Here is the update on Kaia:
We saw the neurologist today and she strongly believes that Kaia has had a Fibrocartilaginous Embolism(FCE)

It is the main cause of sudden paralysis in dogs.
It is caused by the obstruction of a spinal artery and loss of blood supply to the spinal cord in a focal area. When this occurs, there is damage to the spinal cord and subsequent weakness and paralysis. This may effect one limb only, both back legs or sometimes all four legs. Although an FCE may be painfully initially, it is not usually a painful disease after the first few hours. Frequently, the dog is affected with an FCE is much worse on one side than the other.

The diagnosis is made based on the typical symptoms and a history of an acute onset of paralysis.
Sometimes, advanced imaging such as myelogram, CT scan or MRI is used to rule out other diseases that commonly cause paralysis.
However, these tests will usually not detect and FCE.
If other spinal cord lesions are ruled out, then a diagnosis of FCE may be made by exclusion.

There is no specific treatment or surgery for FCE. However if the patient has good deep pain sensation to the limbs, then the prognosis for gradual recovery is good. Physical therapy is very important in this recovery.

I copied this from the copy the neurologist gave me.
She was pretty positive that this was Kaia's diagnosis and she thinks that Kaia has a decent chance at regaining her leg movement, with physical therapy.
She did not insist on an MRI, as it said that it doesn't show up on the MRI, and is more ruled out when no other things are seen on the MRI.
So, I feel like she would have insisted on it, had we truly needed it. Since Kaia shows no signs of pain ,is another reason she believes there is no herniation of any of the disks.

She said that she would be ok with us monitoring her for any changes and if so, we would need to get her back in for a re-evaluation and possible MRI. So, if anything changes or Kaia's back leg gets worse, if she starts feeling pain or if the other back leg shows any changes, we would get in right away.

She gave me two pamphlets on places that do physical therapy for dogs. They have warm water tanks with treadmills in them for therapy as well as other things that they do to get the dog using the leg that is paralyzed.

So, I am optimistic that we can help Kaia to regain the use of her leg and we will be getting her in to a physical therapy clinic very soon to see about helping her as much as we can.

I am also doing some exercises that the Dr gave me, as well as leg massage 3 X a day for home therapy as well.

On a positive note, both the tech and the Dr. remarked on how beautiful Kaia's coat was. It made me smile because I know that her raw diet, supplements as well as salmon oil, get the credit for helping to make her coat so nice, as well as helping her to be as healthy as she can be.
The Dr said that the most important thing, nutritionally, was the Omega 3 fatty acids in her salmon oil is very good for her nerves. So, again very happy to hear this as we already have her on a therapeutic dose of salmon oil for her atopy.

Joyce, is she still showing little signs of improvement?

Did the doctor give you some passive range-of-motion exercises to do on the dog?

The improvements are very subtle, but I think with physical therapy she could make even more solid improvements.

Yes, we were given some range of motion exercises as well as some massage of her leg muscles.

The Dr said that I should let the dog decide on her level of activity and if I wanted to take her for a short walk, that would be good.
She also told me about a site with a boot that you can put over the lame foot called a 'walkaboot'
at http://www.handicappedpets.com

I have yet to check this out, but sounds like a good thing to look in to.

That is really good news! I have a friend whose GSD had to have two spinal surgeries in a very short period of time. She said that the water treadmill was wonderful and helped her dog tremendously. The water buoyancy reduces the weight on her leg and increases the effort required to move against the water. All in all, a very efficient physical therapy tool. When she is up to it, I really would look into it.

Thank you Mary! It is really good to hear that your friend has recommended the water treadmill as therapy too.
The Vet said she really believes that physical therapy is going to play a very important role in getting Kaia to use her leg and getting her back to her old self.

One thing that I am aware of is, that if she doesn't show any improvement in the 3-4 month mark, that where ever she is at that time, will likely be permanent.

So, tomorrow we are going to get signed up for therapy.
We do have a pool, and once it warms up, we can get her in there too to continue home therapy as well. It is just too cold right now.
I am thinking that we are going to try physical therapy for a month and see how she does. If she progresses we will see how long they want us to continue.
I know that Kaia will love to become more active again, so we are very hopeful.
Thanks for checking in Mary.

Thanks for the update!
I hope that she continues to improve!
Willie

Sounds like good news...especially compared to what it could've been. That's great.

I've had great success with PT and hydrotherapy for dogs...lots of agility competitors end up having to use it at some point or other with their canine partners.

Hope your flu is totally gone; the home therapy will make a huge difference, too.

leih

Thank you Willie and Leih,

Nice to hear Leih that you've had good success with PT and the hydrotherapy too. I can not wait to get her an appointment to start doing this.

This FCE sure is something I didn't expect and don't understand how a healthy dog has something like this happen?
But, the Dr said that it can happen in young dogs when they are playing and running around. I guess we just were one of them this kind of thing happens to. She said they still don't know why it happens.
But now I don't feel so responsible because if it was going to happen, there was nothing I could have done to prevent it.
I had been beating myself up over this, thinking I shouldn't have left her in the yard by herself for the 10 minutes that night. But by the sound of this, it would have happened regardless.

I am all over my flu/cold, so thanks for asking.
Thank you to all who have been following us, it has sure helped having all the positive energy and advice, as well as support.
Very much appreciated, more than you know.

I am glad you have some answers, and a plan for treatment. It sounds like even though it is serious it could have been much worse.

Thank you Jennifer.
We will be starting physical therapy next Tues. and also again next Friday. We have yet to get accessed by the therapist, so I don't yet know if twice a week will be enough.
I have been taking her for 5 minute leash walks, several throughout the day as well as our passive range of motion exercises and massage.

She is definitely wanting to be more active, so we will see how the weekend goes.