UPDATE on Murphy!
 

Update on Murphy:

Hello everyone….I first want to say thank you for all the prayers and thoughts everyone has been sending my and Murphy’s way.:thankyou2 :big_hug: :thankyou2

We went to visit a new Vet today and absolutely LOVED him. :hearts33: He was GREAT and just adored Murphy. He took his shaking, body tremors and little seizures very seriously. He even took time to watch the video I had taped of Murphy having one of his fits. The Doctor took some blood work and he is going to get back with me on the results but until than he thinks what Murphy has is called “White Shaker Dog Syndrome”. It is called this because it is most common in white dogs like Westies and Maltese’s but Yorkshire Terriers have been know to have it too. The Doctor also gave him Prednisone to treat him for now. I am giving him one pill a day until the Doctor calls me for an update in 7 days. We are than going to reevaluate and try to decrease his medicine as needed.

Here is a little information I was given on the disease so far:
Basically dogs with this disease have a fine tremor of the entire body. Young dogs (9 months to 3 years old) of either sex are most frequently affected. Other clinical signs associated with a neurological system abnormality, such as head tilts, limb weakness and seizures, and are occasionally seen.
This disease is most often associated with a mild central nervous system inflammation This inflammation commonly affects the cerebellum, and dysfunction of this part of the brain may be one of the initiators of the tremor.
White Shaker Dog Syndrome is usually treated effectively with corticosteroids. The corticosteroids are given in relatively high dosages initially, and then the dose is decreased as the clinical signs improve.
Many dogs, after being treated for three to six months with corticosteroids, may be normal and may not require additional treatment. Some dogs may require low doses of corticosteroids every other day to keep clinical signs under control. Overall, the disease is rarely fatal.

Again, I have to tell you how wonderful you all are and how much I appreciate all your thoughts, prayers and helpfulness. Murphy is dong great right now and just sleeping since I think the medicine has made him just a little tiered. I am looking forward to a successful road to recovery for my precious baby boy.

Murphy sends hugs and kisses to everyone! :ittykiss: :ghug:

Oh, I'm so happy you found this vet! All my best to 'lil Murph as he feels better each day!!!!!

YAY! I am SO HAPPY that your new vet is so wonderful and that he got to the bottom of what is going on with little Murphy!!!!!!!!!! I hope and pray he continues to improve and that after 6 months, he'll be cured!!!!!!! HUGS & KISSES!!!!!!!!

I'm happy you found a good vet, and will keep praying for you.

While it's not ever wonderful to get any kind of diagnosis, it's great to perhaps know what the culprit is. Knowledge is power!!

It sounds like you're on your way to a solution and have a new vet. Hopefully you can all sleep easier tonight........

Yay! That is such great news! I can't imagine how relieved you must be feeling to finally know what your dealing with and know it's not serious and it sounds like it is easily treated. Sounds like your new vet is on the ball. Get well soon Murphy! We need a playdate soon!:)

Whew, I am so glad about this. I'm also grateful that it is treatable and not serious. Thank you so much for the update. Kudos to his new Vet and you for taking such good care of him!

Miss Q. sends him tons of kisses and hugs :).

I'm so happy for you and Murphy! It really broke my heart to watch the video, but I think it was an excellent thing to have on tape to show someone...like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!

I had a feeling it was something neurologic and not a seizure per se. He looked and acted (he totally responded to your voice and commands while this was taking place, so that's why I didn't think it was a seizure), more like it was something going on with his nervous system, but I didn't want to say anything since I knew you were going to see a new vet. It sounds like you found a really good one too, and who cares and LISTENS! It sounds also like it's something very treatable and maybe will even eliminate his symptoms totally, even if he does have to be on medication. I have been worried about you guys ever since I watched the video, but when I woke up this morning, I was telling myself that you didnt' have an appt til Monday for some reason....glad you got in this soon and you maybe can relax a little bit! I know it had to be hell on you having to see your baby go thru that! All the best to you and darling little Murphy!

Caren - I'm so glad the new vet took you and Murphy's condition seriously. Lets hope the Prednisone works for him and he'll be good as new real soon!!!!

I'm so glad that he is doing okay. Ask your vet about starting him on valium as well. It should give him some immediate relief.

My vet has mentioned that he thinks Lily has this as well. It is difficult to know exactly what her tremors are due to because she also has Hydrocephalus and MVD, both of which can cause shaking. But her's is worse when she is tired, stressed, or when you try to pet her. Its almost like she is scared. This makes him think that her shaking is due to a combination of Hydrocephalus and Shaker Dog Syndrome.

If her next Bile Acid test is normal, we are going to start her on a combination of steroids and valium. My vet says that this is the best treatment. I did some research which suggests the same thing. I'm so happy for you that its nothing worse!

WHOOOO HOOOO !! Amazing what a good vet can do for us and I'm SO HAPPY FOR the Murph !! That's the best news I've heard all day and sending lots of kisses and will be hoping this is the answer for you all -

that's so great and while I'm sorry he has this - if it can be controlled thru medication then you're baby will be A-OK !!! I know this has to be such a load off your mind to at least have an idea what could be happening and a vet that cared enough to listen to you.

I am so glad that he is on the road to recovery. I'm glad you found a vet who would listen to you. :)

Great news on Murphy!
 

I'm so happy you found a good vet. and he is taking care of Murphy. I know we all feeling much better now:D

Aww, what wonderful news. I'm so happy you know whats going on and can help him. :D Yippie to little Murphy.......;)

I'm so glad you are getting some answers and that this new vet is really going the distance to figure out what's wrong with little Murphy. It's always hard to get someone to care for your babies as much as we do ourselves, but it's always nice when someone shows some concern and is determined to help you. Good Luck and I hope Murphy feels much better.

I'm so happy you found a Vet who took you seriously. Here's hoping the steroids work for Murphy....I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts!

I have heard of the white shaker dog syndrome and everything I've heard is exactly what the Vet said right down to the treatment.

That is awesome news! So happy little Murphy will be all better soon!

I've got tears and goose bumps! I am so happy you have such a caring and compassionate vet, now. And I am thrilled that he was able to come to understand what Murphy is going thru. But, most of all, I am glad that Murphy can be treated and lead a normal life. Hugs and puppy kisses to Murphy.:)

Oh Caren, your message is music to my ears . . am so thrilled to know that what Murphy has is curable and/or could be controlled by low dosages of medication . . . .I hope you never have to witness another attack :)

Give my love to your darling Murphy . . . and my babies sends wet kisses :thumbup:

glad you are on the road to finding out what is ailing Murphy. I watched the video's too (way to go for thinking of taking them and showing your vet) and at first i didn't think they were seizures either because of his awareness level. I hope the Pred works for him and he stops shaking.

Great news....so glad Murphy is doing fine and you have some one reliable to go to. Give some belly rubs to Murphy baby from us.

Pucci:aimeeyork
GiGi:aimeeyork
Tina;)

I too am happy your new vet is taking this seriously...I will continue my prayers for you and Murphy. Now I have some research to do...maybe this is what's ailing my Winston. Thank you for letting us all know what the vet thinks, I for one appreciate the information.

I'm so happy you found this new vet:) It sounds like little Murphy is on the right track. Thank Godthis can be treated.

I am so relieved that you got a diagnosis that makes sense!! I know it is not terrific news but it is not the worst in the world of neurological problems. Murphy hopefully, will do well on the steroids and live a long and otherwise healthy life! I am so glad you got answers to your questions:)

Oh you guys are all so great....Once again I just have to tell you all THANK YOU so muhc for being there for me and for your thoughts and prayers.

Murphy has been on the medicine for 2 days now and I really do not see any side effects as of yet. He had a little bit of a restless sleep last night but I think that was due to his daddy being out of town so it was just him, Mia and me in the bed. :rolleyes:

I will keep you guys posted as things progress and come along for him and with this new vet. Thanks again for everything!

We love you all and Murphy sends lots of hugs and kisses to everyone on YT. Especially his girlfriend Miss. Q ~ he sends an extra wet slurpy kiss to you! :p :p

Happy to hear Murphy is doing okay. I did do some research on this syndrome. Does Murphy always have the tremor, or does it come and go. And if it comes and goes, how often does it happen...and how long does it last?
With my Winston it comes on all of a sudden...with no warning. It last for any where from 15 to 30 minutes...with Nutrical he comes out of it, tired but fine. In between episodes he acts totally normal. And he has had them as often as weekly...or as far apart as 3 months. He does not lose consciousness, although he seems out of it, unaware. Unable to stand, let alone walk. He becomes rigid...spastic, not limp like a rag doll. Pants heavily, drools a lot. He does not lose control of bladder or stool. His paws seem to paddle and his head is somewhat jerky. Does any of this sound at all like what Murphy does? I'd like to know of any similarities or differences to bring to my vets attention. As we are still, after a year trying to figure out what's going on with him.
Give your baby boy a big hug, and I hope he does well with his new medication regime. Thanks for any input you may have that may in turn help Winston or others, so we can learn more of this disorder.

Hey there! Well Murphy has always been a shaker so in terms of small body tremors he pretty much is always shaking a little and twitching. BUT the more noticeable shaking and episodes happen like you said weekly to every other week, etc. He does not get to where he is unconscious but he is very scared looking and just spastic. He basically looks like he is drunk and can not walk. He falls down when he tries or his legs all go out and his heads just goes back and forth like a bobble doll head.

I am trying to give you as much information so hopefully we can help Winston too. For example he is sleeping right now....and I am looking at him. Currently he is just quivering a little - almost like he is cold and than he does a twitch or a body jerk every now and than.

If he is having a major attack I too give him some nutrical and it seems to bring him out of it. None of them have lasted very long - I would say longest like 10-15 minutes and he does not drool but does pant a lot.

I hope I am helping you. What is your Doctor saying about Winston? Has he or have you mentioned this disorder to him yet?

I've been following this thread and i'm glad you found a vet who is serious about helping Murphy.

I just read this post and i have a question. The 10-15 minute long tremors, are these like the ones in the video or are they more serious?

Yes they have been 10-15 minutes like the ones in the videos. They get better towards the end but the longest one has lasted about that long.

Thank you for following the thread and thinking of little Murphy! :)

ok that's good that they are not serious seizures that last that long. Those types can cause serious problems (not even sure how much a dog would be able to function after a seizure that long).

i hope he stops having them soon. :)