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-   -   Weak elbows (https://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/general-yorkshire-terrier-discussion/292448-weak-elbows.html)

Laura 03-09-2018 01:36 PM

Weak elbows
 
About 2 weeks ago my little guy, Beau, started dragging his paws after a couple of days, he would drop down and walk on his elbows. The vet did a full blood panel everything came back great, but his X-rays showed he had fused vertebra in his neck, shoulders and mid-spine. The vet said he was losing nerve function and that's what was causing him to walk on his elbows. he prescribed prednisone.
We got him about 4 years ago as a rescue he was about 3 lb but almost immediately went up to 6 when we started feeding him properly. At the time he could barely walk because he had spent his entire life in a cage. But he became quite healthy-could run forward and backwards, and even swim after a while. At the time the vet said he was "old" but was not specific as to an age, I felt like he was rather young because he was so perky maybe around 5, which would still make him 9 now.
So I'm wondering if any of you have had hair Yorkie begin walking on his elbows this way and maybe what the indication would be.
I'm wrapping his arms to give him more strength but he still tires very quickly probably less than 5 minutes

ladyjane 03-09-2018 01:40 PM

He needs to be seen by a neurologist .. if this continues it could end up leaving him with the hind legs also not functioning. Basically paralyzed. The surgery for discs can be successful....I had it happen to one of mine many years ago.

So sorry....thats about all I can tell you if the prednisone isn't helping....see a neuro surgeon.

Laura 03-09-2018 01:46 PM

Luckily, my vet is a neurosurgeon. He didn't really talk about surgery but like I said I think they feel like he is really really old. He did say he would probably begin losing feeling in his hind legs as well as he didn't think he had good feeling in his feet either just buy touching his toes and such. He was also worried about his swallowing as well. He was very surprised that his blood work is so good. I'm supposed to call him in 2 weeks and tell him how the prednisone is working.

ladyjane 03-09-2018 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura (Post 4755656)
Luckily, my vet is a neurosurgeon. He didn't really talk about surgery but like I said I think they feel like he is really really old. He did say he would probably begin losing feeling in his hind legs as well as he didn't think he had good feeling in his feet either just buy touching his toes and such. He was also worried about his swallowing as well. He was very surprised that his blood work is so good. I'm supposed to call him in 2 weeks and tell him how the prednisone is working.

No, I am talking about a specialist...not a general vet. Hopefully in two weeks you will see improvement. If you don't you really need to get him to neuro.

Here is where you can find a board certified neurologist if you ever need one:
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine > Home

I did a search for your area....the closest one is in Dallas. Here are the three closest:

Jennifer Rich, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) - Veterinary Specialist
Company: MedVet Dallas
Dallas, Texas, United States (972) 994-9110
13.9 mi away

Julie Ducote DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Julie Ducote DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) - Veterinary Specialist
Company: Center for Veterinary Specialty Care
Lewisville, Texas, United States
24.8 mi away

Susan Hollman DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)
Susan Hollman DVM, DACVIM (Neurology) - Veterinary Specialist
Company: Center for Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care
Lewisville, Texas, United States (972) 820-7099
26.2 mi away

ladyjane 03-09-2018 02:09 PM

I had a rescued yorkie years ago. He went through this and ended up having emergency surgery at Texas A&M. He did very well. At the time he was older (probably between 10 and 12) but it hit so fast and I just didn't have time to think about it. I only had two choices....euthanasia or surgery. I am not sure if I would do it on a very old pup again...as I said it hit fast and I didn't have time to think. I will say that if there is no other medical issue complicating things, I would be more likely to do it. Your pup has good bloodwork...that is a good sign. Maxwell lived for another 2 years though...so I was happy for that.

Laura 03-10-2018 08:45 AM

Thank you Lady Jane, I would like to know how long was the the hospital stay and how long was the recovery, if you remember, Beau is very frightened of everyone except me, so I know it will be torture for him to be at the hospital in a cage.
We're running a yorkie geriatrics ward here anyway I have a 15 year old,Cisco, with congestive heart failure. A 14 year old, Zowie, who is blind; a 13 year old, Teddy who has cancer that is inoperable and he faints if he barks too much or gets too excited.

ladyjane 03-10-2018 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laura (Post 4755694)
Thank you Lady Jane, I would like to know how long was the the hospital stay and how long was the recovery, if you remember, Beau is very frightened of everyone except me, so I know it will be torture for him to be at the hospital in a cage.
We're running a yorkie geriatrics ward here anyway I have a 15 year old,Cisco, with congestive heart failure. A 14 year old, Zowie, who is blind; a 13 year old, Teddy who has cancer that is inoperable and he faints if he barks too much or gets too excited.

Wow! You do have a geriatrics ward! <3 Mine is close but I lost 3 over the past year so not as many now. :(

Maxwell was standing up the day after surgery (he was totally down when I took him there) .. he had other complications though, so he ended up in the hospital for a week. He had collapsed trachea and that ended up being a big problem because they go in through the front of the neck and things get moved. Anyway.....I honestly don't remember how long it took for his entire recovery. He had to learn to walk well again ... I had exercises for him to do. I don't recall it being lengthy or anything. Maxwell was a biter and didn't do well with strangers either...it killed me to leave him there. :( But, I was there every day so he knew I was still with him.

It is a difficult decision because, while it can be hugely successful, there still are risks to surgery. I had a foster who went in with a wobbly gait and had surgery to reduce pressure and she ended up never walking again after her surgery. :(

Each case is individual. I am glad I did Maxwell's surgery, but there are older dogs who would not fare as well as he did.

Laura 03-10-2018 09:24 AM

My vet is actually orthopedic surgery and regenerative medicine, but I think they may feel Beau is too old for surgery. I will see in two weeks if he hasn't improved. He already has swallowing/breathing issues to which they did not recommend surgery and now dr. Myers thinks that might be related, and he's on thyroid medication.
I've lost 3 in the last 2 years as well. Quattro, we raised from birth The Sibling of Teddy and Robin. He had throat cancer which was inoperable but when they did the biopsy he couldn't heal or breathe and we had to put him down because of that. I felt like we could have had him a year or longer if we hadn't let them continue testing. So I'm very conflicted about making there in times worse. Instead of loving him through the end I feel like we tortured and terrified him.

ladyjane 03-10-2018 03:15 PM

I totally understand. It is so hard sometimes having to make these decisions.

It does sound like Beau may not be a candidate for surgery.... hopefully, the steroids will help!!

Wylie's Mom 03-11-2018 05:08 AM

So sorry for all you're going through :(.

I'm *very* glad LadyJane is on your thread - she has *amazing* advice for these kinds of issues, so I would definitely listen :).

Lovetodream88 03-11-2018 05:37 AM

I’m sorry I can’t offer any advise but I will offer my prayers.

Laura 03-11-2018 05:38 AM

Thank you so much Lady Jane and Wylie's mom. I know you guys have both been here a long time.
I think I started writing on YorkieTalk back when Zoe you was pregnant. Now she is 14, and her puppies are 13. 15 years ago I wanted to be a breeder, but I kept her entire first litter of five and that was it for me. As much as people have encouraged me to be a breeder since I know I am a keeper.
Now I'm exercising his little legs and wrapping them and trying to make him walk on his paws. I'll wait to see if he'll improve over the next week. Please keep your fingers crossed and pray my little Beau will get better.:luvu::luvu:

Laura 03-11-2018 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88 (Post 4755777)
I’m sorry I can’t offer any advise but I will offer my prayers.

Thank you Taylor, Beau and I can sure use that most of all.

Laura 03-24-2018 06:26 AM

Update on Beau's condition
 
I wanted to update you guys on Beau's condition as you were all so kind to help. He stopped walking altogether after the vet pulled him out for that x-ray. I made a sling to carry him and held him up so he could drink water. That lasted a week.

In the meantime, Teddy past away. He just coughed a little and I was watching him and Sandy laying there that night breathing. His breathing was a little faster than hers and I just had a feeling it was his time. I told my husband I needed to take him to see the vet in the morning. He died quietly in the night :cry:

Finally last weekend Beau began to walk again, on his feet about 10 feet, then back on his elbows. He also falls over and can't get back upright (we started calling it turtling) So I can't really let him out of my sight at all now.

I spoke to the vet Thurs. He said there is really nothing else to do. To keep in mind his 'quality of life'. He told me to call him in two weeks and let him know how he is doing.

I am not considering having him put down at this time, but I am trying to keep a check on his own happiness. That is really hard because I love him so much and would be happy to carry him around and play with him all day.


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