Neurological problems, "wall walking" and "soldier stepping"
 

"Sorry this turned out so long!!!"

Hi all,
Thank you for having me. This is my first post here and I wish it was on happier terms. I felt it necessary to write this due to the lack of information I found on the internet when researching my Spike's problems.

Spike is my 11 year old love of my life. Up until this point I thought he was a healthy little Yorkie. He's led a pampered life, always goes to the vet for routine check ups, eats a very expensive raw diet, basically he's a little king :)

Throughout his life he's been a "wall walker" - rubbing against the wall, the couch, my pillows when I get out of bed, anything he can rub on. He also rubs his face with his paws and when he walks his little front legs make him look like a toy soldier. They're a bit stiffer than normal but it gives him the most adorable saunter when he trots.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. His back legs started becoming weak. He was falling going up and down the step from our kitchen to family room. He has luxated patellas so we figured it it was orthopedic and I made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor.

The day of the appointment he was laying on my lap sound asleep and woke screaming. His body curved backwards, his head tilted towards his spine, he began paddling with his legs and eyes rolled back. I rushed to get my keys while holding him and when he relaxed I put him on the floor to put on shoes. He was out of it, walking in a circle.

When I got to the vet they rushed him into the back and I fell apart. I waited what felt like forever and finally they called me in. A neurologist came in with Spike and sat on the floor with him. Spike had lost use of his right back leg. Dr Glass said he felt an MRI was needed to see what was going on because this wasn't orthopedic.

The next day I went to the vet to get Spike and the results of the MRI. To my horror Spike has a fluid buildup in a sinus in the brain so large that it pushed the tonsils of the cerebellum down into the spinal cavity. He has such degenerative disc disease that there's 6 herniated discs ... The MRI of his spine looked like a pearl necklace. The dr said this is not something that just happened, rather it's been with him all his life. The discs have been herniated for a long time also, otherwise Spike would be in agony. Basically he's learned to live with it.

Dr Glass began asking questions -
Does Spike rub or walk along walls?
Does Spike rub his face a lot?
Has Spike walked with stiff front legs all his life?

Yes, yes and yes. The dr explained these are signs of neurological issues. The front legs are sometimes referred to as "soldier stepping". He said we would wait two weeks and revisit this. In the meantime if he has another episode it's not an emergency unless he's not coming out of it.

I took my baby home and cried... And cried, and cried. How could I have him 11 years and let him be in pain? How long did he suffer before he got used to the pain?

He wouldn't move without my aid for a week. He was scared and confused and when he did get up he would fall back down. I held his right side so he could go to the bathroom without falling in it. I hand fed him. Then one day when I put him on his blanket in the morning he got up and followed me while I made his breakfast. He was slow and fell a few times, but he followed me. The next day was a little better and I even took him for a walk. He would hop on three legs. A few more days and he was putting pressure on the leg. By time the dr appointment came around last Friday he was almost walking normally.

The dr was so happy to see Spike walking and exclaimed, "My little man with the fluid on his brain has his life back!" He explained that the fluid can buildup or drain and if it gets bad we can begin steroids, but he's hoping Spike can hold out another 5 or 6 years without it. He will never be normal nor will this ever go away, but take it one day at a time. If he was younger they could do brain surgery to correct it, but with Spike's age the dr didn't think it would be a good idea. I told the dr if there was even the slightest feeling that surgery would be good I wouldn't care if I needed to sell my house, we would go ahead. Not needed at his age I was told.

So as I write this Spike is once again on my lap, where the story began. I take everyday with him as a gift. This 6lb creature has given me more joy than anything ever has.

I wanted to write this because throughout his life I've searched the internet about wall walking and his stiff legs. I never saw anything about it being a possible sign of neurological problems. This is not to say every dog who does this has a problem, but don't rule it out if there's lethargy, other odd behaviors, or what seems like a seizure involved.

Again, sorry this turned into a novel... It was healing to me as much as it is something I hope helps another Yorkie mommy or daddy out there. :aimeeyork

Welcome to YT and I'm both sad and happy you found us at this trying time with Spike. It sounds like the neurologist has a good idea of the problem and about Spike's quality of life right now. It seems medications can be used later, if needed. I know how you feel to have your little darling aging and not feeling well as I recently went through a similar type of issue with my 14 year old. But, all we can do is love them while they are here and give them the best care we can so that we can give back to them for the unconditional love and joy they give to us. Again, welcome to YT and I hope you stick around so we can get to know you and your baby.

Welcome to YT......how absolutely terrifying for you and precious little Spike and what you have witnessed your poor little pup having to experience....it would have made me absolutely hysterical.... I am glad he is doing well now....you must feel like you are sitting on a powder keg, constantly just waiting for the other shoe to fall. I am so very sorry for you and your baby....thank you for joining the forum and blessing us with some valuable information. Please continue to be ever present, with updates on Spike and how he is doing from day to day.....the members of this forum are a great source of strength and support when ever the time is needed.

Welcome to YT and although I wish it was under better circumstances glad that you are here now. :)

I agree that it sounds like you are doing all that is necessary for Spike's care and comfort. You can't live on what if's and need to just keep moving forward. From your post I can tell that you love the little guy and that is what really matters. If and when you need to take the next step to medicating him for this issue you already have the tools in place (neurologist) to make that call. Hope you stick around to keep sharing about your little man :)

Welcome to YT. I am happy you found us, although I wish the circumstances had been better ones. You have been on quite a roller coaster ride with your Spike, and must be so relieved that he is feeling better now.

Thank you for sharing Spikes story and adding to the knowledge base here.

Perhaps you can post a favourite picture of Spike and get to know us better.

I do so hope you and Spike have many more years together.

Thank you all for the warm welcome :)
It's so nice to be in the company of others who understand the love we get from these beautiful little creatures. I look forward to sticking around and sharing.

Welcome to YT...wish it was under more ideal circumstances, but I'm really glad you found us nonetheless :). All the best to you and Spike!

Welcome to YT and thank you for sharing yours and Spikes story. You can tell how very much you love this little man. Hopefully this can help others in the future to know what help to seek out.

welcome to yt, glad he is doing a little better and got some answers to stuff, they bring alot of joy to our lives

Welcome to YT and thank you for sharing Spike's story. I am curious did Spike wall walk and rub his face a lot or just occasionally? I have noticed Buster doing this occasionally but I always thought it was because he was itchy. I hope you and Spike enjoy many more quality years together.

Welcome to YT and Thank you for sharing your story! Praying you have many happy years with Spike!

Hi & welcome to YT! I'm so sorry you & Spike are going through this! It's obvious how loved Spike is. As soon as I read that Spikes Dr was Dr Glass, I knew you must be from NJ. Dr Glass treated my Stanley too. He & all the docs at redbank are wonderful. Spike is in very good hands!

Hi Buster Brown!
Spike wall walks and rubs his face several times a day. Looking back I don't think a day has gone by in 11 years that he hasn't done it. I'm sure Buster just has an itch to scratch :D I know my mom's dog has done these things and he's healthy as a horse... I just wouldn't overlook these things if your baby had other signs of neurological problems too.

Hey Neighbor! We're just a hop, skip and jump away from each other :) Spike's "normal doc" is MaryBeth Morgan over at Red Bank. You couldn't ask for a more amazing, caring, knowledgable and skilled vet. The whole outfit over at Red Bank is top notch.
What did Stanley see Dr Glass for?

Stanley had a few seizures. We went to Dr glass for an MRI & BAT test to rule out liver shunt & neurological issues. Both tests were negative thank God! The Drs say he may have mild epilepsy, and doesn't even need meds at this point because the seizures are so infrequent.

How is Spike doing?