Help!
 

Hello! First time user here, but I'm really in need of some help. I have a 3.8 pound male Yorkie, named Gus, who just turned 2 years old last month. We have never had any issues with him whatsoever, until a couple of days ago. My husband put Gus in his crate at about 10:00pm, when it was time to go to sleep on Wed night. On Thurs at about 7:30am, he opened the crate and Gus took about 2 steps before falling over. He wasn't moving and only taking sporadic and shallow breaths. We got in the car and rushed to the vet, which is only about 5 mins away. The whole time he was unresponsive, limo, tongue hanging out of his mouth. The vet rushed him in back and gave him a steroid shot to boost his heart rate (they said his heart rate was at 4-6 bpm when we got there!), and gave him oxygen. They took all sorts of X-rays and blood tests and came back with absolutely nothing! Gus was acting fine and running around again within 2 hrs., however he did end up vomiting in his cage at the vet's office at around noon. They kept him overnight and released with the next morn, saying he was acting fine, but that we should see a heart specialist. Gus was acting fine I Fri, except he seemed to be walking sideways a bit. Aside from that, food intake and activity was totally normal. Yesterday afternoon we noticed he was acting strange. Running into walls and furniture, he had peed and pooped a few times in the house (which he never does), and just disoriented. Last night those tendencies were magnified and he couldn't see my hand in front of his face. He was breathing strange and had a weird 'tick' where he was nodding his head. We called the emergency vet line but got no response!! Mind you, we live in a little, bitty town- but still. He slept through the night and this morn has been acting a bit more normal again, but obviously something is off. Tried calling the emergency line again to no avail, so we're not sure what to do. He's still not able to see us or treats in front if him, almost as if he suddenly went blind. His behavior is a bit more spunky again- but with the vet literally telling us there was nothing in any of his blood work or X-rays, we just don't know what to do. Sound familiar to anyone?!

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry you're going through all of these super scary health issues with Gus...and so young too! I don't know what this could be...but strokes come to mind and/or something neuro. Did the Vet mention strokes?

Something is really wrong here, and I wish you had answers. I know you're trying so very hard to get your little guy some help. Do you live anywhere near a big city and/or near a vet school?

I will keep you and little Gus in my thoughts. So sorry this is happening with your precious one.

I agree with Ann. A vet school or a larger specialty veterinary might be necessary. It could be liver shunt, neurological disorder, or anything else. I'm so sorry you and Gus are going through this. I pray that he gets better soon.

I'm not sure which part of Arkansas you live in but I am in north central. The vet school in Columbia, Mo. is the one my vet recommends. I hope everything turns out ok for your little one.




University of Missouri - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
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Hope and pray you can find the help Gus needs. So sorry you guys are going through this.

You need to look elsewhere for a proper diagnosis.

I agree with the above responses. I also thought possible stroke. It sounds neurological, but neurological changes can also occur with metabolic disorders-liver, kidneys, etc. Also, is there any chance he could have ingested something poisonous? I would get him to a vet school immediately! There are 4 vet schools closer to you than Univ. MO (4+hr). 3 of them are right at 2 1/2 hours away-Ak state Beebe Ak, Ak state main campus Jonesboro & Univ. Ak in Fayetteville.

It sounds neurological to me. Give him dyne and pedialite.

It sounds like he could have suffered anaphylactic shock from some type of bite/sting while in his crate. That would fit the beginning of this but not the symptoms he continues to have.

Would like an update...msybe she is not online because she is at the University?