Something is wrong with my Pomeranian

[krissywissy]

Pure breed toy pomeranian, 8 yrs old, has patella luxation (from an early age but is not a problem now)...

My dog was not well a few weeks ago, she was yelping and her back legs were shaking.  I took her to the vet and she had blood tests and x-rays.   the vet said she had a high white blood cell count and her intestines seemed to be thick...so he put her on medication for about 1-2 weeks.  she was suffering from toxicity for the medication which seems to be gone but then developed a breathing issue, the vest said possibe brochitis but leave it for a few days.  she seemed fine after, but on occasion she yelps when she is picked up and just seems sensitive all over. her back legs seem weak (sometimes she just stands there), and sometimes she licks her paws a lot, and can not seem to put weight on her front leg. She is lathargic on and off but generally not 100%.   But she does eat and have bowl movements normally.

The vet does not know what it could be and said he would have to start tests...but if he does not know what it is what test would be done besides blood and x-rays (which was clear).?   Also what else can I do to help the dog...she seems sad and does not play much anymore.   I dont want to keep taking her to the vet if all i get is the vet does not know...i dont have pet insurance and these tests seem so expensive...is there one test that can help...like an MRI or something?  any help would be great?

[DoggieMom328]

what food do you feed? i see everyday that grocery or dept store dog foods are actually killing dogs.
Sounds like the vets dont know whats wrong. i would change foods to a high quality (bought online) canned dog food or check into a raw diet. Add digestive enzymes and probiotics. also milk thistle to filter the liver from all the meds.
Let me provide you with info to eliminate the food. but MOST of the time especially with things like this and the vets just dont know..its the food. OR TREATS!!

http://****.com/top-12-worst-dog-food-brands.html

PLEASE READ THIS AS WELL-http://www.holisticandorganixpetshoppe.com/your-pets-health-begins-in-their-gut.html

also give slippery elm for the stomach and intestinal issues.
http://www.****.com/slippery-elm-bark-for-dogs.html

hope this points you in the right direction.

[francoisvv77]

My 1 and a half year old pommeranian got sick about a week ago. She was vomiting there was red blood in the vomit. We took her to a VET and he said that he thinks it's a thought or tonsil invection, and so prescribed antibiotics (6 x baytril). After 2 days she started getting a bit better, but then was having pain and was shivering. We took her back, and the VET said that after taking her temperature, noticed some blood in her stool, and so he prescribed something for that as well.  After 3 days she was yet again in pain and could not sleep or lie down. We took her to another vet, who took x-rays and also did a scope and he found nothing wrong, but said that he noticed her small intestines were swollen and where was a lot of gas. Also, her white blood count was at 31, which the VET said is very high, especially for a small toy pom like Mika.  He put her on another set of antibiotics to help clear up, but did not give us an answer of exactly what is wrong and what we did / could do to prevent or have caused this. Any ideas, and will this be something that will be healed or go away and how long will it take for her to be back to her old self?

[Misfits4Me]

No, IVDD does not go away...What are your Pom's symptoms? If you give us more information, we may can help you further....Start a new thread if possible as this one is very old.....

As far as tests, I personally don't think disc/disk problems show up on an xray.....So, I would refuse one...Just explain you cannot afford it! Your Vet should treat with just symptoms discussed.....The medications are not expensive & YES, I feel he needs them......If the inflammation is not brought under control (With medication), there is a risk of rupture.....If it ruptures, then you are looking at your dog being paralyzed and there's no going back without surgery...The surgery cost $3000-$6000!!!! As you can see, it would be better to treat now...Plus, this is a very painful disease &  he needs something for his pain!! Unfair to your guy to not treat!

DoggieMom has given you very good advice....

If this is indeed IVDD, you need to confine your dog immediately....NO running jumping playing for 4-6 weeks.....Only carried out to potty and they back in.....Google IVDD in dogs and follow all rules.....It can be the difference between life or death for your guy...

You may want to look into Carecredit.com.....You can apply online.....Most Vets accept it as a form of payment....It's a credit card specifically made for human & animal medical bills...It wouldn't hurt to try!!!

Again, if you will give us more details with symptoms, we will help you.......Karla

[DoggieMom328]

I dont think IVDD goes away. First get your dog on joint support if your dog has IVDD. has your dog been diagnosed with this? your vet should have requested you get your dog on joint support right away. put him/her on a high quality diet..preferably not kibble. Canned is a good start. remove potatoes from the diet. most dog foods have potato in them. it is a nightshade food and can cause joint issues. i use arthimaxx for joint support as well as Dr Harveys Ortho Flex. I give digestive enzymes, probiotics, and fish oil as well. make sure it is of high quality of fish oils. Not any Walmart type stuff. go to a local health food store.

List of nightshade foods:
http://www.****.com/list-of-foods-for-those-allergic-to-the-nightshades.html

This is a wonderful article on IVDD.
http://www.****.com/intervertebral-disc-disease.html

[DoggieMom328]

this seems to be an old thread but someone else has commented recently..so i replied.

[DoggieMom328]

First off, find a different vet. Second..there could be some hip and joint issues going on. have you done xrays? that would have been the first thing the vet should have done. my dog has spondylosis so have read alot on joint issues. as a dog ages, the joints tend to start bothering them. due to poor diet, vaccines, medications or whatever it may have been..hereditary etc.. your dog should be on a high quality joint support for the rest of its life. there are many other diseases that cause these symptoms you are saying..
Start reading this page and scroll to bottom and continue to read through the pages on joint issues. I think you will find your answer right there. Please dont wait..your dog needs your help. Obviously she is in pain as well.

http://www.****.com/special-section-for-canine-arthritis-and-joint-pain.html

[Scruppy]

Is it possible for the IVDD to go away without any treatments ? My 4 yr old Pom is also experiencing the same problems and I don't think I can afford any tests/meds for her..

[garryb]

My pom has the same problem, I took him to a vet and he did not know what the problem was but the pain and the licking of the paw all sounds the same, what medications is you dog on.
Cheers Garry

[krissywissy]

Update:  she has been on anti-inflam/pain killers for about a week...she is back to normal....she had a small lump on her lung which is gone now....

Thanks for everyones help!!!

[krissywissy]

Thanks for the advice...she has been on and off for the last few days again. just when i think she is getting back to her usual self something else comes up. now she is lifting her right front paw like she can not put weight on it. and today i picked her up and she yelped do loudly.  I do also think she has allergies as she licks the same front paw non-stop.

I have an appointment booked this week with another vet and I have been trying to get short video clips of her behaviour to show the vet.  I will speak to my vet about the MRI and a ref to a Neurologist.  

THANKS YOU SOO MUCH!!  I am so worried I just dont know what to do to help her. I wish she could talk.

  

[Misfits4Me]

Hello & Welcome.....IMO, these symptoms are those of a herniated disk. IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease) is common in toy breeds. More often than not, it will NOT show up on an xray. A MRI or CAT scan gives a better look for a disk problem. Both of these tests are expensive, but a Neurologist would recognize the symptoms before testing. If you have a Veterinary Teaching School anywhere near you, that would be the place to go. If not, have your Vet refer you  to a Neuro. in the area.
Until you have a diagnoses, your girl should be on strict cage rest and Anti-inflammatories, as this is also a extremely painful condition.  Cage rest (2-4 wks.) and meds. will usually correct the problem. What you don't want to happen is for the disk to blow. Then it's a medical emergency and surgery must be performed, quickly.
No running, jumping or playing is best.....I hope some of this helps.....Good luck, I hope she feels better, soon..... I too, think a 2nd opinion would be best.......Karla

[ginger899]

Yes, I think it is a good idea to speak to the vet before beginning any herbal therapy.

I saw the Lady Kkara videos!
"Stretching in the morning" did SO remind me of ME! That's how I feel in the morning....in no hurry to get out of bed!

[krissywissy]

THANK YOU SOO MUCH!!!  I will look up the rest and go speak to my vet about this.  Yesterday i noticed a few other things, I think she is suffering from allergies.  I also am going to get a second opinion.  

This is a great place to get information, I am happy i joined!

Lady Kkara thanks you!!

In case you want to see her you can check her out at (I was bored):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsnkv1IQ2lE

[ginger899]

I don't know where you are based, but I found a good website about alternative (including herbal) treatments for dogs
http://www.herbal-dogkeeping.com/

Another site you may want to take a look at is:
http://www.holisticvetlist.com/

Corn Silk - Is literally what it says it is! On a cob of corn, there are fine silky threads at the top. This is the medicine. It can be made into a tea, or obtained in tincture form.This herb supports normal urine flow and strong bladder emptying action. Corn silk also contains mucilage, which produces a soothing effect on the lining of the urinary tract.Though natural, any herbal medicine could have interactions with medications your dog might be taking, so you should talk to your vet before starting any supplement - natural or otherwise.
I am not totally sure of the dosage for dogs. I can look that up for you, and post back if you like?

[krissywissy]

Thanks so much....I would like to know more abot CORNSILK if you dont mind.  

I may take her for a second opinion just ensure I have a good vet....she has been with this vet since I had her, but there is no harm in a second opinion.  

Also I forgot to mention she seems to be licking her paws a lot..i did some research, it says she may have allergies or something like that.  

This is all so odd, ever since her sickness a few weeks ago she is just so different and there is something new every other day.  

I am very interested in herbal medicine for dogs so any weblinks or other information of all types of herbal medicine for dogs would be much appreciated!!

[ginger899]

I wish I did know exactly what this is. My guess is is might be some residual inflammation maybe causing swelling? But it might not be that. I am surprised the vet couldn't suggest anything. Or some meds to help?
I wonder if a short course of Rimadyl might help her? It is a painkiller and also anti-inflammatory.
If you are interested in Herbal medicine, CORNSILK would be worth a try. It is very soothing and healing particularly for the urinary tract. It is safe for dogs. If you need to know more about this herb, please do message me, and I'll do what I can to help. But I would ask the vet first.

If your vet cannot find out what is wrong, or cannot suggest anything, then I would take her for a second opinion to a different vet. Something has to be found to make her feel better.