18 mo. Great Dane ?

Caesar, my Great Dane does not want to drink,  front toe is knuckling under, drags back leg at times or stagers/wobbly.  Holds head up proud.  Tail is down and he's depressed.  This all came about within two days.  The first day we thought he was just sick.  He did not want to even stand without his front leg shaking.  Yesterday we went to vet and he's taking flagyl (for very loose stools) and recieved fluids(450 mg. of Dex. and saline).  Comprehensive bld chem and CBC w Diff came out fine.  Stomack felt fine.  

We questioned the missing felt on his tennis ball or bark down by the creek.  He still wants to eat food, in which we are giving mashed potatoes and burger meat with ~3/4 c h20.  If I try to add too much water he chooks.  I give him as many ice cubes as possable for water intake.  I had one dog for 2 years after being treated for MG and mega  esophagus.  I'm hoping and praying this is not some kind of repeat.  Questioning  on whether to jump at the chance of x-rays and/or MRI, or tensalin.  So afraid to let it go.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Also if anyone is around the washington/pittsburgh pa area that knows of any vets that mainly treat Great Danes.  Money is not a problem.  My veterinarian practice that I go to is great but, sometimes a specialist in a specific field helps.  Thanks for reading and any suggestions would be great.

[Me967]

He can still run when he's excited (seeing a rabbit).  It is the NOT wanting to drink that really bothers me, his leg movements and he's extreamly down for him.  He just don't have any energy like he used too.  Legs have always seemed a little bowed to me in the back.  I was told not to have an OFA till 24 months.  He is also neutered.  

[peekawho]

I would seek out the advice a veterinary teaching hospital.  Your vet can tell you where the closest one is.  

They can have some of the most cutting edge care/testing/research available.  

[Ghilly]

There is a disease that's fairly common in Great Danes called Wobbler's Syndrome that has several of the symptoms that your dane has.  It's real name is cervical spondylopathy.  Here's a link that gives a lot of good information about the disease.  I would get the dog to the vet ASAP to see what he thinks.  With the toe knuckling under it definitely sounds neurological to me, and no matter what, needs to be addressed ASAP.    
http://www.gsdhelpline.com/wobbler2.htm

Ghilly

[Me967]

Thanks for your input.  It is greatly appreciated.  The artical on wobblers was very good.
I did not realize it could happen so quickly.  The thing I don't understand is just an hour ago he wanted to run and play in which we are keeping him calm (or tying to).  He's doing alot better but, still dont want to drink plain water.

Such a massive hit on him, then turn around on his system.   As a puppy though (before we bought him) the puppy's were very very skinny.  If I could have bought them all just to get them out of that H**l hole I would have.  I should have turned them in.

We feed Euk. Large breed puppy food to him still.  After that artical maybe we are doing him wrong???  

As soon as he gets off his flagl in 7 days we are hoping/going to have a MRI or myelogram at hopefully Ohio State University.   They were great with our other dog.  I'm not sure about sedating him though untill after he's off the meds and back to a normal diet unless things turn again.   Actually I think I'll just try to get him in now, since it will probably take a couple/few weeks just to get him in.

Off to make the call now.  Will let you all know when I check back later.
This is my first Great Dane of many more.  I just love him.  Once you have one; you'll always have one.  Looks like I'm in need of alot of breed information though.  

Thank you so much for the posts.  

[Me967]

Will know Monday on when we can get into OSU. which is a great teaching hospital.  It's 2 states away but worth the trip.  Will keep you posted.

[Ghilly]

Kudos to you for being willing to go the extra mile for this puppy.  So many people would just complain that there was nothing they could do because the facility was too far away to get to.  I know that with your great attitude toward helping him and getting him the care he needs that everything that needs to be done for this puppy will be done.  He is lucky to be your's.  :)

Best of luck with this.  I'm looking forward to hearing your feedback when you return from OSU.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you and sending out prayers and positive energies for him that everything can be resolved successfully and with a minimum of discomfort, both physically for him and financially for you.  Hang in there.  You're in our thoughts.

Ghilly

[peekawho]

OSU is fantastic.  I've had animals seen there before.  Keep us informed of what happens, ok?  

Great Danes are the most wonderful dogs.  I'll be praying for you guys.

[Me967]

Well Caesar has an appointment on May 1st at Ohio State to get his ortho consultation.  He is wanting to play more now but I'm still nervous about his front legs shaking (when he makes a BM), and this bunny hop like run sometimes still.

As peekawho has said, they are fantastic there.  I'm sure they will know whether anything is wrong or not.  And wow they remembered our Hope (my girl with MG treated there),and understood my concern.  Hopefully I'm just overly protective of our Caesar baby.

Thank you so very much for the prayers and post.  I Will keep you posted.