7 year old american buldog-pitt:Paralysis in hind legs

[kyza1234]

I have a 7 year old american bulldog x pitt i was over the park playing with him i had a stick and he was chasing it round and round in circles for a few minutes, he then suddenly yelped and fell to the ground and could not move his back legs. I imediatly took him to the emergcy vet and had him checked over . The vet explained to me it could be a few things such as spinal cord compression,fibrocartilaginous embloisn(FCE) . she explained the best way to confirm the diagnosis was with an MRI scan as she explained the xray facilities would not provide enough deatil to confirm the diagnosis.Unfortunatley i do not have insurance to cover the cost of this procedere . i have been quoted by imaging centres such as potters bar in london , and the royal vet college for around £1500, and if further surgery is required the cost of that is about £ 2000 -3000 . They vet kept my dog overnight and administered anti inflamitaries (metacam) , fluids and kept him caged overnight. I contacted the vet in the morning and they informed me that he now has regained movement in his right leg , but the paralysis has continued in his left leg and also is not urinating and will have to stay at the vet till he urinates as they will have to empty his bladder if he doesnt. The vet said he has feeling in both legs as when the paw is pinched he is responding , he is still able to move his tail and does not seem in any pain . I went back to the vets late afternoon and was told he had still not urinated and they emptied his bladder. As the costs was so high i was recommended by the vet to take him to the rspca which did. He is currently in the care of the rspca and iil be contacting them in the morning for an update of his condition. When bringing him in to the rspca and speking with the vet there she suggested they will observe his condition for a few more days and if there is no improvment to consider his quality of life. This has really left me in shock and emotional as he was such a healthy and happy dog prior to the accident . I have read alot on these condtions and truley believe it is FCE but cannot be sure, i would be very grteful if anyone has any suggestions or advice as putting down is the last option. Is a few days a sufficient observation period to determine whether or not natural recovery will take place. thankyou

[Bobbie]

Worst case should be a cart, not euthanasia, unless you really can't manage a disabled dog. I know that can be hard with a big dog but he would do fine as long as you could do it. He might recover but you have to assume he won't unless it happens soon.

But.. if you are going to spend the money for surgery do it soon, while he still has pain sensation, as the odds of recovering go way down once he loses it.

If you cannot afford surgery, can you handle occasionally lifting him (when he used to jump) and putting him in a cart, and possible expressing him if he cannot urinate on his own? He'll be happy- he'll be chasing his stick as he always has- so the question is whether its feasible for you. (And it is not for everyone, especially with big dogs and small people or people with bad backs, etc, or even people with small children or long work days.)

[kyza1234]

thankyou for the reply as much as i would want to i could not manage this as i work long hours and he is a very big dog and i am not the biggest of people , i am considering getting the mri scan, but if surgery is required will he have problems in the future and will this correct him and be able to walk and urinate on his own,i do not want him to suffer for the rest of his life as he is a very active dog and would not be fair on him, also i dont want to leave him at the rspca for to long then have to consider euthinasia and have his last days in them conditions feeling distressed , i no you can not tell me yes or no but can u give me ure opinion thankyou