Can I have a handhold please!?

[absolutelydone]

My lovely dog can’t walk properly. Her front legs are sliding from underneath her and she is falling over. It is awful to witness.

started off with just a limp so we rested her for couple of days but no improvement so went the vets, they said she didn’t seem in pain and referred us to a more experienced vet. He said about an MRI which we did but I don’t think revealed an awful lot. He thinks it could be neurological.

She’s been prescribed steroids and we are due back next week.

Now she’s crying, legs giving way from under her. Also coughs a lot I’ve noticed when she has a drink. I don’t know what to do.

Forgot to add she’s not long turned 3

Oh, OP, I'm so sorry. That sounds really serious for your poor Ddog.

If your dog isn't improving on the steroids (they are usually - caveating because every drug is different - fast acting), then I would try and get her into the vets again before the weekend or over the weekend.

I really hope she makes a full recovery!

I thought you were going to say they were elderly, but it is worrying for 3. Can you get them back to the vet today?

I can try. I’m tempted to go elsewhere for a second opinion but we’ve had a big unexpected bill this month which means we’ve got zero savings left! I’m worried we won’t be able to afford it.

she is insured but for some reason her vet fees are only 4k, I never ever go for a lower amount when sorting the insurance out so I can’t think why I wouldn’t chosen such a low figure!

the MRI alone was 2.5k

I'd give your current vet a ring - if you've been with them for a while they might do defer payments etc (a vet that doesn't know you is unlikely to take that risk tbh) - and explain you're still worried for her if you really are (and you can't bare to wait until tomorrow). Speak to them about it and about payment options.

Sometimes, vets do (as I used to) play the waiting game because they don't want to subject the dog to too many tests and they hope medication will work - in part because vets are well aware of how expensive things have become. But obviously they don't see how the dog reacts. So the onus is on us, as the owners, to really push and advocate.

Taking her back at 5pm. It’s horrible to watch her struggle to walk. She’s only 3 how can she just stop being able to walk so quickly!? She just slides everywhere 😔

Have you applied any flea treatment recently?
Could she have eaten something she shouldn't?
Have they looked at her blood for inflammation markers and taken her temperature?

Or a recent vaccination?

Oh poor wee thing & you of course,

you should be at the vets now. So I hope she's getting dome help from them

let us know when you get home x.

What kind of dog is she?
Dogs can get herniated discs which can put pressure on their spinal cord. If this had happened in her neck then that would account for her symptoms.
Either that or some kind of poisoning episode? Either way it's good that you have a further appointment. Fingers crossed you get to the bottom of it!

No not recently. I don’t tend to treat monthly. Not eaten anything as far as I’m aware. Garden very clean, leashed on walks due to busy road.

DP said they’re taking a blood test now and she does have a temperature! We weren’t told this on Tuesday.

DP said they’ve mentioned something called Myasthenia gravis?! I’ve never heard of this, they mentioned it after DP said she seems like she’s coughing a lot and more so after water and food .

Thank you! She’s a cocker x poodle. (I know how MN can be about poodle crosses 🙈) never had any issue with her and this is all really out the blue!

She has already had an MRI so I’m guessing that would’ve picked up a herniated disc?

No advice to add, but keeping paws crossed for you and your lovely dog 🐶

Oh that’s sounds awful. I hope she is ok soon.

How much do you know about her parents or other puppies in the litter?

Nothing really it’s been over 3 years and she was the last pup left! She’s very much MY dog (on top of being a family dog obviously, she’s just always had a soft spot for me!)

I have a 3 year old dog too. Sending lots of good wishes xxx

@absolutelydone

shes absolutely gorgeous!!

are they home yet?

Hope you get some answers , I’ve looked after some humans with MG and it’s a horrible disease . WRT to the choking a high feed bowl or one of the upright chairs people use for megaoesophagus might help to prevent aspiration irrespective of whether it’s MG or something else.

Thank you I’ve just seen what I can only describe as doggy high chairs! Had no idea these were even a thing!

@SummerSplashing she’s home, lots of whimpering though. :(

Is she on plenty of pain relief @absolutelydone ? What has the vet said about a plan moving forward ?

Yes an mri would have shown up a herniated disc.
Really hope things settle for her. It's so hard to see them in pain isn't it!

Is she getting worse?

Consider/look up polyradicularneuritis

the vet doesn’t actually seem to think she’s in pain! You can touch her everywhere and manipulate her limbs and she doesn’t so much as flinch. So based on that she hasn’t been prescribed pain meds.

she has been prescribed steroids 3x a day.

we will get some blood work results tomorrow but not the one which would confirm what we now think which is the MG autoimmune disease.

I think she’s whimpering to leave her crate but I need her in there to rest! Otherwise she’s up and down and following me around.

How is she today @absolutelydone and have you had the blood results . Do you think the temperature may be because she has aspirated this week ?