Hello,
It sounds like your dog is not feeling well. She needs to see a veterinarian to tell you what may be wrong. Please go as quickly as possible. It may be any of the following pain, infection, disease, toxin, etc etc. I hope she is ok.
Hello,
My 18 And 1/2 Year Old Lab Mix Just Suddenly Lost About 50-70% Use Of…
Hello,
My 18 and 1/2 year old lab mix just suddenly lost about 50-70% use of his hind legs few days ago. The vet recommended MRI which was financially not feasible nor did I think giving him anesthesia given his age was a good idea. He sent us home with prednisone and to call back with updates. I took him to a vet acupuncturist but she said that probably won’t be very helpful. I’m going back tomorrow to see if I can convince her to do acupuncture. Boston has otherwise been a super happy and healthy dog (sans nerve sheath tumor surgery 7 months ago from which he has made 100% recovery).
It’s been 5 days and since I wasn’t told about crate rest, I allowed him to wonder/wobble short distances around the house to go potty and to/from bedroom and living room and he has fallen few times when his back legs gave out. Given his age, I just don’t think surgery is an option. If he doesn’t get better in a couple of weeks, is euthanasia pretty much the only option? How much time should I give him? I just hate seeing him in pain but my husband is on deployment and I really want him to hang on until he comes back as it was my husband who rescued our dog 16 years ago. He is currently on prednisone and tramadol. Please advise. I just cannot make any drastic decisions on my own right now but I also want to do the right thing by our loyal and loving baby. Thank you.
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My Dog Hasn’t Ate All Day. She Is Lethargic, Whimpering, Tremors. All She Wants To…
My dog hasn’t ate all day. She is lethargic, whimpering, tremors. All she wants to do is lay down. What can possibly be wrong with her?
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Krista Magnifico
I Have A 14 Year Old Cat Who Is A Seasonal Vomiter. She Rarely…
I have a 14 year old cat who is a seasonal vomiter. She rarely has an issue October – April, but the vomiting becomes frequent May – September. I held off on her topical flea treatment this year thinking that may be the cause but the vomiting started in May as usual. She vomits food, grass, and fur; there can be as many as 9 events per month. This is the 3rd year in a row this has happened. What could be the cause?
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Laura What has your vet done so far for diagnostics?
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Debbie Molnar Post author Just blood tests, and they always come up normal.
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Laura I would worry that something else is wrong. Could this be allergies? Could she be getting into something outside? Have you considered keeping her inside due to her age? You *may* be able to better contain her vomiting if you can control the environment more closely.
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Debbie Molnar Post author I hadn’t thought about allergies, are there any common outdoor cat allergies I should watch out for? When she’s outside she’s always on a leash so I can kind of control her, but every once in awhile she’ll get her mouth on some grass. I don’t use pesticides and none of my neighbors within a half mile of my house use lawn pesticides. The cyclical nature of the vomiting is what confuses me. She’s at her worst May and July, but ok June and August. You’d think she would be exposed to the same things all 4 months.
We Use An Invisable Fence As My Dog Is A Jumper. She Hurt…
We use an invisable fence as my dog is a jumper. She hurt her foot leaving the house yesterday and is now terrified to leave the house. We think she associated the pain with the fence even though she was no where near the fence
Any suggestions?
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
As with any fear associated behavior it is best to start slow and gentle and begin to gradually reassure them that things are ok. In some cases I use treats, a short lead or even a dog bed to place a good reward with conditioning out a fearful reaction. Things like placing her in a crate she is comfortable in to relax her near the threshold and then walking slowly outside and giving her treats as you go or as she approaches you. Often you will find there is a specific point that they won’t advance past. This is the time to sit, be calm and gentle and reassure her that things are ok. Never do anything too fast, and don’t force her. You have to be calm and gentle so she learns trust. Don’t yell and never hit even if you are frustrated. I also think that electronic fences are not ideal for the reasons you have learned. Try leash walking and building trust and then start conditioning her out of her fears. Try also looking at Victoria Stilwells stuff. She’s great! Google search her name for lots more training info.
Curious If It Is Known What Amount (percentage) Of Digested Blood Needed For Stool To…
Curious if it is known what amount (percentage) of digested blood needed for stool to clearly look black and tarry.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
An internal medicine specialist might be able to provide a more specific answer, but, I would presume this is dependent on multiple factors like: age, species, overall health, inciting cause to the problem causing the clinical sign, temperature of the individual, gi transit time, diet, etc. etc. There are too many things that cause and influence this clinical sign. Also, dark tarry stools can occur without blood being present or the cause. I have seen it occur with toxin ingestion, drinking really nasty pond water, etc. -
Jana Post author From what I gather, unfortunately it takes quite a lot of blood to make stool black and tarry; way more than for fresh blood to be apparent. It’s not always an emergency but I’d consider it one.
Large Lumps Under Bottom 4 Nipples. Female 1 Y.o Only Had 1 Cycle. They Have…
Large lumps under bottom 4 nipples. Female 1 y.o only had 1 cycle. They have only just become lumpy , we first though hormonal changes or her second cycle but they haven’t gone down after 2 weeks. No discharge, no pain on palpating and my dog is completely normal, eating and drinking well. Going to go to the vet but can’t sleep because I have read some nasty stuff. What do you think?
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I would suggest going to the vet for an exam. I would also expect that they can’t tell you exactly what’s going on without a biopsy of the masses. But it might help to reduce the chances of some of them being mammary tumors by spaying her. Good luck. Don’t lose sleep just head to the vet. I don’t think this is an emergency but try to go in the next few days. Let us know what they say.
Why Would My Dog Be Throwing Up Yellow Liquid And Not Eating Regularly?
Why would my dog be throwing up yellow liquid and not eating regularly?
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
There are many many reasons this canne happening. Please see your vet for help in understanding the cause. The longer a pet suffers from chronic vomiting the more difficult it is to treat and the poorer their prognosis. Your dog is sick and needs a vet today.
My 6 Year Old Cat Named Jake Has A Small Growth On His Neck I…
My 6 year old cat named Jake has a small growth on his neck I am attaching a picture of it and hoping you could tell me what you think it is
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Sarah It is hard to tell from your picture, sorry. It could be a tick perhaps? In which case I hope that you use preventatives (like frontline or something). If not a tick, perhaps a skin tag, and you might want that looked at.
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I agree with Sarah. It is very difficult and often impossible to diagnose via a photo.
Brett Is 4 Years Old And Has A Fever Throwing Up And Pain In His…
brett is 4 years old and has a fever throwing up and pain in his right upper side of back. Its tender to the touch when I try to move him he crawls away me. he is throwing clear liquid only my hubby said he has ben doing this all day long
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Krista Magnifico Hello,
I’m sorry but this needs to be treated as an emergency. Please go immediately to the vets office, or closest emergency clinic.
My 6 Yr Old Beagle Ate Chocolate A Day Ago, Which We Just Figured Out…
My 6 yr old beagle ate chocolate a day ago, which we just figured out, and starting having seizures and posturing. He is also very lethargic. Can I still give him activated charcoal to absorb whatever toxins are still in his system and how much? Any help is appreciated.
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Krista Magnifico I agree. Seizures always warrant help from a vet. Please go immediately.
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Jay Alex I’m not a vet, but once a dog has started having seizures, you should skip giving him activated charcoal and take him to the vet. If he ate it that long ago, he’s already absorbed most of the toxins. Activated charcoal is only effective before he’s absorbed toxins, not after. It may be a costly visit, but seizures are never a good sign.
Did the vet provide some preliminary diagnosis? Do they think it’s a disc injury or something else? For example, Jasmine had neck problems resulting in pain and mobility issues,while JD had similar symptoms from what was likely a brain/spine infection or cancer. I know of a number of cases where acupuncture help with spinal or disc problems a great deal. Might be effective to address pain regardless of what is happening. Which makes me wonder why your vet is hesitant to try.
The preliminary diagnosis was disc issue, moderately advanced. But without mri I guess they couldn’t say for sure. I don’t know why the holistic vet didn’t want to give him acupuncture but I’m going back tomorrow and going to demand one. We did do cold laser but not sure if that’s doing anything. Given his advanced age I just want to know what the “right” thing to do is by a dog who has been so loyal through so many of our lives’ difficult moments. The regular vet (and I agree) that surgery is not really an option for a lab his age. But not sure if I want to give up on him yet especially before my husband’s return. Thank you.
Yes. Jana. There are many questions I have about this case? That’s why I listed everything I could think of to look at.
Krista, wouldn’t acute onset make DM much less likely? Surely there would be some gradual signs? Jasmine was 9 when her neck issues started; one day she was fine and the next day she wasn’t. Though same thing happened with JD. He was perfectly fine, then started having problems with hind legs in the morning and by evening was pretty much unable to use any legs successfully.
The upside of DM is that it is non-painful, isn’t it? So unless further issues crop up, either secondary or it ascends, the dog should be able to hold up until the master returns?
http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.ca/2011/08/what-acupuncture-did-for-intervertebral.html
Hello Linda,
I think a few things should be discussed;
First, I agree with Jana that it is really helpful to have a preliminary diagnosis to start the treatment options from. I hope that the vet did some basic diagnostics like full blood work (CBC, full Chem panel, thyroid (T4), urinalysis AND radiographs of the chest (3 view) and spine if they suspect IVDD. I also think a rectal exam is in order. I worry about the following.. many of which can be quickly and easily ruled out with the exam and diagnostics.. I am also very worried about DM, degenerative myelopathy as it is common in older labs and presents as ascending paralysis of the back legs. I also worry if it is one of the neuromuscular or muscular diseases that the prednisone might exacerbate or worsen or accelerate the peripheral (back leg) muscle loss. Also if a practitioner tells you that they are concerned a treatment option wont help my inclination is to believe them and ask for guidance to something that might.
Try to get the vet to give you something for pain, especially if it appears there is any signs of joint disease on the radiographs. Labs are also very commonly struggling with old bad hips.
Lastly, IVDD is unlikely in older dogs simply because the spine tends to bridge with spondylosis which makes disc disease less likely. A radiograph of the spine may help with identifying these.
Please let me know.
My advice is to speak to your vet about all of this and then get a second opinion.
Good luck
Krista