The Ark Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I have a litter of 3 min pin pups who are just about 4 weeks old. Puppy 1 and Puppy 3 are big, robust, healthy pups. Puppy 2 (Little Bear) was the runt, and 3 1/2 weeks on I am still bottle-feeding her. I would have given up on her had she shown any signs of giving up herself, but she is a little fighter. She opened her eyes and started walking at the same time as the other two, and is gaining weight slowly every day. Sometimes she is frustrating to bottle-feed as she just plays with the teat, but other times she sucks strongly and gets a big bellyful. I have noticed her feeding from her mum occasionally - she's just not persistent enough to get enough to live on that way. The main issue now is that she has a constant head tilt. Her head seems oversized because the rest of her is so tiny, and she seems to always hold her left ear noticeably lower than her right ear, and sometimes seems to circle around to her left when she is walking. She is generally quite frail, but shows such interest in life that I am not ready to throw the towel in yet. Has anyone experienced head tilt in tiny puppies? I've read a few threads about vestibular disease but they mostly seem to involved older dogs. I am planning to take her to my vet on Monday, just wanted to tap the DOL wisdom in the meantime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckypup Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 best thing really would be to get her to the vet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 There is possibly a reason she was so small and disinclined to feed... the head tilt may be just a symptom. Hoping you get some answers on Monday, poor little mite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 There is possibly a reason she was so small and disinclined to feed... the head tilt may be just a symptom.Hoping you get some answers on Monday, poor little mite. I know there is usually a reason, and if she had just faded away that would maybe have been okay, but she's just had such spunk since birth. I hope to find out that she is at least capable of leading a comfortable life because she has made it this far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I hope to find out that she is at least capable of leading a comfortable life because she has made it this far.smile.gif Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 Well Little Bear saw the vet today, and the diagnosis (for now) is that she probably has some type of cerebral palsy. Her heat tilt, the fact that she has tremors which increase when she is excited (looking for food) or stressed (eg. at the vet), her wide stance and high-stepping erratic gait all point to some motor-neurological problem. She is otherwise healthy and developing at a reasonable rate (gaining weight, becoming more alert and interested in her surroundings, feeding reasonably well), so we are going to keep battling on. As long as this little girl seems happy and well I am going to keep fighting for her. I just hope she doesn't have any other health issues that will pop up along the way and decrease her quality of life. The vet gave me some Hills AD mushy food to help boost her nutritional intake, so we'll start a bit of that today. Last night I couldn't sleep, so I got up to watch television at about 1.30am. This disturbed Ginger and the puppies a bit, and Little Bear climbed out of bed, went to the toilet and then stood at the gate of her pen whinging for a feed (bottle). She had a good drink, then snuggled on my chest until it was time to go back to bed. She's a brave little girl. She's 4 weeks old today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 hopefully, then with age and strength, she will learn to do much more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 hopefully, then with age and strength, she will learn to do much more Thanks pers, that's what I'm hoping. I'm going to see what sort of physio/exercises/games might help strengthen her as she grows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 I'm sorry to hear about this but am glad that she's fit enought to be able to keep on fighting. Do we have photos of the little darling? She sounds most valiant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 I'm sorry to hear about this but am glad that she's fit enought to be able to keep on fighting. Do we have photos of the little darling? She sounds most valiant. Thanks KTB - she is valiant. I have high hopes for her. Here's a pic of her next to her "normal" sister, Tess. The difference is obvious, but I think they are both cute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jed Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Good luck with her, when they are fighters, it's difficult to abandon them. The vet checked her for hydroencephallitis, didn't he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 Hi Jed, She didn't specifically mention that, so I will ring and check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted February 8, 2011 Share Posted February 8, 2011 This thread brought a tear to my eye. I love a little fighter - against the odds. And I love the fact that even though she is different, you haven't given up on her. They are so special.... I think she is divine There must be a reason she has come this far, I hope she continues for a long way to come yet, and brings you much joy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 This thread brought a tear to my eye. I love a little fighter - against the odds. And I love the fact that even though she is different, you haven't given up on her.They are so special.... I think she is divine There must be a reason she has come this far, I hope she continues for a long way to come yet, and brings you much joy. Thank you Kelly_Louise. I do love this little scrap of puppy. I did have a lady who was waiting to offer her a home, but I sent her an email explaining the situation and letting her know gently that Little Bear will be staying with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Little Bear will be staying with me. ;) Then we hope to see many more pics of this special little one!! I'm positive your efforts will be well rewarded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted February 17, 2011 Share Posted February 17, 2011 Thanks KTB - she is valiant. I have high hopes for her. Here's a pic of her next to her "normal" sister, Tess. The difference is obvious, but I think they are both cute. How is the adorable girl going? I hope she is well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rottifan Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I would see an animal chiropractor in your local area and make sure that all pinched nerves are released and your little chicken in in alignment. I've seen dogs that have the same symptoms from referall pain due to pinched nerves and muscle spasm, my own included. My vet did a million tests and gave me completely different verdicts (all very serious) and said there was no hope for him but strong medication. After seeing the chiro he has gone 3 years with no medication and is now 10! www.######.com has information and testimonials which you might be able to relate to to understand there other options. Stay positive, she sounds like she's meant to be with you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ark Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 KTB - she is doing very well. ;) The thing that makes my heart smile is that she plays! Rottifan - thank you for that reminder. I go to the chiropractor myself all the time, and have taken other dogs, but I didn't think of it in this instance. I will definitely get that organised though, because it will be beneficial I'm sure. Here is a photo of Little Bear out exploring yesterday. (I know she looks like a little pot-bellied pig but I love her. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotts4ever Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 [The main issue now is that she has a constant head tilt. Her head seems oversized because the rest of her is so tiny, and she seems to always hold her left ear noticeably lower than her right ear, and sometimes seems to circle around to her left when she is walking. She is generally quite frail, but shows such interest in life that I am not ready to throw the towel in yet. Has anyone experienced head tilt in tiny puppies? I've read a few threads about vestibular disease but they mostly seem to involved older dogs. I am planning to take her to my vet on Monday, just wanted to tap the DOL wisdom in the meantime. Hi I haven't read all the replies as they come through weird now for some reason (having to open all individually) Anyway just thought I'd add that all the signs she is displaying can also be brought on by neospora which at her age can be passed on from mum. Mum can habour neospora (Parasite)without showing any signs and it can be passed onto the pups. It can be passed onto to some pups which maybe still born, some can be born normal and then start to show signs (weak, head looks bigger than body, can affect nervous system, swallowing etc) some pups don't show signs until older with generally the rear end effect 1st. Some pups have head tilt, tremours etc. Some pups can harbour parasite but never show signs and some pups are not affected at all. A blood test which takes 7 to 10 days to return can be taken. If diagnosed earliy enough and drug administed Clinacin (spelling) can be given and in many cases,depnding on how badly affected, the pup can go on to improve. But it is my understanding it depends on how badly the dog is hit. Neospora can appear in any age dog but normally when immunity is low, as in pups and young dogs. Dogs can pick it up from eating raw infected meat(Parasite is destoyed if meat is frozen for a couple of days) or transfered from mum, but their are cases where they are still not entirely sure how it was transfered. Most stuies have been done with cattle as they are largely affected and it causes aborted pregnancy etc, they pick it up from spores shed from canines etc. In dogs it can show many of the same symptoms as muscle dystrophy, nervous system problems etc as it can affect the brain, nervous system, sometime the heart and can cause muscle wastage which often starts with the back legs. Some greyhound vets seem to know about it or vets that treat a lot of rural dogs on diary farms. It use to be confused with Toxoplasma gondii which can be passed from mum to baby through the placenta in humans as they are very similar but it was identified as a species in 1988 Neospora caninum and I don't think they have found causes of mother baby transfer in humans yet. It has been thought that a lot of cases of fading puppy etc could be because of neospora because mum and other litter mates quite often show no signs sickness. I hope your baby is ok I just thought I'd share as their have been cases where because it is not common it is not thought of and early treatment is essential. I'm no vet but I stumbled on the info researching and was interested how it may be tied to fading puppies. Good luck with your presious baby Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Here is a photo of Little Bear out exploring yesterday. Awwwwwwww, God bless her!!! She is just TOO divine!!! But one pic is never enough!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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