Advice & Prayers Needed Please
 

Hello everyone- I am new to posting, and really need advice to help my sweet 7 year old Little Bit. I would like to say first that I really enjoy reading all the posts and I am sure it helps so many people. Little Bit had intense itching and a skin infection about a month ago and the vet gave us antibiotics, a steroid and some new medicine called apoquel since Bennedryl wasn't helping at all. So after taking all meds for a week or so her skin cleared and itching and paw biting all stopped. That was great!! So we finished all the steroids and antibiotics and continued on apoquel. Then about 2 weeks ago Little Bit started shivering and her belly felt swollen and tight. I had noticed earlier in that week that she would not jump up on couch and would stand and wait to be lifted. The next morning she was walking with her head hung really low, looking up at me but not lifting her head and she was swollen from the back of her neck down her back and her belly was tight and swollen. She would take 2 steps forward and then 2 backwards. Very odd. When I hold her she can't get comfortable and is breathing hard. The weird thing is it lasted about 45 minutes and then she seemed OK. How can all that swelling just disappear? Well I have been to her regular vet twice who put her on muscle relaxers and prednisone. I took her off of apoquel incase it may have been causing all this. She took xrays because bloodwork was fine and she thought it was back or neck related. Could not tell on xrays. Have since been to a new vet twice because now in addition to all the other symptoms when these episodes happen she looses her balance and falls over. The episodes last an hour to an hour and a half. When they happen I hold her and she looks at me like she's thinking, 'mom please help me!" I seriously thought this morning she wasnt going to make it. She is wheezing and just struggling. The vet did more blood work today and said everything was in the normal range. He took her off of prednisone and muscle relaxers.They gave her fluid in the office for dehydration and a shot for nausea. Also gave her Sucraifate to coat stomach and told me to get pepcid for her. She has not had any vomiting or diarrhea at all. She is not as regular as normal but she has solid bm's every other day or so. I am so scared of losing my best friend. If anyone has had any experience with these symptoms I would love to hear from you. Sorry post is so long!!!

Hello and welcome to YT...so sorry it's under these circumstances :(. Your poor baby.

It seems like 2 separate things happened to coincide here...the allergy issues along w/ something neck/spine/neuro related. If it were me, I'd probably keep treating w/ the Apoquel since it provided such much needed relief for her. Then, I'd probably be seeking out a neurologist for the other issue going on. So the xrays of the neck area show nothing...?

Wow...so sorry about your Little Bit. Sounds scary. I do agree that a specialist might be a better way to go at this point; but I personally would start with an internal med specialist.

You can find either internal med or neuro at the following link:

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine > Home

Thank you so much for reading my post about Little Bit. I can't tell you how good it feels just knowing someone is out there that understands. The xrays did not show anything that would confirm that it is a back or neck problem, but the vet said it could still be that. I have been doing so much reading and for Lord's sake, it could be so many things. We had a really rough night because LB was restless and every time she moved i think I woke up.At around 5:00 am I could tell she was starting one of her episodes.When they first started weeks ago, she would stand up, sit down, stand up move forwards then backwards. Now when it happens she just kind of falls over and lays there like she has given in and doesn't have any fight left in her.So I held her from around 5 until around 7:30am. I held her and prayed and cryed. I try not to get upset in front of her but each time she seems weaker and she is struggling just to breathe I feel like she is going to die at any moment. Around 7:30 or 8:00 she finally seemed to relax enough to really rest on and off for a few hours. Then from around 10:30-1:30 she was more like her old self-following me all over the house growling and barking at the other dogs when they try to come inside-she definitely thinks she is the boss. Our other 2 dogs are English-Boxer mixes-both of them sweeter than apple pie! Anyway, do you guys think a back or neck problem could cause these episodes that come and go at different times with no pattern whatsoever? Thank you again for your insight and God Bless you and your sweet furry babies Wylies Mom and Ladyjane!!!

Little Bit's Mystery Symptoms
 

Here are Little Bits symptoms:
Swelling in abdomen
Swelling on back of neck
Arched back
Head hung down and only eyes look up-she doesn't lift her head
Terrible Breath all of a sudden
Constantly licking her lips
Seems to burp and is trying to keep whatever she burps down
Shivering
Belly and pads of her feet feel hot
Eyes running water
Dry nose but water sprays out of it
Wet sounding breathing
Rapid breathing
Loss of strength
Loss of balance- feet keep going out to side slipping out from under her
Walks backwards a few steps then forwards a few steps
NO vomiting
NO diarrhea

It sounds crazy, but its like her body kind of accordians in like all of a sudden she not as long.
These attacks come over her and last up to 2 hours. Afterwards its like she is back to her normal self. Well maybe a tired version of her normal self.
How can you swell like that and then it goes away?!? I just pray it is something she can get over soon. If anyone has experienced these symptoms please tell me about it. Thank you!!

Littlebit
 

Poor baby, she sure has a multitude of symptoms.
It needs a very skilled diagnostician to connect all the various symptoms.
Sounds like a mixture of neurological, GI and tracheal/breathing issues, plus the allergies of course.
One would think that X-rays and blood tests would give some clues?
I agree with tha above posters that this baby needs very skilled specialists and that a regular vet might not have the broad experience to deal with her.
I pray that you will find the right specialists soon and that her ailments can be diagnosed and treated.
You must be so stressed wondering what is wrong with her, very scary symptoms. Sorry I can be of no practical help, but can only offer my support and prayers

The walking backwards and keeping head down make me think of AAI. I don't know about the other symptoms....but, with neuro often there is a mix of conditions...

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/at...al-instability

Until you know what this is, I suggest you keep her activity level to a minimum.

I sent an email to a specialist I know but don't know when I might hear back....will let you know if I hear something.

Thank you all so much for the advice and prayers. It has been a much better day with two episodes so far, and one lasted a little less than an hour. I hope and pray tonight goes as smoothly. It is honestly like I have 2 different dogs.Thanks also for the link for ACVIM- I found a specialist in Columbia that I will ask my vet about on Monday. Thank you all most of all for your prayers and well wishes. It means the world to me really. I will keep you posted on my sweet girl! May God bless you all and your sweet babies!! As soon as I fiqure out how I will put Little Bit's picture up like you guys have! Enjoy the rest of the evening with your families!

Oh my goodness, that list of symptoms must be SO scary for you - I'm so very sorry! Very glad you're probably going to see a specialist, it really sounds like a must. Lots of good thoughts coming your way! :)

Linda - you are such the BIGGEST sweetheart - you're always here to help and I do admire you to bits :) xxx

:) Wishing you all the very, very best from over here...sending hugs and prayers from across the pond :) Sally + Harry :aimeeyork xx

Oh Sally, you are so nice. Thank you for your kind words. You are also always around to help and give support!

Sending good thoughts and prayers for Little Bit!
You have some very experienced and caring people working on this here at YT so I'm hoping things improve. I am a huge believer in specialists when it gets complicated like is sounds like your situation is.

I have not heard back from anyone yet...I sent out two emails. I am growing more and more concerned about Little Bit.

This place, if close to you, has neurologist on staff and they do neurosurgery. I have heard good things about them. One of the YHR members uses them for her pups and also for her foster pups. Unlike the place in Columbia, they are open 24 hours. The one in Columbia is closed on Sundays.

Carolina Veterinary Home | 24 Hour Carolina Veterinary Specialists

IF this is AAI she could have one of these episodes and die suddenly. I hate saying this because I don't like to frighten people; but I think you are kind of thinking this could happen anyway as the symptoms are very scary. The problem is that the compression on the spinal cord can make them stop breathing. I would keep her still...and handle her like a china doll until you rule this out.

There is quite a bit of information on the web about AAI ...atlanto axial subluxation or instability.

At least with the place above, IF you have any issues today, you could do there on an emergency basis.

I am praying for you and your baby...such a scary thing to go through.

I did hear back from one of the vets I emailed who thinks that, since the symptoms don't seem to fit together well for one diagnosis, an internal med specialist may be the one to start with.

Hopefully it is nothing dreadful...just a bunch of little things popping up together to scare the heck out of you.

How frightening and worrisome for you.....hopefully, you can wait until tomorrow to get your baby into a specialist to get this frightening condition accurately diagnosed and hopefully treated. I am hoping your vet will not hesitate to recommend another vet, a specialist....many vets are very territorial and will hold onto their clients/patients at all costs.....keep us posted please!....praying for you and your baby!

Just checking in....hope Little Bit is doing ok today.

Hi, I am so sorry to hear what's going on with Little Bit. I pray she is better, but wanted to add in case you did not know NC State University Veterinary Hospital is top of the line and have emergency facilities open 24hrs/7 days a week. Raleigh is only a couple hours drive and when something serious is going on well worth the drive! My mom had a poodle several years ago that had to go when no other vet could pin point what was going on. They diagnosed him, treated him and enabled him to have 4 more great years when other vets had told us to prepare for the worse. The neurology department is no less than amazing, Dr. Mary L. Smells was the leader of Boo Boos team. I pray things are normal and you will not have to use them, but thought I would let you know first hand experience with these people, they are the most loving and caring people in the world and will move heaven and earth to make your baby well. Prayers for ya'll!

So worried about Little Bit.........

Little Bit Update
 

Hello YT family
I am sorry for the delay in getting back to you all, I have strep throat and possibly an abscess so generally feeling lousy. I am happy to say that LBit has been doing so well and has only had one episode in a few days and it wasn't as severe. Still scary though. Her neck was swollen and I could feel her shivering in just that area. I rubbed her neck and it lasted around 15-20 minutes. My vet thinks she is having muscle spasms and wants to continue with prednisone, muscle relaxers and pepcid. He seemed pleased that her episodes were a lot fewer now. I am hoping she is healing. I know this sounds like I am being a cheapskate, and I will take out a loan or make payment arrangements if they do that but we have already spent what I had in savings so I am hoping I don't have to go to a specialist. I told my vet I would bring her back Friday unless of course she started having more episodes again. I am still hoping and praying that she is healing. Oh and I also started her back on apoquel because all of the itching came right back. I just hope that is the right decision and that its not what's causing all this. Do you guys think its possible that her neck can heal or am I just fooling myself? I do worry most about it affecting her breathing although it has gotten a lot better during her episodes. I hope that everyone is not mad because I did not insist on going on to a specialist- I was just so releaved that the doctor seemed so releaved and I keep second guessing myself now. Thanks for all your support!!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
I have used A&M Vet School for many years....not so much since I got into Yorkies, but with our other dogs and the horses.....LOVE that place...Thank you so much for sharing this information with the OP....praying she will take her baby to the vet school and get some help....praying for you and your baby!.

Thank you SO much for updating!! I am so relieved to hear that Little Bit seems to be improving and hope it continues! You and she have been on my mind a lot lately.

No reason for anyone to be mad ... if you kept coming here saying she was worse and didn't want to do anything for her, that would really bother me. Your vet may be on the right track here....I will continue to pray for her ...

Take care of yourself...strep throat is awful. Hope you are feeling better soon!

Thank you- Little Bit and I have both been resting. My vet called last night to check on her which made me feel good. I hope that you have a wonderful day thanks again for caring!!
:-)

That's nice...you can snuggle with each other and feel better! :) Yes, very nice of your vet!!

Praying for you and Little Bit. I hope that everything keeps getting better!

So glad Little Bit is doing better! So sorry you have strep :( Y'all have had a rough go of it! I pray you both are on the mend quickly for the holiday season!

sending prayers that everything will get better soon

I think of Little Bit often .. wish the OP would come back and let us know how things are.