Thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed that you get good news for Cali today.

Hi Everyone,
We just got to our hotel room. First stop was the Neuro clinic where they have 3 suspicions in mind: 1) toxins (which can include bacteria) they think is highly unlikely since her paws never touch the grass and we keep her locked up in her room when the cleaning lady comes; if this is it, they can try and flush her clean of them 2) Cushings (have no idea why), 3) the scariest...a muscle disease (she didn't give me the name yet) that dogs get which can progressively get worse and possibly lead to her breathing difficulties. OK, to me, that sounds like Lou Gehrig's disease in dogs! I pray to God with all my might it isn't that! Anyway, they are doing blood work and a muscle test and will call us back to the clinic with results (soon, I hope). They are keeping her overnight in ICU to give her IVF and get her temperature down. If the muscle test comes back with anything, they want to do more indepth muscle testing which would require anesthesia. She said they treat the muscle disease with muscle relaxants but it may or may not make a difference but it certainly won't cure or reverse the disease.

I thank everyone for your prayers....we are definitely receiving them. Please keep them coming and I will pray for all of you, as well.

So glad you were able to get her there! I will continue to pray for her and hope it is something very treatable.
Thank you for updating! :)

My girl lost the use of both of her back legs and after xrays and all it was Luxating patellas. She had surgery a week later getting both done at the same time.

I'm glad you got there, I so hope she is doing better soon, please let us know her status...I hope you and your husband are settling now that you know shes in good hands....

Continuing prayers for your sweet girl.

forgive me if I missed this but I did not see where you mentioned xrays or mri type tests, did you have those done. About 12 years ago one of my yorkies back legs went out and it turned out she had a tumor pressing on her spinal cord. I would think your vet would have done xrays and if he did I am sorry but I must have missed if you said that.
What wonderful parents you are to travel so far to see a specialist, glad you have the support of your DH my prayers are with you that you get good answers.

Sending prayers for sweet Cali and her family. Best wishes for a positive diagnosis and treatment and that Cali will have a successful recovery.

UPDATE:
We met with the doctors this afternoon and they are still not sure what is going on but her EMG (muscle biopsy) showed a reactionary response versus a spontaneous response. This means that something is causing her nervous system to overreact (a toxin of some sort) instead of it just being a disease. I'm much relieved b/c the disease would have a poor prognosis...not much they can do for it. So they are treating her as if she has tetanus (clostridium) but they aren't sure if that is exactly what is causing this. They are giving her Penicillin, muscle relaxers, IV fluid, checking her calcium levels, and decreasing her stimulation. My poor baby had a temp of 105...vet said 103 is worrisome but 105 is way too high. They put her on a cooling blanket and got her temp down. We got to see her and hold her. Just giving her love was so worth it. I sent a sleep shirt of mine to go with her to ICU. Also, her sister (Mia) got to see her...she is here with us in the hotel and has been a trooper through all of this.

Thanks to all for your support and I'll take any prayers you have left. I'll keep everyone posted. Supposed to get a vet call tonight...

P.S. I specifically asked the vet about xrays and spinal cord injury versus tumor issues and he said it wasn't likely given her presentation or they would look for that. Still not saying it isn't a possibility, just highly unlikely given her presentation.

Oh Pink Dog (sorry don't know your irl name!!) I'm so sorry shes going through this...poor baby, I can't believe her temp got so high, I don't know you or your babies but I really am feeling for ya, I will pray and keep looking for updates. Sounds like these docs are on the right path, amazing what our poor pups (and us) go through...good wishes, more prayers....

Continued prayers for Cali and her family. Sounds like she is in great hands! :)

How worrisome and distressing this is! I'm going to take my vet's admonishment about weight more seriously now... my little guy is 6# now and really looks and feels strong, but my vet wants him to be no more than 5# because he says Yorkie knees will give out with any excess weight. I sure don't want to go through this scary episode a few years from now. I guess Max and I will have to go on a diet.

Another Update: her calcium was extremely low which could contribute to her symptoms. They gave her 2 doses of IV calcium and started her on a Valium-type drip. She was about to go to sleep before the doc left so she appeared comfortable). Vet said they are going ahead with the tetanus treatment but will be looking for a cause of her low calcium. I have no idea what could cause a low calcium in dogs. Anyway, they will call me in the morning and hopefully we can make a visit to see her...I can't wait.

Again, I can't thank all of you enough for the thoughts and prayers. I want you to know that I say a prayer for each and every one of you in return. I ask God that you may all be blessed for being such a wonderful support.

Till tomorrow...

Yes, weight is a very important issue. Especially for these little dogs where even 1/2# can make a world of difference. My husband uses portion contols to feed our babies so that they stay at a healthy weight and we never feed them table food. They also don't get "treated" alot...we give them a dental treat every night that helps keep their teeth clean and they love it. You & Max can diet together, you may be more successful that way! :D

I am just seeing this thread and wanted to offer up prayers for Cali. I hope the treatment plan works to get this sweet baby better.

Thinking of you and hope the night went okay and your little girl is more comfortable, temp has gone down this morning, at the hospital with the treatments.

Praying for you.

Still praying for Cali!!!!

Praying for your family and Cali :hands:

Just checking on Cali, hoping shes better today, prayers from our house to yours.

Thank you all soooo much!

Here is the morning update: she didn't really change overnight so they think the low calcium was inconsequential even though they gave her some through IV last night. They are doing a true muscle biopsy & muscle test this morning...she may even be finished by now. They are covering all bases by checking for a muscular disease (they consulted with internal medicine & this is where they wanted to go). They are still treating her for tetany but are skeptical that this is what the problem could be. I hate that she must undergo anesthesia but as long as they make her better, I'm good. We got to visit with her for 15 min prior to the procedure. She was like my same healthy girl but with tight stiff legs (spasms), an IV, and some tape on her ponytail...this alerts them to the fact that she has cotton balls in her ears to decrease stimulation. She gave lots of kisses to all of us, including little sis Mia.

It's amazing that I can love something so much that is so small!!!

Cali did want me to thank you all for the prayers and well wishes. I will post updates later. :animal-pa

Wow! Just catching up on this thread... hope they figure out what is going on... prayers being sent up for your little Cali.

We are thinking of Cali... Hope they can figure out what is going on.

I am still praying for Cali!

Do you know why the vets ruled out a neurological disorder? Like, what in her presentation makes them think it's not it? She just sounds an awful lot like my Layla whose issues were caused by a ruptured disk in her back damaging her spinal cord.

I hope they figure out what it is soon, but I'm glad Cali still seems to be in good spirits, at least well enough to give her mommy kisses! I know very well how strong these little ones are, and how well they can adjust to any situation!

My thoughts are with you... stay strong!!

UPDATE: so yes..I actually asked the vet today if they should do an xray or something to check her spinal cord or any issues such as that but she said her presentation did not indicate a spinal injury or anything going wrong in the spine. They are leaning more towards a muscular disease (which I am completely dreading as some of these can be progressive...like Lou Gehrig's disease in humans). Anyway, they are just giving her supportive care and trying to get her little legs to relax. She is still on a valium drip, getting slow hydration, and they will be trying Robaxin (a muscle relaxer) in order to get her spasms under control. She looked so pitiful on this evening visit, she smelled like hospital...I hate that! She was still slightly out of it from the anesthesia though. Her muscle biopsy results will come back some time next week as they are being sent to UC Davis. I keep telling her it will be alright and she will get better and she just looks up at me with her big brown eyes and tilts her head like she understands. I'm so worried...

Keeping Cali in my prayers. Hugs to you.

I am praying for Cali. Hope the treatments help her soon.

Prayers for Cali and you. ((hugs))

just so I understand, since here problems started did they ever x ray her. If not I know I am not a vet but I can't help but wonder given the amount of money your are spending if an exray would be worth it just to rule one more thing out. Prayers headed your way.

Neurologists know exactly what to look for based upon neuro exams. They follow the clues...that is why a physical exam is so important.

I feel the same way...I'm a nurse and we do xrays on everyone. When I asked she seemed to think it would be pointless. I was going to wait to see how she responds to treatment (her muscles were more relaxed from the valium drip). And see what the muscle biopsies show next week. But I don't really understand why no xray. Another thing is her bladder & bowels. She hasn't gone peepee on her own since Monday (when she was slightly mobile Monday morning) and no BM since Saturday (she did have one today but it happened incidently when they were expressing her bladder). They couldn't tell me if she is having retention of bladder/bowels or if she is holding it because she is potty trained. I'm sooooo frustrated. My husband and I cry all throughout the day. I find all of you so wonderful and a good support. I'm tired of not knowing...it will be a full week tomorrow! UGGHHH!!!! :cry8: