Winston's Update

[Tom B]

My last post here was April 5, 2004. Winston had been diagnosed with cervical vertebral instability and we had been referred to the University of Illinois Vet Hospital. He was failing fast, showing more loss of strength and coordination in his hind legs daily.

We called U of I, and were fortunate by means of a cancellation to get a 4/14 appointment. Unfortunately, I was also out of town on business that week and it fell to my wife to make the 4 hour drive starting at 4:30 AM. And on the day she normally has her hair appointment, to boot. Bummer.

When I called during the day to see how the appointment (the dog's, not hers) was going, I was surprised to reach her in the car already headed back an hour or so after the appointment. Evidently, either Win decided to be a complete knucklehead, or else he displayed his usual dislike of strangers poking and prodding him. Even muzzled, during his exam the people there decided they couldn't work with him and the best they could suggest was that we "might possibly find a private practice that would take him." I will withhold further comment in this forum, other than to say I was stunned.

When I returned home, he was noticeably worse and his front legs were now involved, displaying a choppy gait. Although we had not been referred there, I called University of Wisconsin Vet Hospital. Initially was told 5/11 was the earliest he could be seen, but again, a cancellation opened up a Thursday 4/22 appointment slot. We took it.

Drove up that morning, and after we arrived, all he wanted to do was lie with his head between my ankles as we waited. Once in the exam room, as expected, he grumbled and complained most of the time. Even though muzzled, this caused a certain apprehension for those who were treating him, but he never snapped. Eventually, he was sedated and an ultrasound test run to look for other abnormalities....there were none. Tentative diagnosis at that time....Wobbler's. Next option was an MRI the next day.

Opted for that and left him overnight. Friday the doctor called and confirmed the MRI showed a disk was causing spinal cord compression, so finally a cause had been pinpointed. Decision time.

Basically, to have come this far, to watch him steadily deteriorate, and now to finally know the cause, and then to to nothing.....was just ... unthinkable. Told the doctor to operate. Midafternoon she called to report he was out of surgery and would be ready for discharge the following Monday afternoon.

Upon arrival we were surprised to find him in the doctor's office. Evidently, there was so much activity around the regular kennel cages that he refused to rest, so he'd been put in the doc's office with the door closed and a 'do not disturb' sign hung on the door. He had been sleeping for 2 hours. Closed doors and Rottweiler gas do not a pleasant combination make.

He'd been drinking OK, but not eating since his surgery. A vet tech had spent an hour outside with him, and then sat in his cage with him while eating her lunch and trying to get him to eat. He ignored wieners and cheese. Finally she hand fed him canned chicken breast, and he ate 3 cans. The "dangerous unmanageable" dog wasn't so bad after all.

But he had no function at all in his hind legs, and only very minimal use of his front legs. And he weighs 114 pounds. My wife and I practiced carrying him with slings, and learned how to place him over a 'peanut ball' that would support him while he (hopefully) relearned how to use his legs. A therapist also instructed us on how to manipulate his limbs to prevent stiffness and atrophy.

Loaded him into the backseat and drove straight to Mickey D's, where Winnie polished off 2 hamburgers in record time, and then 1-1/2 hours back home. Tuesday was bad because the long lasting painkiller evidently wore off, and he was really hurting. Although he cried & whimpered, he never snapped or tried to bite as we worked slings under him & carried him back and forth. For the next couple days, we moved him between the garage and yard a couple times a day, mostly for him to get fresh air. Since he was also incontinent, inside/outside made no other difference.

Yesterday upon getting home and opening the garage door, he surprised both of us by standing and weaving like a drunken sailor, and then staggering over to his water bowl and stood while drinking. Then he ate a dog biscuit, also standing. We wheeled him outside, and later he stood, walked 20 feet, squatted and peed until he couldn't squat anymore, and then sat and peed some more. We were ecstatic. This morning, he actually walked (sort of) out of the garage to the yard, rested, relieved himself, and then walked back to the garage. Progress!

Where this ends, I do not know. I do know that he is in worse shape now than he was before surgery. On the other hand, he is now improving whereas before he was deteriorating. How much he will improve is anybody's guess. We'll take it a day at a time. He needs 11 more weeks of confinement.

I will say that I'm very impressed with Dr. Rylander, vet tech Lisa Korth, and UW vet student Kelly Schaumburg(?) for their commitment and willingness to work with a difficult grumbly patient. Somehow they perceived and understood that under the gruff exterior was a lovable old guy who needed and appreciated their help. Thanks people.

Tom

[LavenderRott]

I am so glad to hear that he is improving! I will keep him in my thoughts along with the wonderful people who helped him out.

[mmgy]

WOW!!!!!! I'm shocked someone put you off like that, but SO thankful that you found some nice folks to help you!

It sounds as though he will improve, albeit quite slowly. I'm sure the fact you found him standing means he feels better already. I think last time I suggested some "storebought" slings to you, and I'll suggest again, as they will help your health as much as they will his.

Please, please keep us posted on his progress!

[Denise L.]

When I called during the day to see how the appointment (the dog's, not hers) was going, I was surprised to reach her in the car already headed back an hour or so after the appointment. Evidently, either Win decided to be a complete knucklehead, or else he displayed his usual dislike of strangers poking and prodding him. Even muzzled, during his exam the people there decided they couldn't work with him and the best they could suggest was that we "might possibly find a private practice that would take him." I will withhold further comment in this forum, other than to say I was stunned.


Just last night I was at my vet's for my mom's cat's shots and there was a gorgeous, smallish white dog named Bianca who was very aggressive. The vet gave her a sedative sent her and her owner outside and after 1/2 hour or so took care of the dog.

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Anyway I am happy to hear Winston is improving. Please give us lots of updates!

[Bucky's Mom]

I wish you well - it sounds like you are doing all that you can to help him.

[Brooke&Ryan]

So glad to hear that Winston is feeling a tad bit better.

Thanks for the update!

[KatMc]

Good Luck with all this treatment, I'm very impressed by both the commitment from you and your wife and will pray for Winston's continued improvement.

Kathy

[Rott'nKids]

I know this is a bit late, I haven't been on for a few days. Glad to hear Winston is doing better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you give me some info on how this all started? My brother's dog, Ares (5 this June) has been sick with bacterial infections for months and has not been responding well to any medications, so he has lost a lot of weight and now, lost control of his back legs. He was fine (well, as fine as a really skinny dog can be) when I left their house on Saturday, and within a couple of hours could not get up. After an emergency trip to the vet (could not get their regular vet until Monday), who gave him massive doses of antibiotics and anti-inflamatories (sp?), by Sunday morning he could sit up and and raise his hind end about 4 - 6 inches, but still could not get up to walk. After the vet trip this morning, they think this is completely unrelated to the bacterial infection, and think a piece of his cartilage has broken off and lodged in his spine, cutting off the nerves, but they do not have the equipment to confirm this. My brother is waiting on a call from another clinic farther away that works with the U of MN, and come highly recommended for the "so sorry, we can't help" cases. I will post this as a new thread if need be.
Ares is still bright eyed and really wants to get around, just can't. He does not seem to be in any pain.

[Tom B]

The intial thread was posted around the end of March and was entitled, "I Don't Get It." The progression of Win's problem is described there.

Today it's been 2 weeks since surgery, and progress continues. A few days ago he actually barked, so the pain must not be bothering too much. However, a day or two before that Beemer bumped him a little too vigorously and made Win yip, so there's still some tenderness.

His gait is improving, both front and back legs. And he needs to regain strength in his back legs. Though things are improving, he still has trouble squatting to poop. But so far, so good. We continue to be amazed that we actually can see daily improvement. I purposely did not set high expectations, figuring anything would be a gift. And for the first few days when he couldn't walk or control his bladder there were lots of doubts. So when you're expecting the worst but have reached the point where he walks, wags his stump and is full of kisses, well....that's gravy. He still needs to be confined for another 10 weeks.

I really appreciate the prayers, good thoughts and encouragement that have been posted here.

Thanks,

Tom

[Rott'nKids]

Thanks so much for letting me know!!! Hearing about Winston gives me hope for Ares; they took him to the holistic clinic and had acupuncture done; yesterday he was able to stand up once and now has increased blood flow/nerves coming back to at least one back paw, as well as being much more alert and happy-looking (and finally is having solid stools!!!!!!!). He will have 2 or 3 more treatments and they will see from there what can be done. Depending on his outcome, i think i may take Iria there for acupuncture to see if it will help her situation, which is definetely manageable but could be better.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by Tom B

The intial thread was posted around the end of March and was entitled, "I Don't Get It." The progression of Win's problem is described there.

Today it's been 2 weeks since surgery, and progress continues. A few days ago he actually barked, so the pain must not be bothering too much. However, a day or two before that Beemer bumped him a little too vigorously and made Win yip, so there's still some tenderness.

His gait is improving, both front and back legs. And he needs to regain strength in his back legs. Though things are improving, he still has trouble squatting to poop. But so far, so good. We continue to be amazed that we actually can see daily improvement. I purposely did not set high expectations, figuring anything would be a gift. And for the first few days when he couldn't walk or control his bladder there were lots of doubts. So when you're expecting the worst but have reached the point where he walks, wags his stump and is full of kisses, well....that's gravy. He still needs to be confined for another 10 weeks.

I really appreciate the prayers, good thoughts and encouragement that have been posted here.

Thanks,

Tom

Thanks so much for the update! Sounds like he's getting back to being good ol' Winston! Enjoy him!