Rocksy the Rottweiler - I don't know what to do now.

[Jods]

Hi
My 11 year old Rottweiler rocksy had what we assume is trauma related injury back in July. It has been almost 9 weeks now. She is 40kgs/90lbs spayed female. She was fine one minute, went outside to bark at a couple of dogs walking past our gate, came back inside and wasn't able to get out of her bed without stumbling over. We took her to the vet the next morning about 8 hours post this happening. She was given a couple of shots (not sure what) with rimadyl 100mg and tramadol 50mg SR to start the next morning. He said if she hadn't recovered by Thursday, we should consider euthanasia. Wednesday came and I couldn't bear the thought of losing her so we went to a different vet. They referred us to a specialist. The specialist said she has done something to her neck c6/c7 - ivdd, stroke, or cancer. Recommended a MRI which we can't afford. She said that rocksy has increased reflexes in her hind legs, absent reflexes in her right front leg and almost normal in her left front leg. She also cannot turn her head to the right far. Knuckles on her right hind and front paw. She can still wag her tail when talked too and we assume she has control of her bladder and bowels. She doesn't have urine leaking. She has deep pain perception present in all four legs. She has been on confinement since and only moves from side to side and sit up on her forearms. However her right elbow doesn't bend. She no longer tries to get up. We stopped the rimadyl after 3 weeks after her injury and starting prednisone 20mg BD for 3 days then 20mg OD - Which helped her right front paw react when tickled. I tried slowly tapering them off but she became too uncomfortable with pain and was miserable. We also tried acupuncture which helps a little on loosening her muscles. When I move her legs and massage them I can feel her joints cracking from arthritis. She still has a good appetite and did so before start prednisone. Recently she has became growling when I move her. We have made 2 appointments with the vet for euthanasia and have cancelled them as her mood perks up. Our family is at a loss on what to do... we are considering euthanasia on this coming Saturday as her quality of life is very limited.

[CarolC]

It's not an easy situation with a large dog. I am not a vet but I would think you could rule out FCE at this point, since an FCE dog will normally only have pain at the time of the event or for a short while after, not still presenting with signs of pain at 9 weeks. Neck problems can become excruciating, and it sounds like she is trying to protect herself from being moved, which is understandable but it makes it more challenging to give her the care she needs. If it was a tumor, it seems like it might have come on more slowly, but that is only a layman's comment, I really don't know. Even if you could afford the MRI, I imagine they might consider her pretty senior to undergo surgery. I wish I could suggest a good solution. The usual crate rest period for a disk problem is 6-8 weeks and if she's really been resting properly for 9 weeks then you've done that. I think steroids can do wonders and continuing the prednisone might help. With a neck problem you might also ask about muscle relaxers. I would give her a stomach protectant like Pepcid AC (Famotidine, ask the vet for the dosage) if she stays on steroids.

Here is a story of another large breed senior dog who also had a neck problem that was never fully diagnosed. They did manage to get him past it. You will have to read it and try to determine how much similarity there is between your dog and Troy.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18181

[Jods]

Thank you for responding. Yes the story is very similar. I don't think it is cancer either, I think she has maybe slipped over as it was winter here in New Zealand and she done the splits with her front legs or crashed into something with possibly rupturing a disc. She has developed weakness in her hind legs over the past 9 weeks as they were strong to begin with and now can still push off the ground with them to move forward or to the side. I wonder if she is getting sore from all the time lying down, she is only on prednisone. I have been standing her up on all four legs which she does and will support herself for a few minutes but tipping forward a little. She is recently stopped knuckling as much on her right hind leg, when I 'walk' onto the deck with supporting her front with her back legs walking. She is a loyal friend and is my shadow. A great protector of the kids too. Her coat is in fantastic condition and she is still very much her which is why this is so difficult.

[critters]

I wonder if a quad cart (a 4-wheeled wheelchair) used as a walker (Zimmer frame) would help her feel more secure and give her a bit of therapy? She could go into it for a little while for a change of position, if nothing else. Could she do hydrotherapy (swimming)?