Vestibular Disease in Aging Cairn - Vertigo - Need Help!

[pkcrossley]

yes it really does sound like stroke, which means time is now your friend. so glad he is comfortable and feeling more confident. 

[gd4]

Thank you, all so much for the support here Gina

[gd4]

Update on our boy. Today, he skipped off the patio stairs on his own to go out. He begs for treats and gets along well, now. He has a head tilt and some issues with urination in the house which are resolved with wraps. Overall, doing overwhelmingly well. He is coherent and moving around easily on his own. He takes a bone and joint formula and a compounded liquid aspirin daily as prescribed by the neuro specialist to hopefully, prevent another stroke. I'm posting in another topic about my sweet girl with some concerns which I hope will past. As we get older, I know, times changed as they do for our senior pups.

Blessings!

Gina

[gd4]

An update on our boy. For the last 24 hours, we are unable to get Max to move his back legs. He is otherwise alert but unable to walk on his own. He can sit up and eat, drink water but drags his legs. I am not sure if he suffered another stroke or indeed, may be dealing with a brain tumor. We did not have the MRI back in October. He is taking a daily dose of compounded aspirin. It does not look good right now I reached out to the specialist and she of course, cannot comment via email but seems that it is unrelated and to check in with your primary. I'm not sure how it could be unrelated; seems like it could correlate with the other issues.

Will keep posted.

 

Gina

[sanford]

So sorry to read this, Gina. You've been through so much and I was hoping for the best for you. Keeping my fingers crossed for better news!

[hheldorfer]

Thinking of you, Gina.  You and Max have been through so much . . .  Hoping for some encouraging news.

[Sam I Am]

So so Tough to witness. I am so sorry for you Gina and Max. I can't give you any advise beyond , what you feel in your heart, and the next step to take. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[Hillscreek]

Poor Max, poor you. I hope you can find out what's going on with Max's back legs.

[kieiras mom]

thoughts and prayer.

[gd4]

Thank you, all so much. I appreciate your support as my two pups are my kids.

I also like to share on the board because like when Trinity had her IBD scare, it helps to read other similar posts as they are informative.

Last night, we took Max to the Vet. She stated that his back legs are paralyzed. He still has connection in his lower body to know when he needs to potty. If you all recall, after what was thought to be a stroke, it affected his left leg. He tended to drag it a little and also "danced" when he walked on his hind legs. Therefore, we believe this could correlate with his chronic illness from October (likely, a stroke). The Vet stated that he may have suffered another stroke in the spine. She is unsure if he will regain use of his legs. It is again, a wait and watch approach.

This morning, I carried him out and he stood to potty. He then, walked several feet on his own and climbed up the patio steps to proceed in the house on his own! We are in no way ready to give up hope; just like the last time, he proved us wrong. Until we see quality of life issues, we will not call it the end.

I hope to provide you all with continued updates and hopefully, good news <3 Thank you for caring.

 

Gina

[gd4]

[gd4]

This is my little girl. She is the sweetest little pup in the world. Since I brought her home from hospital in December, we are inseparable

She is as sweet as she looks, 14 in October.

[Hillscreek]

What a sweetheart!

[pkcrossley]

so sorry to hear of max's set back. i know this is scary and frustrating. you're doing the right thing, sounds like he is comfortable enough, and being able to stand and walk after being pronounced "paralyzed" by the vet is remarkable. thinking all the best thoughts for you, hang in there. 

[gd4]

This morning, Max walked around on the patio and was able to get back in up the steps! He is an amazing fighter! These little Cairns are tough material.

Gina

[pkcrossley]

wow, that is very encouraging. i don't remember the whole history here, but has max been checked for all the possible conditions that contribute to stroke? from what i read it seems like a blood panels should do it. on the basis of experience i can say that there would probably be significance pain, since a tumor that grows will back cerebral-spinal fluid up into the spinal cord, and a dog would in all likelihood experience pain before paralysis. i suppose the doctors could be hypothesizing a tiny tumor placed in just such a way as to cause paralysis, which would make sense to me. but what does your vet think now? doesn't stroke seem a bit more likely?

[Sam I Am]

This might be an obvious question but have they checked  for a Compressed disk?

[gd4]

Thanks so much for the support! The Vet gave him a thorough exam and based on his history stated that she felt it could be related to what they thought was stroke last October. He did not have an MRI and his blood panel came back normal. However, all other signs made the neurologist think stroke or possibly, brain tumor. I agree that any tumor on the spine or compressed disk would seem painful; yet, he does not appear to be in any pain and Vet agreed that he was not.

He is back walking again almost as well before this episode of late. Confusing, but we are enjoying our time with him. One day at a time

Gina

[Sam I Am]

Would an MRI be costly? If it is there any arrangement your vet could make to lessen the cost or? An MRI would certainly rule out a lot of things.

[gd4]

It is my understanding from the spec. that an MRI would be close to 1000.00. No discount. Since we recently spent almost 5,000.00 to save our little girl pup in December, it is out of the question for us. I know of no other facility that would do it for less and we do not qualify for any type of reduction.

g

[Kathryn]

Just finally checking in after a 2000-mile cross-country drive to California --Max certainly has cairn determination! I am hoping for a good outcome for you. Pets and best wishes for Max.

[gd4]

Thanks, Kathryn. Sounds like you need a little rest after that long drive!

He continues to keep right on ticking!

Gina

[pkcrossley]

well that is a remarkable recovery. i wonder still if he has been checked for cushings, hypothyroidism, other things that might predispose to stroke. should show up in blood panels. if nothing, then nothing much you can do to prevent re-occurence. i was also thinking of a spinal problem unrelated to brain tumor. have a little experience with that, seems you would have some advance symptoms, with or without pain. might seem like minor seizure, repeated uncontrolled movements of head or foot. spinal problems can be managed and alleviated so long as total paralysis of hind legs has not occurred, short term with steroids, long term with surgery (after MRI, alas). but if he is not showing pain or small seizure-like episodes, that doesn't seem likely either. you would think the vets would be fascinated by this. t

[gd4]

Hi PK, I agree. It is quite remarkable. Back in October, he had a detailed blood panel which did not indicate any of the diseases. It is quite strange.

Day by day, we are enjoying our time with this little amazing fighter.

Gina

[LindaMC]

How is Max doing, it's been a while since I've seen any updates?  I hope all is going well for your little man.