Guest BradyzMommy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 (edited) Maddi was having what looked to be rear leg weakeness. We assumed it was the pheno for her seizures. But she has been on the medication for over two months now and we knew that should have happened in the first few weeks. The next day, she had a stiff right leg and was having more trouble walking. By the following afternoon, her leg was swollen to three times its normal size. She had pitted adema and was crying out in pain. Immediately, our vet took x-rays. He saw nothing that looked even remotely suspicious. He took more x-rays. He also took 5 biopsies of the leg and lymph node. He did blood work for everything imaginable. NOTHING. Everything came back negative, which is awesome, but she is still having trouble walking, is on tons of meds (Tramadol, Baytril, Clavamox, Prednisone, Pepcid AC and a muscle relaxer) and has lost about 11 lbs. which she could not spare. First question, has anyone had anything like this happen with their grey? If so, what did it turn out to be? Also, how can I put weight back on her (aside from feeding her pancakes, which she just LOOOOOVES )? ETA: We also thought it might have been a bug/spider/tick bite. We found no obvious punctures and all tick-bourne diseases came back negative. Edited May 31, 2011 by BradyzMommy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 (edited) Poor baby! I have a recipe for Satin Balls from a greyhound kennel. I've never tried it but I'm told it is excellent for putting on weight. Ingredients: 5lb. Fatty ground beef (fattiest you can find) ½ lb. Cream cheese 1 Small jar of natural peanut butter (nothing but peanuts in it) 12 Egg yolks (not the whites) 2 cups Oatmeal, soaked for at least 2 hours (better overnight) in 18% cream 1 cup Wheat germ Directions: Mix everything up in a large bowl, you'll have to use your hands to do this, just dive in. When well mixed, roll into ping pong sized balls and place on cookie sheet. Freeze, put into a bag and serve 4 with each meal. Edited May 31, 2011 by OwnedBySummer Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eaglflyt Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 (edited) For the tick testing did they just do an in-house SNAP4 test, or did they send out a sample for a full tick panel? The SNAP4 just tests for a few of the possible TBD's of particular strains. It is not comprehensive and leaves many bases uncovered. Just a thought. You might also inquire about an ultrasound of the leg to check for soft masses that wouldn't show on x-ray or possible blood clots. Edited May 31, 2011 by eaglflyt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 For the tick testing did the just do an in-house SNAP4 test, or did they send out a sample for a full tick panel? The SNAP4 just tests for a few of the possible TBD's of particular strains. It is not comprehensive and leaves many bases uncovered. Just a thought. He sent out for a full tick panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest eaglflyt Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Oh, I was hopeful that maybe there was one that was untested for ... like Babesia or Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever. My next thought would be either vasculitis, some occult infection process, or possibly circulatory, lymph or clotting issue. I know in humans that when lymph circulation is compromised, limbs can swell to enormous size. I'll be watching for updates and keeping your pup in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 How long since she had her last episode? Unless within last week, I'd talk to vet about starting to back off on some of the meds -- first probably the muscle relaxer and the Baytril, then the Tramadol. Muscle relaxer and tramadol can cause some wooziness / stumbling. Baytril because you shouldn't need it AND the Clavamox if she's well past her crisis. If she loves pancakes, I'd feed them. Nice if she'd eat some scrambled eggs (protein) alongside, but at this point anything you can do to keep her weight at a reasonable level is a plus. Sending lots of hugs and hopes she makes a full recovery. 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...
Remolacha Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 It could still have been a bug/spider bite, sometimes the bite is almost invisible. But, that should have improved after a few days, not sure how long this has been going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Oh, I was hopeful that maybe there was one that was untested for ... like Babesia or Rocky Mtn. Spotted Fever. My next thought would be either vasculitis, some occult infection process, or possibly circulatory, lymph or clotting issue. I know in humans that when lymph circulation is compromised, limbs can swell to enormous size. I'll be watching for updates and keeping your pup in my prayers. Yes, he suspected that it may be vascular caused by an infection. Which is why she is on a couple of antibiotics now. She isnt having a clotting issue. And after losing one to DIC, we are grateful. How long since she had her last episode? Unless within last week, I'd talk to vet about starting to back off on some of the meds -- first probably the muscle relaxer and the Baytril, then the Tramadol. Muscle relaxer and tramadol can cause some wooziness / stumbling. Baytril because you shouldn't need it AND the Clavamox if she's well past her crisis. If she loves pancakes, I'd feed them. Nice if she'd eat some scrambled eggs (protein) alongside, but at this point anything you can do to keep her weight at a reasonable level is a plus. Sending lots of hugs and hopes she makes a full recovery. Its been months since her last seizure. She isnt as unsteady anymore and she only gets the muscle relaxer at night before bedtime. I think he put her on a range of antibiotics since he had no clue as to what it was. I'm going to make her some satin balls tonight to get her weight back up. It could still have been a bug/spider bite, sometimes the bite is almost invisible. But, that should have improved after a few days, not sure how long this has been going on? This has been going on for almost a week now. Her swelling was all the way up to her thigh. Its now down to her ankle and foot and looks so much better, but we still have no idea what is causing it. I really wish she could talk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 no ideas on what is causing this to Maddi just hope it goes away & doesnt come back Quote Caroline, Mom to Daphne (49B-50215) and Penny (41D-55779)Remembering Bridge Angels Margo and Sabrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 As Sherlock Holmes is said to have surmised... once all the obvious things than been thought about then what remains are the wierdest things: Has anyone thought about a somewhat bigger 'bug' like a snake bite? Could it even be Filarial? And what if it is Primary Lymphedema (inherited)which can often show up late? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BiancasMom Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Does she have a fever? It may help her feel better to do a warm Epsom soak on the leg. I hope she feels better soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Does she have a fever? It may help her feel better to do a warm Epsom soak on the leg. I hope she feels better soon! No fever. As Sherlock Holmes is said to have surmised... once all the obvious things than been thought about then what remains are the wierdest things: Has anyone thought about a somewhat bigger 'bug' like a snake bite? Could it even be Filarial? And what if it is Primary Lymphedema (inherited)which can often show up late? Negative for all heartworms including Filarial. Her lymph nodes were tested and came back as undetermined (or something like that). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShantisMom Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Is it just joints swelling? Did they test for valley fever? She came out of Arizona and Mexico right? One of your pups came from the same kennel as shanti. Shanti was a wreck and we did a ton of tests. Her VF was negative at first then positive. It strangely keeps flip flopping from positive to negative. It was tbe lymph node culture that gave us confirmation of VF. Quote The Girls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tricolorhounds Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) Maddi was having what looked to be rear leg weakeness. We assumed it was the pheno for her seizures. But she has been on the medication for over two months now and we knew that should have happened in the first few weeks. The next day, she had a stiff right leg and was having more trouble walking. By the following afternoon, her leg was swollen to three times its normal size. She had pitted adema and was crying out in pain. Immediately, our vet took x-rays. He saw nothing that looked even remotely suspicious. He took more x-rays. He also took 5 biopsies of the leg and lymph node. He did blood work for everything imaginable. NOTHING. Everything came back negative, which is awesome, but she is still having trouble walking, is on tons of meds (Tramadol, Baytril, Clavamox, Prednisone, Pepcid AC and a muscle relaxer) and has lost about 11 lbs. which she could not spare. First question, has anyone had anything like this happen with their grey? If so, what did it turn out to be? Also, how can I put weight back on her (aside from feeding her pancakes, which she just LOOOOOVES )? ETA: We also thought it might have been a bug/spider/tick bite. We found no obvious punctures and all tick-bourne diseases came back negative. Hey Steph... Gain's brother Dewey had a similar problem with one of his legs back in December. Sharon knows the family (the Hayden's), maybe she can call and see what his turned out to be. I would but don't have their phone number. I'll email her later. Lynnet Edited June 1, 2011 by tricolorhounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Sorry to hear Maddi's still sick. I understand the frustration from getting no answers despite running all the tests as I was in the same situation last year with my grey Willow. Have you considered consulting with Dr. Couto at OSU, or asking your vet to request a consult? It may help to have a specialist review all of the tests and findings in detail. At this point, one of the most important things to look at is how is she responding to the treatment, and how is she doing overall? I know you said she's still having trouble walking - do you think it's any better or worse than before? Does she act like she's stiff and/or in pain? Or is she having trouble because she's weak and unsteady? Sounds like the swelling in her leg is going down, so there's improvement there? Were/are any of her lymph nodes enlarged, or any other joints swollen besides the one hock? What exactly did the biopsies show? How's her appetite been through all this? Is the weight loss from her not eating well? Or was she losing weight despite eating a normal amount of food? I'd agree with Batmom about backing off on some of the meds, but not the antibiotics (Baytril and Clavamox). If she's even showing a little improvement, the antibiotics may be treating an underlying infection and you want to make sure you finish out the full course, maybe even go with an extended course until her signs are resolved. If she's not stiff and painful, I'd start by getting her off the muscle relaxer and tramadol as those can cause sedation and contribute to unsteadiness. While my girl's illness last year shared a few similarities with Maddi, some of her signs were different so I'm not sure if it will help you much. We never did get a definite diagnosis on her, but the specialists had a strong suspicion of a Bartonella infection. If you're interested in reading about her case, I posted a pretty detailed account in a reply to another thread a while back. Will just link to it here rather than retyping the whole thing. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrianRke Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 The weakness in her back legs is probably due to the pheno. That side effect doesnt necessarily ever go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 No advice but sending good thoughts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4My2Greys Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 This sounds very similar to what I posted happened to Beanie around the end of April. She was in excrutiating pain when I brought her to the vet the day it swelled up like that . It took about a week for the swelling to go down and about 4 weeks for her to walk with her full weight on that leg. http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php/topic/271286-a-one-two-punch/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BradyzMommy Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Maddi was checked out again by our vet, but he still has no idea what the real issue was.....she is still on antibiotics and has lost lots of weight, but her presonality is definitely back in full force. Whatever it was, I hope it never comes back. Thanks for the satin balls recipe; she cant get enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greypuppyluv Posted June 2, 2011 Share Posted June 2, 2011 Maddi was checked out again by our vet, but he still has no idea what the real issue was.....she is still on antibiotics and has lost lots of weight, but her presonality is definitely back in full force. Whatever it was, I hope it never comes back. Thanks for the satin balls recipe; she cant get enough! I'm glad Maddi is starting to feel better. What a bummer to not know what the problem is though. I just hope she recovers fully and doesn't ever go through this again. Quote Paula & her pups--Paneer (WW Outlook Ladd), Kira & Rhett (the whippets)Forever in my heart...Tinsel (Born's Bounder - 11/9/90-12/18/01), Piper, Chevy, Keno, Zuma, Little One, Phaelin & WinnieGreyhound Adoption Center ~ So Cal rep for Whippet Rescue And Placement For beautiful beaded collars, check out my Facebook page: The Swanky Hound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.