Another sick dog thread

Road King Cole

Road King Cole

God
Not to downplay other's health issues (feel better soon Ferm), I have been having trouble with my dog Bailey. She'll be 9 in December. Supposedly she is just experiencing idiopathic vestibular disease. Idiopathic means they don't know the cause. It's like vertigo.
For a few weeks we thought her arthritis was bothering her greatly as she started walking funny. Then last weekend she couldn't walk at all so we took her to the animal emergency hospital where they diagnosed the vestibular disease. They said it should just go away in 3-5 days. She was still struggling so we took her to our normal vet Tuesday and they agreed with the diagnosis, but said 5-7 days. She has been taking dramamine to settle her stomach and just started taking an antibiotic in case it is a middle ear infection.
She can't get up to even start walking indoors with our slippery floors and scatter rugs to try to help. Outside it is very difficult to keep her up so she can pee/poop. Last night after a little walk with me trying to keep her upright she ended up peeing laying down. She is eating\drinking less and less.
She's had all the blood tests and body Xrays to rule out other causes, next test would be a catscan\mri of the brain, of course if they find something there it wouldn't be good.
Then of course the question of money, catscan\mri's aren't cheap, but it will give us an answer.
Here is a video I took earlier in the week when she could get up by herself outside.
http://s947.photobucket.com/user/roadkingcole/media/Poor_Bailey.mp4.html
rkc
 
Man, RKC that's rough. Poor girl. She looks like she wants to be happy. I'm sure she just wonders what is going on with her balance, just like you. I hope the docs are right and it goes away soon. Rooting for ya Baily!!!
 
Wife just spoke to the vet, since she is not really eating\drinking it's time for the neurologist. The somewhat local one just left for vacation, looks like we will be bringing her into Boston.

rkc
 
Dagnabbit, hope it goes well for Bailey. I have a friend that just took her dog (Westie) for a consult. $1000 Surgery for tumor removal from kidney $3100 to $3600 if no complications.
 
My first Lab went through this when he was 10 or 11 years old. In his case he was back to normal quickly, within 24 hours, but when it persists as long as it has with your Bailey then you're doing the right thing to proceed with further tests. At least you'll know what you're up against. Best of luck.
 
Boston didn't have any appointments until 2 weeks, we could go to the emergency room and hopefully see a neurologist.

Found a place in RI that has an appointment for tommorrow at 10am.

In the meantime they recommend forcing pedialite down her. Don't think they will have beef flavored.

rkc
 
My Sasha had hip displacia, and in her final year she couldn't walk on her hind legs. I made a sling for her out of an old bath towel and some straps. Went around her belly and I could lift her rear up so she could walk using her front legs with me carrying her rear legs. It kept her from peeing or pooping on herself. You might want to try the same kind of thing with Baily. I know it's a different illness, but the results are the same... it will ease the going to the bathroom process, and at the same time will give a steady support. I'm really sorry you and your friend are going thru this RKC... Hang in there. Wishing all the best for you guys tomorrow.
 
When she was down on her back my Hershey girl had store bought sling like you described. She basically had no use of her rear legs for a couple months and without the sling I don't know how in the world she could've done her business. Amazing how she adapted to the sling as well.
 
She has multiple abnormalities in her brain, most likely lymphoma. She will hopefully respond to meds and maybe have 6-8 months.

And yes, I was using a sling like that earlier in the week.

I'm pretty sad...

rkc
 
She was out of it today, no tail wag, not eating, not really there. She was getting worse every day, chemo would take days to see results if any.

We put her to rest.
:cry:
Bailey-1.jpg
 
Very sorry RKC. Tough business.. you had no choice really, she is thanking you right now. I still miss my Max from several months ago. I know the heartache. We do what we had to.
 
I'm so sorry. You have to balance your loss against the fact that she's no longer in any pain or suffering. You did the right thing.
 
What RidgeRunner and Destroyer said, RKC. The joy and happiness she gave makes it so difficult to lose her, until you meet again one fine day. 'Til then you have my most sincere sympathy.
 
Dogs have always like me, for the most part I can go up to the most nasty dog and win them over. I have had dogs my whole life and when I don't have one I miss them and wish I had one close by. I have said this in past posts, but we keep pets here for us. All a pet knows it they hurt.... You have to do the right thing for the dog and some times it's a hard decision.

You know the right road to take and I know you will make the right choice.
 
Sorry to hear about you loss its always hard to loose our 4 legged friends and I always believe that when a animal don't eat or drink there in extreme pain try and enjoy the memories
 
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