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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Dog I’ll , I’m ill , Can’t cope 😞

7 replies

Elasticatedwaist · 16/05/2024 08:19

My 8 year old Maltese is poorly and it’s breaking my heart seeing him look so sad and pained. I just want to know for sure what’s wrong.
He had seemed out of sorts for a couple of weeks, up and down at night , occasionally vomiting , not playing the same.
Then started gagging and his back legs seemed weak getting up and down steps etc so I took him to the vets, that was 10 days ago.
vet did blood test ,X-rays and looked in his throat. Found an ulcer in his throat. X-rays looked ok. He said maybe he had ulcers in his stomach too. Did a biopsy of the ulcer.
gave us omeprazole and painkillers.
Tuesday night he looked worse, couldn’t settle , shaking , so dh went to the vets and picked up some extra painkillers (gabapentin).
The painkillers seem to settle him but he seems to be worse again yesterday and today in that his legs aren’t right. He really struggling to push himself up off the floor now or get up and down the back step to go out. This morning he looked like his back left hip was jerking as he walked.
The vet was supposed to be ringing today with biopsy results but I’ve booked a consultation (7pm)
I can’t see how ulcers are making him struggle walking ??
yet the X-ray was ok and I think the next step was to scan his stomach. None of it makes sense.
does anyone have any ideas ? What would you do ?
thanks if you’ve read all this but I’m I’ll myself and I’m finding it unbearable seeing him like this.

OP posts:
survivingunderarock · 16/05/2024 11:16

Poor chap. You need to speak to your vet and if they don't know then push for a referral to a specialist. Back legs can be neurological and in which case he would need either a CT or an MRI. X rays don't always show issues so that would be the next step.

fieldsofbutterflies · 16/05/2024 16:07

X-rays don't show much, unfortunately. Like @survivingunderarock I would want an MRI or CT scan to check for tumours or neurological issues.

Elasticatedwaist · 17/05/2024 17:11

Been back to the vet and the biopsy results were that it’s an oesophilic ulcer in his throat but he has no idea why he can’t walk properly anymore or whether he definitely does have them in his stomach. He said his temperature is up a bit now aswell.
Hes referred him to the specialist hospital.
so basically we’ve paid out close on 2k and we still have no idea what’s wrong and a very poorly looking dog. Can’t help but feel a bit angry, mostly that ddog has suffered this long and the vet doesn’t really seem all that concerned about him.
He’s going to the specialist place next Thursday.
just hope he is ok until then.

OP posts:
Catsinaflat · 17/05/2024 17:56

I think I would want a second opinion. Thursday is a long time to wait given your dog's condition.

Loveablockheel · 17/05/2024 18:08

I would take him to a completely different surgery for a second opinion, I used to have a Maltese and they can suffer from the knee joints slipping out of place so get that checked, also my Maltese did get arthritis in her later years and she didn’t have much strength in her back legs and would walk strangely, she was on pain killers for the rest of her life. It could be 2 separate issues, the ulcer making him sick and possibly arthritis in his legs?. Really hope you get some answers soon, Maltese dogs are absolute angels and seeing them suffer is heartbreaking.

Elasticatedwaist · 19/05/2024 13:01

positive update 🙂
After an awful night with ddog pacing and shaking, we took him back to the vets but asked to see another vet ( a lovely guy that did his dental work last year ) He listened to what had been going on and checked his temperature etc ( which was high)
His first thoughts were steroid responsive meningitis arteritis (SMRA). He gave him a steroid injection and said to see if he improves within the 24 hours and speak to him tomorrow (today). He said it may not be that but if it is then usually an improvement is seen fairly quickly .
Anyway, this morning ddog has eaten and squeaked his favourite toy. Not 100% himself but definitely looks a bit more normal. I am so happy to see an improvement 😊. He’s had a second jab and we have tablets to start tomorrow and an appointment for 10 days time.
just shows , not all vets are created equal.
fingers crossed that he continues to improve .

OP posts:
Loveablockheel · 29/05/2024 01:27

Really glad to hear your positive news! Let’s hope he makes a full recovery, will keep everything crossed for you.

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