Guest bonnebike Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 (edited) When we woke up yesterday (Saturday) we saw that Mary had thrown up stomach acid/bile -- no chunks. We've had her three years and this is the first time she's done it. She threw up two more times. She fell coming down the stairs. We were able to make an appointment at the vet on short notice. By the time we got there, her rear legs were not working. The vet suspected either a toxin or some type of injury and consulted some neurologists up in Portland. There was really nothing different about her routine (other than the weather) so we could not pinpoint any time when she might have been exposed to a toxin. The told us to come back in a few hours while he took blood and xrays. When we came back, Mary's front legs didn't work. The blood has to go to a lab for a work-up so we won't know about that until Monday. The vet took xrays to check the spine. He did see narrowing between a couple of the vertebrae, but that would not explain the progression of Mary's problems. They don't have facilities to keep her overnight so she was sent home with some prednisone and tramadol. He told us to watch out for things such as nystagmus to measure if things were getting worse. He called later in the day, but she was pretty much the same. She had some water, but couldn't really stand. We tried taking her outside a couple of times to see if she would potty, but I don't think she could do it with 2 or 3 people holding her up. She normally sleeps upstairs in our room. We arranged for one of us to sleep in the living room with here. At 2:30am I got up to go the the bathroom. She realized she was alone and managed to get herself up and stumble up the stairs. It was pretty noisy so I think she fell at least once. After that we left her upstairs on her regular bed and put up a baby gate. About 5:30 in the morning we could hear her panting and whining just so slightly. I got dressed and carried her outside and stood her up in the yard. She was able to stumble around and pee. I carried her back upstairs and she was quiet until we all finally got up for good. So far today she has improved a little. She stays on her bed almost all the time. We've let her out twice to go potty and she's able to get herself up and out although she walks like a drunken sailor. She's taken water and eaten a little bit of food. She started trying to clean herself a little, too. Other than that she lays very quietly on her bed for long periods of time which is unusual for her. I'd appreciate any ideas or advice that you folks can offer. I am hopeful that she will recover. I'm not sure she will every be back to her old self as I fear she's got some permanent neurological deficits. NOTES: 1. Mary had a badly broken leg as a puppy so one of her rear legs is deformed and shorter than the other. Her gait has never been normal and often walks on 3 legs. She is too unsteady to do her 3-legged walk since she got sick. 2. It was snowy here for the last week. She loves our walks in the snow and is always sticking her nose in it and eating some. The best theory I have is that she did ingest some toxin on one of our walks but other than a de-icer I don't know what that would be. It does not seem to be the right season for pesticides. 3. Mary and Del are always eating grass or dirt in our backyard. Our backyard is pretty "natural" as the dogs tear it up pretty good. We have not put any chemicals down back there. Edited December 22, 2008 by bonnebike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmdsmoxie Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Any chance she got into some anti freeze on your walk? Dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 (edited) Anti-freeze is very toxic, and if de-icer contains ethylene glycol too, so would that be. Not sure it would produce those symptoms though - I think the usual thing is organ failure. Could she have vestibular disease? Edited to add link Edited December 21, 2008 by silverfish Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonnebike Posted December 21, 2008 Share Posted December 21, 2008 Any chance she got into some anti freeze on your walk? Only if someone poured in on the sidewalk. There were no pans of fluid out for her to drink out of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonnebike Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Could she have vestibular disease? The symptoms seem to match somewhat. This came on very suddenly -- essentially overnight -- so I don't know how well that matches up. She is definitely better today. I hope that continues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Prayers for your little sweetie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Another possibility is FCE (fibrocartilaginous embolism). I don't have a link for that handy. Sometimes steroids are given, but as with vestibular, the treatment mostly consists of supportive care and time. Will pray for your sweet pupper, that she continues to improve. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Hope she continues to improve. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Here is some info on FCE: http://greyhound.mousetrap.net/altus/fce.html Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Sending prayers for Mary. Please update us as you can...I am so happy that you are seeing some improvement. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonnebike Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Another possibility is FCE (fibrocartilaginous embolism). This sounds like what the vet was looking for. He tried two different techniques to get a different contrast on the picture, but there was nothing definitive that he could see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona3 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 She could have vestibular disease as was suggested. We had a grey that was fine at bedtime and it literally happened within a few hours. He couldn't stand at all and looked like he had a stroke. With supportive care, he gradually regained the use of his legs although he was unsteady on his feet for almost a week. It is very frightening to see but he made a total recovery. Hopefully Mary will continue to improve - it sounds encouraging that she is on the road to recovery. Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shelbygirl07 Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 hope mary continues to improve, good luck and keep us posted if they find out anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Could she have vestibular disease? The symptoms seem to match somewhat. This came on very suddenly -- essentially overnight -- so I don't know how well that matches up. She is definitely better today. I hope that continues. She could have vestibular disease as was suggested. We had a grey that was fine at bedtime and it literally happened within a few hours. He couldn't stand at all and looked like he had a stroke. With supportive care, he gradually regained the use of his legs although he was unsteady on his feet for almost a week. It is very frightening to see but he made a total recovery. Hopefully Mary will continue to improve - it sounds encouraging that she is on the road to recovery. I read an article on Vestibular disease not too long ago and as mentioned above it does come on suddenly. The good thing about it is that it usually clears up within a week or two. Ask your vet if this could possibly be her problem. From the symptoms you describe, nausea and inability to walk, it really does sound possible that this is her problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted December 22, 2008 Share Posted December 22, 2008 Sending lots of prayers and good thoughts for Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyGreys Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Sending lots of prayers for Mary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonnebike Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Mary is better today. She is trying to act more like herself, but she is too unstable on her feet to let her be as exuberant as she wants. The vet is still having trouble getting lab results because of the bad weather here. His normal couriers are not running. He's trying to call in favors at Oregon State University. I talked to the vet today and mentioned FCE and vestibular disease. Both were on his list, but he is leaning more toward FCE or a slipped disc. He says it may be in the cervical area. Unfortunately, he only x-rayed the lumbar area because that's where the symptoms pointed at the time. He says Mary's lack of nystagmus and the way she walked make him think that vestibular disease is less likely. If it were vestibular, he'd expect her to list to one side or walk in circle. Mary walked like she didn't know where her feet were. He also did a little test flipping her feet over and try to make her stand on her "knuckles" as it were. Most dogs will immediately right their foot. Mary took several seconds to correct it. Anyway, she is a lot better. We are very grateful. Thanks for all the good thoughts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 I'm glad Mary's doing better. Sending prayers for continued improvement. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FullMetalFrank Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Glad she is feeling a little better and hope you get a diagnosis soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Good to hear that she is improving! That's a very positive sign, no matter what the cause. We're dealing with compressed discs in the neck here, with Renie. The reason I didn't immediately think of that with Mary is that vomiting isn't usually a symptom ... but pain is. With a disc lesion/compression severe enough to cause loss of limb control to the extent of staggering and falling, I'd expect some screaming too - certainly when she fell on the stairs. Of course, all greys are different, and I'm not a vet, so these are only my personal observations. Is Mary the truly stoical type? Or does she squeal when she's hurt? From your description of her lack of coordination, and bumbling, staggering gait, it didn't sound as if pain was a factor. I hope you manage to find the cause! It's very worrying when these things happen to our beloved dogs - especially this close to Christmas. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiona3 Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Glad to see there is some improvement. Even if she is still unstable on her feet, it is a good sign. I'll be thinking of her and hoping you get some results that will give you the answers you need. Quote Hobbes - April 2, 1994 to April 9, 2008-----Tasha - May 23, 2000 to March 31, 2013 Fiona - Aug 29, 2001 to May 5, 2014-----Bailey - March 22, 2001 to Jan 20, 2015 Zeke - June 1, 2004 - Jan 26, 2016----Callie - July 14, 2006 to July 27, 2019 Forever in my heart: Chooch, Molly, Dylan & Lucy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bonnebike Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Is Mary the truly stoical type? Or does she squeal when she's hurt? Mary has a pretty high pain threshold unlike our "big baby" Delgado who will yelp and start shaking at the littlest bump. With her left back leg being all messed up she may have dealt with pain all her life. It doesn't show though. She is higher energy than Del and certainly wants to run more than he does. She runs on 3 legs, but is still pretty fast. I don't know if we'll get that part of her back, but some of her goofyness is still there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Sending more prayers for sweet Mary. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfish Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Is Mary the truly stoical type? Or does she squeal when she's hurt? Mary has a pretty high pain threshold unlike our "big baby" Delgado who will yelp and start shaking at the littlest bump. With her left back leg being all messed up she may have dealt with pain all her life. It doesn't show though. She is higher energy than Del and certainly wants to run more than he does. She runs on 3 legs, but is still pretty fast. I don't know if we'll get that part of her back, but some of her goofyness is still there. Aww! She looks like Jack, and it seems she's got a similar personality, too! I wonder if they have any common ancestors? Jack raced as Flashing Star. Quote The plural of anecdote is not dataBrambleberry Greyhounds My Etsy Shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazygang Posted December 23, 2008 Share Posted December 23, 2008 Sending well wishes for your beautiful Mary....... Quote Run free our beloved Sir Snowy, Pip, Queenie, Sadie, Tess & Rosie until we meet again......I would rather feel the thorn than to never see the rose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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