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03-27-2012, 01:54 PM | #1 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lemoore, CA
Posts: 1
| Newly diagnosed back trouble in 7 year old Yorkie? Hello, I'm new to this forum. I have a 7 1/2 year old female Yorkie, Paris, who's been pretty sick this weekend. We "think" we have in narrowed down to a back problem, but I wanted to see what you guys think. Some history: I've owned her for about 3-4 years, since we adopted her from a breeding kennel. For about the last year she's started having these "episodes", mostly at night, where she will tremble and pant like crazy. I took her to the vet and she could find nothing wrong with her. We suspected low blood sugar, so I tried to give her extra food at night, or nutra-cal if she had a bout. The military vet thought it could be seizures, but it didn't look that way to me. Also maybe anxiety as some dogs in the neighborhood have had it due to some small explosions that have been going off (orchards scaring away birds) lately. The episodes were 1-2 times a month at first, but recently had increased to maybe 1-2 times a week. Oh and she's been hard to potty train, and strangest of all, sometimes she will be laying in my lap on the couch and will pee on me. It's as if she has no idea she's even doing it - it just comes out. I've suspected that was due to a health problem, but wasn't sure. I've been trying to get her in to the base vet for tests and teeth cleaning, but hadn't been able to yet. Then on Friday she began having and episode and it got VERY bad and did not go away. She also had no appetite and wasn't pottying or drinking much. She was obviously in a lot of pain and distress, so Saturday I took her to the vet. He did a full blood workup and x-rays, and found nothing wrong with her, except that her teeth needed cleaning. He thought she was having pain from the teeth, so he gave her an antibiotic and I was going to take her in this week to get cleaned. (I'd been trying for months to get her in to the base vet for cleaning, with no luck.) We also suspected a gastrointestinal upset, since she had been in the kennel a few days previously, and I had forgotten to take her food for her. Well by Sunday she was even worse, so I took her to the ER vet. The did all the same tests, and found that her "pipes" were very clogged up. He gave her an enema and she immediately started feeling better. BUT by Monday AM she was distressed and anorexic again, so back to the vet we went. This time I asked him to check her urine, which he did. He suspected either kidney stones or back pain, as she is very tense in her abdomen and hesitant to jump around or even go over the back door threshold. He took a urine sample and gave her a pain shot and pain pills. He also told me NOT to let her jump around, even if she wants to because the pain meds are working, as it could cause more damage. Well after the shot took effect she was a new dog! NO more trembling or panting and she had her appetite back. She was good all night, until about 10:00 this morning, when , I assume, the shot wore off. Then it was back to as before - shaking, panting and not eating. I gave her the pill and within an hour she was good again. So definitely some pain going on - the question was, where. Then he called to say the urine was all good. So it must be her back, after all. So now we think we have the answer, the question is, what to expect next. And have other dogs with back problems had this history: intermittent pain that increases over time, occasional loss of bladder control, etc? And will she get better or worse? only time will tell, I guess. I'd love some input from other Yorkie owners. I am a long-time Cocker Spaniel owner - I've had nothing but Cockers for 30 years (used to breed them) - until one of my (adult) kids got this little Yorkie and I fell in love with her! My daughter soon discovered that she actually doesn't like dogs (must take after her dad), and that they aren't just cute little stuffed animals, and so Paris became mine. I actually discovered I liked this breed more than Cockers in some ways. (So much easier to groom! And I can carry her around like a baby, which I can't do with my fat old Cocker!) And I certainly love this little dog, as bad as she can be sometimes! (She is a chicken and duck killer!) So I want to know how to best care for her, but I'm not as familiar with the health problems of Yorkies as I am with Cocker concerns. I've read about it, but not experienced it yet like I have with my Cockers over the years, so any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kim |
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03-27-2012, 02:55 PM | #2 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,866
| Hi and Welcome to YT! Did the vet check her anal glands? Yorkies are also prone to getting pancreatitis, and back pain and a tense tummy can be symptoms. Hope your vet can figure this out.... sounds like a few things going on with her.
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity Last edited by kjc; 03-27-2012 at 02:57 PM. |
03-27-2012, 03:20 PM | #3 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: long island, ny, usa
Posts: 115
| Hi ! That sounds like my dog Skittles who is a 6 year old Yorkie Poo who has back issues. He had spine surgery in July for a herniated disc. He had no symptoms prior- just became paralyzed one day. He does have episodes where he will pant and shake non-stop. It is definitely from pain in his back and sometimes I can even see his back spasm. He will not eat either. He will just lie on the floor in the corner crying. It is horrible. Sometimes a pain pill works but most of the time the only thing that makes 100 percent improvement in him his steroids. The difference is amazing. He becomes a totally new dog. Even though there are many complications of steroids I have decided with my vet that low dose of steroids are his only option to have any quality of life. Have you tried any steroids yet? |
03-28-2012, 08:08 AM | #4 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Hello Kim and welcome to YT. I personally would not try to guess what problems your little girl is having....I agree it is causing her much pain.....If it were me, I would take her to a vet school...I am always very quick to run to Texas AM vet college if I have ANY questions about an issue my dogs may be having....I have been blessed that I have not needed them for my Yorkies, but I have hot footed it up there several times with a couple of cats and a horse! Please keep us updated on what you find with your girl...we are all concerned and anticipate following your issue with your girl. |
03-28-2012, 02:12 PM | #5 |
Paris: Always in my ♥ Donating YT Member | Paris! My beloved Paris was the love of my life. I hope you can get to the bottom of your Paris' troubles. Welcome to the forum! |
03-29-2012, 09:24 AM | #6 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 1,190
| I have no answers for you but wanted to let you know we are thinking of you guys and praying for healing for Paris.
__________________ "I do not at all understand the mystery of grace-only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us"-Anne Lamott |
04-03-2012, 12:48 AM | #7 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Any updates on Paris?
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
04-03-2012, 04:21 AM | #8 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA
Posts: 8,040
| Welcome....so sorry for what you both are going through. Sending prayers for comfort to both you girl. Hope you can find direction for her care and well being.
__________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle |
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