lacking strength and balance

Question
I have a 5 year old female Beagle that all of a sudden is lacking strength in front and back legs, she kind of just drags herself across the floor, she tries to stand up, but then topples over. She started becoming sick yesterday, she was hunched and moved very slowly. At the vet she got vitamins injected and the vet also gave her vaccine at the same time as she was due for vaccination. She was administered a kind of oil for laxatives. She was her chirpy self when she came home, much better, but then couple of hours later she started tripping herself up walking about and then when we woke up this morning she was just lying flat out in the middle of the living room helpless. I brought her to the vet again ... had multiple x-rays that basically revealed nothing wrong with her spine, back, neck and in her stomach. The vet says she has never seen this before and told us to come back on Monday if she wasn't getting any strength back. She seems mentally alert and eats and drinks.. she doesn't though seem able to defecate. At the moment we're totally clueless and fear for our beloved Beagle. Do you know what might be wrong?

Answer
Hi, just reading this filled me with so much apprehension and panic..... I cannot believe your vet is just sending her home like this and not at least keeping her on IV fluids and monitoring her!! Is there no other vet? Here in CALIF we have speciality vet groups with emergency rooms and I would whisk her off to one of them if I could. This is sounding very serious and to me sounds like a neurological issue or could even be poisoning which is causing neuro issues. Even though they found nothing on the xrays it could be her brain that is not working correctly to cause the weakness, It also crosses my mind that she might be having seizures. Not all seizures are violent shaking, there are types that involve just instant loss of body control and dropping to the floor.

You said they gave her some oil for constipation but I am wondering why they didnt do an enema which is pretty simple, I also wonder if she can't defacate if it is also related to a neuro issue as her system is just stopped. You would think the oil would have given her diarrhea and with no control of her muscles it would have just came out whether she tried or not. I strongly suggest you get her to another vet, take all the test results with you and get a 2nd opinion.  Please follow up and let me know how she does...............


_________________________________________________________________________________________________
FOLLOW UP: I have been doing some research and wonder if this is a possibility???


Coonhound Paralysis In Dogs


Acute canine idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis (ACIP) is a creeping paralysis due to acute inflammation of the nerves. This disease is often seen in dogs that live in North America as well as in those areas where raccoons are present but overall incidence is quite low. Any breed is at risk, but dogs that regularly come into contact with raccoons are at increased risk, such as hunting dogs and dogs that live in rural or wooded areas.



Symptoms presented by ACIP are also classified under a condition referred to as coonhound paralysis. Diagnosis with this disease does not necessarily involve an encounter with a raccoon.



Symptom and Types


Symptoms usually appear 7-14 days after contact with raccoon
Stiff gait
Generalized slow reflexes
Low muscle tone
Weakened vocal ability
Labored breathing
Decrease in muscle bulk
Facial muscle weakness
Muscular weakness in all four limbs which may progresses to paralysis in all limbs
Pain
Oversensitivity to pain stimuli


Causes


Besides the known connection that has been made with affected dogs coming into contact with raccoon saliva, the exact cause of ACIP is still unknown. Viral or bacterial infections are suspected to be responsible, and because of the correlation with the nervous system and neural pathways, an autoimmune link is being researched. It is thought that white blood cells may be attacking the nerves.



Diagnosis


Your veterinarian will take a detailed background medical history from you before making the full physical evaluation. You will need to provide a thorough history of your dog's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have preceded this condition, such as whether your dog has had recent contact with a raccoon.



As part of a standard physical examination, routine laboratory tests will include a complete blood count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis. Usually the results of all these tests are found to be within normal ranges. More specific tests will also be done, including specific testing for determination of abnormalities of electric activity in peripheral nerves, and an analysis of the spinal fluid, which will require a spinal tap, and the brain fluid (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF), to look for specific infections that may be causing the paralysis.



Treatment


Onset of the symptom may occur rapidly, but in many cases, they are progressive, worsening over the course of days and weeks as the paralysis spreads from the back legs through the body, and the respiratory system becomes more impaired. If the inflammation has progressed to the point that your dog is having difficulty breathing, it may need to be hospitalized for few days until it is fully out of danger.



Some patients can develop severe respiratory problems, requiring ventilator support until the system has recovered enough for the dog to breath easily again. Because affected animals are often not able to drink water, your veterinarian will also administer intravenous fluids if your dog has become dehydrated. Depending on how far the disease has progressed, your dog may also need physiotherapy because of generalized muscle atrophy.



Living and Management


Good home nursing care is mandatory for speedy and successful recovery. Some affected dogs may require special consideration for proper feeding and drinking; you may even need to feed your dog by hand for a few days until it is able to eat on its own again. Rest is essential, and the easiest way to achieve is that is by setting aside a quiet, comfortable space in the home, away from entry ways and heavy use rooms, where your dog can recover. Do not allow the dog to get overexcited, or be bothered by active children or other pets. If it is difficult to limit your dog's movement, cage rest may be considered a more practical option.



While your dog is resting, make sure to check in throughout the day, turning it from one side to the other about every four hours in order to prevent pressure sores, which can result from prolonged rest in one position. Regular bathing is also required to prevent urine and fecal scalding. During the recovery period, stay close to home, with just short, slow outdoor trips for urinary and bowel relief. If your dog is too paralyzed to walk, you may need to consult with your veterinarian about the need for a catheter.



Your veterinarian will brief you on the physiotherapy protocols to prevent further aggravation of weakened muscles, but massaging the muscles and gently stretching the dog's limbs will help to keep the muscles from atrophying excessively.



You may need to take your dog to veterinary physiotherapist for physiotherapy sessions over the course of several months. Stay in touch with your veterinarian, discussing any complications you may notice overtime and progress your dog is making. You may need to take your dog to a veterinarian for a regular progress evaluation every two to three weeks.



Recovery is different for individual dogs. Some may begin to recover quickly, within days and weeks, while others never completely recover. At home care and therapy is essential, in either case.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ischemic myelopathy
Ischemic myelopathy is a vascular disease of the spinal cord (myelopathy) caused by a lack of its blood supply (ischemia).

What is an ischemic myelopathy?
Like any other organ, the spinal cord critically relies on a permanent blood supply to bring nutrients necessary for its proper function and remove waste products. Arteries supply defined segments on each side and all along of the spinal cord. Blockage of one of these arteries results in a sudden switch off of the portion of the spinal cord fed by this precise artery.

Although many unusual causes of blockage have been recognised (fragment of tumour, fat), the most common nature of this blockage is a fibrocartilaginous fragment of the intervertebral disc (hence the term fibrocartilaginous embolism often used instead of ischemic myelopathy). Despite many suggested theories, how and why this fragment of intervertebral disc suddenly gets into the spinal cord artery remains unknown.
What are the signs of ischemic myelopathy?
Ischemic myelopathy is a common cause of acute paralysis in dogs (particularly large and giant breed of dogs). It is occasionally seen in cats. Depending which portion of spinal cord is affected and whether or not only one side or both sides are concerned by the lack of blood supply, this condition can cause paralysis of one back limb, both back limbs, all four limbs or only one side of the body. Typically, this paralysis has a sudden onset, is not causing any pain and do not worsen with time (at least after the first 24 hours).

Diseases that could mimic ischemic myelopathy and cause acute paralysis include intervertebral disc herniation ("slipped disc" - see specific fact sheet), spinal fracture or dislocation ("broken neck" or "broken back"), spinal cord contusion ("spinal cord bruising") caused by a road traffic accident or a bad fall.

How is ischemic myelopathy diagnosed?
Ischemic myelopathy is often a diagnosis made by exclusion of other causes of acute paralysis (see above). For this purpose, diagnostic tests such as spinal radiographs, myelography and/or MRI scan (see specific fact sheet) are indicated to rule-out conditions causing pressure on the spinal cord (intervertebral disc herniation or spinal fracture/dislocation) that might necessitate surgical treatment. In the majority of animal, these tests of the spinal cord will typically come back as normal in case of ischemic myelopathy.

It is therefore fundamental that the correct portion of the spinal cord is checked before any conclusions are drawn on the absence of abnormality on myelography or MRI scanner. In occasion, swelling of the spinal cord can be detected on myelography or MRI scan (picture MRI scan ischemic nyelopathy).

Definitive diagnosis of ischemic myelopathy and identification of its exact cause can only be made by post-mortem examination of the spinal cord.

Can you treat ischemic myelopathy?
There is no specific treatment for ischemic myelopathy. Nursing cares (physiotherapy, assisted walking, hydrotherapy, adequate bedding to prevent bed sores) are essential for the recovery of the animal.

What is the prognosis of ischemic myelopathy?
Although there is no specific treatment for ischemic myelopathy, most dogs tend to recover within a few weeks pending on the fact that they have retained the ability to feel pain in their feet. In case of complete paralysis, improvement may not be seen until a couple of weeks and some animal may not fully recover.

OR this?????

Tick Paralysis in Dogs
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.  
Race Foster, DVM  


What is tick paralysis and how is it caused?

Tick paralysis is not a paralysis of the tick, but a paralysis in animals, which is caused by the tick. The females of the Dermacentor variabilis, D. andersoni, and Ixodes holocyclus (found in Australia) ticks secrete a toxin that affects the nervous system of mammals. It produces a flaccid (weak, with no muscular tone) paralysis. In some animals, only the hind limbs are affected. In others, the condition can ascend up the body and affect the front limbs and sometimes even the muscles required for respiration.
What are the signs of tick paralysis?

The signs of paralysis generally start 5-7 days after the ticks start feeding (it usually takes multiple ticks feeding simultaneously to elicit the paralysis). The first signs are weakness and incoordination in the hind legs. Several hours after the signs in the hind limbs start, the front legs are affected and soon the animal can not move any of his legs. Difficulty with breathing, chewing, and swallowing can be seen. The animal generally has no fever. Death can occur within hours from respiratory failure due to paralysis of the muscles necessary for respiration.

How is tick paralysis diagnosed?

The diagnosis is based on the sudden onset of paralysis, the rapid worsening of the condition, the season of the year, presence of ticks, and rapid recovery when the ticks are removed.

What is the treatment for tick paralysis?

The treatment for tick paralysis is basic - Remove the Ticks. Most animals will quickly recover. If an animal is severely affected, supportive care and artificial respiration may be needed. There is an antitoxin that can be given if it is available and can be procured quickly.

Not all ticks carry this toxin and not all dogs are affected, hence the disease is only occasionally seen. Cats appear resistant to the toxin.