Raindrop--Stroke like symptons

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Mom of 3

I went back again to the Vet's. Raindrop has gone from 5 lbs to 3.5 lbs. She is not urinating, her tongue sticks out further, and is dry, her head twists like it's going to break, and she is falling over all the time, now. The Vet today said she is getting fluid in her lungs, and reccommend I put her to sleep. He said she has a brain tumor.
I have just cried and cried. My heart is broken, and I don't know what to do.
I know she is not happy like this. The other dogs smell her. Her breath smells bad. (not like dog food) She will try to take a couple of steps, and fall over. I have to watch her so she will not hit her head.
So tonight I am just holding her, and loving her, as I have a feeling she may not make it through the night. I will try to get back on when I can.

This is very common for vets to say 'Brain tumor'... did he see it on xray or is he out of options? Please get her to a Neuro and have a spinal tap done, then get her on steroids, NOW. She doesn't have to be PTS.... Please, I am begging you...

[kjc]

please read this:

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

[Sammy Mommy]

Darlene, I am so very sorry to read that Raindrop isn't doing well. My dog had walking problems which I stupidly thought was from his LP. We went to the vet and he had some kind of disc problem in his neck area and was showing neurological problems. He takes Neuronton (Gabapentin) and after a week or so we saw improvement. Did the vet say anything about a disc problem? I wish I could do something for you but all I can do is send you hugs, thoughts and prayers. Valerie

[lillymae]

PLEASE, take raindrop for MRI & Spinal. Also please read the thread that Kjc posted. It is not likely that raindrop has a brain tumor but a subarachnoid cyst caused by Chiari malformation. This condition is most often Misdiagnosed as a brain tumor. I had a yorkie for 11 yrs with this condition. This condition IS treatable with Pred & Omeprizole. There is Hope for your baby. Also Chiari is most often diagnosed between the ages of 2 & 6 yrs of age. With the majority of diagnosis in the earlier yrs.
Also not sure of the spelling but Theophylline is the med used for the breathing. I could be wrong but there is a 99.9% chance that Chiari is what your baby has & NOT brain tumor at all.

[kjc]

As a last ditch effort try prednisone and Omeprizal (sp)... symptoms are leaning more to Chiari (very treatable disease)(needs MRI to diagnose) please you do not have to lose her.... I'll pray for you to make the best decision for her... Yorkies are not predisposed to developing brain tumors... Brain tumors are more rare than Chiari...

[snowbird]

I know exactly what you are going through. Last winter when we were in Florida my 13 year old King Charles Cavalier had these same symptoms.I too thought he had a stroke. He would try to walk and fall down and his head was tilted to the side.I took him to a vet and they said it could be a stroke or Vestibular syndrome. He got him to walk for him and looked at his eyes to see if they were darting back and forth , this is a sign of vestibular syndrome. In the end they looked at his ears and although there were no visible signs of an ear infection, he said it could be inner ear. I was flying home with him in three days so they gave him a steriod shot and put him on antibiotics for inner ear. He said I would see some improvement within 48 hours. I did but it took a good 3 to 4 weeks before his head came back to normal. That was in April. In August of this year while we were on vacation he awoke one morning with the dizziness again. I again took him to the vet and they told me he had a cerebral tumor. He passed away in my arms the next day. They asked if he had been given a steriod in Florida. They said that this sometimes shrinks the tumor for a short period of time. The steriod will also make them pant. Please do not take any chances with this little one. If you can get to a specialist. I would say she is too young for vestibular syndrome.Good Luck and I am sending prayers.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Sammy Mommy

Darlene, I am so very sorry to read that Raindrop isn't doing well. My dog had walking problems which I stupidly thought was from his LP. We went to the vet and he had some kind of disc problem in his neck area and was showing neurological problems. He takes Neuronton (Gabapentin) and after a week or so we saw improvement. Did the vet say anything about a disc problem? I wish I could do something for you but all I can do is send you hugs, thoughts and prayers. Valerie

FYI, Chiari can and often does present as a disc problem in the neck.

[Sammy Mommy]

lillymae, I didn't know that. I've learned so much here on YorkieTalk and I'm still learning. Let's all say a prayer for Raindrop that she will get well.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Sammy Mommy

lillymae, I didn't know that. I've learned so much here on YorkieTalk and I'm still learning. Let's all say a prayer for Raindrop that she will get well.

Oh yes, Chiari can show in so many diff ways. It all depends on the severity of the deformity .

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by snowbird

I know exactly what you are going through. Last winter when we were in Florida my 13 year old King Charles Cavalier had these same symptoms.I too thought he had a stroke. He would try to walk and fall down and his head was tilted to the side.I took him to a vet and they said it could be a stroke or Vestibular syndrome. He got him to walk for him and looked at his eyes to see if they were darting back and forth , this is a sign of vestibular syndrome. In the end they looked at his ears and although there were no visible signs of an ear infection, he said it could be inner ear. I was flying home with him in three days so they gave him a steriod shot and put him on antibiotics for inner ear. He said I would see some improvement within 48 hours. I did but it took a good 3 to 4 weeks before his head came back to normal. That was in April. In August of this year while we were on vacation he awoke one morning with the dizziness again. I again took him to the vet and they told me he had a cerebral tumor. He passed away in my arms the next day. They asked if he had been given a steriod in Florida. They said that this sometimes shrinks the tumor for a short period of time. The steriod will also make them pant. Please do not take any chances with this little one. If you can get to a specialist. I would say she is too young for vestibular syndrome.Good Luck and I am sending prayers.

FYI, Vestibular Syndrome can also be a symptom of Chiari. Also did you know that the King Charles was the 1st dog to be diagnosed with Chiari and was thought to be the only breed to have this condition for many yrs.

[Lizzie07]

This is so sad, I feel so bad for Raindrop and you. I just don't understand why your vet hasn't referred you to a specialist. Can you get her to an emergency clinic and a neurologist tomorrow?

[Doodlebug]

Mom of 3 I am praying for your little baby Raindrop.

[yorkieusa]

Sending prayers for lil Raindrop and for you.

[Mom of 3]

My little Raindrop passed away this morning. I held her all last night, knowning something was terribly wrong. She had stopped eating and drinking. I was forcing the water down her. My heart is broken. I will come back on when I can. Darlene

[lillymae]

Oh No, I'm so sorry for your loss.