Stroke

[Guest Che_mar_Cody]

Here is an email from one of my girlfriends. I really don't have any advice to give her since I've never dealt with stroke before in greys or other canines. I've forwarded this to my group (GHG) and hope they have some good advice for her too. I know you guys are SUPER out there and have lots of knowledge from experience too.

If any one has had a grey that had a stroke, PLEASE PLEASE tell me what you did. I don't know if Jill (her heartdog) will get better or not??? Here's her letter....I just want to cry and give her a hug. She lost another grey last year, and took it very very hard. She has 3 more at home, so I know their feeling her anxiety

 

 

Pam, could you check with your group about stroke. My hearthound,

Jill, had a stroke one week ago on Tuesday. I need some practical advice.

She's struggling to help, but her greatest issues revolve around her

urinating and defecating in the house [Ms. Fastidious!]...and I am

physically incapable of continuing to pick her up and go outside. She can

stand for very, very, very brief periods and cannot really walk, she's

weak on the right side.

 

Also, food....She loves ensure, but that gives her massive liquid

diarrhea, and that was a mistake for both of us...it just made her more

dehydrated.

 

 

[feemandvm]

How was teh stroke diagnosed. A true stroke can occur in dogs or cats but are not as common as in humans. Is she close to a veterinary teaching hospital where she could see a specialist?

 

[Xan]

No advice, just :bighug

[Guest charmsmom]

What about incontinence pants for dogs?

[Guest meakah]

I do agree with Dr. Feeman....it is quite rare in dogs and cats. Koda had what appeared to be a stroke a couple of years ago....diagnosed as FCE (Fibrocartilaginous Embolism). She suddenly went down on me one day with no warning and couldn't get back up....some paralysis of her left front and rear leg. Rushed her to the clinic to find there was nothing I could do really but wait. Most signs of recovery occur in the first 48 hrs which in Koda's case....there were huge improvements during that time. My mode of treatment was acupuncture....every 3 days...and I had her on Metacam just cuz her other limbs were trembling due to weakness (and likely pain) from holding up her body. She miraculously has made a full recovery. At the time she was 4 yrs old. How old is Jill? I would say that is a factor in her recovery.....and what exactly she has been diagnosed with. Some don't recover unfortunately. And if she hasn't seen any signs of improvement in 1 week I would say it isn't looking too promising. But you never know...some recover a lot slower. Koda never lost her ability to hold her bowels so that was a relief but I do know of some that have with FCE....some recovered and some didn't. I would take the dog to a specialist if possible and get an exact diagnosis (if this hasn't been done already). I feel for her....I had to carry Koda in/out for 2 weeks....she isn't very light. I had to hold her up in a sling the first few days while she went to the bathroom....then I started to walk right beside her so she could lean on me....slowly she regained her use and was fully recovered in about 2 months. I hope some of that info helps....

[Guest meakah]

I remember someone posting on here before that when their dog went through something similar they set up pee pads by the back entrace (on linoleum) and had the dog go there. Would that be possible in this situation? Find some area for her to go in the house where she doesn't really need to be carried but is easy to clean up? I would recommend acupuncture to help relieve the pain in the other limbs. I know many thought I was silly to give Koda Metacam during her episode but seriously....I know what it feels like when you injure a leg and rely on your other leg to hop around....you get REALLY sore which just makes you weaker. So perhaps Metacam would help too. ? Perhaps laying her on a blanket and dragging her to the back entrance to go to the bathroom?

[Burpdog]

Jill was at the specialist for I think a week or better in ICU.

 

I sent her several links on strokes and FCE from here.

 

I wonder if she can make a pen out of the kitchen. Also, I would try & get into Ohio State or see Gaston re acupuncture.

[Guest smarthound]

My DH designed a sling when our old guy was having back end problems. It was incredibly helpful for me in handling a 75 pound dog with very little strength of his own. DH now makes them as part of a therapeutic line of clothing we offer. If you think this might be helpful for your friend, PM me and I will send additional info.

[sweetdogs]

If she had an FCE, you can search this forum for greytdecals' Alan. He had one & Suzie documented his progress for us. I believe she mentioned the other day that he's doing very well.

 

for Jill & her mom.

[Burpdog]

I mentioned FCE and she kept saying no, a stroke. I wonder.....

[Guest MinonGreys]

My Gryffin had a stroke in April. He was unable to move for about a week. My dh had to carry 95lbs. dead weight (Gryffin is a big boy) several times a day for potty breaks. We really considered renting a lift from a medical equipment rental (MIL's suggestion). Fortunately, he gained his mobility back

 

Gryffin's stroke was not a spinal kind. It was closer to his cerebullem I think. I don't rememer the medical term of it, but I can look up when I go home tonight. If your friend would like to contact me, please PM me and I'll give you my phone number.

 

Hugs for Jill,

Mino

[Guest meakah]

This is Koda's story if it helps any...I had updated it pretty frequently:

 

Koda FCE 2005

[patricia]

I am so sorry. Sending my many prayers.

[macoduck]

Oliver had a stroke after anesthesia for a teeth cleaning. In reptrospect he might have had a small one the day before and he'd also taken a tumble a week before the cleaning.

He was weak when I picked him up at the vet. By the time I got him home he was dragging his front leg much like a human with partial paralysis. We rushed him to the vet. He had to be put down. Oliver was 12.

How old is Jill? And sadly, is it time to make the list of things she can no longer enjoy or is she young and strong enough to have a comfortable life?

 

[Guest Che_mar_Cody]

Just wanted to say thanks you guys. I've forwarded her most of the messages. She even told me she saw the post on here and ordered the sling from Smarthound.

Again keep Jill in your prayers and send white light her recovery

[Greytlady94]

Sending prayers.

[Guest VelvetEars]

Jane had a massive stroke and recovered. Well - she's not back to 100%, but she's as close as she'll be. The way we discovered it was a stroke was to rule out everything else (which is NOT cheap). Here are links to her story:

http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showtopic=172135&hl=

http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?showtopic=173694&hl=

 

It seems to be a clot in her cerebellum.

 

She is on 1/4 of a baby aspirin and hydralazine every day, and still has vision loss and some balance problems.

 

It took her several weeks to get to where she could walk well - we didn't have as much of an issue w/ incontinence, although now she can't make it down the stairs in the morning to the first floor w/o peeing on the stairs (and she pees A LOT). So I don't know that I'll be much help with that advice. But, one of the best things we did was to get a harness for her - it's made especially for greys. Wiggles/Wags/Whiskers (?) makes them, I think? It really helps when you're the only one helping her walk and can't pick her up on your own. It was a lifesaver for me. I would harness her, let her lean on me while walking, and then straddle her outside so she was stable for peeing.