7 yo unraced grey - neurological issues? Muscle issues?

[okslater]

Hello, we are having a difficult time getting a diagnosis for my 7 year old dog, Lemming's, issue. She started flapping and scratching at her ears a lot two months ago. Took her to the vet - they prescribed ear drops. They couldn't look in her ears as she wouldn't let them. 

Two weeks later, she's still doing it, so back in again. Diagnosed dental pain. She had 15 teeth out. Post surgery, she was still flapping her ears and now we noticed she was tilting her head a lot, and crying out in extreme pain. Assumed it was still dental pain as she recovered from the surgery, kept giving her painkillers, but then when it wasn't resolved after a week, we called the vets again. We got a more experienced vet who said it sounded like a neck issue. He was able to replicate the issue by pressing on her neck (I'm not sure where - we're not allowed into the surgeries here due to covid so everything is conveyed remotely). He gave us gabapentin as well as anti-inflammatories, and referred us for an urgent MRI (which we still haven't had, as it seems everyone in the UK has bought a pup and all the vets/hospitals are overwhelmed). She has a left ear that is continuously twitching. No other neurological signs that I can see. 

The gabapentin has knocked her out, but she still cries when she twists her head. She can walk normally except for the head lean. She is going up and down the stairs as nimbly as ever, was still up for walks (until we knocked her out with the gaba), her appetite is good, although she's more lethargic than usual due to the pain. No nystagmus or any sign of vertigo. When she had her teeth removed, they thoroughly checked her ears and couldn't see anything. She's not stumbling or having difficult coordinating movement. 

She ran into our glass back door 2-3 months ago. Perhaps she crushed a disc? Or could this be a tumour pressing on her spine? She is usually incredibly nimble for a greyhound. She is much more supple and coordinated than our other, 3 year old boy grey. 

It's looking like it will be at least until next week before we get an MRI. I'm worried sick about her. I've had her since she was 18 months old, she's a failed racer as she was too anxious. She is my sweet, little girl. 

Has anyone ever experienced similar issues? 

 

[FiveRoooooers]

Lemmin is really cute. I'm sorry she has so much pain. It does seem reasonable that her issue began with her running into the door, as you note this is when she began scratching her ears. Until an MRI can be scheduled, could some x-rays be done? They won't tell you everything but they might give some clues.  How much Gabapentin is she getting? Low dose is typically 100mg 1-3x/day, and it can go up from there quite dramatically (Aiden gets 600mg TID.)

Good luck, and please let us know you're all doing 

[okslater]

Thanks FiveRoooooers, good suggestion. However I just called our vet and even that will take over a week, as they are so busy. Covid has really screwed things up for us here. I have asked them to book us in for that anyway, and will keep trying for the MRI in the meantime. She's on 300mg three times a day of Gabapentin. She's quite small - only 26 kg. She seems a bit more alert on it today, and is doing a lot more scratching and rubbing of her left ear. 

[greysmom]

That's quite a high dose of gabapentin to begin with.  If she's *too* sedated, ask your vet to bump her back to 100mg.  Though if the 300s aren't making any difference, it's likely not an issue gabapentin will help with anyway.  I would also talk with them about an actual pain reliever such as codeine sulfate.  We usually say to steer clear of most opiate pain relievers as greyhounds don't react to them well, but codeine sulfate seems to be an exception.  Again, start with a smaller dose, and increase carefully if needed.

I second trying to get in for an xray.  It would have been nice if they'd done that when they had her in the clinic the first time.  As Jan said, it won't tell you everything, but will certainly tell you if she has a disc issue or broken vertebrae, or other fracture issues.  They may feel they need to sedate her beforehand, but they really don't if she's that lethargic on gabapentin.  She'll likely just lay however they put her for the five seconds it takes to snap an xray.

[okslater]

Yes unfortunately when she was in with this the last time I wasn't there, as the only appointment we could get was when I was unavailable. My partner took her in (it's his dog too), but I'm the one who makes these kind of decisions for her so he was waiting for my input. She will definitely need sedating as even though she's zonked, she's flickering and panting and shifting around. The vet she's with now is very good, we have four pets and I've been with that surgery for over ten years, but yeah I will ask him about codeine sulfate as the gabapentin doesn't seem to be hitting the head pain. Thank you!

[okslater]

Still waiting for an appointment with neurology. There is a big backlog in the UK especially for neurology, I've been told. We were bounced from a couple of hospitals straight away as the wait is too long. Hopefully she will get seen next week. Meanwhile, she has adjusted to the gabapentin and it seems to be helping. She is not crying out nearly as often. We haven't been told whether to restrict her movements or not. I'm not sure what to do. 

[FiveRoooooers]

It's awful that she can't be seen asap but great that she's responding to the Gaba. It wouldn't be wrong to try to limit her activity until you have more information. A quiet walk in the yard might be ok if you can use a harness on her which would not put any pressure on her neck.

[okslater]

Thanks, yeah, that's what we'll do I think. Poor mutt. She doesn't like being left behind when I walk our other grey. But he is a crazy one and will just be a pest if he doesn't get enough exercise. 

[okslater]

Two months, I've just been told, before we can get a neurology appointment. My poor dog!

[RemusinCA]

Hi @okslater, we are in the same boat here in California. Appointment to see a neurologist is 6 weeks out and we likely need an MRI. Maybe you've done this but make sure you're on the waitlist for any cancellations. Perhaps your vet can call to express the urgency. In the meantime, have you considered acupuncture, laser therapy or PEMF therapy to give some relief? 

[macoduck]

Have you tried Trazodone to calm her down?

We used 100mg on my 58 lb Georgie. Do NOT start on that high a dose. Cut it down to 1/4 or 1/2 of that 100 mg pill. It takes the edge off and was the only way to get her nails trimmed at the vet since groomers (and me) couldn't handle her. It took 9 months and we can now take her in without dosing her.

Trazodone wears off after 4 hours +/-. It can be used for helping with thunderstorm issues too. Fireworks maybe.

[NeylasMom]

Not sure how it works in the UK, but here your vet can call for you to get you seen on an emergency basis. You might try asking your regular vet about that. 

It's good that the Gaba is helping in the meantime. I may have missed this, but is she also on muscle relaxers and/or an NSAID? They can all be used safely in combination so worth exploring if she's still having some issues. 

I agree with restricting her to shorter leash walks for now. No running, playing, on/off furniture for now. Limit stairs if you're able. Hopefully it's just something that needs some time to heal. Agree as well that there's no harm in trying pEMF or cold laser, and acupuncture or massage therapy could be helpful if you can find someone good and she will tolerate it. I would avoid chiropractic treatments. 

[okslater]

Thanks everyone. Yeah my vet sent a detailed email to the hospital explaining why he thought she really needed to be seen soon, but to no avail. He is now on holiday for two weeks. I will ask him about additional drugs when he gets back. 

 

 

[okslater]

This has turned out to be vertebral cancer. We're waiting to see if there are any treatment options. We are absolutely devastated. 

[Time4ANap]

16 minutes ago, okslater said:

This has turned out to be vertebral cancer. We're waiting to see if there are any treatment options. We are absolutely devastated. 

I'm so sorry to see this diagnosis.  Regardless of treatment, spoil that pup rotten for all of us here. 

Also, just in case you do need second opinions on anything, Dr. Cuoto will consult anywhere in the world via email and will consult with your vet if needed.  There is a fee, but many of us here have found lots of comfort in having his expertise when dealing with a complext issue for our hounds. 

https://www.coutovetconsultants.com/

Our best to you and your pup, and our paws are crossed that you have lots of time left with your beautiful girl.  Please keep us updated. 

[okslater]

Thanks you Time4ANap. I'm trying to pull myself together as me sobbing all the time is not good for her! She's always been very sensitive to emotions. I really need to pull myself together and plan some nice times for her while she's still up for it. 

[FiveRoooooers]

3 hours ago, Time4ANap said:

I'm so sorry to see this diagnosis.  Regardless of treatment, spoil that pup rotten for all of us here. 

Also, just in case you do need second opinions on anything, Dr. Cuoto will consult anywhere in the world via email and will consult with your vet if needed.  There is a fee, but many of us here have found lots of comfort in having his expertise when dealing with a complext issue for our hounds. 

https://www.coutovetconsultants.com/

Our best to you and your pup, and our paws are crossed that you have lots of time left with your beautiful girl.  Please keep us updated. 

All of this.

[cleptogrey]

so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. remember the phrase "quality of life"- for both you and your sweet pup. 

[BatterseaBrindl]

[okslater]

Thanks. The surgeon just called. She said it's a nerve sheath tumour. They are going to do a CT scan but think it's a primary and hasn't spread, so will resect as much of it as possible and then possibly some radiography depending on the histology report. Fingers crossed it's not too aggressive and doesn't grow back quickly, and it buys us some more months at least. 

[racindog]

Prayers going up from KY for your sweet girl! Sending love and positive energy and scritches and gentle hugs as well.

 

[Houndtime]

I am so sorry for the sad diagnosis.

[greysmom]

I'm so sorry.  What a horrible shock!  I really hope the surgery helps give you all a bit more good quality time.

{{{hugs}}}

[okslater]

Thank you everyone. I just wasn't expecting it. We both feel so awful, and don't know how we can live without her in our lives. We love her so much! I'm hoping this is just early stage grief and we can move on so we aren't stressing her out with our emotions. 

[macoduck]

Okslater, my senior boy Allen had a nerve sheath tumor. Didn't both him at all. It wasn't what took him in the end. This is what I wrote about it in his obituary here on GT:

In late summer I noticed an area of Allen's skull starting to sink in. It was a real puzzler for my vets. An xray and a consult with Dr Couto provided a diagnosis of a nerve sheath tumor. It wasn't in his brain, but rather, wrapping around nerves and causing muscle wasting. It never bothered Allen at all. It's visible in one of these photos, just above his left eye.

I am so glad that you took quick action for your girl and that she'll have a good outcome.