Zero Update

[greydad92]

Hi All,

 

I wish I had better news, but Zero is not doing so hot. Last weekend he was having trouble with his hindquarters, sometimes stumbling on his right leg, but quickly correcting it. He was also moving slower. All this past week he's been moving a little slower as well. I took him to his vet Thursday, whom I think is excellent. She said she suspected that Zero may have some cervical instability and possible stenosis. A while back I forwarded that online article to her about lumbosacral stenosis (LS), which she found very interesting and informative. She didn't think Zero specifically had LS and didn't notice any pain in his lower back during the examination, however she noted "stenosis" in her report. I'm not sure what the difference between stenosis and lumbosacral stenosis is. She basically thought he looked well enough for me to keep an eye on him over the next couple days and said that if this progresses that she would recommend me for a neurological consult.

 

Today we went for a walk after work. He started off ok, but at the end of about 1/2 mile he really started to tucker out and his hindquarters were unstable.

I'm very worried to say the least. He's eating ok, drinking plenty of water, peeing and pooping ok. It's just that at the end of his walks he really goes down hill. We're going to take it really slow this weekend, but I'm afraid I'll need to make another appointment with the vet next week. He's such a good boy and my best friend. He just turned nine in April, so he's really not that old. Please say a prayer for him. I'll keep you all up to date on his progress.

 

Sincerely,

Tony (Zero's daddy)

 

[Batmom]

Your vet might be suspecting stenosis in a different region (lumbosacral refers to the area).

 

Lots of prayers for your handsome sweet boy. Keep us posted, OK? And give him some scritchies for me.

[GreyPoopon]

 

I hope the vet(s) can find a way to help your boy.

[MaryJane]

I'm sorry to hear that about Zero - hope you get to the bottom of what the problem is.

 

Larry had something similar about 1.5 years ago and he would have been about 10 then. He was loosing muscle mass on one back side and he was having trouble with one of the back legs. He had pulled a muscle previously and he did have some problems with his front feet all of which may have caused some instability at the back, and .. he was tiring on his walks. The concern was LS - make a long story short ... I ended up going to two neurologists (my regular vet really thought it was LS - hence the two opinions) and both said that it was not LS. Since it was not an LS issue, I decided to try a chiropractor treatment (from a chiropractor licensed to do animals) - he gets monthly adjustments since then and it seems to keep him "loose". I was also going to try acupuncture but, it turned out the adjustments have done what I hoped.

 

Angel has a great neurologist, Dr Sisson and there is Dr Silver at Mass Vet Referral in Woburn. Larry saw both of these vets, in addition, Dr Sisson at Angel is Lucy's (one of my other greys) neurologist for seizures.

Edited May 11, 2013 by MaryJane

[Houndtime]

How about trying some joint medication like Cosaquin DS? Good thoughts for your boy.

[greydad92]

I'm sorry to hear that about Zero - hope you get to the bottom of what the problem is.

 

Larry had something similar about 1.5 years ago and he would have been about 10 then. He was loosing muscle mass on one back side and he was having trouble with one of the back legs. He had pulled a muscle previously and he did have some problems with his front feet all of which may have caused some instability at the back, and .. he was tiring on his walks. The concern was LS - make a long story short ... I ended up going to two neurologists (my regular vet really thought it was LS - hence the two opinions) and both said that it was not LS. Since it was not an LS issue, I decided to try a chiropractor treatment (from a chiropractor licensed to do animals) - he gets monthly adjustments since then and it seems to keep him "loose". I was also going to try acupuncture but, it turned out the adjustments have done what I hoped.

 

Angel has a great neurologist, Dr Sisson and there is Dr Silver at Mass Vet Referral in Woburn. Larry saw both of these vets, in addition, Dr Sisson at Angel is Lucy's (one of my other greys) neurologist for seizures.

A positive thing about Zero is that the vet said he had excellent muscle mass. My vet also suggested the neurologist in Woburn as well. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Guest Fasave]

IMHO Sisson is your guy if you choose to see a neurologist. He is very lnowledgable with greys. Over the years my guys have seen both Sisson (Angell) and Silver (Woburn). I'm not a fan of Silver as I had a pretty bad experience with her. I hope Zero feels better soon.

[riverbosun]

Second what Melissa said. Dr. Sisson is the guru of vet neurologists. I've brought two of my dogs there for LS and FCE.

[phall]

I'm thinking of you and Zero. Keep us posted and give him a hug from me.

[Charlies_Dad]

Good thoughts for Zero and you. I hope you are able to obtain a confirmed diagnosis and can treat.

[MaryJane]

IMHO Sisson is your guy if you choose to see a neurologist. He is very lnowledgable with greys. Over the years my guys have seen both Sisson (Angell) and Silver (Woburn). I'm not a fan of Silver as I had a pretty bad experience with her. I hope Zero feels better soon.

 

 

Second what Melissa said. Dr. Sisson is the guru of vet neurologists. I've brought two of my dogs there for LS and FCE.

 

Another plug for Dr. Sisson --

 

just wanted to add that while I found both neurologists competent, I really like Dr. Sisson but, he can have a "sharp" bedside manner that some people may not be accustomed to. I tell people that I have referred to him that "he is for the dog, not necessarily for the owner".

 

With Lucy's seizures, he wants to be notified whenever she has one and he will respond within a couple of hours. I don't know many vets today that have that level of dedication.

[greytpups]

Sending good thoughts for zero

[greydad92]

Hi All,

 

Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers & suggestioons. Keep 'em coming

 

This morning Zero and I went for about a 1/4 mile walk, maybe a little more, nice and easy. He pooped & peed and sniffed around a lot, just being a dog. Not much of a change today. I'm going to the store today to get him a nice bone that he can chew on for a while. That will make him happy.

 

Sincerely,

Tony (Zero's daddy)

[Remolacha]

I am sorry Zero is having problems. My first grey had some hind end problems, spinal but not LS. Maybe stenosis? Our then vet wasn't very good at communicating. Anyway, acupuncture really helped her. She went from barely being able to walk to about 90% of her former mobility. I currently have an 11 yr old with arthritis and hind quarter weakness (but not stenosis) who has also been helped a great deal by acupuncture.

 

Hope taking things easy makes Zero feel better!

[greysmom]

I've lost track if you have Zero on any medications or not, but it might be time to add in an nsaid, and/or some pain meds (tramadol) and a drug called gabapentin for nerve pain. Most vets aren't familiar with using gabapentin as it's a people drug and only recently used for canines. If there's any sort of spinal infringement, the gabapentin should help keep him more comfortable and stable.

Edited May 11, 2013 by greysmom

[greydad92]

Hi All,

 

Just posting an update. Zero is showing improvement. He is showing more pep and seems to enjoy his walks, though slow and easy for now. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Love goes a long way as far as healing....plenty of tummy rubs too

Tony (Zero's Daddy)

[Batmom]

Good news! GO ZERO!!!!

[dante2zoe]

Glad to hear that he is feeling better! Brady has hind end weakness and takes gabapentin twice a day, which works for him right now. It is inexpensive and has helped his mobility.

 

Keep up the good work Zero!

[greydad92]

Hi All,

 

Quick Zero update. He's doing great Trotting along with me on walks. He does not like the hot weather though, anything over 70 degrees and he slows way down on his walks. It's been a nice cool Spring though which is great for the both of us. Thanks for all your positive thoughts, suggestions and prayers. I owe you all some pics. Will get those up soon.

 

Sincerely,

Tony (Zero's daddy)

[Batmom]

So good to hear! GO ZERO!!!!

[GreyPoopon]

Glad to hear he's doing well.

[seeh2o]

Great news!

[forevergrey]

Awesome news! Always great to hear the pups are doing better!

[greydad92]

Hi All,

 

So this morning Zero is having a real hard time getting around. This past week he had a tough time doing down the stairs, going one step at a time. I took him out to go pee this morning and he's limping on one of his front legs and just has trouble getting around in general. He peed. pooped and ate his breakfast, now laying on my bed. I don't know what is wrong. He was diagnosed w/ Lyme two years ago...perhaps that flaring up? His eyes aren't darting around, so I don't think it's vestibular. Again, just has trouble getting around - walking. It appears that his front legs are very stiff. He was doing so well and boom, overnight is having troubles. I hope my buddy is ok. If it doesn't clear up we're going to the vet tomorrow.

 

Thanks for listening. Please say a prayer for Zero.

 

Sincerely,

Tony (Zero's daddy)

[Batmom]

Sending lots of good thoughts for handsome Zero.