Looking for some help for this dog........

My dog has been sick for last 3 days. When we take him outside to go to bathroom he doesn't and he's having a lot of trouble walking; he tries to sit every 3 seconds or crawl to where he is going. We took him to vet 3 times and they just say he's sick to his stomach but I don't see how that can make him unable to walk. He used to jump up to get on our bed and he can't now...he can't make it up. He has also urinated on himself twice which he never does. He's only 1 yrs old - 49 pounds American Pitbull Terrier. The vet originally said his stomach was irritated from rawhide bones but they have found no blockage of his bowel and xrays came up clean. He's waddling wherever he goes. Someone please help, I don't know if the vet is missing something!

Additional info:

He finally pooped today, but its like he couldnt really control it, it just started coming out and he still isn't wanting to walk - most of it was diharreha.

Answers to rest of questions:

1. The vet twice gave him fluid injections to prevent dehydration.

2. They took x-rays but did not coat to look for plastic to my knowledge, though if he's pooping then he doesnt have a blockage - could the plastic be affecting him without blocking him up?

3. He has never had a broken hip and just last week he was playing and jumping like a normal pit...last week he could jump up on our bed and back down 10 times in a row at light speed - we also take him for runs at a track and we've clocked him at 28 mph when he runs next to the car. He is in excellent shape.

4. The vet did blood work but the results have not come back yet.


If anyone recognizes these symptoms any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much.

Valerie,
Is he always under your observation? Is there any chance he ate something without you seeing it?
I can see why you're worried, hope it comes out ok for him. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Valerie
Has the dog been running a fever? Did the vet check a urinalysis and a culture & sensitivity? Just wondering if it might not be his stomach. Could he have a bladder infection and or bladder stones causing him alot of discomfort?? Just a thought. I'd get him looked at again, if its been 3 days and he still seems distressed. Maybe you could get the a University setting??? U of Penn? I see you are from NJ.
I would be concerned that there seems to be nothing concrete and you dog is still not well.

Keep us updated!

Linda

Hey Folks -

Let me clarify, this dog belongs to a young woman who looks to be down Will's way. She is a participant on my pit forum. She says the dog has been to the vet 3 times, they have done x-rays and they are waiting blood work. The dog has been under constant observation since he has been ill, but very well could have eatin something. The vet tells her there is no obstruction, but the first vet told me that about my Lilly...she had eatin a tennis ball, I know what it is like to know your dog is sick and a vet to tell you otherwise. I suggested a different vet to this woman, but I thought the symptoms might be indicative of a disease that experienced dog handlers might recognize. Some folks have suggested the dog be checked for Parvo....I have passed your suggestions onto this woman, she is very upset so I appreciate your suggestions!!!!

My first thought was that she should seek the opinion of another vet, several if need be. The dog can't just be allowed to walk around like that.

Also, I hear or read somewhere once that if there is a blockage then sometimes the "only" thing that can come out is diarhhea. It might be the only thing that can get past whatever is there.

I would just find another vet, maybe some sort of specialist..call around, and not rest until the dog is not suffering anymore..one way or another.

Good luck to her.

Thanks for the concern from all, we have not heard from her all day, I'm getting a bad feeling about this...wish I had a better update.

This quote from Michelle: QUOTE: ...I hear or read somewhere once that if there is a blockage then sometimes the "only" thing that can come out is diarhhea. It might be the only thing that can get past whatever is there END
is (or can be) quite accurate.

That is, the situation described in the quote is feasible; I saw that situation once a few years ago. The blockage was a child's clear plastic "globe" thing that holds a trinket and that didn't show up on the x-ray first time around. Surgery was required. The dog was OK. The primary symptom at first was no pooping at all, obvious discomfort, and finally diarrhea only (which, as mentioned, was the only thing that could get around the blockage).

Please let us know. The poor dog AND the poor owner. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

This does not sound like Parvo, as it hits the animal hard and fast.
You are describing something more like a blockage. If she can take him to another vet, that would be really good. If the vet she has been taking him to is not finding the problem. I've seen a dog with a rawhide that caused a blockage, she acted the same way. Although the rawhide did show up on x-ray. I'd sure take him to someone else.
Let us know how he is doing.

My impression is that it is a kidny infection/blockage. They go downhill very fast if that is the case so be aware. But if treated they comme around as fast as well

Greetings


Johan

We heard from her this morning, this is certainly something I have never heard of, only preliminary but...........


Thanks everyone for the help.

In regards to the following:

Tick Paralysis - the vet said that with tick paralysis most of the time all the dogs limbs are affected, not just the hind legs. If the dog had lyme disease from a tick bite he would just lay around all day and most likely wouldnt even be able to waddle as he does currently. His front limbs are perfectly fine.

Parvo - The dog is not vommitting which is the #1 sign of parvo. Also, he is extremely well vaccinated; the vet ruled it out almost immediately.

He is currently spending his second night at a specialist. He has currently been prediagnosed by four doctors at this specialist as having Myathenia Gravis - a neurological disorder affecting the muscle strength in his hind legs. They said he is in no pain, he is only in a weakened state because his brain is not properly sending messages to his hind legs. They informed us that this situation can be fixed with medication. A neurologist is going to test him tomorrow for the MG to make sure they are 100% positive; if so, they will prescribe the medication and they said he will be back to normal within a few days. I will continue to keep everyone posted. Thank you so much for the feedback and the response.


Any info on this disorder would be welcome, if not store it away in your data banks!!!