HELP! My 7 y/o girl can't use her back legs

[KendraE]

Still sending prayers your way!

[Pink Dog]

UPDATE: Thanks all! I think about little Dessa all the time too! Cali is in such great spirits and as long as she's happy, I can't complain. Although my husband & I pray together every night for her because I do want her to walk again. Lily...I asked my vet about MRI and he decided against it at this time. He said that he wants her back on the meds first to see if they help b/c she did improve significantly when we brought her home. After that, maybe he'll recommend the MRI.

Her true diagnosis: Neuromyotonia, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves that control peripheral muscles. Luckily her back legs have been the only thing truly affected.

[lillymae]

I'm not sure how they can say that they have made a true diagnosis when all diagnostic tools have not been utilized yet to rule out other things.
With neuro symptoms such as Calis an MRI is a pretty crucial part of a firm diagnosis.

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by lillymae

I'm not sure how they can say that they have made a true diagnosis when all diagnostic tools have not been utilized yet to rule out other things.
With neuro symptoms such as Calis an MRI is a pretty crucial part of a firm diagnosis.

I'm not sure why MSU never did one. I'm scared to do one now b/c she is so happy. Her legs are getting less tense each day she is on the meds so I'm waiting to see if they truly make a difference (like my vet is thinking). The chiro felt that an MRI would be OK but didn't think it was crucial to do right away. I just get so frustrated for Cali not being more mobile than she is. Ironically, it doesn't bother her, LOL!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

I'm not sure why MSU never did one. I'm scared to do one now b/c she is so happy. Her legs are getting less tense each day she is on the meds so I'm waiting to see if they truly make a difference (like my vet is thinking). The chiro felt that an MRI would be OK but didn't think it was crucial to do right away. I just get so frustrated for Cali not being more mobile than she is. Ironically, it doesn't bother her, LOL!

I may be out of line here... but should an MRI show a specific problem, then her meds would be more geared towards resolving that specific problem.

Just bouncing this around in my head... but why Dilantin? To control seizures? Where did the seizures come from? Too much pressure from fluid in her skull? Prednisone reduces the fluid buildup in the skull, which would stop the seizures. She did worse off the prednisone? And doing better now that she's back on it? Crossing hind legs is a neurological sign that things are not right (I'll have to look this one up). Vallium is an antispasmotic, to help the stiffness in her legs? (My DD takes both Dilantin and Vallium) I am going in circles with all this bc I am not a vet, lol.

In summary, I think she's on too many meds trying to control the same things, but to decide what to eliminate, futher testing may be beneficial. JMHO.

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by kjc

I may be out of line here... but should an MRI show a specific problem, then her meds would be more geared towards resolving that specific problem.

Just bouncing this around in my head... but why Dilantin? To control seizures? Where did the seizures come from? Too much pressure from fluid in her skull? Prednisone reduces the fluid buildup in the skull, which would stop the seizures. She did worse off the prednisone? And doing better now that she's back on it? Crossing hind legs is a neurological sign that things are not right (I'll have to look this one up). Vallium is an antispasmotic, to help the stiffness in her legs? (My DD takes both Dilantin and Vallium) I am going in circles with all this bc I am not a vet, lol.

In summary, I think she's on too many meds trying to control the same things, but to decide what to eliminate, futher testing may be beneficial. JMHO.

Hahaha!!! It can get confusing and don't worry about being out of line....I welcome all opinions! Here's the gist: She was diagnosed with Neuromyotonia, which is rarely seen in humans, much less animals. The first line of treatment is Dilantin. The reason is unknown. So MSU started Dilantin. The disease is thought to be caused as an autoimmune disorder...thus the Prednisone. The valium is something they started her on from the moment we brought her in because she was having tetany-like spasms and it completely relaxed her. She's been on it ever since and we can't wean her although we never really tried. The reason she is on all 3 again is b/c we got her off the Pred/Dilantin but then she digressed from all the progress she made. The crossing of the legs happened some when we brought her home but she was on all the meds then and showed marked improvement. Once we weaned her off all but the Valium, she declined and started crossing her legs permanently. Thus, my vet said to try the Pred/Dilantin again. MSU started them together so it was never certain which of the two (if not both) helped her. She's been on both for about a week or so and her legs are showing some improvement. We are just waiting to see what happens. Sorry so long-winded... =(

[Miss Sadie]

Hi Pink
I just joined because I wanted to share about my baby Sadie. She woke up one morning not right. After 2 1/2 weeks of seizures and her not being able to walk straight and then couldn't get up at all, 6 vet visits found us at a neurologist. After an MRI it was found she had auto immune disease. She was 11 mos when it started and right after meds she has shown a dramatic turn around.

[Pink Dog]

It is nice to meet you Sadie! Thanks for the input. Given our industrialized society and all the things we are exposed to these day, I feel autoimmune disorders will be the new epidemic in humans. This will also filter down to our animals, sadly.

UPDATE: Cali is off the Prednisone...too many side effects and it wasn't helping. However, we increased her dose of Dilantin and I'm seeing more relaxation in her legs. The crossing is still there but less severe when she is relaxed. We are going to try and wean her Valium very, very slowly as she has already built a tolerance and I've found that it can cause limb weakness.

Otherwise, she's the same happy puppy with a spirit of strength. She has learned to "run" of sorts, on her folded back legs. She looks much like a seal but she doesn't mind. We are doing our best to get her walking again and we are going to possibly get her a wheelchair so that she can walk around better at times (not to wear permanently though). Her skin is doing great despite her hopping on her hind end and urinating on it daily...we use baby wipes to clean the urine away and wash her with shampoo/conditioner occassionally to clean all the urine.

[yorkiemini]

Sorry, came into this late -- any physical therapy going on?
Praying for your baby

[Pink Dog]

Hi Yorkiemini,
Yes, we did physical therapy. But I was told by the vet that the best thing for her recovery was taking her to walk in the grass and letting her play tug-of-war with us or Mia. However, she can't walk anymore.

I'm praying for her to walk again though, even if it isn't perfect.

[concretegurl]

I just finished reading this whole thread.

You're amazing for hanging in there, I've been through the confusing medical issue situation myself frustrating is an understatement.

Personally to my own financial detrament but no regrets I sought every test abd pusged for it despite it being not primarily concerning to vets at the time, I souggt second and third opinions - when it comes to our babies health dont worry about a professions feelings IMO.

Elvis had issues with vallium so I think maybe the tummy upset could hace be from it?

I don't know how useful it would be but if an MRI could lead aid I'd push for it.

Did they ever ask for a list if toys treats vacs meds food she had prior to thia condition?

I'm reading what they were leaning towards in diagnosis and it all see
ams exposute to a foreign substance could be the culprit.
Glad Mia has been okay through this it must be hard on her too.
I hope you get answers soon so a treatment of the cause can be discovered.

Hang in there.

[Pink Dog]

Hi! Yes they assessed all the things she could have been exposed to, including meds and chemicals, etc. I'm not sure I want to put her through an MRI, she's so happy now. If something happens I may look into it. But right now, if the meds work then I'll be happy. I may ask her vet when we go back but I hate to "mess" with her happy little self by putting her under anesthesia again.

[Miss Sadie]

Hi Pink Dog
I understand not wanting to put her under again if she is doing well. My little one was not so I took the chance and was glad I did. She had 3 lesions in her brain and swelling. Now you could could never tell what was going on just 2 1/2 mos ago. Sadie has a checkup tomorrow and hopefully we can start weaning her off her chemo meds. Good luck with your baby.

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by Miss Sadie

Hi Pink Dog
I understand not wanting to put her under again if she is doing well. My little one was not so I took the chance and was glad I did. She had 3 lesions in her brain and swelling. Now you could could never tell what was going on just 2 1/2 mos ago. Sadie has a checkup tomorrow and hopefully we can start weaning her off her chemo meds. Good luck with your baby.

Thank you! I hope Sadie does well and can come off chemo without any problems!

[yorkienani]

Just checking in on sweet Cali. I am keeping her and all of your family in my thoughts and prayers!!! I hope she keeps improving!!! Hugs and kisses from Dessa!!!