Concerned about behavior...what should I do?

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by Roxiesmama

Vet visit on Saturday wasn't too productive (yet somehow it was still very expensive). He wants a urine sample to check her kidney function. We're going to have to drop that off tomorrow, after the holiday.

Her eating habits aren't getting any better. She has very little interest in eating. Her food goes untouched for hours. Sometimes she comes back for it later, and sometimes she doesn't. I hand fed her both of her meals yesterday...it was the only way I could get her to eat. She has been drinking water without any problem, though.

We had pet stairs at one point, and we actually got rid of them because she didn't want to use them. We tried treats and everything, she just wanted to jump up on and down off of the couch.

I'm feeling pretty defeated here and I worry about her constantly when we aren't with her. I'm also worried that the vet doesn't seem to see an obvious course of action. He was a great vet when our hamster was sick last year...so I trust his judgment.

I am here to tell you I have been through everything you are going through. Like I said in my previous post we spent hundreds of dollars with no diagnosis. We would hand feed Georgie as well he wouldn't eat otherwise and after he was diagnosed who could blame him???? I encourage you to insist on x-rays of the neck and spine. Full panel bloodowork was done on Georgie no issues, urine sample no issues, chiropractic adjustments (which could have killed him by the way) no improvement. One x-ray and he was diagnosed.

I should also note he had surgery to repair his AAI in September 2011 and he is now eating out of his bowl, running like a brand new boy and we are all as happy as can be The day after the surgery he was standing up and after a few days we had to sedate him to prevent him from running.

[gracielove]

I have to agree with the x ray idea. You are spending all this money and still no radiology exam for a dog who is obviously in pain? A vet who is good with a hamster may not necessarily be the one who is going to figure this out for you. Just the fact that she was at a kennel should send off alarms.

[Roxiesmama]

Update:

Urinalysis came back normal (whew!).

We've been putting some beef broth in with her food, so she has been eating fairly normally again.

Doctor suggested pill pockets so she will eat her glucosamine tablets, instead of picking them out of her food and putting them aside. He also recommended a tiny bit of acid reducer to help her tummy issues.

She still won't jump up on the couch with us. I miss her snuggling with me. If DH picks her up and places her on the couch, she is happy to curl up in her usual spots (either right next to me, or on my lap). She is also still having some issues with going up and down the front stairs. Yesterday she must've gotten up too fast from her bed when we came home, because she was limping really badly. It scared the daylights out of me...but 5 minutes later she was fine.

Doc says x-rays are going to cost us around $500 and he would like to spare us that expense if possible. He wants to explore other options if possible. We have to call him again this week and let him know how this new regimen is going.

[gracielove]

I understand the $500.00 is a bit of money but that dog needs xrays! The vet is not sparing you any expense by "exploring" other options and continuing to build up the bill for a dog who is in obvious pain. He has not given you a specific diagnosis despite the many trips you have made there. She needs to have the problem pinpointed and treated properly or you are going to end up with a severe problem that could cost you much more than xrays. I'm sorry but this is not good medicine.

[Perrella]

Originally Posted by Roxiesmama

Update:

Urinalysis came back normal (whew!).

We've been putting some beef broth in with her food, so she has been eating fairly normally again.

Doctor suggested pill pockets so she will eat her glucosamine tablets, instead of picking them out of her food and putting them aside. He also recommended a tiny bit of acid reducer to help her tummy issues.

She still won't jump up on the couch with us. I miss her snuggling with me. If DH picks her up and places her on the couch, she is happy to curl up in her usual spots (either right next to me, or on my lap). She is also still having some issues with going up and down the front stairs. Yesterday she must've gotten up too fast from her bed when we came home, because she was limping really badly. It scared the daylights out of me...but 5 minutes later she was fine.

Doc says x-rays are going to cost us around $500 and he would like to spare us that expense if possible. He wants to explore other options if possible. We have to call him again this week and let him know how this new regimen is going.

Hi, I just saw your thread and believe me, my girl Zhoie was almost 3 yrs old when she started have the symptoms you are describing. I was persistent and forced the vet to gives us a referral to a neuro surgeon. At the neuro office after a a very thorough exam, he did not believe she had AAI as there was no apparent pain when her neck was manipulated, however, I insisted he do an MRI and thank the Lord we did, she was diagnosed with AAI.

We traveled from WV to North Carolina State Vet School for surgery Dec 1, 2011 and she is doing wonderful now.

Please, please insist on a neuro referral or the very least get an xray. It would be a blessing if your baby didn't have it....but my concern is he may have AAI, please check to rule this out or confirm. This is very serious life risk.

Please read Georgiemomma's thread on AAI in her signature line.

I'm praying for your little one. Hugs to you both. Will check back later to see how he is doing.

Please PM me or Morgan (GeorgiesMomma) if you need to talk more in depth about AAI...anytime. If you PM either of us, we will be more than glad to call you to talk.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by gracielove

I understand the $500.00 is a bit of money but that dog needs xrays! The vet is not sparing you any expense by "exploring" other options and continuing to build up the bill for a dog who is in obvious pain. He has not given you a specific diagnosis despite the many trips you have made there. She needs to have the problem pinpointed and treated properly or you are going to end up with a severe problem that could cost you much more than xrays. I'm sorry but this is not good medicine.

I can attest to it. The Vet did everything but x-rays and ultimately it cost us more than just getting the x-rays done in the beginning. Bottom line is the Vet's don't know. Just like with people we need specialists to diagnose and repair certain things. Prayers for Roxie.

[Roxiesmama]

Vet says he would have to put her under anesthesia to do x-rays...is that normal? He said because of her size he wouldn't want to put her under unless he absolutely had to.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by Roxiesmama

Vet says he would have to put her under anesthesia to do x-rays...is that normal? He said because of her size he wouldn't want to put her under unless he absolutely had to.

I say find another vet. Obviously this one doesnt want to listen to you and do what YOU want for YOUR pet.

[Perrella]

I would have to agree with MichelleM. I can't imagine why your vet wouldn't want to rule out or diagnoisis something as serious a AAI.

Yes, when Zhoie has xrays/MRI she is sedated. Your girl was spayed at 3 yrs, is this the vet that did the spay and was there and problems with anesthesia then?

How is she doing today?

[gemy]

To do an MRI for sure the dog needs to be sedated. Also for some types of views needed on Xrays. But again I think a referral to a neuro is your best course. Let them perform the Xrays, as they will do the views needed to help them diagnose what is going on.

For digital Xrays I paid $50 per hip, $40 for Elbows, $40 Lumbosacral area. I've not had to Xray upper back/neck spine. Razzle was not sedated for his Xrays, our big Magic was

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by Roxiesmama

Vet says he would have to put her under anesthesia to do x-rays...is that normal? He said because of her size he wouldn't want to put her under unless he absolutely had to.

Yes the specialist sedated Georgie to perform the x-ray. I think it's also because they don't want to chance them wiggling and injuring them further. What they do is give them something to sedate them then something to reverse it. It's not like what they give for surgery from my understanding. Georgie was out of it for a little bit after but did just fine.

[gracielove]

I have not had to have a dog have x rays, thankfully. I did recently have a large cat with a dislocated hip that had to have x rays. They did give him an injection to sedate him. It is nothing like the intubation procedure that is done for surgery. I was able to take him home as soon as they placed his leg in a sling, the same day. We were charged $100.00 for each xray. I might add that this cat is considerably larger than Gracie.

[Perrella]

Checking back to see if the any updated news on how Roxie is doing. Anyone heard Continuing prayers for sweet Roxie.

[maxmom]

Any updates?Hope everything is good

[Teresa Ford]

Looking for updates. Prayers for you and Roxie.