Sudden onset lameness 5 days after a fall

[tmatherly]

I don't even know how to describe this or give all the history, but I will give it a try. Pippa fell off the back of the couch 5 days ago. I was not home, but it scared my husband to death. He said she knocked herself out and looked like she had a seizure (eyes rolled back in head, toungue out, shaking). She came to easily and just acted drunk/drowsy for a bit. She was normal by the time I got home. She greeted me normally, acted normally.

Forward 5 days later...I got home from work today and she did not get up to greet me. My daughter said, "mom, something's wrong with Pippa-she won't walk". I came over and picked her up and put her on the floor. She would not move. When she finally tried to walk, she stumbled. She gingerly walked toward my bedroom and the phone rang, so I didn't see how she went. After dinner, we called and called to her, and found her in her kennel. She would not come out even with enticement of bacon. Her face said she wanted to come out to get the treat, but her body wouldn't move. I took her out of her kennel and tried to get her to walk again and she just refuses to walk. I felt each of her legs up and down, she doesn't act like anything hurts. I felt all up and down her spine and she does not react like anything hurts. Her eyes are bright and she is responsive to her normal triggers like "treat" (her eyes light up, ears perk) I am at a total loss to what might be wrong and whether it's related to her fall, or that's not related at all! My Vet is open tomorrow, so I'm going to watch her tonight and take her in the morning. I'm so worried! Anybody have anything like this?? BTW, I checked her for ticks just in case maybe it is tick paralysis or something...no ticks. I wish I knew more about dog health issues! I'm a nurse and can tell you anything about people...I'm just at a loss for my poor dog!!

[red98vett]

OMG you must be so worried - I don't know what could cause that but want to send her hugs and one for you too -

I really hope this is NOTHING serious - and all the best at the vet - PLEASE let us know how she is ? That fall and a 5 day time gap is really strange but with these little guys - it seems like so many things can result from falls......Keeping my fingers crossed she's ok and I said a prayer for Pippa....She has to be ok !!

[ladyt]

Sending prayers your way for your baby!

[chachi]

I dont know what it could be but I am keeping your baby in my prayers. Let us know what the vet has to say

[dianaww]

I am thinking of you and your little girl and hope all works out well for you both.

Please let us all know as soon as you can what the Vet says.

Let's hope they can sort this out very soon.

[ebby253]

Oh, the fact that you came here to ask shows that you must be very distressed about your little Pippin. I will keep her and your family in my thoughts and pray that she gets sorted out and back to herself.

I will watch this thread for news, as well.

[teffiemoore]

Hey Tiffany... Nurse here too Could she have had a little head injury that may have caused a micro bleed that has affected her movement??? Does it look like paralysis??? Is it R or L sided or bilateral. Do you think this could be possible??? I know you said her eyes look bright and she responds to the normal enticements...This is the only thing that made sense to me if she wasn't responding in pain when you checked her limbs???? If its bilateral, kinda sounds like spinal trauma...just brain far---g here, but you must be scared to death...You'll be in my thoughts tonight, please keep us posted. I know exactly what you mean with nursing humans and our furbabys have something wrong and everything I think I learned goes out the window.

[RoxyJosMom]

I hope Pippa will be ok. Poor baby. Prayers that it is nothing serious.

[scrapindee]

Please keep us posted. Hoping all goes well with your baby.

[Dragonfly]

Sending to her and to you to.

[Connie]

I don't have any idea what would cause her not to walk. If it was shortly after her fall, I would guess it to be something with her back, but I can't see how all that time she would act normal between then and now.

Best wishes for Pippa's speedy recovery and I will be praying for her!

[Lacy's Mom]

Any updates on Pippa?

[tmatherly]

I lost sleep last night worrying that something major was wrong with Miss Pippa. My daughter came home around midnight and I carried Pippa out to go potty on the pad (she hadn't peed since about 3pm-this was midnight), she did not go...just stood there and looked at me with her front right paw up. She was putting more weight on her other three legs. My daughter decided to take her to bed with her for the night.

This morning, she got up and immediately started walking around NORMALLY!
She won't jump up on the furniture, but that's the only thing different. It's like a miracle! I called the vet this morning, and he said it's ok to just keep an eye on her this weekend but if it happened again he should check her out. He didn't think it was related to her previous fall at all. He said most likely she jumped down wrong on that paw and "stung" it. That silly Pippa just decided to worry me to death I guess! I'm just so relieved she's better today!

Thank you all for the nice thoughts and prayers! It worked

[red98vett]

OH GOOD !! I've been waiting to see this kind of post by you - what a big relief - sending more hugs ....

and Pippa - no more scaring mommy like that !

[tmatherly]

Originally Posted by teffiemoore

Hey Tiffany... Nurse here too Could she have had a little head injury that may have caused a micro bleed that has affected her movement??? Does it look like paralysis??? Is it R or L sided or bilateral. Do you think this could be possible??? I know you said her eyes look bright and she responds to the normal enticements...This is the only thing that made sense to me if she wasn't responding in pain when you checked her limbs???? If its bilateral, kinda sounds like spinal trauma...just brain far---g here, but you must be scared to death...You'll be in my thoughts tonight, please keep us posted. I know exactly what you mean with nursing humans and our furbabys have something wrong and everything I think I learned goes out the window.

Stephanie...this was exactly what was worrying me to death all night. I kept thinking she had some kind of underlying brain trauma! Trust nurses to think of all the horrible things that could be wrong! Sometimes a little knowledge is dangerous (not to others, but to your own psyche!)