The Problem With Wizard's Illness

[Guest SusanP]

The problem with this illness Wizard is having is that the symptoms keep changing. Early on it was just high stepping with a front leg, then a little weakness in the hind legs on occasion. Then he began peeing and pooping in the house, peeing hourly, no more leg issues except for beginning to walk slower on walks.

 

After his gas treatment, he's seldom having an accident in the house and doesn't need to pee so often, but he is slower than ever on most walks, has no leg issues, but has developed an extremely iffy appetite. The earlier restless and pacing we saw has now changed to what seems to be tiredness. He won't go out in the yard (downstairs) even when the other dogs do except maybe once a day. He sometimes turns up his nose at beef and rice, other times begs for food but never seems crazy about what I offer him unless it's pills wrapped in cheese.

 

Vet is conferring today with a vet at an emergency/specialty clinic near here and we'll probably have an ultrasound done there. But this has been dragging on so long and I'm getting more and more scared.

 

Bloodwork was great,initial urinanalysis showed no sign of infection, xray showed no problems in spine, spleen, kidneys, bladder, and only lots of gas in the small and maybe large intestines. Advanced thyroid test says he's fine. Teeth seem to be healing from extractions well, he takes enalapril 1x a day for mild congestive heart failure.

 

Does any of this mess ring a bell for anyone? The vet tech mentioned worming (have not done a fecal). I'm wondering about tumors, TBD's, other bowel issues? He's 9 1/2 years old.

 

I'm really getting impatient for him and am so worried. He just isn't acting like my Wizard.

Edited March 22, 2010 by SusanP

[Guest eaglflyt]

I'll certainly keep Wizard in my prayers. I, too, would be wondering about TBDs and would request a *full tick panel*. I'd also be sure to check a fecal. I'd also recheck another urine sample for any signs of infection. I truly hope there's no tumor.

[DaisyDoodle]

My shephard-mix, Lucky, has had some of those same symptoms. She originally had Cushing's Disease (hyper-active adrenal system). She converted to Addison's Disease (adrenal insufficiency) due to the treatment. If the blood and UA might indicate adrenal involvement, I'd ask for the stress test (blocking on the name at the moment) that will show this.

 

Good luck. I hate medical mysteries. Lucky went for almost a year without a definitive diagnosis, then the problems with the treatment left me really frustrated. She's going for her Percorten shot today for her Addison's. This is still a work in progress to get her up to an adequate dose.

[Guest SusanP]

The vet said bloodwork showed no sign of Cushings or diabetes. I asked because of all the peeing. But I'll run this all by the vet today when we talk.

[silverfish]

Has your vet considered neosporosis? Over here, it's relatively rarely seen pathologically (although many dogs are thought to be infected), but more vets are testing for it, because not only does it cause illness in affected dogs, it's also an important cause of abortion in cattle. Most acute cases are young pups, and present with weakness or paralysis in one or more limbs, usually the hind legs.

 

Older dogs, which are less commonly affected, often have signs of multifocal CNS involvement or polymyositis; less common manifestations result from myocarditis, dermatitis, pneumonia, or multifocal dissemination.

 

Multifocal dissemination - that means that other signs can vary according to where in the body the parasite has migrated.

 

Source

 

When Jim had his head wobbles and was referred to the specialist, it was one of the things they tested for, but for him the only accurate way to test was to do a spinal tap since it was his brain they were looking at. I think there are blood tests you can do.

[Guest Energy11]

It IS a mystery! Did you ever forward his symptoms, and all his medical history to Dr. Couto, and OSU? IF not, might be worth it asap.

 

TO ME, it is neurological in nature. Curfew has had a neurological problem off and on since Sept. 2008. Only way truly diagnose, is an MRI. I KNOW what it is like not to know. Curfew has what the vets think are small seizures off and on.

 

I don't know WHAT is causing all of this for Wizard, but, I would say it is neurological in nature. I hate to mention this, and I am probably wrong, but, like what has been suggested with Curfew, it could be a brain lesion (tumor). It is something to run by the vet, at least.

 

No matter what it is, I feel you pain, and go through this everyday, too.

 

Sending love, hugs and a lot of prayers! Dee

Edited March 22, 2010 by Energy11

[Guest SusanP]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I'll ask the vet about all of these and consider contacting OSU if we're still getting nowhere in the next couple of days.

 

You know, I kind of wonder if this is still somehow at least partly about his tooth extractions. He had 9 removed, most of his molars. I came home from work and he was begging. I offered him hamburger mixed with rice, and he wouldn't touch it. But soft bread was a go. He has never been a picky eater in his life, more of a glutton, actually.

 

But that can't account for all the symptoms he's had. I am more and more afraid it could be neurological, though any leg/foot related symptoms were fleeting. It could also be that gas caused him not to want to lift his hind legs too high, as that symptom cleared up as soon as we began treating for gas.

 

So at the moment, he's not eating much and he's tired on walks. And he won't go downstairs to go out in the yard except at night when bread is involved.

Edited March 22, 2010 by SusanP

[Guest Energy11]

Thanks for the ideas so far. I'll ask the vet about all of these and consider contacting OSU if we're still getting nowhere in the next couple of days.

 

You know, I kind of wonder if this is still somehow at least partly about his tooth extractions. He had 9 removed, most of his molars. I came home from work and he was begging. I offered him hamburger mixed with rice, and he wouldn't touch it. But soft bread was a go. He has never been a picky eater in his life, more of a glutton, actually.

 

But that can't account for all the symptoms he's had. I am more and more afraid it could be neurological, though any leg/foot related symptoms were fleeting. It could also be that gas caused him not to want to lift his hind legs too high, as that symptom cleared up as soon as we began treating for gas.

 

So at the moment, he's not eating much and he's tired on walks. And he won't go downstairs to go out in the yard except at night when bread is involved.

 

Curfew has to be "lured" out with kibble at night. He will lie on the couch, or wherever, just panting and whining. WE have to figure out what he needs, ie: potty, pain, fear, ... He is pretty "normal" during the day, but since his last "episode" (*seizure/mini stroke, whatever ... ) last week, he is slower walking and doesn't want to walk as much as before. UGH!

 

If this is neurological with Wizard, all you can do, is take it day, by day, or it will make you crazy! Trust me on this.

 

Sending lots of love!

[Guest SusanP]

Ok, hold the phone...In desperation, I put a can of canned dog food (which Wiz had been eating mixed with soft kibble since his dental until we began the burger/rice regime 2 days ago) on the burger and rice, and he ate it all at a good rate in one sitting. He's never been a picky eater, but apparently it isn't *all* food he is turning his nose up at.

 

When he walks, he looks completely normal. He just seems tired all of a sudden and walks slower then. No potty accidents in a few days. Maybe half his problem is he's gotten used to tastier food??? I'll see how he walks later today after getting a good meal into his stomach.

[TheFullHouse]

Might be worth doing the ultrasound just to make sure there is nothing in the gut that is causing the problems, especially if he's having problems with gas.

 

I hope you solve the mystery soon and your boy is back to normal and feeling good.

[Guest Houndie]

Last year, we took a Huskie in to have his teeth cleaned. After we picked him up, he seemed like a different dog. He is a really high energy dog, but all he wanted to do was lay around. He just was not himself at all. We took him back to the vet, and he could find nothing wrong with him, and yet something wasn't right. Neurologically speaking, he was not normal at all. Slow, tired, no appetite, and sort of like he was in a stupor. We never did come up with anything, nor did the vet, but after about 3 weeks, he slowly returned to his normal self. I'm not sure when Wizard had his dental, but if the symptoms started up after that I would be suspicious that there is some correlation. I sure hope you are able to figure out what is going on. Prayers for all of you.

[Batmom]

I would do the ultrasound, just for peace of mind.

 

Sending prayers and gentle scritchies for your boy.

[Guest Energy11]

Last year, we took a Huskie in to have his teeth cleaned. After we picked him up, he seemed like a different dog. He is a really high energy dog, but all he wanted to do was lay around. He just was not himself at all. We took him back to the vet, and he could find nothing wrong with him, and yet something wasn't right. Neurologically speaking, he was not normal at all. Slow, tired, no appetite, and sort of like he was in a stupor. We never did come up with anything, nor did the vet, but after about 3 weeks, he slowly returned to his normal self. I'm not sure when Wizard had his dental, but if the symptoms started up after that I would be suspicious that there is some correlation. I sure hope you are able to figure out what is going on. Prayers for all of you.

 

You may have just shed some light on this!

 

SOMETIMES, during surgeries, whether they are canine or human, the patient(s) can have a stroke. Maybe, just maybe, this is what happened to Wizard when he was under? OR, maybe there was some type of reaction to the anesthesia? With the symptoms being "sort of" neurological, yes, it could all be tied into the dental surgery.

 

Just one more part of this "puzzle," to ask your vet.

 

Sending TONS of prayers and good luck! Dee and The Five

 

Both are very good questions to present to the vet!

[Guest SusanP]

Thanks, everyone! Very interesting about the post-dental neurological weirdness. This didn't start immediately after the dental, but 2 weeks and 2 days afterward. We thought maybe it was too long for there to be a connection.

 

The good news is Wiz had a very good afternoon--seems much more normal all around to me. He ate the canned dog food I gave him mixed with his burger and rice, he didn't slow down til close to the end of the walk, when all the dogs were beginning to slow down too, he ran downstairs when I called him and banged on the back door, ran out, and ran back up the stairs when he was done peeing. Later on, he actually went down on his own to ask to go out--a first in a long time! He is nosing around at things we are doing, nosing the fish food container, getting up when someone comes in the front door--all things we have not seen in awhile. The vet is still consulting with the emergency/specialty clinic vet, but I let her know things had changed a little this afternoon. I'm crossing my fingers. This all began on March 4th, so it's been 18 days.

[Guest Energy11]

What a GREYT report!

 

Hope that boy of yours, keeps improving!!!!!!

[Guest SusanP]

I'm trying not to get too excited, but last night Wizard continued to do all the little things I hadn't even noticed he'd stopped doing during his illness--nosing the goldfish food container, lifting his head up when I entered the room, going to the door when someone entered the house, coming to get DH at 8:00 sharp to remind him it was time to go out and have a small piece of bread...There is a whole ritual associated with DH and the last turnout, mainly due to Wizard's love of following rules--DH has to go get his vitamin in the bathroom, first, and for the first time in weeks, Wizard did his own part by following DH into the bathroom to wait for him to finish and get to the bread and turnout.

 

This morning I got up at 5:30, and soon after, Wiz was in the kitchen nudging food dishes (though he still doesn't want the burger and rice!) and when I asked, went right downstairs and outside to pee! The last accident he had in the house was Saturday morning (he pooped in front of the food dishes), and this is Tuesday morning--the best stretch we've had.

 

He still seems to me to be peeing a little more often and more immediately when he gets outside than formerly, but I'm crossing my fingers.

 

The vet will call today after consulting with another vet--She called at dinnertime yesterday and I told her something was changing. Now my question is if Wizard is actually better, do I go ahead and get some things checked out anyway? If so, what?

 

Please continue crossing fingers, etc...I think it may be working!

[Guest Houndie]

That is wonderful news! I hope things continue on this course now, and Wizard is soon back to being his normal self. Fingers, toes and paws crossed here!

Edited March 23, 2010 by Houndie

[Guest Energy11]

Because Wizard is doing this well, I'd maybe hold off for a few days, with the vets, to see if this pattern continues! I surely hope it does! :-)

 

 

 

[silverfish]

Oh, that all sounds like excellent news! Hope he continues to do well!

[Magdalyn58]

I'm so hoping that Wizard has turned the corner on not feeling well and continues to get back to his old self.

[DaisyDoodle]

I, too, would wait a couple of days if things continue to go well, regroup, talk to Dr. Couto, then make a plan. I'd consider either changing vets or at least getting a second opinion or specialist involved depending on what Dr. Couto or his group say.

[Guest SusanP]

Quick update: Wizard still seems back to normal. Thanks for the good thoughts, everyone!