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

[lynzy420]

We're waiting with you...Team Cali...

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Did they suggest a MRI??? I thought not. Anesthesia is indeed a concern with CT...I have been through that with pups. Almost lost one after cervical disc surgery because of his CT.

But....I am thinking that if they thought it was needed, they would suggest it no matter what. You have neuro vets examining her and also posting her information on list serve...hard for me to believe they would miss something THAT obvious...a need for MRI. Unless it is just the risk of anesthesia?

The first neuro/ortho vet said he could do a myelogram but was extremely skeptical as he felt her presentation was atypical and wanted all work-up to be done under the same umbrella. He suggested MSU and Dr. Shores specifically. What's great is that we only saw him this one time (last week) and he called us today to check on her. When we got to MSU, they immediately thought (after 1 hour exam): 1. Tetany 2. Cushings (which her Ca was low) 3. Other toxins They never thought ortho issues. I would still like it checked if nothing else is found but the listserv is getting responses of some type of muscle disease. It's great b/c Dr. Beasley actually posted a video of her (not just pics with a written patho report).

[Pink Dog]

UPDATE: I missed Katelyn's call.....UGH!!!! My ringer was off b/c I had a meeting this afternoon and forgot to turn it back on. My mind is all over the place. Anyway, I called the ICU and they said I missed her even though she left me a message that Cali was fine with no changes. The best part was the girl in ICU said, "We are holding her right now, brushing her hair. She is such a sweet girl". I felt so relieved. She's getting great attention and they all love her! Till tomorrow...

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

The first neuro/ortho vet said he could do a myelogram but was extremely skeptical as he felt her presentation was atypical and wanted all work-up to be done under the same umbrella. He suggested MSU and Dr. Shores specifically. What's great is that we only saw him this one time (last week) and he called us today to check on her. When we got to MSU, they immediately thought (after 1 hour exam): 1. Tetany 2. Cushings (which her Ca was low) 3. Other toxins They never thought ortho issues. I would still like it checked if nothing else is found but the listserv is getting responses of some type of muscle disease. It's great b/c Dr. Beasley actually posted a video of her (not just pics with a written patho report).

Yeah, well unless you just want to toss at least $1,000 or more away........

I think I would listen to the vets! If they all are saying the same thing, I think I would go with them.

I am all about asking questions, but also about respecting the knowledge of specialists...and when that many are saying it....well, I for one would not be looking to throw my money away. Just me. Not to mention the added risk of anesthesia on a pup with CT for a test that probably is not going to show anything.

[chestermama]

Praying for you, Im just seeing it tonight

[wakieberg]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

My Cali has had a healthy life. But about a week ago her back legs startedslipping. We have concrete floors that can be really slick so my husbandthought her paws needed trimming (we did that). The next day she had troublegetting up and she would occassionally fall...especially if she tried to puther front paws on the first step or raise in the upright position. The next dayshe was worse and we brought her to the vet. He says it is bilateral medialsubluxating patella and likely inflammed ligaments. Treatment is 5 days ofNSAID. However, the next day (Saturday) she seemed even worse. She looks likeBambi on ice (just can't get her back legs to work).

I have a horrible gut feeling that this is more than the patella issue b/cwhy would she have trouble on both legs at once? Then again, I could be just anoverprotective mommy.

Has anyone had any experience with this that can offer me reassurance? Ijust want to know that we are dealing with the right thing and that she willget better. Any advice? TIA

*NOTE: this is my 4th attempt at posting this so please excuse any others asI do not see them posted. Also, I finally found the search button and read up on MLP but had no clue it could cause this much disability...does this sound right?

She needs back surgery, its a pinched nerve or slipped vertebrae. My late Skeeter had this problem a few years back. My vet said to put him down but I couldn't. I took him to a specialist in Dallas who did the surgery. 3500 later and few months recovery, he was back to his old self just a lil crooked sometimes...poor babies they are so fragile. Hope this helps.

[wakieberg]

i posted a quick reply before reading all, anyway, i'll be praying for your baby

[Bitsy]

Hoping your baby is doing better everyday! Hang in there!!!

[lillymae]

IMO, 9+ days has been plenty of time to make a diagnosis & from what I see here, they are no closer now then they were when this whole thing started. I do not consider Any diagnostics to be a waste of money if it will get the dog 1 step closer to a diagnosis or to rule out 1 & recovery. JMO

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lillymae

IMO, 9+ days has been plenty of time to make a diagnosis & from what I see here, they are no closer now then they were when this whole thing started. I do not consider Any diagnostics to be a waste of money if it will get the dog 1 step closer to a diagnosis or to rule out 1 & recovery. JMO

Well, sometimes things are not as simple as we would like them to be. She has been there since the 29th and that is 6 days, not 9+. They are waiting on lab results. I am quite sure that the vets wish they had a diagnosis as well; but to order any test just on a whim without a reason would not be prudent on their part. Veterinary medicine is not a stab in the dark science...they follow the clues. Clearly the clues are not pointing them in your direction. At least that is what I am getting from what the OP is saying.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Well, sometimes things are not as simple as we would like them to be. She has been there since the 29th and that is 6 days, not 9+. They are waiting on lab results. I am quite sure that the vets wish they had a diagnosis as well; but to order any test just on a whim without a reason would not be prudent on their part. Veterinary medicine is not a stab in the dark science...they follow the clues. Clearly the clues are not pointing them in your direction. At least that is what I am getting from what the OP is saying.

This is Not about me, it is about the pup. Please feel free not to quote or respond to my posts if you cannot do it without sarcasm.

[dkcombs]

I am so sorry to hear about your baby!! I hope and pray you get the answers soon. It is so hard seeing your little one in pain. Stay strong!!!

[kjc]

JMHO: Were Xrays ever done on this pup? Seems 1st vet guessed and treated for patellas, then pup went to a specialist. Usually basic diagnostics are done prior to seeing a specialist, many specialists expect this.

And I get the part about a 'neuro dept', but LSU has neuros on call, and they do see dogs on an emergency basis(ADB/Max). Don't know why the vet said 'but he advised against it b/c it would take longer to see specialist and they would put her in a cage.' This sounds very lame to me. Both have ER and referrals to be seen asap.

One point of going to a university is that most have labs onsite... don't get why these results are taking so long. Even my vet can put blood through STAT and get results quickly. Another point is so that a diagnosis can be made quickly, with all the resources being at hand.

Clues are great, if you recognize them and interpret them correctly. Sounds like they're looking for zebras...

At this point, I'd get a 2nd opinion at LSU. It's closer to the OP where at least they could visit their baby more often.

[ladyjane]

My understanding is that these were specialized muscle tests. As I am sure you are aware different labs do different types of these specialized tests.

Not sure where they sent them, but according to this they can take 7 - 10 days:

http://www.cvm.umn.edu/umec/lab/home.html

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by lillymae

This is Not about me, it is about the pup. Please feel free not to quote or respond to my posts if you cannot do it without sarcasm.

I was not being sarcastic and this is an open forum. You stated your humble opinion and I stated mine. No need to argue here...this IS about Cali. And, about the OP who is stressed enough.