Worried about Layla
 

I posted this under general discussion but now that we've been to the vet I thought I'd move it here and maybe get some more views.

Last night Layla didn't want to walk up the stairs to our second floor bedroom, so after watching her struggle, I lifted her. She wouldn't get on the bed, and just walked around with her tail tightly down. She would barely move this morning, and after we let her outside, she wouldn't come back up the stairs onto the deck (only 4 steps).

We thought she maybe wasn't feeling well and might be okay after a day of sleep. We came home and she couldn't walk. Her back seems to arch a little, and her back legs are stiff and straight. She can't sit down at all. We finally got through to a vet, and even though it was after hours, she was going to meet us there within minutes. We rushed over.

What she found is that Layla has no fever, didn't seem to have stomach pain, and didn't seem to have neurological damage (she did the backwards paw test). She suggested giving her anti-inflammatories for tonight and to bring her in in the morning for x-rays and to admit her for the day so they can watch and see if she gets any worse or better, or (and I'm hoping not) having seizures.

When we put her down as we were paying, she fell over a couple of times. One leg seems to get stuck under her and she just falls to the side. And she can't get up without backing into something to stand up again. She can walk on it with a straight leg, but can't seem to bend it or pull herself up when she's down. The vet said if it IS a slipped disk, she would be giving the same medication she gave anyway. She thought it would relax her for a bit tonight so she would sleep well.

Since we got home we tried to limit her mobility but she was walking constantly. I tried to lay her down on her side but she was very uncomfortable and her legs were sticking straight out. I got her up and put her in my lap, and she was shaking and wouldn't relax. My boyfriend just put her on her pad in case she had to pee, and her back legs couldn't hold steady and hold her up... she started to lean until he caught her.

I am crying hard. I can't stand to see her in this much pain. I love her so much.

Poor baby. How many times we've all wished they could just talk and tell us where it hurts:(. did the vet rule out a bowel obstruction and impacted/infected anal glands?

She felt her tummy and said if that was the source of pain she would feel Layla get upset or yelp, but she didn't, so she thought an x-ray could wait until tomorrow. Of course she said if we wanted one immediately, she would do it. Or at any time tonight if we thought things were worse, she would do an x-ray.

She didn't check her anal glands at all. We did let her know that she was peeing and pooping as usual, but we haven't been around to see if she's in pain while she does it.

She felt her tummy and said if that was the source of pain she would feel Layla get upset or yelp, but she didn't, so she thought an x-ray could wait until tomorrow. Of course she said if we wanted one immediately, she would do it. Or at any time tonight if we thought things were worse, she would do an x-ray.

She didn't check her anal glands at all. We did let her know that she was peeing and pooping as usual, but we haven't been around to see if she's in pain while she does it.

We're on the phone with the vet, because Layla has no use of her back legs anymore. They will not hold her weight and just fold under her. Her stomach has turned a dark dark brown.

I think we are going over there now for x rays.

We're thinking of you and Layla - please keep us posted.

I'm so sorry and hope you find out it's nothing serious! I do think she needs to be seen by a vet again tonight if possible. Please keep us updated.

I wonder if it could be a reaction to a recent vaccine? Scary stuff. Still thinking of you Layla....

sending prayers. Poor little thing.

She thinks it's a slipped disk. She did x rays and it seems that in her last few vertebrae before her tail, the spaces between them seem to be a tiny fraction smaller than the others. One also has some calcium build-up so she thinks she has had trouble with that vertebrae for awhile and possibly just put it over the edge.

She pushed hard between the pads of her back feet, and Layla could feel it, although she couldn't do anything about it. It shows that she still has deep pain sensation, but something is interrupting her nerves. Her brain is sending the signal to move, and her legs won't move.

We're supposed to keep her still for the next few days (and still take her there tomorrow so they can watch her all day) and see if the medication she got will improve anything. If not, our only option will be back surgery.

Please please please send your thoughts and prayers that she will not need surgery.

You and Layla will be in my thoughts... please keep us updated!

I am sending prayers your way. I really hope that she does not need to have surgery.

Do you have specialists there? I would think seriously about getting her to an orthopedic specialist...and quickly! I had a pup who had problems in his back and he ended up needing surgery....he went to Texas A&M. They told me I got him in just in time or he would have ended up a quad. Not to scare you, but when they start progressing with neuro signs like this I strongly believe in specialists....neuro preferably.
I will say a prayer for her...and for you.

no specialists that I know of. If she's not improving, or getting worse, we will take her to the emergency small animal hospital for mri and cat scan. The vet said that we could try taking her anywhere right now but they couldn't do more for her at this hour than my vet could do here. So she suggested bringing her home to relax with us for the night and taking her in in the morning for a day of observation. She said we need to give the anti inflammatory medicine some time to do its work.

She just tried to get onto her pad from her bed... saddest thing I've ever seen. Her back legs are literally jello to her and would just drag behind her if we didn't try to pick her back end up. She would not pee or poop with us holding her. I think I will be up all night.

This just hit her like a ton of bricks out of nowhere. Yesterday she was our happy go lucky dog barking at everything and running around the house, and today we need to start thinking that if it comes down to it, can we afford back surgery to save her ability to walk in the next couple of days?

She is the most important thing IN THE WORLD to me. She is only 4 years old and so healthy... I can't stop asking why.

i agree 100% i would go to orthopedic and have them review the xrays but go to a place that has a neurologist and orthopedic as well so they can work on case together - I would not mess with this with a regular vet this is something a specialist needs to be dealing with :( Please do not wait get her in tomorrow am with a specialty hospital

this just happened to another yorkie on here and i will try to find the thread - turned out it was as stroke in the spine and happened all of a sudden like your dog - I will be back with the thread

My Maxwell was unable to use all four of his legs....I so understand. I cried and cried. The surgery was expensive...and was scary...but it saved him!
I hope Layla does not need surgery....your vet is right about the anti inflammatories....that is good there is a hospital there that can do an MRI if need be.
I am SO SO sorry...and will pray for Layla. I hope that by tomorrow she might be showing some improvement.

here is the thread

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...-question.html

You might want to see if you can get credit for veterinary expenses from this site:

http://74.125.45.132/search?q=cache:jFJmVXuSGZ0J:www.gemoney.ca/en/images/715166_Care%2520credit%2520en%2520010807%2520FINAL .pdf+ge+money+canada+vet&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Care Credit is not offered in CA, but perhaps GE Money can help. Here is what the website says:


GE Money CareCredit offers no interest and extended payment plan options for pet
owners to assist them with costs associated with veterinary care. Participating
veterinary clinics in Canada are able to take advantage of the following benefits:
• a focus on care not on payments
• direct electronic payment of funds within two business days
• reduction in accounts receivable, associated billing and collections expenses
• ongoing support for the practice, including client materials, software, online
services and training
GE Money CareCredit is a fast and easy way to help pet owners provide optimal
treatment for their pets quickly. The program offers a comprehensive range of
payment plan options including 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-month no interest, and 24-, 36-, 48-
and 60-month extended payment plans*.
"Our goal is simply to extend the same flexibility and financial solutions we've been
offering for individuals’ health and dental care to help pet owners care for their pets,”
Coulson added. “We recognize that financial flexibility can make an enormous
difference in the overall medical outcome.”
CareCredit is North America's leading client-financing program at work in more than
70,000 healthcare practices and has been used by more than 6 million clients. For
more information about GE Money CareCredit or to enroll in the program,
veterinarians are encouraged to call 1-800-300-3046, ext. 4519, or visit
www.carecredit.ca.
Page 2
*Some conditions apply. Subject to approval by GE Money CareCredit.
About GE Money
With more than $163 billion in assets, GE Money, a unit of General Electric Company,
is a leading provider of credit services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 50
countries around the world. Based in Mississauga, Ontario, GE Money Canada
provides private label credit card and MasterCard programs to consumers, and
lending options for retailers in key industries across the country. GE Money also is a
provider of alternative residential mortgages. More information can be found at
www.gemoney.ca.
GE is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services
company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. With products
and services ranging from aircraft engines, power generation, water processing and
security technology to medical imaging, business and consumer financing, media
content and advanced materials, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries
and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the
company's Web site at www.ge.com.
In Canada, GE has more than 10,000 employees, 19 major manufacturing plants and
more than 150 sales and service locations across the country.
-30-
For more information:
Eric Coulson
General Manager, Canada
GE Money CareCredit
905-858-5159
Troy Underhill
Communications Manager
GE Money
905-858-5658

if you want i can get the other yorky owners phone number as i spoke to her on the phone and she is very nice and the other yorkie is doing real well now so hang in there-he did not need surgery either so just a heads up a neurologist over saw his condition

here is a link of neurologist all over the world

Board Certified Veterinary Neurologists

is GUELPH university near you as that is suppose to be a great vet school?

Thank you for your outpouring of support. I am overwhelmed.

Guelph university is very very far from me, and from that list, there is no neurologist near me, not even in my province or any province near me. We have the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, which is where she will be going for MRI or Cat scan if needed. And also surgery, but I'm crossing my fingers she won't need that. We just bought a new house, literally moved in 2 weeks ago, and haven't even made a mortgage payment yet. I don't know if I can start an insurance plan right when I really really need it.

Layla doesn't seem to be any worse, but still about the same. She did let me fall asleep for about half an hour. I woke up to hear her wimpering a little beside me. I think she may have to go to the washroom but she WILL NOT GO with me holding her.

Sending prayers for Layla to get better soon. I can't imagine the worry you must be experiencing right now.

Oh prayers prayers prayers.. this must be so scary. We need a YT miracle! Poor little Layla...

We had to switch her into a tiny travel crate last night because she kept trying to get up and drag herself out of her bed. She whined and cried and fought it for hours, but finally calmed down enough for me to get 2 hours of sleep. I woke up and thought it was all a dream until I saw her crate next to me.

We're leaving for the vet right away and she will be there for the day. I can't stay awake long enough to go to work so I will be a wreck at home by myself.

Prayers for a good day for Layla....Mom try to get some rest today!

hang in there and let me know if you want to talk to the other yt mom as it may help to get some insight as her dog went through this and he is doing much better now

Thank you. I may want to after I get myself together a little more. I have only stopped crying enough for a couple hours of sleep.

I'm sending prayers for you and Layla. Please let us know as soon as you hear something. {hugs}