Sick beagle

[sandycrock]

I have a ten year old female beagle who can not stand by herself for more than about 30 sec - has only an occasional desire for water or watered down food - is very lethargic and walks with a bowed back. Her front left leg/paw seems to not have much control as she does not seem to notice if it is curled under when she stands. She does eat feces and she has been treated for constipation. This is the third time this year that she has presented with these symptons and they are getting more frequent. She is sad though does not seem to be in much pain. She has come out of these episodes in the past but we are concerned - this one is far worse than the others.

[Misfits4Me]

Heidi....Boy, do I love good news about a canine companion!!!

I'm so glad that Sandy is getting back to normal.......Really, this has just "Made My Day!"

If & when you get time, I'd like to know how your Vet is treating this.....It seems that different Vets use a different protocol for Disk Disease....Would love to know what she's taking and what the preventative treatment (You mentioned earlier) consists of......I'm just curious....

Anyway, please come back and let me know how things are going....I bet Sandy sure was hungry! Glad she's eating for you......I'm delighted with her progress & your welcome......I'm glad I could help.........Sincerely, Karla

P.S. You might consider a "Joint Supplement" for Sandy.....She will benefit from it! Your Vet probably sells one although it will be expensive! You could buy it the first time from your Vet, then future purchases could be made online for probably half the price...Just a thought......Something else: Don't Vaccinate Sandy any longer.....It does more damage to her already existing problems.....Just my opinion, but there is plenty of information on the subject if your interested.......Take care..........

[el_em_en_oh]

Seriously guys... this brought a tear to my eyes.

This is what MH is all about.

Karla... YOU ROCK!

[dominosarah]

I am so happy to hear your beagle is better~~~~~sara

[sandycrock]

After being on her meds for over a week Sandy is an extremely happy silly beagle. She is barking joyfully when fed once more and just generally being her happy self. I remember the first day that she started wagging her tail again - it was so amazing.

We cannot thank you enough for putting us on this path. The vet was not so sure that this was what it was but they are extremely pleased that they were wrong and that this was resolved so well. They are a good group of people.

I hope Oliver is feeling better. It is so sad when they are not feeling well and are in such pain.

Thank you again

H

[Misfits4Me]

Heidi...
I'm sooooo excited for you & Sandy.....My once paralyzed IVDD dog "Oliver", had to make an unexpected trip to the Vet today, too.....Too much deep snow here for a bad back dog!  My husband drove us 120 miles to get an Acupuncture treatment on his back.....

He's good now, so on we go.......Please keep me posted on Sandy's progress....I'd appreciate it & enjoy hearing how others are doing........Take care...... Karla

[sandycrock]

We took Sandy to the vets today and told them about IVD. They said it was worth a try to treat for it and they gave us the meds. After one set she is already eating better and she actually jogged back into the house - a little unbalanced - but a jog. She already seems a little happier. If this works there is a maintenance treatment that we can put her on so this does not happen again.

Thanks so much for helping Sandy out.

Heidi

[sandycrock]

I just looked at that site - she does exhibit a lot of those symptoms though she has not been crying. I have gotten her to eat and drink that it has been difficult. I will definately let the vet know about this. THat would make sense that she gets constipated also.

Thanks so much for caring. I will let you know as we will hopefully have her into the vet tomorrow AM.

Heidi

[Misfits4Me]

I blew it the first time.....Let me try again.........Karla

http://www.lbah.com/canine/ivd.htm

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Sandy.....Please check out the link below.....I feel this is what your dealing with....It's considered IVDD (Intervertebral Disk Disease). Your dog has all the symptoms....You need to ask your Vet (Monday),for Anti-inflammatories (Steroids) & pain medication....She is probably in excruciating pain....Thus the reluctance to move or eat.....She needs a referal to a Neurologist from your Vet. A Neuro will recognize all these symptoms....

In the meantime.....She NEEDS to eat something to keep hydrated....Will she eat chicken & rice?  Boil skinless chicken w/ rice & some veggies together in the same pot.....Make sure you mash the veggies after cooking....Mix it all together & serve her alittle at a time....If you don't have rice, a sweet potato (1st choice) or white potato (2nd choice) would be even better.....Veggies can be green beans, peas, carrots, etc, mixed or singles...It doesn't matter! Use alot of the broth for moisture.....If she's not use to eating real food, go very slow & small servings......She needs some good food!

Here's the link.....Let me know what you think...I've gotta get in bed before the sun comes up!  ;)             Karla

http://www.lbah.com/canine/ivd.ht

[sandycrock]

I am not sure of the antibotic and we were not even sure that it made her better. It is almost as if this thing has to run its course. The vets really did not know what was going on. I just got her to eat skim milk watered down and heated slightly by dipping a small amount of bread in it. Hopefully we can keep her going until monday when we can see her vet. I just did not know if anyone else had a dog that presented with these symptoms not just once but several times and then just seemed to get better. The only thing that her vet has given was the antibotics the second time - first time was just diet. Oh yeah - we do not feed our dogs anything but good dog food. They do not get human food other than what I just said that I did and maybe once in a great while a piece of cheese. Sandy has not gotten fat like a lot of beagles do. She is a beautiful usually happy and energetic dog.

[Misfits4Me]

Sandy,
I have a couple of ideas....First, what Antibiotic did they give her? Name? What dose and how long did she take it? You said this made her better? Correct? How many days did it take (On the Antibiotic) till you saw a difference?
Why did the Vet give the Antibiotic? For what reason? Did she say?  

Has your Vet tried any Anti-inflammatories? Steroids? Pain Killers? Did they help?

Let me know,Karla

[sandycrock]

She has had full body xrays and that is why they said she was constipated before but they did not see anything else. We are diligent with her vet visits and she has never had any negative tests. It did start last year around this time and we took her to emergency care and then like 2 months ago she got the same thing again - we took her to her regular vets - they just gave her an antibotic - then she comes out of it after a couple of weeks and is back to her happy self. The symptoms are always the same though the refusing to walk is a step more this time. When she does walk she walks diagonally almost - with her back bowed up. The left paw thing is new also as she just does not seem to be aware that she is walking on her paw with it turned under. I straighten it out and she doesn't react like there was anything wrong. It just seems like we go to the vet - shell out 400 - 500 and they don't give us a reason really. Last time was a mention of cancer but she came out of the thing and was fine. She just looks so darn sad:( I am hoping that someone has experienced these symptoms with their dog so we can at least give the vet an idea maybe.

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Sandy....
What has your Vet done to treat this so far? Any medications? What seemed to help & what didn't?

This has been going on & off just this year? Correct?

Any xrays taken?  Of Spine or Neck?

When was she vaccinated last?

Let me know, Karla