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Old 03-17-2016, 08:56 PM   #1
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Default megaesophagus + hind leg limp + muscle atrophy

Any advice or help is greatly appreciated.

Long story short (extended version to be posted with more detail later)

I have a 7 yo Biro Biewer (looks the same as a chocolate parti yorkie) she has been a relatively healthy dog until late Jan 2016. I first noticed a tiny limp on her left hind leg. So small people thought I was nuts. Everything else was fine. Went to the vet when she started losing her appetite Xrays seemed fine so we were sent to Ortho. He put her on Rimadyl (NSAID like Aleve for dogs) which led to a Bleeding Ulcer/bloody stool/HGE. Landed us in the ER. Xrays showed mineralization at her pyloris (end of her stomach start of her intestines). Sent home 24 hrs later with IV fluids, carafate, and flagyl (antibiotic). Still limping, not eating, and increased salivation follow up visit with the vet checked for Addison's (blood test negative) and another chest xray (clear lungs, still mineralization at pyloris) sent home on broad spectrum antibiotics. Finished antibiotic and a day later she had 3 episode of blood streaked soft stool. Vet sent us home on flagyl again, carafate and chicken and rice homemade meals.
Stool improves but still has limp, increased salivation and not eating (she has been syringe fed pureed chicken and rice or top quality canned food this whole time).

We are now seeing docs at UF Vet Clinic in Gainsville. New Xrays showed megaesophagus, with all her other issues this sounds like Myasthnia Gravis (titer ran, looks negative) so now we are seeing Neurology next week.


Anyone else heard of or dealt with this?
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Old 03-17-2016, 09:19 PM   #2
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I have never ........I am so sorry for you and your baby. Did you contact the breeder....with these system failures, I would be on the phone with the breeder, if not for financial help, she needs to know what this dogs breeding is throwing....

Please keep us informed....your baby is absolutely adorable, and it breaks my heart you and she are having to live this horrific health issues....

Ladyjane has a vast glossary of ailments she has either dealt with, or knows about, with her rescues. She will absolutely respond to this when she sees it......
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Old 03-19-2016, 05:35 AM   #3
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So, in the middle of all of this, what's up with the limp? That does not sound neurological to me...although I suppose some nerve could be pinched??? Usually neuro will show signs on both sides. Is it possible this is a torn cruciate ligament? Did they rule that out?

All these signs don't sound like one issue in my mind but I don't know. I did have one pup with suspected megaesophagus, but it ended up not being that. As for her anorexia, ask the vets about giving her Mirtazapine. It is an anti depressant that is often a miracle cure for pups who will not eat...it has three properties, it helps with the nausea, the vomiting, and it also stimulates the appetite. It does not work with all, but when it does, it is amazing. Also, did they advise you to keep her upright when she eats? It is important to help her get the food from her esophagus to her stomach...and avoid any aspirations.

I would think that with UF she is in good hands. Please keep us posted. Do hope she is better soon.
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Old 03-19-2016, 07:03 AM   #4
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I have heard of the congential form of the enlarged throat but as your dog is 7yrs old that is probably not the source of her enlarged throat.

Limping in rear legs coupled with muscle atrophy might point to a neuro source. I am assuming the atrophy is over the hind quarters and or in the rear legs?

Good luck with your appointment and please let us know how it goes
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Old 03-19-2016, 07:52 AM   #5
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Another cause for limping in one hind limb is Legg Calve Perthes
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Old 03-19-2016, 07:53 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gemy View Post
I have heard of the congential form of the enlarged throat but as your dog is 7yrs old that is probably not the source of her enlarged throat.

Limping in rear legs coupled with muscle atrophy might point to a neuro source. I am assuming the atrophy is over the hind quarters and or in the rear legs?

Good luck with your appointment and please let us know how it goes
She only mentioned one hind leg. Unless I missed something? I suppose all could be related, but I am thinking not.
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Old 03-19-2016, 08:19 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ladyjane View Post
She only mentioned one hind leg. Unless I missed something? I suppose all could be related, but I am thinking not.
I just re read her post yes it was one - but my experience is that depending upon if it is a compressive syndrome - it can show up on only one side. It was so in the early days with my boy Magic although now both hind legs are affected somewhat.

LcP and unilateral hip dysplasia are also some reasons for one sided.

I know right now of only one condition JLPP which can show signs in the throat and also in the hindquarters - that is very rare condition not known in Yorkies and most pups do not survive for long....

I am sure that the hospital will get to the botton of this.

Good luck and hope that your gal heals up Delicate Puzzle. btw cool name
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Old 03-19-2016, 02:14 PM   #8
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to answer some questions.

The limp seems like left hind leg with a compensating right hind leg. Its been present for over a month now. I am going to take her back to the chiro/acupunc to get realigned as I'm sure her spine is out of alignment now.

Her muscle atrophy started in the left hind leg but now with GI distress she has no muscle/bulk to her anywhere all skin and bones now. (she has only had formed stool with all of this for about 5 days) I thought she cannot sustain on rice and chicken alone. I tried getting canned food in her (HUGE MISTAKE and yes it was a minimal amount mixed in her puree homemake meal) so we are back to chicken and rice.

She has been seen by 2 different orthopedics and both agree that it is neurological. Which makes sense with the loss of muscle tone to her esophagus too.

Megaesophagus can be acquired vs congenital. Myasthnia gravis seemed like the perfect diagnosis but her blood titer doesn't seem to show this. I am still not sure if the exact numbers as the vet called and left a msg. He said the chances of her having MG is rare with her titer levels. I might ask neuro to try the Tensilin test.

Our consult with neurology occurs next Friday. Thank you for all your feedback/thoughts/possible diagnosises.
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Old 03-19-2016, 07:56 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by delicatepuzzle View Post
to answer some questions.

The limp seems like left hind leg with a compensating right hind leg. Its been present for over a month now. I am going to take her back to the chiro/acupunc to get realigned as I'm sure her spine is out of alignment now.

Her muscle atrophy started in the left hind leg but now with GI distress she has no muscle/bulk to her anywhere all skin and bones now. (she has only had formed stool with all of this for about 5 days) I thought she cannot sustain on rice and chicken alone. I tried getting canned food in her (HUGE MISTAKE and yes it was a minimal amount mixed in her puree homemake meal) so we are back to chicken and rice.

She has been seen by 2 different orthopedics and both agree that it is neurological. Which makes sense with the loss of muscle tone to her esophagus too.

Megaesophagus can be acquired vs congenital. Myasthnia gravis seemed like the perfect diagnosis but her blood titer doesn't seem to show this. I am still not sure if the exact numbers as the vet called and left a msg. He said the chances of her having MG is rare with her titer levels. I might ask neuro to try the Tensilin test.

Our consult with neurology occurs next Friday. Thank you for all your feedback/thoughts/possible diagnosises.
Poor baby. Let us know how the neuro visit goes. So sorry you are going through this...must be very frustrating.
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