My old boy may have had a stroke :(

[Olliebear123]

My 15year old collie cross went lame on his back legs on sunday afternoon
. He furthermore went down hill yesterday was unable to walk and just dragged his back legs. We made the decision to end his suffering today however when we woke this morning he was walking better albeit with a wobble and sometimes ending up on his bum, he's eating brilliantly constantly drinking and is able to go outside now for a poo and a wee. We have been walking him up and down the hall at regular intervals during the day to try and get his limbs moving properly. Is there anything else we can do to help him and what are the chances of his mobility increasing. We've had him since he was 6weeks old and we are devastated but it just doesn't feel like he's ready to give up yet. Thanks laura

[Chuckie327]

Back again as so many folks helped us go the journey with Cody. Now one more need. GiGi a terrier and age11 pacing over 24 hours. Has arthritis in hip. Eating and drinking and barks with a quick yelp if getting up on feet. .25 mg Xanax does not relax her even with Codeine 15 mg ev 8 to 12 hours. Also added an anti inflammatory called Metacam drops given for her weight of 34 pounds. She was seen this morning by her Vet. Blood work good. Unable to catch urine for evaluation. Like to be with us but vowed to bite me as I gently smoothed her hair. Any suggestions would be well appreciated. Thank you, Charlotte

[Olliebear123]

Thank you all for your replies. Woody is a wonderful dog and so loving but doesn't like to be messed with or picked up. He has regular 6monthly vet checks but we have to walk him there as he is terrified of the car, due to this we didn't want to put him under any more stress. He's currently taking  vitofyllin due to a heart murmur and takes them no problem he and his little brother go for a walk every day not far tho due to woodys age (ollie goes out twice a day as hes only 6). Monday was a devastating day we had decided that we would have 1last night as a family and would call the vet in the morning to perform the procedure at home however when i came downstairs in the morning he had shown significant signs of improvement he was still not 100% on his back legs but he was trying and he wanted too. So we decided to give him another 24hours we have been exercising him regularly he has a step to get on the sofa (he crys if hes not sitting by me). Today he has surpassed even my wildest dreams hes now gone to the top of the garden and cocked his leg up to wee. Again hes still not 100% but hes getting there we will wait till monday and then arrange for him to get checked over by the vet we just want him to build his strength up first as he is a nervous boy.

When i looked into his eyes on monday night i saw a tiredness that i had never seen in him before i resigned myself to the fact that we would have to let him go but im so glad we never gave up on him and that he never gave up on himself. Merry christmas to you all xxxxx

[Misfits4Me]

Sounds more like a disk/disc issue to me...IVDD (Intervertabral Disk Disease)....There are many things that can help & yes, he can recover....

Strokes are very rare in dogs!!!! What medications does your Vet have him on???Anti-inflammatories, pain meds, joint supplements & steroids are some of the choices.....

Acupuncture works beautifully for Spine issues, herniated discs, etc....

Complete cage rest is vital for recovery...Google IVDD & see what you think..

Also, in a senior dog , Vestibular Syndrome is a possibility....Takes 2-3 weeks to run it's course.....

What is the diagnoses from your Vet...Let us know & we can help you further.......Good luck, Karla

[Jerry_NJ]

Sounds familiar.  We had a large (English) Golden that I observed him go down. Was diagnosed as a spinal stroke - vet said some dogs recover without any treatment.  Sounds like your case, keep encouraging him, but don't over work him.

In our Golden's case he was not able to walk or use his hind legs for some days and we'd used a sheet under his stomach to hold up his rear so he go do toilet outside.  Happily the weather was still mild.

After about a week we decided to try water therapy - put him in water over his leg length, thus force the natural ability to "dog paddle".  We took him to the nearby river and used a wagon to transport him to a slow area of the river and wadded in with him.  Once over his leg length he started with the dog paddle.  We had to do this every day over a period of a couple of week (best I can now recall) and he did get the use of his hind legs back.  He was about 11 at the time. The age of 12 is about average for a dog his size and indeed he made it that long before getting cancerous fat pockets.  He rear legs held up to the end.

I'd say hold on to your dog until it is clear his pain/quality-of-life is overwhelming.

God bless you all, and hope your dog enjoys a Merry Christmas.

[Margot49]

So sorry to read this.  Could be a stroke.  Could be a spinal cord or hip problem.  No way to tell for sure unless you take him to the Vet for an evaluation.  He certainly might be in pain.  With some dogs being so stoic, it can be hard to tell.
You know your dog best and your decisions to make.  I would limit his activities like no jumping or going up and down stairs.
Hope he improves.  Please keep us updated.