GordonDaSheltie

I got him from a local breeder so we picked him up in the car. I just came back from the vet and she said it could be childhood epilepsy with petit mal seizures or some metabolic issue. I don't know what to think at this stage i'm so worried for the poor pup. i also completely forgot to ask about the liver shunt thing ... we asked the vet again about it being something he ate and she was pretty positive that it wouldn't have been. Fingers crossed it doesn't happen again.

Hi we recently adopted a Sheltie puppy from a very reputable breeder he has been cleared for common genetic problems which shelties are at risk of. We picked him up on Saturday and on Monday night ( Three days after having him home) he suffered from an episode of ataxia and severe exhaustion. His gait was very wobbly and unbalanced (like he was drunk or tripping drugs) . His head was wobbling from side to side when sitting down like a bobble toy. At the beginning he would try to walk around and play however he kept tumbling over. When he ran his movements were much improved over just walking. He vomited at home being force fed some water. We took him to the emergency vet that night and they ran full bloods etc and according to them there was nothing super abnormal. By the time we got to the vet he refused to stand up and kept slumping back down when we tried to get him on all fours. He was also very sleepy and floppy when held. They did say that he was quite dehydrated with mild anaemia as well as an elevated level of a particular hormone released where there is some sort of muscle trauma (don't remember what it is). He has no signs of any physical trauma and is in no pain. He eats fine and with appetite during the episode however is reluctant to drink water. When we went to see him the next morning he was pretty much 100% better and his behaviour was more confident as he was getting more used to his new home. By Wednesday you would never have guessed that he had an episode. Fast forward to this Monday night he had another episode (one week between episodes) . Not as bad however the head wobbles seemed worse and at one point he just layed on the floor for ages. Both episodes presented after a good sleep. We noticed it come on about 1030pm and by 2am he was pretty much back to normal. Just wanted to know if anyone has any ideas as to whats going on or if this sounds like a possible congenital disease in such a young pup. Breeder has said she'd give us our money back and take the dog back if it was found to be congenital but we love him sooooo much. Vets have no idea whats going on and they want us to do a CT scan which is going to be very expensive. Now the heart thing is ruled out we have no idea what we could be dealing with. They mentions a possibility of the cervical spine rubbing against the spinal cord or something to that nature which they also said was congenital. Breeder says in 40 years she's never seen a pup with that condition let alone a Sheltie. Some key notes on his symptoms * 2 episodes in 7 days Wakes up fine head wobbles/shakes even when sitting down - no stiff tremors only vomited once - poo looks fine. - Last nights poo had a substance which looked like clear brown jelly. Almost like coagulated gravy. Apetite is fantastic. Mood is playful at the beginning then he begins to pace around looking for a place to sleep away from us. Deep exhaustion No noticeable twitching when lying down. No Apparent duck footing - most of the stumbles seem to come from the rear legs. Second episode i noticed his stomach rumbling a bit Gave him honey on the second episode hoping it was hyperglycaemia but not sure if it helped as he was better about two hours after giving him food and honey. Doesn't want to drink water. Standing up to eat with difficulty will just fall over we also live with two cats which have been a scary for him but I'm not sure a good scare can cause such symptoms. any help would be appreciated.