ANNPE

[lunasmom101]

Hi All,
I am new to this website and am looking for some advice. My name is Alice and I am a 21 year old dog mom of a sweet and loving Pomeranian, who was unfortunately attacked three weeks ago. Luna, my dog suffered low volume high velocity disc herniation at C5-C6, which has resulted in paralysis. She has gained almost full function of her back legs, but is having minimal movement in her front paws. She just started PT last week, doing 3x a week of laser, electrotherapy, and exercises. Her back leg function has really just improved in the past week, so I'm just curious to what I should expect. She is able to empty her bladder on her own, but since she cannot stand up on her own, she is still resting on a pee pad. This has been a horrific experience so, any help or recommendations would mean the world! Thank you.

[critters]

It's interesting that she's gotten her legs back, but not her arms. I've known of humans in a similar state that they called "walking quads" (quad short for quadriplegic). Did she take a steroid or an NSAID after the injury? Does she take anything now?

[lunasmom101]

thanks for the reply! When she was attacked, the dog took her by the shoulders, which may explain the front leg damage more but still surprising. She was originally on pain killers and antibiotics for the first two weeks and is now off everything. Surprisingly they never had her on any steroids or NSAIDS.

[critters]

Hmm. I don't know that I'd do it yet, especially since she didn't take steroids, but could you do hydrotherapy (swimming) with her?

[critters]

By the way, I probably won't be back by here until Friday, but CarolC will be by before then with more info and ideas.

[CarolC]

Abstract

Presumptive ANNPE and FCEM were diagnosed in 157 and 44 dogs , respectively. Ambulatory function was regained in 99 per cent of cases, with persistent motor deficits in 83.6 per cent and 92.5 per cent of dogs with presumptive ANNPE and FCEM, respectively. The presumptive diagnosis was not associated with motor function recovery, recovery times or urinary continence.

The main thing I can say is, recovery statistics are very, very good for ANNPE. Recovery from nerve injury can be a slow process, so I would still be hopeful.

On the remote chance that the front legs do not improve (which is unlikely based on the statistics) dogs can learn to walk on their hind legs. There have been a number of members here with dogs like that, many due to birth defects. If you want to see posts about some to them, let me know and I will find some links, they are amazing.

Below is a link to one dog about the size of yours, showing a way the owner walks the dog. You would absolutely need to get approval from the vet specialist before doing this. They will know if it is safe for your dog right now. If they can approve it, it may help with toileting.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15408&p=82122#p82122

[CarolC]

By the way, I probably won't be back by here until Friday

Friday is a long time! Yikes!

[critters]

Actually, Friday is typical for me-- Fri, Sat, Sun, and Mon. Occasionally in between.

[lunasmom101]

Thank you all for your great advice! Luna had physical therapy today and she is making progress towards hydrotherapy, right now they are still sticking to electronic stimulation, laser, and acupuncture. I did ask her therapist about trying to walk with the harness, as @CarolC suggested (thank you!) which they said was worth trying. Originally they said a wheelchair wouldn't be considered until months down the road, but today they said it could help with her recovery and is worth looking into one. I knew they are not cheap but 500 dollars is certainly a lot to factor into her already large vet and rehab costs from this accident. I know there are many rental non profits out there for dog wheelchairs, so I am considering a rental, as it may not be something she needs lifelong. Are there any recommendations of organizations I should be looking into? Thank you all so much!

[CarolC]

Hi lunasmom101,

viewtopic.php?f=29&t=8161

On the idea of a wheelchair, here is a list of links that may help, but I'm not sure. One issue is the pandemic, for example I checked Gunnar's Wheels a couple of months ago and he was closed temporarily due to coronavirus, not sure if he still is. But the other thing is, the places that loan or rent carts usually have carts suitable for rear end paralysis, and you might have to be pretty lucky to find a cart for front paralysis in the right size. They're just less common, but it's certainly something to check.

Was the therapist talking about a front cart, or maybe a 4-wheel cart? You can make a 4-wheel cart pretty easily, and cheap.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=20137#p103052

I could find you some links showing varieties of front carts, if you or someone you know might want to try to make a homemade one. I think I might be inclined to wait a little longer and see how she progresses...? It hasn't even been a month yet.

[FYI]

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=18799#p96960

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=19489&p=100078#p100078

[critters]

I was going to suggest homemade, too. That's the way I went for Baby's wheels. It took some experimenting and remaking, but it was so cheap it didn't matter.

[Lynne54]

My dog Kona has ANNPE from playing ball back in 2017. If you have any questions just ask and I will see if I can answer. I will tell you my dog's neurologist told us NOT to get a doggie wheelchair. He stated it could slow her progress and prevent her from using her back legs.

It did take my dog a full four months to really get to her new walk and run. Our neurologist also told us that our dog is at a higher risk for ACL tear because of her gait, and four months ago she finally had that tear. We got Kona an ACL brace made out of a cast from her leg and it has actually improved her gait.

[critters]

Lynne54!