HELP! My 7 y/o girl can't use her back legs 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? |
I had answered one of your other threads. I'd also be very concerned that it's both legs. It is "possible", but not absolutely certain that this isn't her legs at all, but a neurological issue. Because the pup isn't in front of us, I don't think anybody here can say for sure. But I do think that an immediate (by immediate I mean right now) visit to a vet that will look farther into this is warranted. With neuro issues, depending on origin, waiting can mean the difference between full recovery and not recovering at all. While so many things could make back legs start to give out, my major immediate concern is a spinal problem. So, I'd say go straight to a vet that will take this very seriously just in case. |
Is there an orthopedic specialist in your area or a vet school you could take her to? |
I am so sorry poor baby |
I think her luxating patella may just be really bad. Sounds like she would really benefit from surgery. Have you talked to your vet about that? Sending good wishes to your little one. |
Quote:
Quote:
|
Sorry to hear about your doggie!!! The same thing happened to my Skittles who is 5. He was fine one day totally no use of his back legs the next. We took him immediately to hospital where he had spine surgery. He had a disc herniating on his spine and they told us the quicker we have the surgery the better his results would be. He is doing really well. I hope that it is not the same with yours but I would immediately have him looked at by a specialist asap. Sometimes waiting can affect the rest of their life.It was very scary!!! My other dog has had 2 luxating patella surgeries and what you are describing sounds nothing like it at all. When he started holding up his good leg I took him directly to the hospital because I believe there are certain things out of the vets expertise. Good luck !!! |
Thanks to everyone....I brought baby girl back to the vet this am. He watched her walk & thought it is still the patella but wasn't ready to rule out neuro either. He got on the phone with ortho/neuro surgeon in my area and I have an appt tomorrow at 9am. They told me to keep her NPO cause they do surgeries in the afternoons & depending on the findings....they even do onsite preop labs. I'm somewhat relieved but still concerned. Thanks again & I appreciate any prayers that are sent our way! :aimeeyork |
This could be her knees, but also could be neurological. Either way, if she were mine, I would be at a specialist asap for a second opinion. Either a neurologist...or an ortho surgeon. |
I'm about to pull my hair out!!! Went to specialist today and he feels it is defintiely neuro and out of his comfort zone. He said he has never seen a case with her symptoms. He wants me to go to a university vet school that has a renowned neurosurgery dept but it's 4 hours away and the appt isn't until next Monday. I want to scream!!! We can't wait that long...she gets worse everyday. I have my primary vet working on trying to get her in tomorrow (which is what this specialist recommended) but if not, we are going to a local neuro doc and getting a spinal tap. I can't sit here and watch her decline while I do nothing. I appreciate all the input. Please pray for us...my husband isn't taking this well either. |
I'm so sorry. I agree with not waiting a week. This is an emergency situation in my opinion. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
I'm not far from LSU but unfortunately the specialist did not recommend them because they don't have specialized neurosurgery (the kind that Cali would need)...I specifically asked about LSU. He recommended Miss. State. Also, I even suggested to "show up" at MSU as in an emergency situation to my vet but he advised against it b/c it would take longer to see specialist and they would put her in a cage. We have until today at 4pm CST to hear if we get the appt tomorrow. Pray that we do!!! |
Quote:
I hope you do get the appointment! |
If they feel she is bad enough off, the neuro would see her early. I would just go to the vet school of your vets choice as an emergency today. Depending on what it is, continued deterioration even for just another day could seriously affect ability to recover. It sounded very neuro to me. I'd be concerned that the vet didn't catch that a long time ago. I'm sorry. :( |
I would talk to a neurologist as soon as possible, just call and see if you can talk to someone on the phone. I didn't act quickly enough with my dog's neuro problems and she is now paraplegic and uses a cart to get around. I totally regret not acting sooner! Time is so important, and the sooner you can see a specialist, the better off your baby will be. Please, in the meantime, make sure she is not moving. She will just be aggravating it and that is probably why she is getting worse. Keeping her still is the best thing you can do for her right now. |
My close friend "Petey" the dog, presented exactly the same symptoms you are describing. While I know it could be any of a number of things, I just can't help but wonder if this has been discussed by your vet at all? It was called "CARTILAGENOUS EMBOLISM", while it looks serious (to the point I seriously believed he would have to be put down) with steroids and antibiotics, he is now almost fully recovered, it has been about 6 months. Please discuss this with your vet. |
Fibrocartilaginous Embolism Heres some good information about it (sorry I didn't get the exact name above) but here is a link. Also, Petey is a 9lb. Yorkie |
Quote:
We were talking about when it happened and how. Petey is a very active little guy, he was running around playing, went for a walk and came in jumped up on the couch (very low). It was a Friday afternoon and her vet closed early and of course was not in that weekend. On Sunday she was beside herself and thought it was his knees. I went over to her house and was astounded, this poor little guy could barely stand, his hind legs kept collapsing, she looked at me and was crying "he's getting worse" I told her she had to go to the emergency vet right away. She did, they did not diagnose it accurately. Back to her vet on Monday and it was diagnosed by them. They said its more common in larger dogs etc., but is not as uncommon in Yorkies as people think, because of their longer bodies. They were very good and gave steroids etc., Petey's mom had to buy a side rail for the bed so he didn't try to jump down, which he couldn't. I honestly think it seemed worse each day because it was so hard for him to adapt as he wanted to go ...but his body didn't etc. It was pathetic, and the pathetic lasted for a very long time, and eventually you saw improvement a wee bit at a time... I have no idea if your baby has this, I'm just offering it up as info. It wouldn't hurt to ask the vet?? I feel so bad for you and your husband, I know what you are going through and I truly hope this is resolved soon. Please keep us posted. p.s. let me reiterate to you that Petey is fantastic today and only those of us who know about the condition can see it, I would honestly say he is 85% cured.. |
Hi All! Thank you so much for all of the info/posts. We got our appointment and are headed to Mississippi at 5am. I will be so relieved once we know what this is....I just want to know what kind of decision to make with her & get her some relief. I will check out that cartilagenous embolism, as well, just to be informed. I'll mention it to the vet. Thanks for that. Having said all that, Cali had an episode a few hours ago...started panting, her stiff back legs were jumping (spasm-like) and her temperature was up. I laid her on my bed and blow-dried her on COOL to offer her some relief and that's when it happened.......she FINALLY peed! I was happy and sad at the same time. It was almost like she was having autonomic dysreflexia...a reaction that humans have when they have spinal cord injuries and have a full bladder or bowel. That's my next fear...her last bowel movement was Saturday evening. She hasn't had a lot to eat but she certainly should have pooped by now. Sorry so long winded. All of you are a Godsend! Thank you! |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Thank you so much! She's actually been better since she peed....just laying in the stroller (Yes, I have a stroller and thank God I do) looking up at me so sweet-like. ~POSITIVE THOUGHTS~ |
Prayers for Cali....have a safe trip! |
I will keep your baby in my prayer for a full recovery. Let us know what the specialist says. |
Just said a prayer for Cali. Wishing you well today. Please keep us updated. :hug: |
Thinking of you today! I'm sending my prayers. Please let us know when you find out what's going on! |
Praying for Cali! :hug: |
Sending prayers for you and Cali today. I hope you can get some answers finally. Hugs, Bonny |
All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:15 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use