My babys sick....
 

Hi, I have a 4 LB 1 1/2 year old yorkie and he's been experiencing difficulties the last few days that no vet can figure out. I took him to an emergency clinic and to his regular vet, 2 sets of x rays, 2 shots of cortezone and still no luck. Heres what is happening:

It started in July of this year when he couldnt use his rear right leg, it looked as if he had injury it in a fall or something.. we took him to the vet, shot of cortezone and he was fine before he even got back home. Well now all of the sudden last Friday, he started with the limping again, but that was it so we waited a little bit to see if he'd be ok.. well with Saturday only came more problems, the leg had gotten worse, and it seemed as if his back had a crimp in it.. we weren't sure if it was because his leg hurt or another problem was happening. We immediately drove an hour to an emergency clinic and that vet claimed neurological problems and told us to go to our regular vet on Monday. This vet gave Buckeye (thats our babys name :) ) a short acting shot of cortezone.. and after we came home he went to sleep all day and night.. Sunday came.. and its even worse now. He can sometimes use his hind legs.. it depends, one min he'll run for a second (just to fall) and the next he wont be able to get up. Now, though, his head bobs up and down left to right.. he falls over and if he tries to sit he literally barrel rolls over.. he cant eat on his own because if he stands for too long he falls to the side or falls forward.. he cant even go to the bathroom on his own, he has to either lay down and pee or we have to hold him up. Its now Monday, and we just left our vet who gave us a number for a neurologist and a long acting shot of cortezone.. I know Im not going to be able to afford this.. between the trip there, the visit, and im guessing surgery will be his only option.. if a 1500 dollar MRI will be needed... all of this.. we have spent 700 already in one weekend.. the food money for me and my girlfriend to survive this month just to see if our baby will be ok.. I feel so helpless and alone in this, he looks so sad.. he just wants to play and run around like he does everyday and he knows he cant.. and its killing me.. this dog is what has kept me alive.. and gave me more joy then anything could ever give me in one lifetime. This is my first dog and he gets treated like a prince.. I just dont know what to do.. does anyone know what might be happening to Buckeye? What can I do to save the life of my baby?

His symptoms sound consistent with liver shunt. Many vets aren't knowledgable when it comes to this disease. You can search here and find loads of information on liver shunt...or perhaps google. To rule this out...he needs to have a bile acid test done to determine how well his liver is functioning. The results of that will tell you whether more testing is required.

I'm sorry he is sick and hope you find a vet who can help him.

I hope he starts feeling better. I would seek a second opinion. Tell them your money situation and sometimes they will work with you. Please let us know what the outcome is. I will pray for you.:(

I'm so so sorry your baby is sick :(
There's also a credit card you can apply for called care credit, I believe. It has low interest for up to two years for charges over $300. I think I've got that right. Do a search here on YT for "credit care" or "care credit"

Buckeye is in my prayers.

Here's a thread with info on care credit. Within those posts is a link to the actual site. All the best.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...re-credit.html

But if its a liver shunt, wouldnt it have come up in a blood test? I dont know where to go either... a specialist wont tell me whats wrong if lets say he specializes in a certain area, and that area isnt what is wrong.. how would he or she know what IS wrong if an emergency vet and one of the best vets in this state can't figure it out? (Our vet is running for presidency of the United States!), and after the fact they look at him and determine they cant help, thats another 500 down the drain! I just dont know what to do.. I cant watch him suffer like this anymore..

If anyone could really help me diagnose the problem with Buckeye (I know its almost impossible to without seeing him and going through the correct procedures), but we wouldnt even be able to take him to a vet until Friday and I dont want him to suffer anymore.. I can put up a video of how he's acting and anything that may help.. it would be greatly appriciated.. Im just at a loss right now and dont know what to do....

This could also be GME or Necrotizing Encephalitis. My dog Gidget had some of the same symptoms. To diagnose it they typically do a MRI or CT Scan and a spinal tap and unfortunately it is costly. Here is some information on the disease, if it is GME or Necrotizing Encephalitis it is important to get help fast.

Dr. Sisson has been helping a lot of us who are a member of a GME Support group either consulting with our neurologists in our home states or in some cases people have traveled to him in Boston. Below is all the information, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

GME Support Group
NewGMEDogs : NewGMEDogs

Neurologist in the Ohio area:
Page Title

Dr. Sisson Website
MSPCA-Angell:

NC Website with information
Veterinary Teaching Hospital :: North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine

I pray that your baby doesn't have this it is a horrible disease but there is hope if you act fast.

Anytime a Yorkie is having neurologicsymptoms,they should have a bile acids test to rule out liver shunt. This won't necessarily show up in a blood panel. Then you might need to look at things like encephalitis. Have you applied for Care Credit?