Need help ASAP with this isssue.

Oh no!  I don't know what this could possably be or even have a guess, looks like the vet is doing the best that he can.  She is such a young age!  Soething like this is hard to diagnose without a specialist looking at it.
 
All I have to say is I hope she gets better and I wish the the best and warmest wishes in dealing with this.

Oh this is terrible you must be a wreck poor puppy. Could someone have hurt her back ? She will pant like that when she is in pain. Do you live in an area where ticks are a problem I would have a lymes test done also.

They haven't done that test on her. They did the initial physical when we got her . They ran complete x-rays of her back area and spine. They ran blood work and everything came back normal.

Well at least from what I know they didn't test for lyme disease. This post is actually for a friend that is at his wits end and doesn't know what to do. As soon as I get the info on the exact test that were done I will let you know.
 

Things that have been implicated in hind leg paralysis:
poisoning (roach poison) (aniline dyes -martius yellow)
worms
heart disease (clot)
reaction to Rimadyl
Lyme/tick borne disease
Neurological conditions
Spondylosis
Etc.

This dog needs a specialist and fast!!!!

The MRI would show if she has any soft tissue damage.  Sounds neurological.  The increasing disability in her motor, and then the autonomic nerves- breathing.
 
MRI would probably help diagnose this.  Spinal tap, gets a sample of that fluid and will show if there is abnormality with that...
 
Good luck.

Wouldn't be distemper would it?

A tick can make a dog go lame, but not sure about both legs.  Have you checked her carefully for a tick?
 
Yes get a lyme test. I don't know anything else.
 
Sending you my prayers. 

I'm so sorry about all the problems your friend is having with his new pup.
 
OT:  is that Grundy County, TN?
 
I have very limited knowledge and can only post from my limited experience.  My girl has had problems, so I took her to an out-of-town holistic vet.  One of the things I was told was that severe gastrointestinal distress (really bad stomach pains) can cause the inability to use the back legs.
 
My girl had, once again, stopped going up steps.  I was taking her to this vet to help me figure out what foods she was allergic to.  As soon as I found out that food "allergies" or "sensitivites" could cause these issues, I immediately stopped giving her these treats I had been giving (again, after a space of time. She had had them before, and then I quit for awhile).  Anyway, she started walking up the steps again in no time.   Now, we are still doing a food elimination diet to see what works best for her, but I saw results in her case within a few days.  Of course, she was not as sick as this dog.
 
So, it could be a toxin, as SpiritDogs pointed out.  Even walnut hulls.  Or it could also be that the dog is being given a food that it is intolerant of. From my experience, and from what the vet said, this is a possibility.    I would try and homecook a limited food group that is not in the food that is currently being given, (I'm doing that now), and give the proper calcium supplements in the proper ratio, as well as a good multi-vitamin.  You can e-mail me to ask which brands this vet recommended, if you wish.
 
Now,  I'm not saying that this is the problem.  With the seriousness of his issues, then I am glad the vet has run diagnostic tests.  Not everything is food related, but some things are.  I'm saying this is a realistic possibility.  Again, this is my opinion with my limited experience.  Were I a vet with holistic training, I might pick up something else from what you've said.   I'm not saying don't keep seeing specialists.    My dog could still walk and was still eating.  So, I had more time on my hands w/o the seriousness of his issues.  I'm just letting you know of another possible reason.

If a MRI isn't possible then a mylogram sp? might help diagnose this.  It would be performed by a specialist.  They inject the dog with dye & then shoot a series of radiographs.  The dye generally illuminates the problem area.  This could be a disc problem & unfortunately these do not always show up on plain film radiographs.

Sorry to hear about your baby....The panting could be because she is in pain....or she could be allergic to one of the meds...I would also do a lyme test..poor baby...Please keep us posted

Has a plain old x-ray been done?  At one time my old sheltie mix had a urinary tract infection -- and he was drinking a TON of water, and apparently as he slept the bladder became full and 'pressed' on a nerve in the back.  he was completely unable to stand.  SUDDENLY and unbelievably.
 
The vet saw the lesion on an x-ray -- gave him some steroid shot simple to reduce the inflamamtion and then the dog went outside and peed 6 gallons. 
 
But something like a lesion can hide for a zillion years.  And all it takes is the smallest swelling somewhere to make it suddenly a problem. 
 
I'd go to a holistic vet -- particularly one who can do acupuncture -- can bring a ton of relief and they tend to have a whole different exam they give that can help diagnose stuff like that.
 
Try [linkhttp://www.tcvm.com]http://www.tcvm.com[/link] -- they have a locator on the left hand side.  Actually I had a gal go to one of the tcvm vets near Nashville and she was thrilled with her results.

They ran complete x-rays of her back area and spine. There were no abnormalities from what could be seen on the x-ray.

 
Looks like they already did a lot.  She needs the mri. less invasive and sounds like the doc offered that already.
 
I would do it if they have it all there.

Hi all,
I recieved this from our friend this morning. I would like to thank you and you wife on all the help and the concern you gave us throughout the day and last night. After many tests that were ran last night and speaking the the neurologist and surgeon we finally had to put Riley to sleep at 12:00 am last night. Once again thanks for caring!