Muscle loss

[blhull]

I had to put my best friend to sleep last Thursday. She was only 5 1/2- a German Shephard/Beagle mix, about 32 lbs. A couple of months ago she started having trouble using her back legs. She was dragging herself around with her front legs. My vet said he believed it was a disc problem and I should wait for 6 months to see how she did- in the meantime, he gave me prednisone (20mg/2X/day) for her. The prednisone did not seem to work very well as she continued to get worse. Last Wednesday I noticed that her facial muscles seemed to have disappeared. Her cheek bones stood out and she was VERY lethargic. The vet said that there was nothing else he could do for her and that the kindest thing would be to put her to sleep.

My question is... what do you think happened??? I don't believe that it really was a disc problem. It seems as if she started losing all of her muscle tone and that is why she couln't walk. I would just like to know what it might have been. I miss her greatly and hope that I did the right thing.

Thank you.

[lonewolf07]

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Dogs are like family members.

It could have been a lot of things.  Did the vet have any suggestion as to what was wrong with her?

Could have been a stroke, some kind of brain damage, canine muscular dystrophy or even the dog equivalent of MS - we had a pit with MS and she moved around the way you describe your dog as moving.

If you felt that having her euthanized was the right thing then it WAS the right thing.  I can imagine that you miss her.  A lot of folks in this Forum have lost their dogs and had to try to get through the grieving process.  No two people grieve in the same way but we all feel the pain and emptiness of our dogs passing on.

There are others here who will also give you ideas on what happened to your "girl" and  who understand what you are going through.

[elnora]

This is what happened to my dog last week. We had been fighting this for 3 months and finally had to let him go.
The prednisone does weaken their muscle mass. Reading your description sounds like my dog. There was no final explanation as to what was ailing him. It was so devestating. He was almost 6 years old. He had gotten lymes disease which we treated. But that could of brought out sterile meningitis or SLE Lupus. In your case it could have been these two, or a stroke like lonewolf said. All are very likely.
I am not sure though why he would have treated w/predisone w/o doing tests to make sure there was no bacterial infection such as lymes or something else.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is for you.
My thougths are with you.

[chihuahuagrandma]

I have just started reading symptoms of  "Cushings", they say the back legs go...
I am very sorry for you and the loss of your friend, you've been through a most difficult time, and still left w/questions...things will roll over and over in your mind, its is so challenging when your gut still tells youself, your just not sure of the diagnosis...
Again, very sorry for your loss, and now you have a wonderful angel with you every day, maybe something will click and you will find your answers...
Stay in touch w/the forum, the people here are wonderful and will hold your hand during your most difficult time, what was your little friend's name??

[suzi-q]

I am very sorry for your loss....I know how hard it is...in time, your tears will be replaced with wonderful memories..Try to focus on her good times, happy times.  Don't focus on the last moments...remember you gave her a full life and she was very lucky to have had you...She will always be with you.

[chihuahuagrandma]

How are you holding up?

[AJH84]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I just wanted to tell you that your dog's problem may have been neurological. My little 2 year old border collie has cerebellar atrophy and he has very little control over his back side and is losing conrol of his front side. I would have never known the extent of his neurological problems if it hadn't been for a CT scan, but anything tested in neurology is SO expensive, although very revealing in many cases.

But I truly know what it's like to lose your dear furry friend with no closure. I've gone through it a few times and sometimes thinking about those deceased pets still brings tears to my eyes. We'll always love our little friends and never forget them.

I know your dog knows you loved her very much, and she is at peace now. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

[BamaSherill]

I'm sorry for your loss.  I am dealing with the same problem in my Japanese Chin.
Spinal disc problems can lead to muscle weakness by decreasing the blood flow.
It is the blood that breathes life into our muscles.  With a decreased blood flow,
there is a lack of oxygen, causing the muscles to weaken.  This usually causes numbness and or pain.
I think you spared your dog a great deal of pain by letting her go.
Hugs to you, I know it was difficult

[distrbdbutterfly]

Spinal disc problems actually produce muscle weakness by cutting off the communication of the nerve with the limb it's trying to control.  If the nerve can't talk to the muscles, the muscles can't move and they atrophy from sudden disuse (as they would if you're arm is in a cast and you can't move it).

The sudden disappearance of facial muscles sounds to be neurological in nature as well.    

So sorry to hear about your loss.