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Oh another thing that might be helpful is that when I give her a treat I'll have her turn (clockwise..which is to her right)..well, now she can't do it. She fell over the last time I tried. |
ok another vet friend responded check this out Hi Deb, I looked at the videos...it could be encephalitis...but most of those dogs have other neurologic problems other than a head tilt. May of them are not feeling well and may have seizures. I am more concerned about a middle ear infection or problem or a vestibular problem (the vestibular apparatus tells the brain where our head is in relation to the rest of the body) . It could also be a brain issue. Encephalitis wouldn't show up on blood work. I do think an MRI is a good idea. |
here is another response from vet tech friend It could be any number of neurological things. Encephalitis is a very broad term. There can be changes on labwork with infectious types of encephalitis. The dog should see a neurologist so a CSF tap and any appropriate imaging can be performed. A CSF tap is usually essential in diagnosing many type of encephalitis. I would not pursue this without a neurologist. |
jean's response Deb: Yes it sure looks like it. Recent vaccination ? Exposure to feral animals [i.e. wild life distemper] ? It likely won’t show up on blood work. |
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Bella doesn't have seizures (or I haven't seen it). Her vet kind of already ruled out vestibular problem. The last time she got vaccinated was in August for her rabies and DHLPP. She's also not exposed to an wild animals because she's mainly inside until she goes out to potty. Another thing (I'm not sure if it matters but..) I've noticed that she's making honking or sneezing noises then shakes her body as though she's wet and rubs her nose with her palms. DH just stated that on friday when I first noticed her head tilt, Bella's back legs were twitching. |
I just got home and saw Bella's videos. She is a little doll. :) |
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Your little Bella is such a cutie pie. So sorry she is going through this. Hoping and praying that they get to the bottom of this very soon. Continued prayers for your little girl. |
I'm sending prayers for you and Bella. She's a little sweetheart. |
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the vet responded last night stating the place close to you looks great too - so bummed for you so when do you think you will get in for mri ? It seems that is the next step :( and are you going to do spinal tap as well as they all recommend that as well |
i have been posting your story around to some of my groups here is another response - did they fully rule out inner ear not sure how they do this but here is another response Hi... This looks like an inner ear problem.. Some of my old chows got this and It is very scary.. but They treated it with predisone and amoxicillin .. Now a lot of the vets don't use anything on them.. They usually come out of it ,improving in a couple of weeks.. They hold their head to one side and when they move they move towards that side. All of mine, and I had 4 or 5 with it ..went back completely normal except one girl who was 14 and her head stayed to one side.. She was 14 yrs old. .She lived a normal life and was almost 15 when she passed.(I was breeding and showing chows for 20 years) |
Well I'm hoping its inner ear infection and the vet hasn't said anything about that. I'm thinking the only reason why she didn't bring it up was because Bella's right side of her body is kind of weak so that might be associated with something else. I sure will ask the vet when she calls with the bile acid results today. I'm going to see what the vet has to say and suggest she refers us to the neurological specialist in Roseville, CA so DH and I can get Bella's MRI asap. I'll keep you posted once the vet calls. It's like a waiting game. |
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UPDATE: I just got off the phone with Bella's vet and she said unfortunately, Bella's bile acid test came in high so Bella's been diagnose with a liver shunt. She wants to start Bella off with some meds (forgot what they were) but still recommends us to see a neurologist to see if it's a single blood vessel or a bunch of little ones and to see if we can have surgery. I'm glad we figured this out so I can start her off with something and I'll need to call back to the two neurological specialist to compare prices. More research for me..this time, for liver shunt. |
Just finished reading your thread -- I am so sorry that your sweet little Bella has been diagnosed with LS. I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. |
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I will continue to pray for her and for you. I know how upsetting it is to have a sick pupster. |
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Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support |
the meds are probably lactulose, denamarin which is milk thistle and sam-e - is my guess and hill's L/D food which is a low protein food but please post numbers as there are alot of us with experience with liver shunt and mvd |
Bella is such a sweetie. I'll be keeping her in my prayers. |
I hate to hear the news but I am glad that you know what it is and can access some good knowledge and experience along with a generous dose of caring here on YT. I will keep you and Bella both in my thoughts and prayers. Huggs |
Bella is adorable on her little walk. Hope she has the best treatment in town and is better soon. p.s. congrats on your pregnancy. xo |
Thank you all for your support. The vet didn't tell me what the bile acid numbers were and unfortunately, I'm so new to all this that I had no clue on what kind of questions to ask the vet. I will make sure to call them back on Monday to check on the numbers though. Bella's on lactulose (3cc every 8hrs) and clavamox (1cc every 12 hours for 21 days). I can't believe how expensive her meds were. The lactulose was $22 for 1oz which would only last for 4 days. Can I only get this at the vet? She's also on prescription wet food so I'm worried she might have runny poo since I've been feeding her dry. I also joined the group in yahoo but it's still pending. |
While the bile acid test determines how well the liver is functioning...it can not provide a diagnosis....it only indicates her liver is not filtering properly. Additional testing needs to be done. The easiest and least expensive would be to have a protein C test performed...which does indicate shunts and from there a scintigraphy, ultrasound or exploratory surgery would need to be done. Many vets are not very knowledgable when it comes to LS and you may wish to give him Dr. Tobias' contact information. Faculty LS is not a death sentence...she can live a long healthy life as long as it's treated. |
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no denamarin? hmmm usually milk thistle and sam-e are recommended. I really am curious to see the bats as if below 100 not so sure this is the cause but hopefully in posting videos to group they can give better advice as they see symptoms all the time. My gut still says this is more neurological even though liver shunt can cause things like seizures I have not heard of dog tilting head to side like that or falling on side :( She could have mvd if bats are high but still have neurological - just throwing it out there and hopefully others can better help if they have seen this in a liver shunt dog. You may want to consult dr centers at cornell university as some say she does free consults and she can review the blood tests and videos as well |
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have you seen a liver shunt dog with this head tilt? just curious as i have not :( usually after eating they are spaced out and act odd and have seizures and have seen videos of this but this is a new one to me I still would take everything and consult with neurologist but first want to see the bats to see how bad they were |
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The friend\'s dog I spoke of earlier...presented far differently from any other dog with a shunt that I\'d read or heard of. So much so... shunt was not initially the first consideration from others really knowledgeable. Bella\'s symptoms are quite similar. His symptoms were not brought on by eating either. They began after receiving vaccinations, prior to that he was asymptotic. |
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