With the curled toe I would also think neurological, I know when Tucker had his FCE last year I sat on the floor with him and watched his toes curl downwards, at the time I had clue what the heck I was watching occur, but knew it was not good...sounds like it is spine related and something is becoming inflamed or she is tweaking it wrong and aggravating it...hope both of you get some answers soon!
Possible IVDD - Paralyzing Episode
- Thread starter take4roll10
- Start date
ghggp
Moderator
I was so sorry to ready your post about Bailey's possible diagnosis of IVDD.
I lost my first ever female sheltie to this and xrays showed the degeneration in the cartilage. It was very dramatic and she became paralyzed. As she was 14 at the time of the total paralysis I could not bring myself to have an operation at her age. We tried steroids for a time and it did help. But, sometimes I would come home from work and find her in the same spot as I had left her in the kitchen.
My vet finally helped me make the difficult decision to let her go to Rainbow Bridge.
I am glad Trini gave you a link to an article that gave details about the disease. Since Bailey is so young and you can begin treatment earlier, if this is indeed the diagnosis, you may have a better outcome.
Prayers being sent your way in hopes recovery is soon and swift!
I lost my first ever female sheltie to this and xrays showed the degeneration in the cartilage. It was very dramatic and she became paralyzed. As she was 14 at the time of the total paralysis I could not bring myself to have an operation at her age. We tried steroids for a time and it did help. But, sometimes I would come home from work and find her in the same spot as I had left her in the kitchen.
My vet finally helped me make the difficult decision to let her go to Rainbow Bridge.
I am glad Trini gave you a link to an article that gave details about the disease. Since Bailey is so young and you can begin treatment earlier, if this is indeed the diagnosis, you may have a better outcome.
Prayers being sent your way in hopes recovery is soon and swift!
Caro
Moderator
Sorry to hear Bailey is going through this. IVDD was one of the diagnoses given to Tully when she was showing signs of pain after her hip replacement had healed. The specialist who diagnosed this said he would need an MRI to determine if that was the case as nothing was showing up on x-ray. I couldn't afford it at the time. But when I saw her Ortho specialist here in Canberra she said I didn't need the MRI, because even if Tully did have IVDD the treatment would be the same as she is getting now for her hip and general back & neck soreness.
One thing that is helpful when she gets really bad is physiotherapy. The physio also tried laser therapy and the vet tried accupuncture but I didn't think they helpd. The physio gave me core strengthening exercises which do seem to help, and when I forget to do them for a while I can see she struggles a bit more.
The hardest thing has been limiting what exercise she can do. Ball chasing is out tho I do let her chase bunnies sometimes which is naughty because she's meant to only do leash walking - but I she does herself more damage trying to get at the bunnies. And anything that involves jumping or turning is out. Plus I got some steps for the bed, a ramp for the car and I keep her off the couch - basically so she isn't jumping and jarring her spine.
One thing that is helpful when she gets really bad is physiotherapy. The physio also tried laser therapy and the vet tried accupuncture but I didn't think they helpd. The physio gave me core strengthening exercises which do seem to help, and when I forget to do them for a while I can see she struggles a bit more.
The hardest thing has been limiting what exercise she can do. Ball chasing is out tho I do let her chase bunnies sometimes which is naughty because she's meant to only do leash walking - but I she does herself more damage trying to get at the bunnies. And anything that involves jumping or turning is out. Plus I got some steps for the bed, a ramp for the car and I keep her off the couch - basically so she isn't jumping and jarring her spine.
labgirl
Forums Sage
I'm sorry to hear about Bailey. Its awful when our normally bouncy dogs suddenly can't move properly. I have no experience with IVDD, but I think I would be pushing for the MRI to learn more. I know vets can sometimes be quite conservative, but as this is the second episode I would want to know exactly what was going on and if it needs treating with medication.
I hope she gets on ok
I hope she gets on ok
take4roll10
Moderator
Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I'm still clueless and have no idea what caused my baby's two rear-end weakness episodes. Still working on getting that MRI.
I'm hoping something was just out of place. If it was IVDD or FCE, she had a really quick recovery. The first episode, which was in August, she recovered in 4 days with no medication and a little rest. The episode last week, she was already walking better by time we got to the vet. And seemed mostly back to her normal-self by the morning. She was given an anti-inflammatory right after the vet.
Every time I look at my dog in her crate and whenever I think about the possibility of never doing agility again, my heart shatters. I'm so heartbroken. She's already been through an atypical Cushing's diagnosis this year. Lost a lot of her coat and now this?!?
It's so hard to keep her from not doing anything. She is a reactive and energetic sheltie. Within 30 seconds of being out of her crate, she tries to play, jump, spin and bark. Strict crate rest isn't going to happen, but I am trying.
The only thing I'm noticing is that after being in the crate all day, her rear legs are a little stiff. Takes a few seconds for her to un-stiffen.
I'm hoping something was just out of place. If it was IVDD or FCE, she had a really quick recovery. The first episode, which was in August, she recovered in 4 days with no medication and a little rest. The episode last week, she was already walking better by time we got to the vet. And seemed mostly back to her normal-self by the morning. She was given an anti-inflammatory right after the vet.
Every time I look at my dog in her crate and whenever I think about the possibility of never doing agility again, my heart shatters. I'm so heartbroken. She's already been through an atypical Cushing's diagnosis this year. Lost a lot of her coat and now this?!?
It's so hard to keep her from not doing anything. She is a reactive and energetic sheltie. Within 30 seconds of being out of her crate, she tries to play, jump, spin and bark. Strict crate rest isn't going to happen, but I am trying.
The only thing I'm noticing is that after being in the crate all day, her rear legs are a little stiff. Takes a few seconds for her to un-stiffen.
trini
Forums Sage
Randi, the speed of Bailey's recoveries is a plus. Keep positive thoughts as you wait to get the MRI done.
Trini
Trini
jdo1217
Forums Regular
About 20 years ago I had a sheltie who exhibited sudden lameness. For two days we had to carry her outside to go to the bathroom. The vet couldn't find anything; lyme testing came back negative. Then just as suddenly as it came on, it went and Jillian was off running and carrying on as usual. The only residual effect was if we said, "Jillian, what's wrong with your leg?" and she would start limping until we laughed at her. I've come to believe she had probably jumped off someplace she wasn't supposed to be, something slipped out of place and then a couple days later slipped back. Very scary when it happened but funny now to think about what a great actress she became after.
Hope you pup's incidents were similar and that all will be well.
Jane
Hope you pup's incidents were similar and that all will be well.
Jane
take4roll10
Moderator
Update
Good news, bad news and confusing news....
My girl had an MRI over a week ago and the result were great! Spine looks perfect, no signs of IVDD or FCE, no tumors, no lesions and everything is inline.
Bad news is, this means we have no idea what caused her two neurological episodes. Hopefully it never happens again, but if it does, I will get her right to the neurologist.
Because of the clean MRI, the vet said she was able to return to agility and her normal routine of walks, running and playing. We were all set to return to agility this weekend, when Bailey jumped off the couch and immediately started limping. She was still limping the next morning, so I took her to the vet. The vet didn't feel anything broken and didn't feel any inflammation. She thinks she just jammed or twisted something. However, it does appear that my boo has arthritis in her elbow and shoulder.
She still limps badly when she gets up from resting, but once she is walking around for a little bit, her limps starts to go away. I am wondering if arthritis was the problem from the beginning. The only thing that confuses me is the toe-curling test that Bailey didn't react to. That's what makes it seem neurological.
I ordered cosequin. I am also going back to commercial raw food. I had transitioned my dog to kibble a few weeks before her first limping episode. So we're going to go back to raw and see if that helps.
Good news, bad news and confusing news....
My girl had an MRI over a week ago and the result were great! Spine looks perfect, no signs of IVDD or FCE, no tumors, no lesions and everything is inline.
Bad news is, this means we have no idea what caused her two neurological episodes. Hopefully it never happens again, but if it does, I will get her right to the neurologist.Because of the clean MRI, the vet said she was able to return to agility and her normal routine of walks, running and playing. We were all set to return to agility this weekend, when Bailey jumped off the couch and immediately started limping. She was still limping the next morning, so I took her to the vet. The vet didn't feel anything broken and didn't feel any inflammation. She thinks she just jammed or twisted something. However, it does appear that my boo has arthritis in her elbow and shoulder.
She still limps badly when she gets up from resting, but once she is walking around for a little bit, her limps starts to go away. I am wondering if arthritis was the problem from the beginning. The only thing that confuses me is the toe-curling test that Bailey didn't react to. That's what makes it seem neurological.
I ordered cosequin. I am also going back to commercial raw food. I had transitioned my dog to kibble a few weeks before her first limping episode. So we're going to go back to raw and see if that helps.
corbinam
Moderator
Randi, did the vet indicate that the arthritis they found was bad? I ask because a couple years ago our vet told us that Bentley has arthritis in his wrists, but that it was a sign of "a life well lived" and nothing to worry about. We haven't treated it (we have given a joint supplement for years) and it doesn't seem to cause any problems at all.