Sick Dog

[Orinjpeel]

Join our free community today.

Connect with other like-minded dog lovers!

Login or Register

I am a member on another forum and the following was posted on it. I have asked permission to post it on here to see if anyone has experienced anything like it and can maybe make a guess at what is wrong. Thank you.

Hi everyone

just came back from the vets from picking matt up,

and im wondering if anyone had a similar experience?

Heres the story

On saturday night, Matt my beloved 8 year old grey looked a bit peaky and very very down. When i went up to him, not even a arms length from him he started screaming, if anyone approached him the reaction was the same, so I gave him a pain killer incase he had hurt himself and left him alone.

On Sunday he just lay there, and still screamed if anyone approached him, so much so I had to muzzle him because he was fairly snappy, and as you know this is not a normal greyhound thing to do. After watching him go rapidly downhill I called the vets who advised me to take him 20 odd miles to where the on call vet was. When we managed to get him up his back legs had gone and we had to support him with a towel as a sling, the short walk to the car took forever and his front legs seemed really really stiff.

got to the vets, he had to be stretchered out of the car and he was examined, and kept in overnight.

A series of blood tests showed no real problem, his temp was absoultely normal, and he had no other signs of heat stroke, however he was dehydrated which i don't understand as he had water right next to him all the time and i even lifted up the bowl to let him take a drink.

Anyway the vet advised me to pick him up today as he seemed fine and thats where i have just been with a vet bill in hand for over £300.

Matts back legs are still very immobile, it looks as if he had wet himself by the ways he walks and he is refusing to eat, i'll try again later and is now where he started, lying down, looking very depressed and not wanting to move.......I'm not best pleased and very worried.

As i said i know its not heat stroke, hes in the coolest corner of the house under an open window and he is not drooling, got dark gums or any other symptom of heat stroke, im just wondering whether he has taken a fit of some kind and I wasn't there to witness it

Any suggestions please, because I am thinking of taking him back to my own vets who knows matt inside out

Thanks

a very worried Matts Mum

 

[jean.dunbar]

I have had something similar but without the snapping etc..

On Friday morning my old and well used whippet (almost 12) was off her feet, suddenly and completely. Went to vet expecting her to be PTS. No. Blood test revieled a severe infection and liver problems. She was at vet till Sat, on a drip. Came home Sat aft after walking out with vet to pee. Complete with special diet and anti biotics. That bill was £200. She was not much better to my way of looking at things. I sat with her most of Sat night.....she hardly moved, but did take the occasional drink. I remembered reading on Chit Chat about a rehydration recipe and thought I would try that. I made some up and gave her some beside her. She seemed to recognise that this water was different and took a big drink. Within 20 mins she was on her feet and talking to me. She is still quite unwell, this is no miricle cure, but i am leaving some of the mixture available as well as plain water. I feel that older dogs are not coping with the heat and it is perhaps highlighting undetected illnessess, prob due to extra strain on the system. The rehydration mixture is certainly appearing to give Smokey a little extra energy.

Good luck with your sick greyhound. :luck:

 

[REMI]

Sounds like a spinal injury ?nerve/muscle damage. Were x-rays taken? Poor baby. ? Inflammation - steriods/anti-inflammatories might help. Back to the vet I reckon though.

 

[Trish]

Sounds like a spinal injury ?nerve/muscle damage.  Were x-rays taken?  Poor baby. ? Inflammation - steriods/anti-inflammatories might help.  Back to the vet I reckon though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

sounds like a spinal thing to me ,maybe a slipped disc,needs xrays i would have thought.

good luck :luck:

 

[Orinjpeel]

Thanks for the replies, I will pass them onto the dogs owner. Why she has not taken the dog to her own vet I do not know.

 

[Rae]

Must admit I find it odd that the dog was not x-rayed either as they are so useful. Hope Matt gets better.

 

[dana]

i dont mean to cause alarm hun, but i there was a lady in the park whom i talk to who's grey presented similar symptoms and it turned out that she had cancer in her legs ( i know id never heard of it in legs either). i dont know if a blood test would show this or not?

if she dont get any better it might be worth to mention this to the vet.

i really hope she gets better soon hun its horrid when your baby is ill :huggles:

 

[Joanna]

I would certainly want a thorough orthopaedic assessment for a spinal injury. It sounds very much like that is the complaint, but only an expert examination by a specialist preferably, will reveal the cause. It sounds like a nerve is trapped, but I would seek an expert opinion. A damaged vertabrae can lead to spinal cord damage, so immobilisation is key if that is the case.

 

[nina]

Only my opinion but i would get him tested for a bacterial meningitis straight away.

One of my IG's went down with this & her symptoms were : screaming without being touched, lameness & stiffness of the legs, lethargy, off food & water.

It took me 48 to convince the vet to treat her for it as we went thru all the scenarios of slipped discs, muscle strain etc BUT i had seen meningitis before & i just knew she had it.

After a huge row ensued with me taking her off their drips & threatening to take her elsewhere they finally agreed to at my risk to start treating her with Phenobarbitone & steroids.

She picked up within 24 hours & has never looked back since.

Just a suggestion :thumbsup:

Good luck :luck:

 

[Rae]

What is the test for Meningitus? (Would it show in the blood tests they have already done or is it a specific test?)

I've heard of a whippy having this too, who is also fine now, and still races.

 

[Joanna]

In humans it's a lumbar puncture to test the cs fluid, don't know in dogs. All bloods would show are usual signs of infection ie raised white cell count etc.

 

[Judy]

I was going to say that it sounds neurological but I think maybe nina is right. I do hope he recovers :luck:

 

[BeeJay]

In humans it's a lumbar puncture to test the cs fluid, don't know in dogs. All bloods would show are usual signs of infection ie raised white cell count etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

It's the same for dogs Jo.

 

[Kirawan]

I really does sound likely that it COULD be Steroid Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis (SRMA) it is usually sudden in onset. You say the dog is 8 years old.

More often it occurs in younger dogs - but it really ought to be considered as a possibility.

There seems no mention of the dog's temperature.

Diagnosis is achieved by physical and neurological examination, and spinal fluid analysis, revealing elevated protein and white cells typical of central nervous system inflammation.

The following link might help the owner

http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/meningitis.html

"Common symptoms of meningitis include fever, stiff neck, hyper-reactivity to touch, and reduced mobility due to marked stiffness. It can be acute or chronic. The cause is not well understood, but because it responds to steroid therapy, it is likely an autoimmune condition"

It is worth pointing out to the owner that dog's do not always realise that they 'ought' to drink..... and if there is any doubt whatsoever about dehydration, it is worth syringing small amounts directly into the dog's mouth to avoid dehydration problems.

Amongst other less complicated matters - it could be that there is a pain 'spot' somewhere - like a bee sting/wasp sting - any other foreign body - but I would have thought that any vet worth his salt would have established something like that,. after a thorough body examination to find a tangible source of pain.

In view of that.... I still reckon that the SRMA sounds a distinct liklihood.

Hope to hear an update very soon.

 

[Orinjpeel]

Hello all,

Matt's owner has had him at the vets today and this is what she has to say.

"Hi greyt people,

well went to the vets this morning with matty (to see my own vet) and he was really concerned as he took one look at matt and said, he's not right is he, so after an hours consultation we decided to get matt x-rayed and so I left him there worrying my socks off.

Just picked up a very groggy matt and we went through the 7 xrays and matt has no hip problems, no arthritis in his back or hips at all, so we are all now in the dark......most likely its neurological/nerve immflamation so keeping a close eye on him and back in a week for a check up.

It was also confirmed that Matt is now completely blind,(he has retinal atrophy) and could see shadows but now thats gone and he has developed a heart murmur as well. He also has shiny white teeth now and a claw cut.

So we are not out of the woods yet, but I've got my boy back which to be honest was something that I thought I wouldn't have.

My faith has been restored.

Thanks to everyone for your support through this rough time, much appreciated, now I have to work out a way of paying the £500+ bill!

Take care

Alex and the sleeping Matt"

I will email her the link on meningitis.

Thanks again.

Neil

 

[nina]

In humans it's a lumbar puncture to test the cs fluid, don't know in dogs. All bloods would show are usual signs of infection ie raised white cell count etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

It's the same for dogs Jo.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Yes Beejay is right, its the same kinda test for dogs & not very nice. Thing is you will find most vets are reluctant to test or treat for this as it is not the norm & in their books sooo uncommon that they tend to dismiss it & try every other test under the sun first.

Once seen tho NEVER forgotten & i think if they have these symptons & nothing neurological has shown up on tests then you have to consider it a possibility.

My girl never actually underwent the tests as she went downhill so fast & after undergoing all the vets tests & still no diagnosis i insisted on the treatment as i was 99.9% sure & after treatment & a total recovery the vet agreed that it ws a high probability that we had hit the nail on the head.

Wishing you all the luck as i know what a worry it is at a time like this :luck:

Hope for a speedy recovery :thumbsup:

 

[stormydog]

THATS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENED TO MY OLDEST DOG STORM WHO IS 6. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE "SACROLILIAC JOINT" WHICH IS A FIBROUS TISSUE JOINT AT THE END OF THE SPINE AT THE PELVIS AREA. IT HAD CAME APART. DONT KNOW HOW HE DONE IT. GOT A COUPLE OF IDEAS, BETWEEN STRECTCHING AS HE CLIMDE UP ROCKS TO KIDS KNOCKING A COPEING STONE OF MY WALL ON TO HIM! BUT HE WAS "TOUCH AND GO" TOO FOR A FEW DAYS. HIS BACK END PACKED IN TOTALLY ..HE WHINNED WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED AND HAD TO BE CARRIED TO THE VET IN A BED SHEET. 5 DAYS LATER HE WAS ABLE TO HOBBLE FORM THE VETS THO VERY THIN AT THE BACK-END. IF YOU THINK YOU WERE STUNG BY VETS BILLS..HOW DOES £500 SOUND, FOR ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MORE THAN REST !

HES RUNNING AROUND NOW AFTER 9 WEEKS OF TLC AND VERY LITTLE WALKING AT ALL. EACH DAY HES REGAINING HIS FORMER PHYSIQUE AND PROWESS !

"SLOWLY SLOWLY CATCHES MONKEY !!" REMEMBER THAT !

HOPE ALL GOES WELL

J :luck: HN

 

[Orinjpeel]

I really does sound likely that it COULD be Steroid Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis  (SRMA)  it is usually sudden in onset.  You say the dog is 8 years old.More often it occurs in younger dogs - but it really ought to be considered as a possibility.

There seems no mention of the dog's temperature.

Diagnosis is achieved by physical and neurological examination, and spinal fluid analysis, revealing elevated protein and white cells typical of central nervous system inflammation.

The following link might help the owner

http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/dogs/meningitis.html 

"Common symptoms of meningitis include fever, stiff neck, hyper-reactivity to touch, and reduced mobility due to marked stiffness. It can be acute or chronic. The cause is not well understood, but because it responds to steroid therapy, it is likely an autoimmune condition"

It is worth pointing out to the owner that dog's do not always realise that they 'ought' to drink..... and if there is any doubt whatsoever about dehydration, it is worth syringing small amounts directly into the dog's mouth to avoid dehydration problems.

Amongst other less complicated matters - it could be that there is a pain 'spot' somewhere - like a bee sting/wasp sting - any other foreign body - but I would have thought that any vet worth his salt would have established something like that,. after a thorough body examination to find a tangible source of pain.

In view of that.... I still reckon that the SRMA sounds a distinct liklihood.

Hope to hear an update very soon.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

I thought I would add this additional information that I just got this morning.

"Neil,

just to let you know, Matt already has an exsisting auto immune problem this has presented itself in the fact that his body is attacking his claws and they fall off on a regular basis or have to be surgically removed. What happens is that his claws seperate from his nail bed leaving only the pink raw centre, it started after his last innoculation last year and he no longer recieves them. Do you think that his problem now has any connection, seems like too much of a coincidence?

Anyway his temperature is normal so this is the only detour from the symptoms but apparently it can takes weeks to develop into full blown scenario...also just to help this is a list of Matts problems

Retinal Atrophy

Severe lung worm damage caught in Ireland

Auto immune claw damage

Abnormal oesophagus

My vet also a Neil, jokes that he has covered the entire second year vet school syllabus and the receptionists joke that I should just make a camp bed at the surgery...

as you can see the poor boy has had a terrible run of ill health and i would do anything for him

Thanks again

Alex and Matt"

I feel so sorry for this dog.

 

[Kirawan]

Anyway his temperature is normal so this is the only detour from the symptoms but apparently it can takes weeks to develop into full blown scenario...also just to help this is a list of Matts problems


Retinal Atrophy

Severe lung worm damage caught in Ireland

Auto immune claw damage

Abnormal oesophagus

My vet also a Neil, jokes that he has covered the entire second year vet school syllabus and the receptionists joke that I should just make a camp bed at the surgery...

as you can see the poor boy has had a terrible run of ill health and i would do anything for him

  Alex and Matt"

I feel so sorry for this dog.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

​

Yes, the dog's situation appear desperate, from the sounds of it, not only does the dog have his current (undiagnosed problem) - he has

Megasophagus (auto immune problem)

SLO (Symmetrical Lupoid Onchodystrophy) which is another auto immune disease which means that the nails shed and the quick is exposed - this is excrutiatingly painful.

apparently totally blind due to retinal atrophy.

Does this owner have access to computer/email? - if so I think she would benefit from joining a group which supports and helps dogs who have auto immune problems - which Matt seems to have in abundance.

He really does need to be on correct treatment immediately.

Dealing with problems 2nd, and 3rd hand often loses impact.

If she cares to pm me with her email address I could organise an invitation to join the group (it is only open to people who have dogs with AI problems) and hopefully help Matt - it sounds pretty urgent to me.

If she doesn't want to that's fine,,, but the offer is there.