[TheLorax]

Hello, we are the proud family of Tobie, the most amazing and loving 11 year old Yorkie. He has been such a blessing the last 10 years that we have loved him. He arrived in our home after being rescued from an environment that included never ending car carrier crating in a garage from what we were told. After a very short adjustment period, he blossomed into the sweetest, best behaved, social and loving (and trusting) little man. We adore him.

First off, he has already been to our Vet, had x ray, and we are now awaiting a visit next week to a Veterinary Specialist in neurology. However, I'm looking for anyone who may have any experience or anectodal information because I'm not convinced we're on the right path.

Tobie has for the last several months, in hindsight, intermittently walked with an arched back. However once he was up, stretched out, and on his walks he was back to nomral. I chalked it up to age. Starting about 3 weeks ago, however, I noticed that the back arching was more often than not and the ability to walk it off was declining. 2 weeks ago when I noticed that he was shivering and shaking alone and away from us I knew something was wrong. That was the first time he demonstrated what I can best describe and front leg lameness. He would be unable to get his front paws properly placed, worse left than right, and was stumbling, back arched the whole time. Immediately we took him to the Vet who suspected either brain stem or "pinched nerve" and x rayed. The x rays were very unremarkable and normal looking, no smoking gun. The only thing noted was a sizeable bladder stone that the Vet dismissed. He gave Tobie a shot of steroid and gave us an RX for oral steroid and sent us home.

I am a Physical Therapist and had palpated every little joint and muscle all along his entire body, no yelping, no complaining, no worsening of his shaking. No increase in symptoms when I passively ranged his little shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, or feet. Nothing when I moved his little head around. This, I add, was far more extensive than the exam my Vet gave him. I should add, he appeared so calm and really enjoyed all this special attention too.

Getting back to the history, 24 to 36 hours after starting the steroids he was 100 % normal, no shaking, no stumbling, no back arching, running around demanding love by propping his front paws up on our laps, etc. . 100 % normal. We were relieved, however once we began to wean from the steroid, his symptoms came crashing back, just as bad. Total heartbreak.

So, the Vet said to up the steroid dose for 3 days and we've been referred to the neuro specialist.

I am open to anything, experience, support, advice, questions. Whatever you may have that may help I'd appreciate. Our Vet is already stating that a $1,500 MRI and 3,000 surgery to alleviate the pinched nerve is likely and I simply cannot understand how he's jumping to that conclusion without even palpating his spine.

Anyone with any experience with steroids ? What information can we glean from the fact that he had total relief on steroids and total return of symptoms on weaning ?

Like everyone here, we just adore our Yorkie, he's such an important and treasured member of our family. I suspect we may not be on the right path, and I know the evaluation we've had to date left a lot to be desired (not even blood work ?!), so please, let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

Tobie's Mum