Possible IVDD - Paralyzing Episode

She didn't say how bad it was, but bad enough that the vet could feel it. We're going to start her on a supplement and if the limp isn't better by the weekend, we'll do x-rays.
 
Randi, the no sign of IVDD or FCE is great news!! But I can understand your concern that you still don't have a solid answer as to what caused the neurological episodes that Bailey had. Hopefully supplements will help with the limping she is experiencing now.

Trini
 
Just had a thought. As you know Deska has arthritis in his elbows and he gets a lot of back problems. Because the elbows carry more weight than the front end, arthritis results in a very poor gait and this in turn can cause back problems. Often when Deska is at his barking worst (like at the moment) I can touch his back and see it spasm. Maybe that's what happened with Bailey. It won't show up in an MRI because it's soft tissue injury. Do you have an animal physiotherapist or masseuse in the area that you could take Bailey to?

With getting xrays - just be aware it's really hard to gauge the degree of arthritis in the elbows from xrays, because the arthritis is usually inside the joint which can't be seen on xrays. So they can see if it is arthritis but can't tell you how much. Deska's ortho vet was very surprised how bad his arthritis was when she did an arthroscopy. That's not to say Bailey has bad arthritis, just that an xray won't be conclusive.

Also, next time the vet checks the shoulder it may also be worth checking for medial shoulder instability - something that often shows up in agility dogs (and Tully has it). Dr Shelli posted some info some years ago about it when I was trying to work out what was wrong with Deska, so if you want to talk to the vet about it have a look at this link http://www.sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=5330&highlight=medial.
 
Thanks for the info Caro. I will look into all that.

Bailey is doing much, much better today. Her limp is barely visible and she was very playful this morning.
 
From a very brief research of "medial shoulder instability", I read that the dog does not respond to rest or NSAIDS. Whatever is going on with Bailey, she does appear to respond to rest and an anti-inflammatory. Because she is feelings better after a few days of rest and metacam.
 
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