I need help! - Page 7 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

mly · 01-28-2010, 06:02 PM

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.

dwerten · 01-28-2010, 08:14 PM

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.

dwerten · 01-28-2010, 08:18 PM

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.

dwerten · 01-28-2010, 08:19 PM

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.

dwerten · 01-28-2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwerten

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.

interesting she asked about vaccinations as i believe pam's girl had vaccinations right before it occured

mly · 01-28-2010, 09:26 PM

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.

ladyjane · 01-28-2010, 09:28 PM

I just got home and saw Bella's videos. She is a little doll.

mly · 01-28-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

I just got home and saw Bella's videos. She is a little doll.

Thank you!

AbbysMom08 · 01-28-2010, 09:57 PM

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.

BonBon · 01-29-2010, 06:35 AM

I'm sending prayers for you and Bella. She's a little sweetheart.

dwerten · 01-29-2010, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mly

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.

she may have reverse sneeze or allergies a little but the leg twitching thing goes with the neurological

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

dwerten · 01-29-2010, 09:24 AM

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)

mly · 01-29-2010, 10:08 AM

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.

dwerten · 01-29-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mly

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.

ok always good to ask questions and run every possible scenario - ask about if she has to have mri and spinal tap as well as many are saying both are needed so run that by her as well. Good luck today and hang in there we keep praying for your precious baby girl

mly · 01-29-2010, 02:04 PM

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.

01-28-2010, 09:28 PM	#97
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,490	I just got home and saw Bella's videos. She is a little doll. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

01-28-2010, 09:57 PM	#99
AbbysMom08 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,268	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. __________________ Jan, Mommy to Abby

01-29-2010, 06:35 AM	#100
BonBon Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: With my yorkies Posts: 10,350	I'm sending prayers for you and Bella. She's a little sweetheart. __________________ He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -- Author Unknown

01-28-2010, 06:02 PM	#91
mly Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: california Posts: 216	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.

01-28-2010, 08:14 PM	#92
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	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.

01-28-2010, 08:18 PM	#93
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	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.

01-28-2010, 08:19 PM	#94
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	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.

01-28-2010, 09:26 PM	#96
mly Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: california Posts: 216	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.

01-29-2010, 09:24 AM	#102
dwerten BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA Posts: 11,073	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)

01-29-2010, 10:08 AM	#103
mly Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: california Posts: 216	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.

01-29-2010, 02:04 PM	#105
mly Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: california Posts: 216	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.