[sofiesmom]

My eight month old Golden Retreiver, recently started not wanting to walk at times. Sometimes she will run around and climb on furniture like it is not big deal, other times she will hardly move. She will scoot on her butt and not want to walk on all fours. She does this randomly throughout the day. Sometimes she acts like she is fine and others she acts like she is really hurting.

[Aurora_Bell]

The scooting could mean that she is having issues with her anal glands. Has she been having a lot of diareaha?

Has she been checked out by the vet for this issue? When ever an animal starts acting strange it's always best for a once over by the vet. Have you looked in her paws to make sure there is nothing lodged in between her pads or a cracked toe nail? Could she have hurt her self playing? Is she limping or licking one spot? How long has she been doing this for?

[sofiesmom]

She hasn't really had any diareaha, I have a vet appointment later in the week, I have checked her paws no obvious problems there. She is not licking on spot, some times she seems to have problems getting up or limping other times she seems fine. She has been doing this for about two weeks.

[Aurora_Bell]

Well I am sorry your girl is in pain. It really could be any thing from a torn ligament, muscle or a bruised area. Your vet will be able to tell you for sure.

Are you feeding her a dog chow for large breed puppies? When you have a large breed, they need the right combination of proteins and such to ensure their bones and joints are growing in succession to their bodies. If not just them growing can put strain on their joints. With out being able to examine your pup it's really hard for us to take a guess at what might be wrong. In the mean time if she seems to be in a lot of pain, contact your vet and ask about the proper dosage of Aspirin. Only aspirin as other human pain meds such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol can be lethal to dogs and cats.

[LadySam]

I'm glad to hear that you have an appt. for her already.
Ditto on the Quality Puppy food, another good thing to address with your Vet.

[paleophlatus]

The vet may want to do an x-ray of her hips, being she is a Golden. Hip Dysplasia is not uncommon in Goldens, and it may show itself this early... it is the arthritis that comes with the hip problem, not the hip problem, directly. She may be dysplastic, but it may still be something else causing her reluctance to walk.

I just mention this since no one else had, and it is a possibility, however remote.

[sofiesmom]

She is on Iams large breed puppy food and always has been. Will update on what the doctor has to say.

[sofiesmom]

They did x-rays and said its not the hips. She is getting worse and they don't know what is going on? HELP she can't walk at all now. She has been on antibiotics and Rimidyal, its not helping

[paleophlatus]

It would appear that pain is not one of the symptoms she is suffering.

My next thought would be check for nerve deficits... does she even have normal pain responses, or leg reflexes? Knee, or ankle, for example. (A caution -- Some reflex may originate in the spinal arc, which is strictly of spinal origin, and not indicative of any brain involvement) Any indication that she can move any leg muscles? She is quite young, but she may be experiencing some type of spinal cord degeneration, or tumor that is interrupting communication with the centers in the brain that control movement, causing a paralysis. Not something an x-ray would be expected to show up. Most of these simple tests may be readily available at a small animal clinic, if the vets are even slightly interested in neurology. Pain reception and non-voluntary movement are simple but very informative bits of information, revealing much about nerve function and can be determined with a pair of forceps and the rubber hammer.

Best wishes for you both.

[sofiesmom]

She does respond to pain. She sometimes walks on her hind legs, better in the morning, she is still unstable and wobbly in the rear end, but does walk at times. They have not checked her reflexes.

[paleophlatus]

So, she isn't 'paralyzed', as she can walk, however unsteadily and briefly, at least the pathways still exist and are functioning. She has reflexes, I feel, because she is able to walk, but they may not be completely normal. From your descriptions, her walking seems to be the only 'problem' she has, which makes me think there is a fairly specific location for the problem. Otherwise I would expect there to be other areas of her body also affected, if not a general, overall involvement. As her ability seems to wane as the day goes on (?) I wonder if there is some system or process that is 'exhausting itself, even though at 8 months one would expect all things to be 'on line and fully functioning'.

Were I in your position, I would begin to think of calling in a specialist for new, fresher ideas. Talk with your vet and discuss their recommendations, and how your desires and abilities may fit into them. I know this presents more expense, but I also know that most people who have gone this far will be reluctant to simply quit searching without finding some sort of answer and prognosis, if at all possible.

It may not have been mentioned before, but in spite of our desires otherwise, no one on site here can actually diagnose this or any other problem. There is so much more to be learned from just a hands on experience with the 'patient' which we are incapable of doing. Usually, the best we, here, can do is get the client aimed in the right direction to get help, which is the point at which I believe we have arrived.

[sofiesmom]

I have an appointment at Virginia Tech, neurology department for her on Wednesday, praying for good new at little coat. I know that a lot to hope for, but that is the hope for now!

[paleophlatus]

That's great news. And we hope for good news for BOTH of you as well.

Expect to have a student, probably a senior, as well as a staff vet doing the exam. The student will probably seem to be the main person, but you won't get out of the exam room without the Staff vet doing his part as well. The Staff vet may also be a 'student', but not a beginner... probably working on a PhD or Masters in Neurology to go with his DVM. I have never known any question like yours to go unanswered, or with a "Gee, let us know when you find out." It becomes a challenge and will involve enough people till they finally hit the right one who knows, or knows where to go for it.

See if you can take whatever records and info your vet thinks relevant to her case with you so that the boys at Va Tech can see what was done, etc. Not to worry, they will make their own diagnosis and suggestions for resolving it, themselves.

Best wishes, and let us know how things are going?

[sofiesmom]

We went to Virginia Tech today, not good news at all. They think she has a tumor in her spine, a cist in her spine, or a abnormal formed vertebrate. Either way they said she will probably never return to normal. They said if it's a tumor there is nothing they can do. The cyst can be treated but would probably return. If it is a vertebrate problem they are not sure if surgey would give her a improvement. I am faced with the question do I spend 1500.00 and still not improve my dog and put her through all that or do I let her go. I hate this, I just want her to be better again.

[paleophlatus]

What sort of imaging did they do... MRI, CAT scan? Seems unusual that they can't determine if there is a vertebral malformation. There would also seem to be enough difference between a cyst and a tumor, too, to differentiate them.

You don't want to do nothing, but there is concern for both the finances and her discomfort. I appreciate the confusion you seem confronted with, what with the menu of problems and treatments. Seems like I would be attracted to treatment, if it turned out to be a cyst... there is still a chance of the cyst not returning, and is probably the least expensive for the reward and risk.

Random thoughts of mine... She has times of seemingly normal function, partial function, and no function, plus signs of periodic weakness... it makes me wonder... what if she does have a vertebral malformation which is applying pressure to the spinal cord, depending on the activity she does. It would be a bit much to reshape the vertebra, but maybe the malformed vertebra could be fused with adjacent ones and limit it's movement and maybe minimize or eliminate it's impinging on the cord. Lot of maybes, but it's just a long, random, rambling thought. Hmmm. As I said, just a thought.

[Aurora_Bell]

Sophie, I am so sorry to hear this. I can only imagine the pain and confusion you are going through. While I can not offer any medical advice, I just want to say my thoughts and well wishes are with you.

I very recently had to put down my 12 year old Am Staff, his spinal column totally collapsed. I was tortured with the "what ifs". With my Max, it seemed easier (if that's even possible), that surgery would not help, and would leave my 120lbs dog totally paralyzed in the back legs, a weight his upper body could not handle at his age. I still think and ask myself if I did the right thing. I want you to know, what ever choice you make, it's yours and your families, and what ever that is, it's the right one for you guys.

((hugs))

Bella

[sofiesmom]

They have done not imaging yet, they would like a MRI but to not have that equipment. They would have to referr me somewhere else. Next best thing is a CT scan with dye. Said with that they can tell me if it's a cyst or deformed vertebrate. They can also say if it's a tumor or not, just not what kind and exactly where. Either way we would know if there is treatment or not. I'm just scared I will spend all this money and still have no dog in the end. I so sad, I don't know what to do...

[Aurora_Bell]

What ever you choose is the right choice for you and your family. Where did you get your pup from?

[sofiesmom]

We got her from a friend of ours. The litter was an accidental litter and they needed homes. They were not breeders, we just thought we could give a puppy a home that needed one.. never dreamed this would causes us so much heartache after only a year of having to put our other dog done due to cancer.

[Aurora_Bell]

I know how much this hurts, I hope a decision will come easy for you.