Demenchia In Young Dogs

[Sarah L]

Can any long term behaviourist or vets on this list help me with this problem.

My query is about demenshia(excuse if spelled wrongly?) in young dogs about 2 to 3 years old. The reason I am asking is a client of mine who's dog seems to have this problem and who does not have cushings but veterinary work seems to be dumfounded because they were expecting cushings sydrome. Nothing we do behaviourally or veterinary seems to work and I am quite concerned for the owners and the dog as it is becoming quite an anxouis problem for all. The family also have a cat which I am suspisous may have something to do with the problem. But not sure quite what that might be. The problem I am thinking of is toxo plasmoses( again excuse spellig?) I know the dog has eaten the cat poo from the litter tray. I pointed out to the owners that they must not let the dog do this, but it had done for quite some time. They have now thankfully put the tray out of the dogs way. The dog has now got this problem have I done something wrong or was it a problem that was building up in the dog. Any answers would be gratefully received. Also would an MRI be useful if so where can they get one done.

Need to hear replys to this queary soon. Thanks to anyone in advance who may have an idea what is going on.

[~Anne~]

What are the dogs symptoms?

[Sarah L]

The dogs symtoms are,

The dogs skull above the right eye has lost muscle mass, a sunken appearence.

In both eyes it looks like the third eye lids are coming over the eyes.

Loss of proper movement in the right front leg.

Seems not to be so aware of whats going on anymore.

The dogs appatite is normal and eating well still seems happy not depressed or withdrawn.

I may have posted this in the wrong section, but I am new to the forum and still finding my way around.

Thanks puggles for your reply I hope the symtons above described will help.

[Vickie]

What breed is the dog?

http://www.mybcsite.com/bccnswwebfiles/clinformation.htm

Sound a bit old for something like CL...but maybe a google search on health issues known in it's breed might help, just in case it's a genetic breed specific condition that the vet may be unaware of?

[kendall]

Could there have been a head injury of some sort??

[Sarah L]

The dog is a cross, labrador with border collie was bought from a pet shop at 6weeks old. So have no info on parents or breeder.

[Sarah L]

The owners were asked this and they said no. The dog is an inside pet, I really feel for them they love and care for this dog extrmely well.

[Sarah L]

I have to go to work now, but will check back in later. I will also do a google check for any ideas later. Thanks to everyone who has replied so far. It sure is a puzzling situation and I am grateful for your replies and any further ideas.

[~Anne~]

I can see Rappie reading this thread and I am sure she will have some ideas....

From my personal point of view it doesn't sound like the dementia that I know. It sounds like a neuro disorder due to something happening in the skull like and injury or a disease of the bone and or brain in the area?

[Sarah L]

Hi All........... PROBLEM SOLVED

I just got a call form owners, they took her for a second opinion. After alot of questions asked and yet more tests done, the poor dog does have Toxo Plasmosis. The second vet they saw was very very good the owners told me. Extremely detailed questions asked on just about everything. They took her a week ago and got the results back today.

Apparently toxo can lie dormant in the dogs body showing no phyisical signs for quite some time infact it may never show symptoms at all unless the dogs immune system gets lowered, or an injury, or severe stress. As the dog is an inside pet, one of the owners is home all day, sleeps on the bed gets walked on lead and is always visible to the owners when taken to the park and let off leash then injury was ruled out. Other than Toxo the dog is very healthy so a lowered immune prob was ruled out. They have put it down to stress. The couples only son left home a month ago to work abroad and the dog was very attached to him so Bingo stress was the answer which brought out the symptoms.

As the dog has never been bush to eat wild animal poo which is where some dogs get infected from and as far as the owners know has never eaten anything of the ground. Then the cat litter tray which the dog did eat the poo from, they figured was where she picked it up from.

The good news is she will recover with medication and apparently once a dog has had this it wont get it again. So pretty soon she will be back to normal. I am so happy and releived.

[~Anne~]

Good news! ;)

[bloss344]

That's great tthat they have a definite diagnosis, and a good warning for those of us who have dogs and litter trays. I knew pregnant women can be badly affected by toxo but not dogs. Very interesting.