for the past month eg. being more clumsy and looking a little unbalanced. The owner wanted to have his hips and elbows x-rayed when he turned 12 months so she apparently waited until a few days ago.
Result Hips and Elbows appear to be fine but since the x-ray he is dragging his hind legs and does not seem to know where they are. During the normal neuro exam when the hind foot is place in an abnormal position he does not pick the foot up and replace it in the correct position.
The vet has sent the x-rays off for a specialist opinion so we are waiting on that and they have also drawn spinal fluid and are awaiting results on that also, said that spinal fluid contained some blood but the vet thought that might just be contamination from when it was drawn.
As a veterinary nurse I understand most of what has been related to me by the owner but I have asked if the veterinarian could phone me when results are in but he is so young to be having this type of problem.
This puppy lives in a tropical environment.
Any thoughts from the educated out there.
by malshep on 21 August 2009 - 10:08
Hi Dogshome, was the neuro signs before the xray and became worse after the films were done?
Always,
Cee
Always,
Cee
by dogshome9 on 21 August 2009 - 11:08
From what I understand you are correct, he did have signs preceeding the x-rays and worse after.
Post x-ray he does not know where his feet are.
My thoughts are that the manipulations may have made matters a whole lot worse.
by GSDtravels on 21 August 2009 - 12:08
I had a 22 month old male who had to be put down 2 years ago due to paralysis. His was sudden, complete left side. After spending a small fortune (something anyone would do, I believe, for one so young) to find the problem, no diagnosis was made. Myelogram showed no disc slip, no spinal issues, x-rays inconclusive. After starving himself for a week, I couldn't take watching him suffer and made the hardest decision of my life, to let him go. Afterward, doing research, I believe it was FCE (fibrocartilaginous embolism). Not sure if the paralysis can be as you are describing, it's been a while and I can't remember all of the symptoms, but I just thought I'd throw it in so you can look into another possibility. Hope your outcome is better than mine and you can not only find the answers you're looking for, but also overcome. Best wishes for a happy ending.
P.S. No necropsy was done due to the fact that I was broke after attempting to save his life. I regreted it afterward.
P.S. No necropsy was done due to the fact that I was broke after attempting to save his life. I regreted it afterward.
by malshep on 21 August 2009 - 16:08
There are so many issues that can cause what is happening with this animal, from injury to lesions, are they close to an MRI machine ?
Always,
Cee
by SitasMom on 21 August 2009 - 20:08
by dogshome9 on 21 August 2009 - 22:08
Thankfully the owner of this young dog has him on health insurance so most of the incurred costs are covered.
I don't know just how far they are away from an MRI but if required it will be covered I hope, the costs are already way over $2ooo. I hope to speak to the owner today and I will ask then if a Myelogram has been done.
The real question is of course will this young dog have quality of life even if they can diagnose the problem? I hope we can fix him.
Thanks for your help. I will keep you up to date when I have more info.
by dogshome9 on 22 August 2009 - 08:08
This puppy is off tomorrow to have an MRI.
Vet says he has a vertebrae compression as a result of being chained (which has never happened) or of course (BREEDING)
and he is to have MRI and surgery at a cost of approx. $6000. I have a phone no and will ring his vet tomorrow for more details.
I have also been told that he was sent away a few months ago for 3 weeks, for training to be a security dog.
I cannot understand why a dog walks into the vet for x-rays and CSF and cannot walk out. The vet says that post CSF he may take up to a week to regain use of hind legs. I cannot agree with this.
by GSDtravels on 22 August 2009 - 12:08
How did the vet determine this? Did it show up on the x-rays? I would've gladly paid that for a healthy outcome. I ended up paying between $4500-$5000 for a two day stay in ICU (and care throughout the week after we brought him home) and had a dead dog a week later. If that's really the problem, I hope the surgery is successful and the boy at least has a chance at a decent life. Please keep us posted.
by DebiSue on 22 August 2009 - 12:08
If he has a compressed vertebrae (which can happen if he landed wrong coming down from a jump or any number of things actually) then it is possible that positioning him for the x-rays aggravated it. He could just have a pinched nerve and the inflammation on the spine and nerves is causing the problem. I hope it is something as simple as that. My girl pinched a nerve and would walk on her knuckles for a few steps each time she got up. I had to restrict her movements and exercise for a few weeks while she was on Rimadyl (sp). Once the inflammation was gone so was her knuckling over. Had me sweating bullets! Good luck with him and keep us posted.
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