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Old April 28th, 2012, 01:05 PM
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Purpledomino Purpledomino is offline
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Unhappy Anyone have experience with a Wobblers dog?

Vet suspects Wobblers with my 6 yr. old Bullmastiff and I think she's right. We have an appointment next Friday with a specialist to see if we can help Ruben, confirm Wobblers and consider surgery.

My big guy has had issues with front foot dragging for awhile, and my vet was aware of it...now he is showing weakness (trembling, instability) in his hind as well.

Radiographs taken yesterday without sedation showed compression in two possible areas, pretty close together so I'm hopeful that he may be a candidate for surgical repair. I know next week they will want to sedate him for more accurate Xrays, and possibly schedule an MRI.

I understand the extremely high costs with this surgery, and also extensive aftercare involved, I am wondering if any members here have been through this with their dog?

If surgery is feasible, the costs are not so much of an issue, as his quality of life after. I really just want him to enjoy his last years comfortably, and that will be worth it for me. I know there are never guarantees, but I really would like to hear anyones outcomes, both good or bad.

Thank-you!
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“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi


My loyal menagerie... (all neutered, spayed, and gelded...and YOU aren't safe either!)

Ruben (Bullmastiff)
Emmy (Miniature Pinscher)
Petie (Miniature Pinscher)
Shadow (Miniature Pinscher)
Zoe (APBT)
Tito (Paint Gelding)
Francesca (Miniature Horse Filly)
Vincenzo (APHA gelding)


Lots of fishies......
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Old April 28th, 2012, 07:39 PM
MaxaLisa MaxaLisa is offline
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My K9 chiro became a chiro for dogs (AVCA certification, very involved), so that she could treat her Wobblers' dog. I would highly recommend acupunture and chiropractic care.

I don't know if this covers Canada, but maybe there is something similar?

www.avcadoctors.com
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Old April 29th, 2012, 12:34 PM
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He's been seen by a very highly regarded animal chiropractor and has had many adjustments by him, and there really wasn't any noticeable improvement in his mobility at the time....so we stopped.

This was before we even considered Wobblers, so after making a plan with the specialist hopefully next week, I would definately consider doing chiro again if he thinks it will help.

Ruben has also met with a holistic vet about a year ago, who did an adjustment and some acupuncture. At the time his symptoms were just a toe drag thing that we were trying to help, but it's gotten so much worst the last couple months.

Basically, I'm very open to any and all options to help him...just want to talk with the specialist on Friday first to confirm a diagnosis and make a plan to hopefully help him.

Thanks for the reply!
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“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi


My loyal menagerie... (all neutered, spayed, and gelded...and YOU aren't safe either!)

Ruben (Bullmastiff)
Emmy (Miniature Pinscher)
Petie (Miniature Pinscher)
Shadow (Miniature Pinscher)
Zoe (APBT)
Tito (Paint Gelding)
Francesca (Miniature Horse Filly)
Vincenzo (APHA gelding)


Lots of fishies......
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Old April 29th, 2012, 06:00 PM
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hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
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I hope you can find something to help Ruben, Purpledomino.

Our springer Priscilla had some narrowing of the spinal canal due to hip displasia and we had a laminectomy done on her back to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Is that the type of surgery they use for Wobblers? It was a long recovery time--about 6 weeks, as I recall--but it sure did the trick for her.
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Old April 29th, 2012, 09:40 PM
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Purpledomino are you in the Edmonton region? I have done alll my hours to become a TTouch Practioner, just have to complete a few case studies to get my Cert. If you are interested in learning more please PM me I may be able to give you some assistance. patti
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Old April 29th, 2012, 11:39 PM
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Purpledomino Purpledomino is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hazelrunpack View Post
I hope you can find something to help Ruben, Purpledomino.

Our springer Priscilla had some narrowing of the spinal canal due to hip displasia and we had a laminectomy done on her back to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Is that the type of surgery they use for Wobblers? It was a long recovery time--about 6 weeks, as I recall--but it sure did the trick for her.
Thank-you Hazel. I'm not sure what the exact surgeries are called, but I know there are a couple of them at least, but it does sound like a similar procedure.

I have heard that the recovery time is very long, possibly more like 12 weeks of walking in hand, and crate rest.....ugh. This is also a concern, as everything is quite logistically more difficult with a giant breed, as you can imagine.

He is not the most agile creature at the best of times, I hate to think how difficult it will be for him to recover from a major spinal surgery. Definately a concern of mine, and something to discuss with the specialist in regards to determining if surgery should go ahead at all.

Going to weigh all the options I guess....it's been a tough one.
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“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi


My loyal menagerie... (all neutered, spayed, and gelded...and YOU aren't safe either!)

Ruben (Bullmastiff)
Emmy (Miniature Pinscher)
Petie (Miniature Pinscher)
Shadow (Miniature Pinscher)
Zoe (APBT)
Tito (Paint Gelding)
Francesca (Miniature Horse Filly)
Vincenzo (APHA gelding)


Lots of fishies......
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  #7  
Old April 29th, 2012, 11:53 PM
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Purpledomino Purpledomino is offline
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Here is my handsome guy....
Attached Images
 
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“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi


My loyal menagerie... (all neutered, spayed, and gelded...and YOU aren't safe either!)

Ruben (Bullmastiff)
Emmy (Miniature Pinscher)
Petie (Miniature Pinscher)
Shadow (Miniature Pinscher)
Zoe (APBT)
Tito (Paint Gelding)
Francesca (Miniature Horse Filly)
Vincenzo (APHA gelding)


Lots of fishies......
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  #8  
Old April 29th, 2012, 11:59 PM
MaxaLisa MaxaLisa is offline
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Any chance of tick disease?

Had a dog on another forum, completely lame and with some issues, they tried everything. Ultimately they tried an antibiotic (cephalexin), and the dog is walking again.

My old girl used to drag her paw, and would stumble, and I put her on doxycycline, and managed it for a very long time.

Just maybe something to try when all else has been tried?
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  #9  
Old April 30th, 2012, 12:04 AM
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Purpledomino Purpledomino is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxaLisa View Post
Any chance of tick disease?

Had a dog on another forum, completely lame and with some issues, they tried everything. Ultimately they tried an antibiotic (cephalexin), and the dog is walking again.

My old girl used to drag her paw, and would stumble, and I put her on doxycycline, and managed it for a very long time.

Just maybe something to try when all else has been tried?
Thanks, but not very likely as there aren't ticks here that I know of anyway, and I've lived in Alberta for about 15 years or so. Never saw a tick here, thank goodness! Ruben has never left the area either.
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“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi


My loyal menagerie... (all neutered, spayed, and gelded...and YOU aren't safe either!)

Ruben (Bullmastiff)
Emmy (Miniature Pinscher)
Petie (Miniature Pinscher)
Shadow (Miniature Pinscher)
Zoe (APBT)
Tito (Paint Gelding)
Francesca (Miniature Horse Filly)
Vincenzo (APHA gelding)


Lots of fishies......
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  #10  
Old April 30th, 2012, 08:00 AM
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pbpatti pbpatti is offline
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OMD, I am in love, he is georgous.
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  #11  
Old April 30th, 2012, 11:35 AM
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hazelrunpack hazelrunpack is offline
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Chopper Challenge Champion, Mini KickUps Champion, Bugz Champion, Snakeman Steve Champion, Shape Game Champion, Mumu Champion, Mouse Race Champion
 
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Posts: 53,771
He is extremely handsome!! I hope you can find a therapy that give him some relief!!
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"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference."

"It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!"

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
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  #12  
Old April 30th, 2012, 06:26 PM
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pbpatti pbpatti is offline
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I just found this on another forum and thought that you might find it interesting. the forum is : City-Data.com

:-) Many thanks for the kisses..our big boy gives them to everyone.
We'haven't had a formal diagnosis, but husband is a dr. and we have both done tons of research. Our big boy is unusually large for a Mastiff which may be part of the problem. There have been no incidences since the first two epileptic type seizures, and I have my fingers crossed, but I don't allow him to get overly excited, and will NEVER put another collar on him or any mastiff...harnesses always..my husband could explain more but do know it has something to do with the neck ligament attachments.
He drags his paws which is another symptom...will just keep loving him and giving him cuddles as long as he is with us. W'eve replaced his bed with a huge bed, he now has feeding dish about 2 ft off of floor, a ramp rather than steps (although he thinks he is a young stud, and wants to use the steps) which we've blocked...will not put him through any invasive procedures since we had a bullmastiff that we put through hip procedures with no success, and just misery for her. He is our wonderful big boy, and we will be grateful just to have him as long as he is not in pain.


Another link: http://www.knatchbull.ca/articles/wobbler.html
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Old April 30th, 2012, 06:50 PM
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Purpledomino Purpledomino is offline
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Thank-you all for the kind words.



Patti, that is a good link with some excellent information, thank-you.

I do believe at this time, it's probably best to wait and see what the good doctor has to say on Friday before proceeding to explore alternative treatments.

I welcome any other comments, or experiences with this disease because I think I can use all the knowledge I can get at this point. What really worries me though, is committing to a procedure (surgery) and having Ruben endure a very long and painful recovery, as I understand this can be the case.

He really doesn't "seem" to be in too much discomfort that I can tell, he has never yelped in pain...he just is a bit discombobulated (sp?), and slow moving usually, but he has always been a big lug....

Lots of questions to ask I suppose....
__________________
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Mahatma Gandhi


My loyal menagerie... (all neutered, spayed, and gelded...and YOU aren't safe either!)

Ruben (Bullmastiff)
Emmy (Miniature Pinscher)
Petie (Miniature Pinscher)
Shadow (Miniature Pinscher)
Zoe (APBT)
Tito (Paint Gelding)
Francesca (Miniature Horse Filly)
Vincenzo (APHA gelding)


Lots of fishies......
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