Unexplained, Immediate Paralysis-Cancer & Life Quality???

[bosox96]

Our 9 year-old Labrador Retriever lost the complete use of her legs yesterday. Over the past week and a half, she began to walk crookedly and have to sit often. We took her to the vet's office 5 days earlier and the vet said it was probably arthritis and sent us home with Rimadyl. However, we came home last night and she could not use either of her back legs at all. We carried her to the car and took her to Emergency Services. They put her on steroids throughout the night and she did not improve. She was given an MRI today which ruled out tumors, disks issues, etc. As of this evening, we were told that it could not be explained and that we should give her another 48 hours to respond to steroids. If not, then we should consider terminating her life. (She was also diagnosed earlier this year in April with Lymphoma and given up to a year to live.) Lou is our family and I cannot imagine ending her life at this point. She has not shown any effects of cancer and other than this recent development, she has been healthy and happy and running around with her sister Chewey in the park every night. She still seems very alert and aware. Does anyone have any suggestions or help? She is 105 lbs. Can I care for her in a wheelchair? Or, will her weight be too much to handle for someone with basically stairs everywhere in the house. I really need someone's advice because the cause cannot be explained and I want to fight for her life, regardless of her illness with cancer. We are expecting our first child in less than 7 weeks and I will not physically be able to initially care for her on my own. Any advice would be appreciated. We have little time to make this decision (according to the vet).

[Bendy Kitty]

Wanted to say WELCOME to Hpets!
Sorry you need us, but glad you found us.

i'm wondering if it coudl be some sort of spinal stroke? There are MANY people here with semi paralyzed dogs, some quite large, in carts so as soon as they wake up and log on you should see some responses.

If she is alert and seems not distressed, not in pain, I would say keep on going. With a new baby you will definitely have your hands full! Is there someone else around the house that will be able to help with either the baby, the Lab, or both? Stairs do make life more complicated, are they just a step or two or three, or an entire staircase?

We have here a very brain damaged cat named Mimosa. Her life isn't very exciting, but it isn't bad. She is not in any pain, she has a few things she enjoys (her food, her treats, a good sun puddle). YOU are best able to determine if your girl is happy, you know her best. Many vets will push to put a pet to sleep because they don't think the owner will take care of them, you have to show the vet that you will. Sometimes you need to be very assertive with the vet, don't let them push you around. You will know when your girl is not enjoying her life anymore.

A couple things you can do, if the vet hasn't already, is test for reflexes/responses in her toes & tail. Does she notice at all if you pinch the skin between her toes? or anywhere on her tail? I don't see a mention if she is incontinent or not. If she can still go on her own, then she might just need assistance standing/squatting, are you (or soemone there) able to use a towel as a sling to help her stand?

I hope you have time to read through the assorted threads on mobility problems, there are many!

headbonks to ya

Bendy Kitty

[CarolC]

Hi bosox96,

I agree with Bendy's questions: 1) is she incontinent? 2) does she have deep pain sensation if you pinch her foot?

I can't answer your question, yes or no, will you be able to care for her. Maybe you could. If you are expecting, I am assuming you are 20-something or 30-something? That part is good. If you are into fitness, that is even better. The average dog carries 60% of his weight on the front feet and 40% on the hind feet. If your dog is 105 lbs and can still use her front feet to get up, then you are lifting 42 lbs when you lift her hindquarters to help her stand. It is a little more if she loses her balance and you have to catch her, or if you get her to her feet and she tries to walk away from you and you are holding her in place. If you go to PetsMart, they have 40 lb containers of cat litter with a handle, you could try lifting one and see how you do.

I am not sure how the pregnancy will figure into this, I'm not in the medical field. It is having an effect on your lower back right now. I do not know if that will actually be helpful (your back will be stronger after you deliver?), or if that will be detrimental (you will be left with some misalignment or back strain after you deliver?). I frequently see moms who are lifting a 2-year old or 3-year old after they have a second baby, but each pregnancy is different. On this maybe you could ask your doctor or nurse and explain the situation. You don't want to risk really injuring yourself, knowing that during the next few years you are going to be lifting this child 20 times a day, leaning over the playpen, leaning over the bathtub, picking up toys off the floor, etc. I do not recommend lifting a dog you cannot lift. If you cannot lift this dog, that is not your fault.

I am not sure what is wrong with your dog, it is so strange that the MRI ruled out a disk or tumor. The other common thing that causes sudden paralysis is a spinal stroke (FCE, fibrocartilaginous embolism) however that does not come on over the course of several days, it comes on within about 24 hours. If you are able to consult with the oncologist to see if s/he has any explanation, you might want to try that.

Most dogs will recover from FCE (this does not quite sound like that) with physical therapy. You may still have a dog who is unsteady on her feet, at least for a while. Some dogs can recover to the point of running and being almost normal, some dogs will have some residual effects of the stroke even though they may continue to improve slowly with time. I think you would need to keep the dog out of the room with the baby because you cannot risk having the baby crawl under the dog, or the dog losing her footing and accidentally falling on the baby. Also, if your dog uses a wheelchair, I think you'd need to supervise them (they say to supervise wheelchair use anyway) to be sure the dog does not run over the baby's foot or fingers, or that the baby does not put a hand in the wheels, etc. This is easily done if you keep the baby indoors while the dog runs around the back yard in her cart, or you set up a playpen on the patio .

To me the best thing you can do, if you can afford it (with so many baby expenses right now no doubt) is to talk to the oncologist, see what else might be causing this, are there any other tests you can do. I am sorry you are in this situation. What timing, bless your heart. Normally I would say give the dog some time (more than a couple of days, that is not enough to see if she will bounce back, several weeks at least) and see how she does. If she is happy and not in pain, I hope you can find a way to manage.

[Diana R.]

Sorry you are going through this. It is clear you do not want to give up on your dog and although I am not in your shoes I would not either. I have had a number of animals with cancer diagnoses and they were given a certain amount of time to live. My cat Gideon was 17 when he was diagnosed with lymphoma of the intestines; he lived another 2 years and was on chemo and quite honestly I think it was his weaken immune system that killed him. I lost my cat Charlie in June due to squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth which he was diagnosed with in October 2007. The vet said 6 months then; he was on feldene and a feeding tube and did so well with the exception of the last 3 months that we thought the initial biopsy was wrong. I currently have two FeLV cats on chemo---Junipurr was diagnosed in June 2008 with lymphoma, a tumor around her heart. Gabriel had the same thing happen this June. The vet said typically 6 months when Junipurr was diagnosed. SHe is on chemo and doing well. Gabriel is also on chemo and his tumor has gotten smaller. So I don't know if the vet is hearing cancer and saying consider putting her down. But animals do not have the same side effects on chemo as we humans do. And if you have a good oncologist they can tell you when the chemo is not effective.

With regard to her legs, I would consider seeing an orthopedic specialist. You really need an accurate diagnosis and I know it is very frustrating that the vet cannot tell you what is wrong so you know how to proceed. I have a 65 # pitbull who was born with partial paralysis of his hind legs. Jack had no deep pain sensation per both the vet and the PT. He would drag himself around when I initially got him. I was told he could use a belly strap but that was not the case and even when he was 45 # I could not lift him.(And I am small and older.) I got him a wheelchair and he took to that right away. I had him in physical therapy, underwater treadmill, and he stunned the vet when he started walking, running. He has not used his wheelchair since he was about a year old; he is now 4 years old. He also now has deep pain sensation. The ortho specialist I saw earlier this year said he will eventually lose the use of his legs when the sheath around his spine wears away. He is on medication right now including Tramadol, Rimadyl, and Gabapentin and continues to go on walks although he is wobbly. He sometimes needs help getting on his feet. So I do not know when if ever he will be completely paralyzed.
But if your dog is happy I don't understand why the vet thinks you have to make this decision soon (if at all). Like I said I would consider seeing a specialist regarding her legs and also getting her a wheelchair. There are many paralyzed dogs in chairs who lead a good quality life. I do not know what to tell you in terms of lifting her and the steps. I know sometimes I struggle with my 65 # dog. Good luck and trust your instincts as to what you should do. Diana

[puremutt]

my dog had the SAME problem, the vet said he would never be able to walk again, I proved her wrong!
He also got Prednisone at first, then I had him in a confined area in the living room with the toys and waterbowl, luckily work out of the house so I could be with him 24/7.
we got a sling from the hospital, so we put him in the yard to pee ( he could do that by himself at the time) slowy ( I am talking MONTHS) we could go step by step in the sling.
Then he could walk ( unfortunately could never wag his tail anymore..) with a dragging hind paw, for which I found the perfect little shoe.
He lives another 2 years.
Just to let you know, YOU know your dog best!
With the new baby you will have your hands full for sure, hope you have a domestic hubby and good friends and family nearby.

[bosox96]

Thank you ALL for your replies and advice. This evening we were able to have a neurology specialist meet with Lou and read her MRI charts. He was able to see some changes in the spine and he believes that she has a tumor on her spine. This information is being sent to another specialist (supposed to be one of the top in the nation and by chance is a colleague of the 1st specialist). We will receive either a confirmation in the morning of the 1st specialist's diagnosis and/or we will know it isn't a tumor. With this most recent diagnosis, the vet seems to believe that she cannot have a good quality of life. While she is not incontinent, she is not eating or drinking. I don't know whether this is because she is nervous where she is at, but she does not seem as responsive as she was when we took her in. Again, I don't know if this is the effect of the steroids, but she is not my Lou right now. I was able to get her to eat a small amount by sitting outside her kennel at the vet's office and hand-feeding her. I am going again in the morning to try the same thing. Hopefully, she will respond. We have decided that should she be alert and responsive in her demeanor that we will deal with the paralysis and incontinence. Unfortunately, yes, we do have many stairs. It is a split-level and every entrance or exit will require the use of stairs. If she does not respond though and will not eat or drink, then I have to consider whether or not she is telling me she is too sick to go on. I am not happy with that thought at all and I am hoping to see her fighting again in the morning. I don't know how to deal with this anguish and pain. We may have to make the decision tomorrow to let her go and I am not prepared. I am hoping she will be more responsive tomorrow but chances are that this is a tumor from her cancer (they found another in the MRI) and it is time to let her go. If anyone has had any success fighting lymphoma then I would love to here about it. Or, if anyone has any advice regarding whether she may actually be more responsive at home. Should I try to bring her home and see how she responds? The vet thinks that moving her will be too much for her. (Also, she seems to have some deep pain sensation but they cannot be sure of her responses right now.) Lou was the ring bearer when my husband proposed to me and she means a great deal to both of us. Should we have to make the decision to put her to sleep, then I would appreciate any advice anyone may have of what worked for them. I don't want to do it at the vet's office. I am hoping there is another way for a more personal and private goodbye. Last, how do I "explain" this to Chewey? (our 7 - year old lab) Should she be there to say goodbye if that is our only option? Thank you all.

[Bendy Kitty]

mom has helped care for many a terminally ill cat. SQ fluids, steroids and B complex shots make a HUGE difference, and we try that combination before deciding to PTS anyone. Generally the way mom sees it, if that doesn't get a response not much will. That is in cats, not dogs, I don't know if dogs respond teh same way. Environment can make a huge difference. What are they doing at the hospital that she needs to stay there? If it is just 'monitoring' then I say bring her home!!! if she needs meds, feeding, and you feel you can do it, bring her home!

The times we have had cats PTS we have had to take them to teh vet's office, but we are always there and hold them when they go.

We have found teh best way to tell teh other cats that one is gone is to eithe rlet them see the body, or smell the towel the body was on. I think death has a smell to it and it is recognized. We have found that when we do this, no one looks for the missing cat.

she was ringbearer? that is great!

purrin hard here for you and your girl!!!!!

Bendy

[bosox96]

Thank you Bendy. One other question for anyone out there: Should the inability to make a bowel movement factor into our decision? The vet seemed to indicate that as a problem but I wasn't clear if that was just a problem for me or if that means that Lou's body isn't functioning correctly and is a sign that she will not recover. Thanks.

[Bendy Kitty]

You can express her bowels. What I would look at is, does expressing her or her having a bowel movement cause her a lot of pain.
Since she is on Rimadyl, that should help. But, if she was in horrible excruciating pain everytime she had a bowel movement, and that pain was not manageable with medication, that would certainly factor into our decision. Some ofthe narcotic pain meds cause constipation in people, don' tknow if they do in dogs too.

Bowel incontinence does lend itself to constipation and from there you can get fecal blockages, so a high fiber diet and stool softeners are usually a must.

bendy

[puremutt]

To have the dog home would be the best thing, they all want to be in their own home.
When mine got bowel incontinence, yes it was stressfull indeed, lot of people here can handle it however with the 'poop on demand'.
MOST important is HOW is your dog feeling: is he sad and in pain , that's when you have to make THE decision.
I was lucky that my vet came to my house, i was an exception luckily because he saw how much i cared and loved my dog.
Ask your vet in advance if he would come over just in case, I think I read somewhere that there are mobile vets that will do it at home.
It's kinda comforting to me I was there, he was at home .

good luck, please keep writing yor feelings/questions.