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

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by lillymae

She doesn't look to be afraid at all. I can't remember now but did they check her thyroid when this whole thing started ?

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.

[Pink Dog]

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!!!
Cali's first laser treatment.jpg

Cali's first laser.jpg

[Maximo]

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.

[AllDogBoots]

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.

[Pink Dog]

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).

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by Maximo

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.

Cali says...."Woof Woof"

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

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

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.

Thank you so much!

For everything!

[lillymae]

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.

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by lillymae

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).

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

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.

[Pink Dog]

Originally Posted by lillymae

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.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Pink Dog

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.

[Pink Dog]

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!

[Pink Dog]

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.

[ladyjane]

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