Spinal cord degeneration in Rottweilers?

[codglvr]

Has anyone ever heard of or had experience with spinal cord degeneration in Rottweilers?
I am looking to see if there is a diagnostic test out there specifically for this, or if anyone has had any experience with this.
We were at the vet today, who feels strongly that Saga's lameness and sudden incontinance is from a sprain. I will most likely be back at the vet tomorrow to have X-rays taken. I am not convinced this is from a sprain, nor am I convinced that one more week of anti-inflamatories and pain meds after 2 weeks is going to resolve this. I know, I should have had the X-rays today, I just was not mentally prepared to handle any bad news by myself.
The reason I ask about the degeneration, is I know someone whose non-Rottweiler experienced this and many of the symptoms Saga is exhibiting are the same, but the associated pain is not.
We checked anal glands, ears, manual check of front legs and back leg, back and pelvis. Her abdomen showed no signs of distress, and her stools have been normal up until this morning, as was her bladder control.

Thanks for any information you all may have.

[BostonRott]

There is a spinal disease which presents as gradual loss of function, etc. I am REALLY blanking on it's name, will do some searching and see what I can find for you this evening.

[frontierrots]

My friend's Foxhound had sudden incontinence and slight rear end lameness and she went to the chiropractor once a week for a month and it went away. Her back was out and pressing on some nerves

Not sure if this is anything you want to check into but thought I'd toss it out

[GraceAAA]

Yes, there are lots of possibilities that can manifest symptoms such as you are describing. Without further diagnostics (starting with X-ray's) it will be nearly impossible for anyone to treat.

Degenerative myelopathy (DM usually seen in GSD) can occur in Rotties, as well as fibrocartilagenous emboli (FCE), cauda equine syndrome, spinal tumors, lumbar stenosis, lower motor neuron (LMN) disease, intervertebral disk disease (IVD) as well as nerve damage (sometimes even temporary)from injury...you can drive yourself absolutely crazy researching these possibilities online but it would probably be best following up on the x-rays and then proceding to other diagnositics (MRI, etc.) if neccessary.

We have a girl (nott-weiler) with a spinal cord injury...her injury was at both the cervical and lumbosacral levels but thankfully, with acupuncture, homeopathics and hydrotherapy she is fantastically functional having lost deep pain, gross motor and bowl/bladder control after her injury and now regained.
Best wishes

[MARYDVM]

There are a couple of polyneuropathy syndromes identified in Rottweilers - one in young pups, the other in older dogs. There is also an inherited leukodystrophy that produces progressive incoordination. I believe the Bronko dog imported by Srigo kennels back in the 70's (?) developed this disease.

[marianne]

I had a very nice male...very good breeding. he started to show signs of weakness in his front quarters. It did get to the point of x-rays he did show intervertebral disc disease. I did try all the meds available. I had to have him put down. Good luck it is hard to see them go thru the pain of getting up and down. He would fall down...broke my heart to watch him. Brave Boy was a good rottie till the end.

[Judi W]

I'm so sorry, but I do not recall which leg she had amputated either. Are you quite confident that this is not cancer related? Getting around on three legs can take a heavy toll, not just being difficult but damaging systems that are not designed for those stresses. Poor girlie. Let us know what is discovered.

[2rotties2luv]

My male rottie, Jazz, was diagnosed at age 7 yrs with canine cauda equina syndrome with similar symptoms. Spinal x-rays were needed to make the diagnosis. He had great improvement with acupuncture treatment, however it took several months of weekly treatments before there was much improvement. He is now on maintenance acupuncture once every eight weeks. He rarely has any pain or stiffness in his hindquarters at age 10.

[codglvr]

Hi, I'm back after a long night and morning. Saga had her right hind leg amputated after being diagnosed with Osteo in June, amputation on July 6. The bone scan at the time showed no hot spots in any other site than the cancer site. Her recovery from the amputation was quick and completely uneventful. Poster dog for amputation. She is now 7 1/2.
She is currently on deramax. I have calls in to the vet this morning to schedule other tests and discuss the incontinance; and a call in to the makers of Deramax to discuss possible side effects.
She has had issues prior to amputation with stiffness and pain in her hip region. These episodes have led her to reduced activity and mild pain with stairs. All of these prior instances have cleared within a week and ascriptin was sufficient for pain relief.
About two weeks ago we noticed similar symptoms to prior incidents, and restricted her activity and gave her ascriptin. It did not relieve the pain or stiffness, so we started using the deramax after about 1 1/2 weeks. She has only been on it since about Monday. Wednesday night she really started having trouble with balancing on her hind leg and supporting her weight. Thursday morning, she wasn't moving hardly at all and relieved her bowels in the house immediately after coming in from outside. Thursday noon I took her to the vet, she began having urinary incontinance and by the time we got home she was once again totally unable to support herself. I positioned her at home and went back to work. Last night, she was unable to go outside and urinate, and leaked at every move. This morning, a little better support for a couple of steps. Deficated in her bed, and still has urinary incontinance. Despite assistance in supporting her weight with a sling, she is unwilling to urinate or deficate outside.
Her appetite is great, and her eyes still say she has a lot of life left in her. BUT I don't know how much more I will put her through in the way of testing.

In all of your experiences, I know some of you said you have had success with incontinance resolving itself, how likely is it for a dog who has progressed so rapidly to this state to have a come back?

Thanks again fro everyone's ideas and support.

[Judi W]

This information might be more helpful for those offering suggestions.

[GraceAAA]

Hi again,
I didn't realize your girl is an osteo survivor...knowing that history definately does support the need for some follow up x-rays. If in the worst case scenario, the cancer has spread to her spine than it will be visible on x-ray...and this will direct your decisions for Saga's care.

Amputation does put a tremendous amount of stress on the remaining three legs especially in such a large breed dog...typically, if all other joints are OK than adjustment goes well but you can always see subsequent imbalances/injuries occuring to other joints and to the spine as the dog compensates for the lost leg. So, if Saga has a disc that is impinging on a nerve...that can certainly cause weakness, pain and incontinence.

The likely-hood of recovery for Saga really does depend on what is causing her problem...if it is a disc issuse compressing a nerve and that pressure is released than she may have a good chance at regaining function. If a tumor has occluded the spinal space than recovery is not expected...barring miracles. And, having lived, loved and lost a dog with bone cancer...I do BELIEVE in miracles.

I am sorry I really don't have any answers for you...other than to really strongly suggest you go get that x-ray...it gives you a good start in understanding what is going on.
Take care

[codglvr]

While I still haven't heard back from our vet, I did call and schedule the X-rays for this afternoon. We will most likely make any decisions about sending her to the bridge then. We will not let her suffer.
I did speak with the makers of deramax this morning. I would like to share their comments regarding side effects.
Urinary incontinance is a reported side effect. No specific numbers are available as these are reports after FDA approval.
Bowel incontinance is a very low occurring side effect, 10 cases in 200,000 treated animals. Not enough for them to put it on the label as a side effect.
Lameness, is not a side effect according to them. And we will be forwarding any treatment decisions to them.

As soon as I get one more thing done here at work, I will be going home to spend time with my pups. I will try to post an update to whatever decisions we make today, and any diagnosis that may come from the X-rays. Thanks again to everyone.