I wish I could help but I don't think I can offer anything that's not in my previous posts when Bully had his FCE. It sounds like you're fully invested in helping Nelson make a recovery and I believe that's the biggest step you can take. I had to really believe that Bully could pull through and walk...

Bully recovered from an FCE against all odds, so it's important that you let your pup know you believe he will recover and that you'll be with him all the way. Bully was totally motionless -- nose to tail. The prognosis was awful and he encountered so many complications along the way. But he eventua...

This forum was a God-send for me during Bully's recovery period. You just need to know that an FCE is not a fatal condition, nor is it a permanent one! My dog was paralyzed completely, in all four legs, including his tail and neck -- I had to handfeed him, catheterize him, take him out on a cart and...

Hi. My Bully, a 100-plus bullmastiff, was diagnosed with an FCE (fibrocartilaginous embolus) -- or a stroke -- in 2006. He was paralyzed head to toe and was given a very poor prognosis. My own vet suggested euthanasia. But thank God, I could see the light in his eyes and that wasn't a consideration....

Wow, Patti, what a success story! I'm soooo happy for you and Blue. With paralysis having lasted such a short period, I bet he'll be like brand-new in no time, with no lasting side effects. Keep us all posted. Karen (and Bully)

Patti, i'm anxious to hear a progress report on Blue. We ended up realizing that Bully had a cervical FCE by excluding everything else. Bully was 100 pounds and could be aggressive, but he was completely paralyzed and couldn't have turned his neck to bite someone if he wanted to. I still remember my...

Patti, Carol told me about your post and I want to encourage you to hang in there. My Bully had an FCE and was completely paralyzed with a very poor prognosis and very little encouragement from the medical field. You can research my many, many posts regarding his progress and ultimate recovery by se...

I feel such intense pain right now, but I know it will get esaier to bear. Nothing feels right for now. The house is so empty and quiet. I miss my Bully so, so much! In the meantime, your kind words, and those of others, help so much.

Well, the fight is over. My beautiful, brave Bully died today at 13 years old. An FCE survivor, he was an amazing boy. He came back from total paralysis five years ago, plus several other medical emergencies, to live a long, happy life, despite his handicap. I had to have him put down because I don'...

Thanks, Christine, for your sweet comments, and Carol, as always, for your practical advice. I have a harness that I use and it helps, but you're right, it doesn't take much to do damage and I do need to be careful. I try, but when he's crying and his back feet are scampering every which way, I do h...

Sitting here watching my big dog sleep and thought I'd post an update. As many know, Bully had an FCE about five years ago and suffered TOTAL paralysis. After two months, he started getting movement back, and eventually recovered - left with a pronounced right-sided deficiency. He's a 100-plus pound...

Hopefully you'll have the wheelchair you ordered soon, but I will tell you that that wasn't the answer for Bully and me. Bully was paralyzed in all his legs though so that might have been the problem. I still had to have help lifting him into the chair and that was no easy task. The wagon my friend ...

Wow, flashback for me. Bully, my bullmastiff mix dog, was paralyzed several years ago with the same negative prognosis your vet gave you. By a series of exclusions, the vets determined he had an FCE, common to big breeds like our dogs. Bully was paralyzed TOTALLY - nose to tail. He was hospitalized ...

Bully had his second chemo treatment this week and seems to be faring very well. His white blood cell count remains good and he's not suffered any side effects yet. They increased his medicine dose this time and are adding in an oral medicine. The hardest part has been finding a good vein. He's been...

Just wanted to bring Bully's story up to date. Over three years ago Bully, my 100-pound-plus Bullmastiff mix, was felled by an FCE and was paralyzed from nose to tail with a very poor prognosis. With much blood, sweat and tears, he pulled through. During his paralysis he had to have emergency surger...