Very sick dog. Can you help me interperate these symptoms?

[duck walk]

I have owned Dobermans for over 25 years and they are often pron to Wobbler's Syndrome and your dog's symptoms sound similar...it is vertebral instability in the neck or something like that...do an internet search for Wobbler's or the official name is:

cervical spondylopathy syndrome

 

[carolinagirl58]

that does not sound like it. She does not look or act at all uncoordinated. She acts like she has a stiff neck. I noticed last night that she seems unable to back up. If she gets in the way or is standing in a doorway, I tell her back up and she just back herself out (walks backwards). Now she won't do it. She needs to turn around to go back out. She is also hesitant to go down the two steps at my porch but she goes up just fine. If I tell her to lay down, she does not sit first and then lay down which is more normal for her, she folds all 4 legs under her at one time. She does not move at night at all. She is in the exact same position she goes to sleep in, on her chest and not on her side. She does not scratch herself. Not sure I have even see her sit lately. She won't sit if I tell her to (and this is a dog that NEVER disobeys commands) but she will lay down if she is told to. She does not have any trouble putting her head down to eat.

 

[Orchid]

Maybe have a chiropractor take a look at her? If you can find one.

 

[Okie Amazon]

That's agreat idea. Some human chiros actually freelance on animals (for free). Call around.

 

[carolinagirl58]

Bailey went back to the vet today. She still feels so rotten. He did xrays and said no blockage. She does have a teeny bit of swelling around her pancreas but he does not think that's the cause of her pain. She has no vomiting or dirreah and she does have bowel movements that are normal, although not very frequent. But since she's not eating or drinking much, that does not surprise me. After a complete exam of her neck, he is pretty certain it's injured. She was fine flexing it one way but not the other way. So she will be on pain meds and anti-inflamatory drugs. If that does not help in a few days, he will sedate her for a better set of xrays.

 

[carolinagirl58]

Bailey is greatly improved today. He gave her a shot of Rimadyl and also sent her home with some. She isn't 100%, but feels much better. She is eating her regular dog food and drinking water again. The vet did suggest a bland diet just in case she has an issue going on with her pancreas so I ran to the grocery store this morning and bought some chicken which is cooking now. She will get cooked chicken and rice for a few days. If she does not feel better after a week, he will sedate her and get better xrays of her cervical spine.

 

[kwoody88]

I had problems earlier this week too

One of my 12-week-old foster babies couldn't take a poo either, but was trying and just whimpering and whimpering. I thought I'd be able to wait until morning (he started crying around 10 PM) but ended up taking him to emergency vet and getting x-rays. Ended up having to put the little guy down because of intestinal issues. It's serious stuff...

 

[sourland]

Hoping Bailey continues to improve. About three years ago one of my beagles began exhibiting severe pain symptoms apparently involving her neck and right front leg. To make a long story short $1,500 later, several bloodworks and X rays and the cause of the problem has never been defined. She also developed what may be an auto immune problem involving one eye. Her thyroid level was low normal. We put her on thyroxin, treat symptoms with Rimadyl as they occur, but have found no 'cure' for the problem. She's an outdoor dog, and even though she has a heated sleeping box winters are especially hard on her. As winter approaches I am facing the decision that all owners/caretakers hate to make.

 

[carolinagirl58]

That is a hard decision to make. With a heated house, wouldn't he be OK outside?

Hopefully Bailey will continue to improve and this will heal up on it's own. The vet said if she is still not better when this Rx runs out, he will try something stronger. I am really reluctant to do surgery if it is her neck because I know that neck surgery does not always have a good outcome. sometimes they get better, sometimes they get much worse. So I'd rather avoid that if we can manage her treatment without going that route. Bailey is mostly a house dog anyway so if we have to baby her from now on and keep her inside 100% of the time, that's fine with me.

We had an old beagle many years ago that had a ruptured disk in his back caused by a bystander trying to break up a dog fight with a broom stick. We were newlyweds with no budget for the cost of surgery so the vet told us to sedate (Valium) him for a month. It worked and he lived comfortably for another few years.

In the mean time, the Anatolian Shepherd pups have to stay outside. No more play time with Bailey for a while.

 

[hensonly]

I've used canine chiropractors for my dogs...like people, if you find a good one, it's great. A bad one can make things worse. Ask around at local training clubs, try a google search, and remember, there's a reason canine chiropractors are certified for working on dogs...they are not the same as people, and while I know of human chiropractors who do work on dogs, I would get a "real" canine chiropractor if at all possible. Accupuncture often helps, too.

Remember, pain killers will help the pain but won't necessarily treat the cause of the pain. So yes, use the pain meds, but reserve judgement until the dog is pain free without the meds. One of my Newfoundlands had trouble with his neck, when it was "out" he couldn't lie on his side - or rather, he couldn't get up once he laid on his side. He'd try to raise his head and he'd scream. I had to help him up. He was kept healthy and happy by a wonderful canine/large animal chiropractor. Do try to find one; if your dog has gotten her vertebrae discombobulated once, she may well have it happen again.

Glad she's feeling better, hope it continues!