[Bridget Bodine]

I have a setter client who just called me from the Bahamas, dog is showing loss of function in the rear, not paralyzed, but very stiff. TBD's ruled out...CBC OK . What is the paralyzing spine issue called that dogs do recover from with therapy....It is there I just can't pull it out of my head!!
THANKS!! BB

PS dog has been flown to mainland DR.s

 

[GG]

Does the dog recover from the stiffness or is it permanent?

 

[jeff t.]

I have a setter client who just called me from the Bahamas, dog is showing loss of function in the rear, not paralyzed, but very stiff. TBD's ruled out...CBC OK . What is the paralyzing spine issue called that dogs do recover from with therapy....It is there I just can't pull it out of my head!!
THANKS!! BB

PS dog has been flown to mainland DR.s

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism - FCE

 

[Byron Musick]

Not having any expertise, I did have a dog that lost control of rear end, unable to get up, very stiff... Ended up being LYMES, some meds fixed it pretty quick.. May not apply to this situation, but I felt the need to comment. I hope for the best for the dog.

 

[Bridget Bodine]

JEFF that's it thanks
Bryon and GG thanks for your input! GG he remains stiff, Bryon tested negative for TBD's ( tick born disease)

 

[jeff t.]

JEFF that's it thanks
Bryon and GG thanks for your input! GG he remains stiff, Bryon tested negative for TBD's ( tick born disease)

If FCE is the culprit, my understanding is that quick treatment is key to a good outcome

 

[luvmylabs23139]

JEFF that's it thanks
Bryon and GG thanks for your input! GG he remains stiff, Bryon tested negative for TBD's ( tick born disease)

Doesn't sound like an FCE. With FCE the dog is paralized in the limb, or limbs affected rather than stiff. At first there is little to no resistance in the limb if a human moves the limb. I've dealt with the extreme version of it.
When my dog when down the only thing he could move at first was his head.

 

[jeff t.]

Bridget,

Any info you can share regarding the ultimate diagnosis for this dog?

 

[Sharon Potter]

How old is the dog?

 

[DSMITH1651]

JEFF that's it thanks
Bryon and GG thanks for your input! GG he remains stiff, Bryon tested negative for TBD's ( tick born disease)

My CLF got real stiff last year, we tested for lymes and other TBD's but came back neg. two weeks later she was still real stiff and could not make it up the stairs and we seemed to have exosted all other options so we tested agen well well it come back positive and a bad case of it too. The vet said it was the first time she has seen a false neg.
Duane

 

[DSMITH1651]

JEFF that's it thanks
Bryon and GG thanks for your input! GG he remains stiff, Bryon tested negative for TBD's ( tick born disease)

My CLF got real stiff last year, we tested for lymes and other TBD's but came back neg. two weeks later she was still real stiff and could not make it up the stairs and we seemed to have exosted all other options so we tested agen well well it come back positive and a bad case of it too. The vet said it was the first time she has seen a false neg.
Duane

 

[firehouselabs]

We have had two tests come back false that later came back positive. The dogs (both) collapsed suddenly-as in within hours- of having a tick attach, both times, near the head/spine area. Doxyclycline for both and a fine toothed comb. One of the dogs, when tick was removed, was up and walking, hiking a leg within 20 minutes. Both dogs had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and tick bourne paralysis.
Back end down and when you stood them up, they could stand but had a pronounced roached back and would sway before falling over. Very painful to touch. Joints and legs swollen noticeably.

 

[cj6530]

My lab had full paralysis of his hindquarters from eating macadamia nuts. Lasted a day and half.

 

[Dick Jennings]

As others have mentioned, just because the TBD tests are negative, that doesn't mean that your dog hasn't been infected with a TDB. If you do not get a diagnosis soon, I suggest requesting the antibiotics to combat TDB.

 

[Bridget Bodine]

I have a call in to check the status, I agree with the TBD issue. Could very well be , this is a grouse dog that hunts the northeast (Maine) all season, lives part time in NJ (LYME ridden) and then part time in the Bahamas. (What a life eh?)
As soon as I hear I will let you know. Thanks for the thoughts..
BB

 

[Chris Thiry]

Bridget,

One of my dogs has arthritis in his spine. His rear legs are very stiff and he loses strength when he walks. He was 8-9 yoa when he started showing symptoms.

Chris

 

[Bridget Bodine]

Just talked to the owner , apparently the Bahamian vet did not test for Lyme, and the wife going on instinct (husband was on Business) started the dog on Doxy...Boomer responded within 6 hrs....and is up and well. The mainland vet did pull for TBD's and someone lost the blood, but the mainland vet prescribed 3 weeks of Doxy .
Long and short is dog is doing better now, thanks for the discussion!!
BB