No they didn't....something so simple and it often gets overlooked in older dogs. My vet thinks it has definitely played a role in her neuro issues although he isn't saying it's the cause.

UPDATE: So Cali definitely has HYPOthyroidism. She is starting thyroid med tonight. My vet seems to think she will have marked improvement with this med. He can't wait until she is off all the other meds, especially the Pred. He thinks the Pred is causing her belly bloating and once we get her off that, her liver enzymes will return to normal. BTW, her liver enzymes were starting to normalize so we are moving in the right direction and he is happy about that. Due to her being uncomfortable about her belly and her hind legs being somewhat stiff when her muscles are contracted, we started her K laser today (see pictures below). We have 6 total treatments. Also, she has PT again tomorrow.

Thanks for the prayers and sticking with us! She is such a little trooper. If you just met her you would never know what all she has been through. I love that little furball to no end!!!
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Cali, you are looking super cool in your Doggles! You definitely are a trooper. I am very happy to hear that things are going in the right direction. Your mommy is doing a great job taking care of you! You remain in my prayers. :)

This has been such a journey for you. I'm glad to read that Kali is doing well and getting all the help she needs. You are an amazing Mommy.;)

UPDATE: OK.......I'm sooooo DISGUSTED with this belly bloating from the steroid! She is so SOB and panting like crazy. She went from 5# yesterday morning to 5.4# this morning....to now 5.6#, gaining 6 oz in her belly!!! When I took her the vet today, she was only 5.4# and he said it is the Pred. I guess there is nothing I can do. It seems to get worse when she eats. Makes me wonder if her food has high sodium. Anyway, her belly is so tight. Thing is, she is acting normal. I just feel so helpless and I do not want her to have any discomfort!!! /End Rant

Whew...thanks for reading. I just get frustrated sometimes. Just another bump in the road and I'm lucky she has done so well. I do have a glimmer of hope that the K-Laser helped her legs (she sat normally for a minute earlier while chewing her bone).

Cali says...."Woof Woof"

..........translated that means Thanks!

Thank you so much!

For everything!

OMG, I can't believe they didn't check her thyroid. If this has been coming from her thyroid all along then she does not need steroids & the steroids can cause cushings. I would talk to the Dr & ask how soon & if they plan to take her off of them. I know either in this thread or in PM that I mentioned that I have low back & leg problems & it is from my thyroid as I have Hashimotos an auto immune disease of the thyroid. I would think they know this but I would ask anyway, the K-Laser should NOT ever be used directly over the thyroid.

I don't think they checked her thyroid at all initially (guess I need to go back and look). My vet doesn't believe the thyroid could have caused all her issues but he thinks they definitely could have contributed to whatever is going on with her. If you have an autoimmune issue then steriods would be most appropriate (?)....and yes, I've been afraid of Cushings, as my primary vet is too. Her labs are good so far (except T3). I emailed the neuro team at MSU and asked if I can start weaning Cali off the Pred NOW rather than waiting 2 more weeks to see them. I should get a response tomorrow (hopefully).

Pred will only mask the problems/symptoms not cure them , unless your talking about something like Addisons. It is Most important to find out the cause & treat the cause & the symptoms should straighten out. If Cali has a thyroid problem it absolutely can cause her symptoms & dogs can have autoimmune disorders of the thyroid as well as humans.

I can only hope & pray it's all thyroid issues since I started her on the Levothyroxine today. Trust me, I'd be extremely happy if that were the case. I did have a nurse I work with mention the thyroid with limb problems but I guess I dropped the ball on it b/c I didn't pursue it/forgot about it. When we arrived at MSU, they did not check her thyroid but did check her parathyroid b/c she had a low Calcium. Why didn't they check her thyroid given that neuro problems can exist as a result? I'm calling her my puzzle pup right now.

Hmmm, I have to take calcium , D & B's as they are low & others I have talked to who have my problem also have to suppliment those vits as well & my parathyroid is fine. I would asking for every aspect of her thyroid to be checked.

UPDATE: We didn't give Cali her am Prednisolone. I can't watch her suffer with a bloated belly and panting like that. I did consult my vet though and he agrees with me. If we are going to wean it in 2 weeks anyway then why not start now? She seems to be holding her own with walking although it sounds like she may be dragging her nails slightly. We have nonskid socks though...thanks to Karen!! Her legs are stiff when walking and when muscles are flexed but she is able to relax them when she wants so I'm OK with that. We cancelled PT today since she was panting a bit and had a bloated belly. Her weight this morning was down 2oz so this is good.

I'm keeping much hope!

UPDATE: Cali's legs are clearly stiffer than before we cut down the Prednisone so that was definitely helping her. However, I can't watch her gain 6 oz a day and be SOB/panting and in misery. We leave next weekend for her F/U appt so I'll be curious as to what the vets at MSU say. She is such a strong willed little dog though. Even with her stiff legs she refuses to stop walking. Sometimes she scats across my concrete floors on her 2 front legs...kinda dragging her back legs without bending them. That happens when she gets really tense which is on occassion. If I could carpet my entire house I would but my husband has severe allergies. Tomorrow she gets another laser treatment and Tuesday she should resume PT so I'll update then.

One of my pups had symptoms on prednisone so they reduced it to every other day and he is doing so much better.

Here is a link that you may find of interest:

Adrenocortical suppression in dogs on daily and... [Am J Vet Res. 1979] - PubMed - NCBI

Thanks for the link...that is interesting. And Cali is definitely receiving way more than the maintenance daily dose they mention in the article. I can't wait to wean it more.

Thinking of Cali today and continuing to pray for her. Praying you can discontinue the Prednisolone soon.

Thanks Kristin!

UPDATE: Cali did very well at therapy today. She went 10 minutes on the water treadmill and had a laser treatment just before. Her flexibility was measured and she registered normal flexion. However, her legs still get stiff when she gets excited. When she is relaxed, they flex like normal. I hope she learns this and can somewhat control it. I have pics of her sitting in a normal position. As soon as I can get them from my phone I'll post them.

Glad to read that Calui did well at her therapy appointment.
I pray that she can get control of the flexing of her leg's.
Prayers do still continue for Cali.

UPDATE:
Hi All! I just wanted to share a few photos for those that are still hanging with us. Also, Cali is doing wonderfully with the K Laser and weaning her Pred...we are doing it every other day now. We leave Sunday (Mother's day) to bring her back to MSU for her recheck. I think they will be pleased. She is now attempting to climb stairs, although she is far from being able to get up them. I just think it's so cute (and great) that her spirit remains strong. Anyway, enjoy the pics:

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Cali sitting with legs bent...YEA!!! She can only do so for a minute or two.

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Legs bent in the laying position...anoter YEA!!!

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Babies on the way home from some treatment (can't remember which one since we go every day)

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Cali on Watertread (Thursday)

UPDATE: We leave in the am to travel to MSU. Cali has her recheck on Monday morning. She is doing good. I decided to bring food to the vets to show gratitude. See my cute cupcakes below. They are made in the image of Cali & Mia. Precious little Yorkie Cupcakes...heehee
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Those are much too cute to eat, lol I'm still praying for Cali.

Im glad to hear she is doing well. The pictures are so sweet. Its kind of you to bring a little something with you to MSU as kindness goes a long way. I cannot even believe these cupcakes!! They are the cutest things I have ever seen. I look forward to hearing your next update after the recheck.

Prayers for Cali's check up. I love the pictures of Miss Cali.
Those cupcakes are so darn cute.

I just caught up on all the news on precious Cali. I'm so glad that she continues to improve. I love the pictures!!! She is so adorable!!! Both of your furbabies are beautiful!!! The cupcakes are too cute!!! You are VERY talented!!!!

Our lil' Dessa is still limping on the left back side, but not real bad and her left front is doing great!!! It's all still a mystery as to what caused her problems. I do know that she will never get so many vaccines at one time again. That's when all of Dessa's problems started. She does love her ramp that we bought her.

I keep my daughter updated on precious Cali and we're sending all of you hugs, kisses and many prayers!!!

I can't wait to hear what they say at MSU.

P.S. I think your donation idea is great!!!! I would love to make a contribution and get a shirt!!! TEAM CALI!!!

Hi there..i am sorry for your baby. I too have the same problem only worse..all four legs are paralized for 9 days now, and yes, we have done the the part where he had a high white blood cell count and antibiotics to the neurological part of it, getting some of the same answers as the others in this fourm..i did however " googled" " why is my yorkie paralized" and it brought me to a sight for dogs that are taking the nzymes stuff i mentioned later, and showed a movie of a dog ( pretty over weight short haired terrier of some sort) that took this nzyme stuff and reovered in a week...the movie was there to see for sure..and i am at my whits end...my kacy is 8, and he could jump a three foot fence and i think that is what happened he jerked out some vertebraes or something..and he can't move any of his legs at all. First the back legs went then a couple of days later his front legs went..he has not however, gone to the bathroom for 4 days yet..except to pee..and that is involentary and i don' care i just keep washing blankets and caring for him like a newborn human..he is only 3 lbs now..and will only eat boiled or baked chicken.which is probably a good thing...but i worry about him not defacating..this could be dangerous..going to another doctor tomorrow..

Good luck and please let me know if you find out something profound..
You may email me if you will coxmysti@yahoo.com
thank you and good luck with your baby...

I so hope Dessa gets better! It seems like she is similar to Cali in that they don't really know what caused all this. As long as she's happy, that's all that really matters! Cont'd prayers for little "D"!

I so hope Kacy gets better. Keep going to the vet until you get answers! I found the K Laser to be invaluable to Cali so far. Also, the initial Valium drip helped. But remember, Cali had rigidity and tremors as well. Prayers for little Kacy!

Continued prayers for Cali.

The cupcakes are darling. Did everyone enjoy?