sick Daisy
 

My female, (Daisy, 2 1/2 yrs old) has been acting strangely for quite some time now. She has always had a sensitive stomach, sometimes not eating for a day or so. We've tried food for sensitive stomach, etc.. Recently took her to the vet because she was acting like she had little strength in her hips, sometimes losing her balance. They did x-rays for hip issues, found nothing out of place, and said it was probably muscle strain, since she's more of a long, lean body type.
The last few days, she's been more listless than normal, wandering around aimlessly, and she doesn't seem to be able to get comfortable enough to just lay in my lap in the recliner (used to be one of her favorite things to do) Last night, she was making laps around the kitchen, walking slowly and stopping at each corner before turning and continuing on. She also wants to climb up on things... her cage, the backs of the kitchen chairs, etc... she just climbs up and sort of perches on the top. I'm pretty sure she's in some type of pain, as she will quiver gently when I'm holding her.
Has anyone seen this type of behavior, or have any ideas about what could be causing it?
She and her brother (Duke, healthy, built like a little tank) both eat Eukanuba food, and the only treats we give them are Puperoni sticks. We also add some chicken broth to their food at nearly every feeding.
Any advice would be appreciated...

I'm sorry your Daisy isn't doing well. At the vets visit was any bloodwork done, if so were the results all okay?

I don't remember if bloodwork was done, but I don't remember them saying that anything was wrong. I'll call them this morning to check.

Definitely check and see if it was and the results. It could be something not necessarily hip related, that only bloodwork will at least begin to provide you some clues.

Btw, welcome to YT!

thanks for the suggestion. I've got a call in to the vet right now. I'm waiting on a response. After following a link in another thread, it looks like her symptoms match EXACTLY her having a portosystemic (liver) shunt. I mean she shows almost ALL the symptoms. Blood tests are to be done asap, and we'll see. At least I'm a little reassured that this might be treatable.

oh, and thanks for the welcome to the forum.. I haven't even done an introduction yet, but I was borderline panicked from last night and this morning... it's amazing how these little guys can become part of the family.
I guess I need to go update my profile now. :)

Welcome to YT :) Keep us posted on your little Daisy. I hope the vet finds that it is something simple.

Welcome to YT. I hope your lil one will be ok.:)

I'm sorry you are having trouble. Is your little one vomiting? Harley had some of the same symptoms with stomach ulcers.

first off are you adding low sodium broth to food? as high sodium can lead to kidney issues so have you had urine checked and blood work done? Also NO PUPPERONIS those things are very high in fat and can lead to pancreatitis - vet said those are the worst

yep that was a concern i have as well and why i wanted to know blood work and if bile acids were done to rule out shunt. Due to age my concern is stones as well

stomach ulcers they would have coffee ground looking substance in vomit or stool as it is dried blood from intestines

i have posted some videos on this thread of dogs with liver shunt so check it out - this dog has neurological issue so not shunt but wanted her to see videos of a liver shunt dog as they walk the walls and are spaced out after eating

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...need-help.html

signs of shunt are usually after eating food does your dog at wierd after eating?

they are usually picky eaters, spaced out after eating, walk the walls, have seizures

my concern is neurological and spinal not shunt in what you are describing though with legs giving out :( that does not really sound like liver shunt to me - If xrays and nothing structure wise then I would have a neurological exam done or you can see an orthopedic

due to age I think the liver shunt would have showed signs by this age but not always and many times neurological things come up at this age :(

here is some info

Structure and Function of the Brain and Spinal Cord in Dogs

more info

Meningoencephalomyelitis in Dogs

how is this little one? I wanted to post what my friend wrote to another woman about gme

Do you think it looks like a seizure? That is what happened to my dog when she was diagnosed with GME. I actually noticed that she didn't seem to have good control over her back legs. Then she had a seizure right in front of me. It all happened over about a week or so. GME is a progressive neurological condition. But if you read about it on the internet, you will really get upset. There is treatment out there for GME dogs. My dog is now on prednisone and a immuniosupressive drug called cytosar. We are trying to get her into remission. If you think you might be seeing something like this, please see a vet neurologist right away. It is progressive and delaying diagnosis can cause permanent damage. Good luck to you and your pup.