Prayers for Hunter

[Cowgirl]

Isn't that a gradual thing? This was really quick. From the time he first starting having visible symptoms to having no use of his back legs was about 24 hours.

It could also be tick paralysis. Not sure if you got my karma the other day... But read this article. Well, it's not that long, so I'll just post it.

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.

I'd say it's worth it to look him over really, really well and see if there are any ticks on him.

 

[Christy]

Isn't that a gradual thing? This was really quick. From the time he first starting having visible symptoms to having no use of his back legs was about 24 hours.

Nope, Hunter has the same symptoms as my dog did. It comes on quick.

 

[cattitude]

Nope, Hunter has the same symptoms as my dog did. It comes on quick.

Yep..or Erlichia. My older Lab suddenly couldn't move his neck..held his head down and couldn't lift it up. He had Erlichia which is similar to Lyme and is a tick-borne disease. Antibiotics and pain meds and he was a different dog in a week.

Did they do x-rays on Hunter? Did they do any other tests?

As sad as it is to consider, this could just be a permanent thing. Our Golden Retriever was 15. One weekend, he could no longer get up, Otter carried him outside to "do his business." It was just his time, he was still happy and would still eat, but he couldn't stand or walk...we waited through the weekend and let him go on Monday.

 

[huntr1]

Yep..or Erlichia. My older Lab suddenly couldn't move his neck..held his head down and couldn't lift it up. He had Erlichia which is similar to Lyme and is a tick-borne disease. Antibiotics and pain meds and he was a different dog in a week.

Did they do x-rays on Hunter? Did they do any other tests?

As sad as it is to consider, this could just be a permanent thing. Our Golden Retriever was 15. One weekend, he could no longer get up, Otter carried him outside to "do his business." It was just his time, he was still happy and would still eat, but he couldn't stand or walk...we waited through the weekend and let him go on Monday.

No x-rays.
I described what happened, she tested his reflexes and checked for feeling in the feet (pinched his pads with forceps). Both came back positive.
That's when she made her diagnosis.

We're going to give the meds till Monday to work. If he doesn't improve, then we're going to have to say goodbye. As long as there is improvement, I am going to keep hoping and trying.

 

[cattitude]

No x-rays.
I described what happened, she tested his reflexes and checked for feeling in the feet (pinched his pads with forceps). Both came back positive.
That's when she made her diagnosis.

We're going to give the meds till Monday to work. If he doesn't improve, then we're going to have to say goodbye. As long as there is improvement, I am going to keep hoping and trying.

At least have the vet do the Snap test for Lyme and Ehrlichia. Doesn't sound like she did much to confirm her diagnosis.

 

[BS Gal]

Razzie had lyme disease prior to us getting her. She now has arthritis in her back right leg.

 

[huntr1]

At least have the vet do the Snap test for Lyme and Ehrlichia. Doesn't sound like she did much to confirm her diagnosis.

Snap test? What's that? They snap their fingers and see if any ticks jump up? I'll give anything a try that will help.

 

[ITS ME]

I don’t know what kind of dog hunter is, but I had a Doberman and his back legs suddenly gave out on him, I thought it was arthritis because he was almost 10 years old. The day after thanksgiving I took him to the vet and they said he had wobblers syndrome and apparently this was something he was born with and he had as the vet said "blown out every one of his vertebra" and we didn’t know this until they did an x-ray on him, so sadly the day after thanksgiving -- 11/23/07 we had to put him to sleep, the doctor said that no orthopedic surgeon would even touch him for any amount of money in the world.

If hunter is a big dog, you may want to ask the vet his opinion of wobblers syndrome.

I will say a prayer for hunter to have a speedy recovery.

 

[Cowgirl]

Snap test? What's that? They snap their fingers and see if any ticks jump up? I'll give anything a try that will help.

Seriously, it's worth a test...and check him for ticks.

 

[cattitude]

Snap test? What's that? They snap their fingers and see if any ticks jump up? I'll give anything a try that will help.

No. It's what the test is called. It's a blood test that checks for heartworms, ehrlichia and lyme.

He could have been bitten by a tick and the tick doesn't still have to be on him.

 

[Dymphna]

I don’t know what kind of dog hunter is,

He's a Brittany (Spaniel). He's a medium sized dog, just under 40 lbs.

All my pics of him were on the old computer...except this one...

He's the orange and white blob on the left, the solid orange blob on the right is a 12 lb cat.

 

[Christy]

At least have the vet do the Snap test for Lyme and Ehrlichia. Doesn't sound like she did much to confirm her diagnosis.

You don't want to have your dog put down for a misdiagnosis. If it's lyme, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories will perk him right up.

 

[SpriteZero]

Poor Hunter!!

If my dog, I would go back to the vet and get the following:
And all the advise given is awesome advise!!!

1: Xrays of his spine to r/o disk problem.
2. Lab work to r/o tick diseases
3. Put on antiboitics even if there is not a reason, lab work might come back indicating meds, and you are 2 days ahead of that.
4. A snap test is called that due to the plastic testing unit used.
A drop of blood is placed on the test area and the plastic unit is "snapped" together to begin the test. Results are immediate..5-15 minutes.

5. Give Hunter the time he needs, and IF he is too tired or too sick to live, he will let you know in his way, that it is time to go.
( I beleive this..so dont tell me otherwise...thanks)

In the meantime, hang in there and know all of us here are pulling for you and him!!

 

[Dymphna]

He is on antibiotics. Regardless of all the tests he could be given, and what diagnosis might be arrived at, sounds like that is the course of action no matter what.

Depending on which source you look at, his breed has a life expectancy of anywhere from 10 to 14 years. We got him full grown from the pound, so his exact age is unknown, but he is around 12 years old. He has been showing his age for a while now.

At some point quality of life has to come into play. Needles and surgeries and tests and such are all well and good, but the fact is he doesn't seem to be in pain right now, just frustrated with his sudden immobility. I don't know that drastic measures to make him better will do anything to extend his life and may in fact, cause more suffering.

We will continue to consult with the vets and will give the meds more time to work, but although he rallied yesterday, today he's not doing as well.

 

[SpriteZero]

He is on antibiotics. Regardless of all the tests he could be given, and what diagnosis might be arrived at, sounds like that is the course of action no matter what.

Depending on which source you look at, his breed has a life expectancy of anywhere from 10 to 14 years. We got him full grown from the pound, so his exact age is unknown, but he is around 12 years old. He has been showing his age for a while now.

At some point quality of life has to come into play. Needles and surgeries and tests and such are all well and good, but the fact is he doesn't seem to be in pain right now, just frustrated with his sudden immobility. I don't know that drastic measures to make him better will do anything to extend his life and may in fact, cause more suffering.

We will continue to consult with the vets and will give the meds more time to work, but although he rallied yesterday, today he's not doing as well.

I know you will do the right thing.
I did not know ( or read) about his age, sorry...

Take care, all of you!!

 

[ITS ME]

He is on antibiotics. Regardless of all the tests he could be given, and what diagnosis might be arrived at, sounds like that is the course of action no matter what.

Depending on which source you look at, his breed has a life expectancy of anywhere from 10 to 14 years. We got him full grown from the pound, so his exact age is unknown, but he is around 12 years old. He has been showing his age for a while now.

At some point quality of life has to come into play. Needles and surgeries and tests and such are all well and good, but the fact is he doesn't seem to be in pain right now, just frustrated with his sudden immobility. I don't know that drastic measures to make him better will do anything to extend his life and may in fact, cause more suffering.

We will continue to consult with the vets and will give the meds more time to work, but although he rallied yesterday, today he's not doing as well.

I'm sorry hes not doing better. You will know the right thing to do when it is time, my only advice is to please be strong for hunter when you have to do it, when I put my BJ down, I wanted to be put together (the best I could muster up), so that I didnt get him nervous, but I did break down afterwords, I just put up a good front for him.

BTW, he is a handsome dog and you have what looks like a pretty huge cat!

 

[baileydog]

I have no words so Ill just be praying that he recovers, or if necessary, Ill pray for your strength to help him through this.

 

[huntr1]

Hunter took a turn for the worse. Took Hunter back to the vet today. They did the snap test. negative. I had to let him go. He is chasing bunnies with GOD now.

 

[Vince]

Hunter took a turn for the worse. Took Hunter back to the vet today. They did the snap test. negative. I had to let him go. He is chasing bunnies with GOD now.

Sorry about Hunter.

 

[tiltedangel]

oooh i am sooo sorry for your loss! i know how that is my little fifi had the same problem and i had to put her down..i was hoping this was not the case with hunter..i really am sorry..

fifi will meet her at rainbow bridge they can chase butterflies together.