complete paralysis in hind legs

[rottie girl]

My 9 year old female rottie has deteriated greatly in the last few days.

Last March she had mixed cell mammary tumors removed which I was told were benign. She's been fine since.

3 weeks ago I notice a large growth in her lower abdomen, about the size of a large orange. Within a few days of noticing this she became rather lazy. I took her to the vet and he agreed to remove the lump which is very hard in nature in a few weeks time and he put her on 40mg of Anafen per day. After 10days she seemed even worse and the lump was growing. She was started to stumble on the stairs and acted disoriented like she was drunk.

After the 10 days (Friday morning) I took her back to the vet as she could barely walk. She just stumbled and her paws knuckle back. He changed her medication to Rubaxin & Deltazone? He believes that she has injured herself and that the lump is not related. I scheduled her in for surgery for Tuesday anyway although he says if she is not able to walk he doesn't feel we should proceed.

Saturday she seemed to be consistent, barely walking but if you stood her up she could muster a 5-6 steps before collasping.

Today she cannot move at all in the hind legs, she drags her self if she absolutely has to move. If you pick her up from the back she does still seem to be trying to move them as she trots along with her front paws. Basically she has layed the whole day on the grass, sitting up to turn directions.

She is still eating and drinking although usually refuses a treat. She also seems to be cowering when you go near her like she's done something bad.

The lump seems to have gotten larger. It is the size of a huge grapefruit and just hangs from her tummy.

I can't help but think the lump is pressing on a nerve and causing her the loss of feeling in her legs. Is this possible? My Dr. doesnt want to perform the surgery but I feel if I give up without trying I'll never know for sure.

I also know that I cannot go much longer trying to move a 100lb dog around and seeing her drag herself, legs bent backwards is the saddest thing ever.

Sorry this is so long.

[frontierrots]

I'm afraid you already know the answer. Dogs have the right to die well and with dignity. I posted a really long post about this some time ago so won't repeat myself

Quality of life is far far more valuable than quantity please keep that in mind

I am very sorry

[Judi W]

I think you need to consider her and her quality of life. That is one of the responsibilities we accept when we own animals. One shouldn't try to do surgery without some sort of prognosis for recovery. You might want to see another vet for another opinion and you should also ask your vet to be honest with you.

[Judy Chrusch]

I'm so sorry and I agree with Diane and Judi as far as quality of life:( . I wouldn't be able to see any of mine in that condition, I'm just so sorry. Please have her checked out by another vet and as Judi mentioned ask for honesty:( . I'll be thinking of you and praying the right decision is made soon. Hugs!!

Judy

[thoradopter]

If you want to have something done to 'know for sure', I would suggest getting an ultrasound as a noninvasive way to have a good idea if it is a tumor that is inoperable. I feel very sorry for you and your 9 yo girl, but I do agree with the others that you owe her a peaceful, dignified crossing over, with you there holding her, if it is inoperable cancer. I do understand that you would like to know, thus my suggestion for ultrasound.

Linda

[Sharon Marples]

I'm so sorry for what is happening to you and your dog. This is a very hard situation to deal with. As the others have said, her quality of life is what is important now, nothing else.

I think I would get a 2nd opinion before proceeding with surgery.

[rottie girl]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

I guess because in previous years my dogs have had various lumps removed and continued on to live well I had a glitch of hope that it was this lump that has caused her to lose the use of her legs, all in a matter of a few days. Because both arrived at almost the same time I felt they could be related and by removing it possibly pressure would be relieved and she would walk.

I have marched her back to my vet my 3x in the last couple weeks and on Friday was again told to not give up. I have suggested an xray and he indicated that this type of injury (which he thinks it might be disc) wouldn't show up on a normal xray.

Tomorrow I will return with her to see him and at his recommendations I will do whatever he feels best, unless he tells me the same thing as last time... take her home and leave her in a grassy area where she doesn't have to move much. I will not return home with a dog that cannot walk.

[rottie girl]

I'm no further ahead. I just spoke to Dr. Ron. He says definitely do not do the surgery, it's added stress. He's not convinced her loss of movement is a result of the lump even though he admits the lump may be causing discomfort. He says the lump in in the wrong area to be pressing on a nerve. He specifially says that I should not give up and that if in 2-3 weeks (TWO - THREE WEEKS) she is has not improved from the medication then make a decision.

It's tough when I've trusted him all this time yet I don't feel right about leaving her like this and yet going against his hope for recovery makes me feel like I've given up prematurely.

He said he can send me to another clinic for ultrasound but that it usually more for soft tissue.

[mmgy]

If she is this miserable, I don't think you can "wait and see" for 2 or 3 weeks.

I think I'd gather as much information as I could, from your vet or another----xrays, ultrasound, blood tests----breath deeply, and make a intelligent decision. We'll be thinking of you.

[rottie girl]

You are right, I can't wait and see for that length of time.

I have an appointment with the Emergency Clinic later this afternoon for a 2nd opinion. I have had her file faxed to them and hopefully I will be able to make the best decision soon.

I am thankful that she is not alone while I'm at work, she is at my Moms, a place she loves to visit. Although she is away from my other 2, she is able to spend her days in a nice grass yard and at night she can sleep inside without having to deal with stairs.

[AimeeMB]

Please let us know what the emergency vet says. You and your girl are in my thoughts.

[Sharon Marples]

I'm glad you are going for the ultrasound, please let us know what the second vet says. Good luck.

[Beckysmom]

why is your vet suggesting that you let her lie in a grassy area where she doesn't need to move much? When I read that, what came to my mind was the thought that maybe he or she thinks it is an injury that may be helped some by very little motion

[rottie girl]

Thank you everyone.

He does think this may be an injury although I don't believe that is why he told me to leave her on the grass.

I discovered this growth on July 26th and took her to my vet July 29th to have it looked at. She was walking fine but seemed lazy a couple days prior. He contributed her behavior to the heat or maybe an injury. He put her on Anafen for 10 days.

On the 9th day (Aug 7th) I went back as she was starting to stumble on the stairs. I though the drugs might have been contributing to this. He gave me more Anafen and booked her in for surgery for Aug 12th.

The next day (Aug 8) I returned again as she now was collapsing. He still figured it was injruy so switched her medication. I expressed that it was very difficult for me to care for her if she couldn't walk because both exits of my home have a few stairs and I can't support her with a towel around her stomach because she yelps from the pain of this lump. That is when he suggested... I leave her in a grassy area so she "could drag herself to relieve."

This is when I took her to my Moms, Friday morning and on Saturday she seemed to be strengthening just a little... she could walk about 5-6 steps and I thought the medication was helping.

I was wrong.

Sunday morning she couldn't stand up at all, which brings me to today. :(

It's all been so quick.

I'm hoping an ultrasound will provide me some answers and will be sure to let everyone know the outcome once I get back to a computer.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Please keep us updated. I'll be thinking about you & your girl.

Brooke