Cervical Spinal Shock?

[Trevstan]

Hi all been awhile since I was on these forums.

Bobbie suddenly was unable to walk and didn't know why he managed to get up the stairs ok and I put him on the bed... I was playing with him and his squeaky toy (I hide it under the duvet and he finds it) I took it out and put it above his head and he yelped I didn't know why just thought he may have trapped his paw in the bed linen... He seemed to move about the bed ok afterwards so thought nothing of it.

My partner cooked his dinner and put it on the floor picked him off the bed then we noticed he wasn't using his back legs properly... It seems as though he can't put any weight on the any legs (front or back) atm and struggling to turn... He's forever jumping off the bed.

My partner got him in the vets and she checked him over she said on the notes she wrote (I couldn't go with her) "Concerned Cervical Spinal Shock" she gave him 2 injections Buprenorphine 0.3ml and Meloxican 0.18ml she said all his vitals were good and that it can take a week or 2 to settle... I have a follow up appointment at the PDSA (which only costs a donation) tomorrow at 2:10pm the vet said they may want to do some xrays there.

He has settled now and dropping off to sleep.

Has anyone heard of this? I am at my wits end and stressed .

Trev

[yorkietalkjilly]

No I haven't and I'm so sorry. Have your heard of AAI? Some of the symptoms sound like it could be this but I'm assuming the vet did cervical x-rays. If not, I'd insist on a full set of x-rays and find a good neuro or ortho vet if he's not any better quickly. I don't want to scare you but you need all the information you can get at this stage just in case.

Here's something to check out just for your information and maybe consider as a differential diagnosis. I hope it's not AAI or anything terribly serious, though AAI is treatable and has great success stories. What did the vet tell you about cervical spinal shock and its treatment, long-term prognosis? I'll add your sweet Bobbie to my prayer list.

Atlanto-Axial Instability | Veterinary Surgical Centers

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...elp-us-10.html

[Trevstan]

The Vet said it resolves on it's own after 1/2 weeks and that's as much as my partner has gave me.

The Vet visit tomorrow is at 2:10pm they will give a prognosis there as well and x-rays etc if needed.

He's doing a slight moany noise and I feel so helpless it's tearing me up ... He can't even turn over to get comfortable it's like he has no strength in his legs.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Trevstan

The Vet said it resolves on it's own after 1/2 weeks and that's as much as my partner has gave me.

The Vet visit tomorrow is at 2:10pm they will give a prognosis there as well and x-rays etc if needed.

He's doing a slight moany noise and I feel so helpless it's tearing me up ... He can't even turn over to get comfortable it's like he has no strength in his legs.

Could very likely be he's moaning from pain. Dogs don't normally moan. You are not helpless, you have a phone and the only speaking voice your baby has. Call the vet! If it is a spinal condition, the pain can be severe, even after steroids, etc. I'd call my vet and tell him about the moaning sound and ask for pain medication if you don't already have it. Dogs are normally stoic and hide all the pain they can out of instinct but when a dog is uncharacteristic moaning or making verbal sounds, particularly if they coincide with movement of the spine or other body parts or just generally moaning, I'd be very concerned my baby was hurting more than he can deal with and seek relief for him.

If you already have pain medication, call to see if you can increase the dose. I'm so sorry your little one is going through this.

Please read up on AAI and the attendant yelping, moaning, inability to walk that goes with it and other similar symptoms so you can ask intelligent questions as some vets always aren't up to par, not that yours isn't, but I just want you to know enough to speak up for your baby and be certain he's getting the best of diagnostic investigative and treatment plans necessary. I've heard of undiagnosed problems due to vet error. We're praying here for that little one of yours.

[Maximo]

I am very sorry your poor Bobbie is experiencing this. Both of my boys have gone through something that the vet thinks was a muscle strain in their neck and shoulders. Separate incidents, where each one could not turn their heads one direction. First indication of something wrong was that they yelped like I had never heard them do.

Neither of my boys lost use of their legs, but we have a couple of Yorkie friends who did lose leg function.

It is very good that you got Bobbie into the vet for medication which can reduce swelling and pain. He needs crate rest. As little movement as possible.

This is likely going to take more than a week or two to resolve. You could be looking at 6 weeks.

Absolutely no more jumping from the bed. Jumps are very hard on the spine.

My boys were put on a steroid along with another med that is commonly used for spinal injuries -- it might be the one that your baby got in the injection.

Our friends' Yorkies ended up having acupuncture as part of the recovery process.

Xrays and potentially other imaging of the spine would be ideal to determine if there are more serious issues.

Strict crate rest for sure.