3 year old Yorkie not at all well, brain?
 

Hi all,

I own a little boy called gizmo, he's a tiny yorkie and we have had him since he was 5 months old after rescuing him from an awful home, well his 5th home actually.

About two weeks ago he started crying out and yelping if you so much as moved fast next to him. From the 15th of this month he has completely changed in personality. He won't play with our other boy, who's the same age, minpin, he is lethargic, looks scared all the time, cries out horrendously when we lift him or if our other boy goes to go near him etc etc....he was always playful, loving and a joy to be around.

We have had him up the vets twice this week now, they started treating him for a suspected ear infection but no change, took him back yesterday and he had a full blood count which is all normal as is his temperature. They gave him a steroid shot which they said may start working in 48hrs but as of this morning still no change.

He's eating and drinking but only if you take it to him, he's toileting as normal but scared to go up and down the steps now which has never been an issue.

We lost our rottie three years ago to a brain tumor and I am frightened to death we are going down the same road. I feel the vet has no idea what he is doing, I know it is difficult with dogs to diagnose as they can't tell us but I just feel so helpless.

We are in the UK.

Get him to a neurologist vet specialist right away! Keep him in a kennel to keep him safe till the neuro sees him. Best of luck.
I can't emphasize enough.... do this now!

Prayers! Keep us posted.

I asked for a specialist as our Rottie was referred but the vet won't refer until he's tried this latest steroid......it's so frustrating, I even emphasised that it was similar signs that our Rottie had. Although he went down hill after a number of months. Giz however was almost overnight which I just don't understand? thanks x

You definitely need to get Gizmo to a neurologist as soon as you can! Will keep you and him in my thoughts and prayers.

Almost sounds like he is having trouble with eyesite. My old dog who has cataracts use to do those things when she fist started having trouble seeing. But its so hard to tell. I agree with the others. please take him to the neurologist.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Why do they suspect he has an ear infection? They should be able to look at a sample under the microscope and tell for sure. To me it sounds like he's having pain somewhere. Did they check for neck or back pain?

I agree, treat this pup like a China Doll till you get to a specialist. You can take your dog to the specialist without a referral. Call them yourself ASAP. This pup could have AAI or Chiari & without Prompt & proper treatment you could loose him.

FYI Chiari is often misdiagnosed as a brain tumor & both Yorkies & Rotties are prone to this deformity. Chiari can not be diagnosed without an MRI.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

If for some reason you do need a referral, go to a different vet and get it, or if there is a vet school you could go to...

This should be considered an emergency and handling should be limited to only what is necessary to obtain a diagnosis. If AAI/AAS, special X-rays need to be done to rule these out.

Steroids may decrease his symptoms, but will not fix the problem.

Gizzy has picked up this morning, he's more alert, does not have the terrified look in his eyes and is scratching and cleaning himself again, all the things he has not done in almost a week.

He has also just shared some of my lunch with me that he was lovingly looking at! He has not so much as been bothered with me eating the last few days whereas he normally sits and stares at every mouthful.

So fingers hugely crossed that he is on the mend and it is not the steroids masking the issue, we will give him a few days as the vet said and then see where we are at. If there are further issues we will get him to the specialist. He also hasn't yelped once today yet which is a huge improvement.

Sending prayers...

Exactly!:thumbup:

Sending you lots and lots and lots of huge prayers. :love: