Recently Paralyzed, cause unknown,

[rustybucket]

Hello all! This is my first post here on the forum, just found you guys on Google.

My dog Buddy (10 yr old Chow/Akita mix) has recently become paralyzed in his rear legs. This all started last Monday at lunch when he didn't want to go back outside when it was time for me to go back to work. By Wednesday his back-end was very 'wobbly', by Friday he no longer had use of his rear legs.

The vet has prescribed muscle relaxers, pain relievers and prednisone but has not been able to give a diagnosis.

On Wed (when wobblyness began) I took him to the vet for the first time. While at the vet I noticed a lump/knot on the left side (port side) of his spine mid-ways between his shoulder and hips. He is EXTREMEMLY tender/sensitive around this knot/lump.

At this point I'm literally out of options other than a VERY costly MRI.

I have x-rays and more detailed information posted online at:

http://buddysfight.wordpress.com

Thanks again for any guidance, assistance or suggestions you may be able to provide.

[Dr Lee]

I looked at the link. Buddy is a very cute dog. I do agree that a neurologist evaluation with MRI is the next step. Especially if we are not responding to the medications. I hope this helps.

[mummummum]

Is there a veterinary teaching hospital anywhere nearby? They are usually less expensive and the best resources.

[rustybucket]

Originally Posted by mummummum

Is there a veterinary teaching hospital anywhere nearby? They are usually less expensive and the best resources.

The University of Florida is the closest facility with an MRI. They are estimating $1500 - $2000 for evaluation and MRI.

[mummummum]

I appreciate your position Rustybucket ~ I often refer to my Ceili as my "retirement" dawg because of her substantial Vet bills.

[greynold99]

Personally, I've experienced a herniated lower-spine disk that resulted in much the same symptoms, ultimately not being able to walk other than short painful steps. Took 3 weeks bed rest and 6 weeks of therapy just to walk with a limp and then over a year to get rid of the limp...

Also experienced something similar with our small Jack Russell terrier-mix that on getting out for the first time to play a couple of years ago overexerted herself and hurt her spine, almost crippled herself - both legs would not work for several weeks.
Vet recommended getting one of those snap-on pet flotation devices and having her float in a warm water tub to exercise those legs as she was able to. She still does not have right full hind leg functionality/movement - she just kind of drags it along. Unfortunately, given a chance she'll run a cat on three-legs as fast as she can go.
Hope it works out for both of you.
Greynold99

[rustybucket]

Originally Posted by mummummum

I appreciate your position Rustybucket ~ I often refer to my Ceili as my "retirement" dawg because of her substantial Vet bills.

I guess the part that I'm torn about isn't necessarily the money. It's the fact that Buddy is 10yrs old. From what the vet said there is very little chance that the MRI would actually show something that was operable.

What could the MRI find that would possibly be operable on a 10yr old dog? Approx how much would that operation cost?

It's just hard for me to consider putting him through an operation, especially one that close to the spine. Even with the operation he is still an old dog and probably only has a couple of years left anyways.....

The bottom line is that I don't know what to do....