Kota buddy

    • Gold Top Dog

    Kota buddy

    So I was on vacation last week and Kota was boarded while we were away. 10 long days at the cage free place so he could have human companionship 24 hours a day.

    Picked him up on Monday and he was sick. Stress colitis was the doc's diagnosis. No big deal, got some subq fluids and some antibiotics.

    I had noticed on Monday, besides the total lack of energy, that he was wobbly on his back legs. He even stumbled a couple times. I attributed it to his being tired and weak from the diarrhea.

    However Tues morning rolls around and his attitude is better, he's peppier, but he's still wobbling.  So off to the vet's again for a check on the hips.

    Tues night, he actually falls going up the steps. It looked like his back leg slid out from under him. Plus he had not jumped up on any of the couches and he wouldn't do one of his tricks, which is to put his front paws on my thighs on cue.  When he would walk, he would sometimes stumble and turning a corner, his back legs would cross over each other more than normal.

    So back to the vet on Wed for a thyroid test and referral to the specialists in Indy.  Today was the specialist visit and the doc up there thinks there is definitely something wrong, he just doesn't know what. His neurology is fine, but his fine motor skills are off in his rear legs.

    So next Wed he is scheduled for a CT scan.  This involves anesthesia and about 5 hours of his time.  It also means no agility in the near future. :(  Not only that but I need to be careful with his exercise because of the lack of fine motor skills he is at more risk of a injuring himself due to miscalculations of landing, etc.

    I know that many of you have seen my posts on FB about this and I thank you all for the words of encouragement and support.  I simply ask for some more of that for next Wed as my 11 year old best bud in the world, goes under for his CT and that it finds something fixable.  Because the alternative is that it shows nothing and that means it's not fixable and he will just continue to get worse.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I have been following what's happening on FB and I really hope they find out what's going on and it's something fixable/treatable. Try and stay positive (easy to say, hard to do) and I will continue to send good vibes for your boy. 

    • Gold Top Dog

    Sending good vibes for Kota.  I hope they can find something fixable and everything is ok.

    • Gold Top Dog

    sorry - I'm never on FB -- is there ANY chance you might try getting him to a TCVM vet?  Their exam is SOOOOO different -- that's one of the reasons it compliments regular vet medicine so well.  http://www.tcvm.com -- that's the Chi Institute and there is a locator on the left - if you want my phone I'm completely willing if it would help you nail down who to see, what or why ...

     I've been there -- knowing something is wrong but not being able to FIND it is nervewracking and beyond worrying to mind-bending.

    • Gold Top Dog
    Oh gosh, I'm so sorry. Hang in there, Kota!!
    • Gold Top Dog

    Poor Kota!  Good vibes coming your way

    • Gold Top Dog

     Sending lots of good thoughts.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Awwwww, Kota!  You have all the good vibes I have for an answer on Wednesday.  Give him some rubbies from me.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Sending lots of good vibes your way.  Get better Kota man!   (((Hugs)))

    • Gold Top Dog

    Poor Kota.

    We're sending good thoughts his way.  Hopefully the CT will reveal something that is easily treatable.

    • Gold Top Dog

    This may be way out there, but have you had him tested for Lymes? Years ago, my MIL's lab started acting weird/weak, and could not get up on the couch (one of her favorite places lol); it was like she couldn't get her rear legs up. She was diagnosed with Lymes and made a complete recovery.

    Good luck!

    • Gold Top Dog

     The vet took blood and the results didn't show anything obvious... I will ask about the possiblity of Lyme disease though.  She had mentioned it when I was in there, so I thought she would have checked, but perhaps not.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Hopefully he'll be back to his old self soon, or at least you'll get an answer so you can determine what to do next.  (((Leslie)))

    • Gold Top Dog

     I'm going to have them check Lyme tomorrow.  The vet in Indy suggested it could be degenerative Myleopathy... or something like that. I read the description of that and the symptoms are following.

    Historical Findings
    • Insidious onset
    • Initial signs, mild ataxia and paresis of the pelvic limbs; thoracic limbs not affected
    • Owners often bring their dog in for examination several months after onset of clinical signs, suspecting arthritis.
    • Knuckling and scuffing of the toes of the pelvic limbs is the most common complaint. Crossing over and swaying of the rear quarters often occur when the animal is turning.
    • The signs are bilateral but not necessarily symmetrical.
    • Voluntary control of urination and defecation is retained until extremely late in the course of the disease. In later stages of the disease, the caudal paraspinal and pelvic limb muscles often atrophy from disuse.
    • Pain or discomfort not evident in affected dogs 

     That ^ is Kota.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Many good thoughts for Kota!!  Get better sweetie!