Advice & Prayers Needed Please

[KimWeatherford]

Hello everyone- I am new to posting, and really need advice to help my sweet 7 year old Little Bit. I would like to say first that I really enjoy reading all the posts and I am sure it helps so many people. Little Bit had intense itching and a skin infection about a month ago and the vet gave us antibiotics, a steroid and some new medicine called apoquel since Bennedryl wasn't helping at all. So after taking all meds for a week or so her skin cleared and itching and paw biting all stopped. That was great!! So we finished all the steroids and antibiotics and continued on apoquel. Then about 2 weeks ago Little Bit started shivering and her belly felt swollen and tight. I had noticed earlier in that week that she would not jump up on couch and would stand and wait to be lifted. The next morning she was walking with her head hung really low, looking up at me but not lifting her head and she was swollen from the back of her neck down her back and her belly was tight and swollen. She would take 2 steps forward and then 2 backwards. Very odd. When I hold her she can't get comfortable and is breathing hard. The weird thing is it lasted about 45 minutes and then she seemed OK. How can all that swelling just disappear? Well I have been to her regular vet twice who put her on muscle relaxers and prednisone. I took her off of apoquel incase it may have been causing all this. She took xrays because bloodwork was fine and she thought it was back or neck related. Could not tell on xrays. Have since been to a new vet twice because now in addition to all the other symptoms when these episodes happen she looses her balance and falls over. The episodes last an hour to an hour and a half. When they happen I hold her and she looks at me like she's thinking, 'mom please help me!" I seriously thought this morning she wasnt going to make it. She is wheezing and just struggling. The vet did more blood work today and said everything was in the normal range. He took her off of prednisone and muscle relaxers.They gave her fluid in the office for dehydration and a shot for nausea. Also gave her Sucraifate to coat stomach and told me to get pepcid for her. She has not had any vomiting or diarrhea at all. She is not as regular as normal but she has solid bm's every other day or so. I am so scared of losing my best friend. If anyone has had any experience with these symptoms I would love to hear from you. Sorry post is so long!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

Hello and welcome to YT...so sorry it's under these circumstances . Your poor baby.

It seems like 2 separate things happened to coincide here...the allergy issues along w/ something neck/spine/neuro related. If it were me, I'd probably keep treating w/ the Apoquel since it provided such much needed relief for her. Then, I'd probably be seeking out a neurologist for the other issue going on. So the xrays of the neck area show nothing...?

[ladyjane]

Wow...so sorry about your Little Bit. Sounds scary. I do agree that a specialist might be a better way to go at this point; but I personally would start with an internal med specialist.

You can find either internal med or neuro at the following link:

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine > Home

[KimWeatherford]

Thank you so much for reading my post about Little Bit. I can't tell you how good it feels just knowing someone is out there that understands. The xrays did not show anything that would confirm that it is a back or neck problem, but the vet said it could still be that. I have been doing so much reading and for Lord's sake, it could be so many things. We had a really rough night because LB was restless and every time she moved i think I woke up.At around 5:00 am I could tell she was starting one of her episodes.When they first started weeks ago, she would stand up, sit down, stand up move forwards then backwards. Now when it happens she just kind of falls over and lays there like she has given in and doesn't have any fight left in her.So I held her from around 5 until around 7:30am. I held her and prayed and cryed. I try not to get upset in front of her but each time she seems weaker and she is struggling just to breathe I feel like she is going to die at any moment. Around 7:30 or 8:00 she finally seemed to relax enough to really rest on and off for a few hours. Then from around 10:30-1:30 she was more like her old self-following me all over the house growling and barking at the other dogs when they try to come inside-she definitely thinks she is the boss. Our other 2 dogs are English-Boxer mixes-both of them sweeter than apple pie! Anyway, do you guys think a back or neck problem could cause these episodes that come and go at different times with no pattern whatsoever? Thank you again for your insight and God Bless you and your sweet furry babies Wylies Mom and Ladyjane!!!

[KimWeatherford]

Here are Little Bits symptoms:
Swelling in abdomen
Swelling on back of neck
Arched back
Head hung down and only eyes look up-she doesn't lift her head
Terrible Breath all of a sudden
Constantly licking her lips
Seems to burp and is trying to keep whatever she burps down
Shivering
Belly and pads of her feet feel hot
Eyes running water
Dry nose but water sprays out of it
Wet sounding breathing
Rapid breathing
Loss of strength
Loss of balance- feet keep going out to side slipping out from under her
Walks backwards a few steps then forwards a few steps
NO vomiting
NO diarrhea

It sounds crazy, but its like her body kind of accordians in like all of a sudden she not as long.
These attacks come over her and last up to 2 hours. Afterwards its like she is back to her normal self. Well maybe a tired version of her normal self.
How can you swell like that and then it goes away?!? I just pray it is something she can get over soon. If anyone has experienced these symptoms please tell me about it. Thank you!!

[dottiesyrky]

Poor baby, she sure has a multitude of symptoms.
It needs a very skilled diagnostician to connect all the various symptoms.
Sounds like a mixture of neurological, GI and tracheal/breathing issues, plus the allergies of course.
One would think that X-rays and blood tests would give some clues?
I agree with tha above posters that this baby needs very skilled specialists and that a regular vet might not have the broad experience to deal with her.
I pray that you will find the right specialists soon and that her ailments can be diagnosed and treated.
You must be so stressed wondering what is wrong with her, very scary symptoms. Sorry I can be of no practical help, but can only offer my support and prayers

[ladyjane]

The walking backwards and keeping head down make me think of AAI. I don't know about the other symptoms....but, with neuro often there is a mix of conditions...

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/at...al-instability

Until you know what this is, I suggest you keep her activity level to a minimum.

I sent an email to a specialist I know but don't know when I might hear back....will let you know if I hear something.

[KimWeatherford]

Thank you all so much for the advice and prayers. It has been a much better day with two episodes so far, and one lasted a little less than an hour. I hope and pray tonight goes as smoothly. It is honestly like I have 2 different dogs.Thanks also for the link for ACVIM- I found a specialist in Columbia that I will ask my vet about on Monday. Thank you all most of all for your prayers and well wishes. It means the world to me really. I will keep you posted on my sweet girl! May God bless you all and your sweet babies!! As soon as I fiqure out how I will put Little Bit's picture up like you guys have! Enjoy the rest of the evening with your families!

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh my goodness, that list of symptoms must be SO scary for you - I'm so very sorry! Very glad you're probably going to see a specialist, it really sounds like a must. Lots of good thoughts coming your way!

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

The walking backwards and keeping head down make me think of AAI. I don't know about the other symptoms....but, with neuro often there is a mix of conditions...

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/at...al-instability

Until you know what this is, I suggest you keep her activity level to a minimum.

I sent an email to a specialist I know but don't know when I might hear back....will let you know if I hear something.

Linda - you are such the BIGGEST sweetheart - you're always here to help and I do admire you to bits xxx

Originally Posted by KimWeatherford

Thank you all so much for the advice and prayers. It has been a much better day with two episodes so far, and one lasted a little less than an hour. I hope and pray tonight goes as smoothly. It is honestly like I have 2 different dogs.Thanks also for the link for ACVIM- I found a specialist in Columbia that I will ask my vet about on Monday. Thank you all most of all for your prayers and well wishes. It means the world to me really. I will keep you posted on my sweet girl! May God bless you all and your sweet babies!! As soon as I fiqure out how I will put Little Bit's picture up like you guys have! Enjoy the rest of the evening with your families!

Wishing you all the very, very best from over here...sending hugs and prayers from across the pond Sally + Harry xx

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

Linda - you are such the BIGGEST sweetheart - you're always here to help and I do admire you to bits xxx



Wishing you all the very, very best from over here...sending hugs and prayers from across the pond Sally + Harry xx

Oh Sally, you are so nice. Thank you for your kind words. You are also always around to help and give support!

[yorkiemini]

Sending good thoughts and prayers for Little Bit!
You have some very experienced and caring people working on this here at YT so I'm hoping things improve. I am a huge believer in specialists when it gets complicated like is sounds like your situation is.

[ladyjane]

I have not heard back from anyone yet...I sent out two emails. I am growing more and more concerned about Little Bit.

This place, if close to you, has neurologist on staff and they do neurosurgery. I have heard good things about them. One of the YHR members uses them for her pups and also for her foster pups. Unlike the place in Columbia, they are open 24 hours. The one in Columbia is closed on Sundays.

Carolina Veterinary Home | 24 Hour Carolina Veterinary Specialists

IF this is AAI she could have one of these episodes and die suddenly. I hate saying this because I don't like to frighten people; but I think you are kind of thinking this could happen anyway as the symptoms are very scary. The problem is that the compression on the spinal cord can make them stop breathing. I would keep her still...and handle her like a china doll until you rule this out.

There is quite a bit of information on the web about AAI ...atlanto axial subluxation or instability.

At least with the place above, IF you have any issues today, you could do there on an emergency basis.

I am praying for you and your baby...such a scary thing to go through.

[ladyjane]

I did hear back from one of the vets I emailed who thinks that, since the symptoms don't seem to fit together well for one diagnosis, an internal med specialist may be the one to start with.

Hopefully it is nothing dreadful...just a bunch of little things popping up together to scare the heck out of you.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by KimWeatherford

Thank you all so much for the advice and prayers. It has been a much better day with two episodes so far, and one lasted a little less than an hour. I hope and pray tonight goes as smoothly. It is honestly like I have 2 different dogs.Thanks also for the link for ACVIM- I found a specialist in Columbia that I will ask my vet about on Monday. Thank you all most of all for your prayers and well wishes. It means the world to me really. I will keep you posted on my sweet girl! May God bless you all and your sweet babies!! As soon as I fiqure out how I will put Little Bit's picture up like you guys have! Enjoy the rest of the evening with your families!

How frightening and worrisome for you.....hopefully, you can wait until tomorrow to get your baby into a specialist to get this frightening condition accurately diagnosed and hopefully treated. I am hoping your vet will not hesitate to recommend another vet, a specialist....many vets are very territorial and will hold onto their clients/patients at all costs.....keep us posted please!....praying for you and your baby!