Anyone Heard Of This Happening?...

[pip1981]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone's heard of anything like this before, seems really strange (and unexpected) to me..

Both my girls (9 and 6 y.o Samoyeds) came down with diarrhoea after being given a treat they're not used to over the space of a couple of days (a Christmas gift). Well, that's the only thing we could think of that caused it anyway. They seemed to get over it themselves after 48 hrs, were all clear for close to 24 hrs, then Dakota had more diarrhoea, and suddenly seemed to lose strength in her rear end, couldn't stand on her own or walk! We were hoping it was just weakness in relation to the severe diarrhoea, but the vet suspects it's more than that. He thinks that the muscle spasms caused by the diarrhoea have triggered a pre-existing spinal issue (eg. arthritis, even though she still moves like and is as active as a puppy)! He said there is evidence of muscle wastage along her spine and hip joints, but I'm in total shock, as she's always been tiny, and even at her checkup 2 months ago, the same vet said she was in good condition, although I was aware she had lost weight in general (she's always fluctuated) and had lost even more by last night. Whether or not he just didn't feel thoroughly enough under all the coat at the checkup, as he wasn't looking for a problem, I just don't know. She was given injections of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics last night and sent home. Her movement seems to have come good, in that she looks like she can get up and walk normally, but is still very slow and resting most of the time. She had one more bout of the runs after coming home last night, but nothing since, although I haven't fed her. He's suggesting bloods and further meds until her movement/behaviour is 'normal', and then xrays to check his suspicions. I'm really hoping he's wrong, but he said the level of weakness she was showing was not common after illness, unless the dog is so ill they've barely moved for days, and she definitely wasn't like that, she wasn't showing any other signs of illness except the diarrhoea itself. I'm wishful thinking that it's just an unusual case, and she'll make a miraculous recovery. Back to the vets at 4pm this afternoon for further assessment. It just doesn't make sense, up until about 5pm yesterday, Dakota had never in her life shown any signs of difficult movement, pain in joints, injury, nothing! She runs around the house and yard daily, plays actively with Tika and other dogs, jumps on and off kennels, couches, beds, my station wagon, etc. with the bounce of a kangaroo, how could a spinal issue have not revealed itself before this!?!?

Any thoughts?

Thank you :)

[OSoSwift]

What treats did they have?

[pip1981]

Sorry, should have mentioned that, but was more concerned about the weakness issues..

They were Natures Gift Liver Treats, small soft chewy balls. They wouldn't normally have anything other than Black Hawk Holistic Kibble, very small amounts of dried beef liver as a fairly regular snack, carrots, sardines, occasional cheese. It's not unusual for Dakota to have a mild case of diarrhoea after anything different, so I didn't think much of it initially, just regretted giving them the treats, and threw them out as soon as the diarrhoea started.

[julesluvscavs]

I gave some to my young Cav this morning at dog training, hope they don't do that to her yikes ! (hers was a gift also).. i'll keep a watch for any reactions later!

not sure what is going on in your situation tho with your 2 girls

[minimax]

I've had a girl with weakness after diarrhea and vomiting, I was worried about a tick beacuse of the rear end weakness but she came good after getting better and getting her strength back, no long term damage etc

Edit: my Pugs get those treats most days in their kongs, there isn't a problem with the treats and the OP wasn't implying that there was.

Edited December 7, 2013 by minimax

[Dogsfevr]

I would be going to a bowen person.

My big guys get the occasional runs & its often due to pulling muscles in there gut & until treated the runs won't go .

Muscles can affect there toilet habits very much so

[Bjelkier]

I would be going to a bowen person.

My big guys get the occasional runs & its often due to pulling muscles in there gut & until treated the runs won't go .

Muscles can affect there toilet habits very much so

This ^^

Or a chiro. Always my first port of call when my dogs have pain like that.

[pip1981]

Thanks for all of your input . We didn't really find much out at the vet this afternoon, was more to make sure she wasn't deteriorating further, and start on a course of ABs for tummy and anti-inflamms for any pain she may be in. She's acting and moving as normal this evening, and has a good appetite for the boring old boiled chicken and rice, but I guess I wouldn't know if it was only thanks to the meds. Plan is to monitor her over the next week, re-visit the vet, and re-assess, possibly send her for xrays to clear of any skeletal concerns. The vet says the possibilities are endless, but most likely causes are arthritis, calcification of discs or muscular. However, of course can't tell us how any of these happened or why symptoms haven't appeared any earlier. Could be injury, could be genetic, really no answers. And, obviously there are a range of treatment options for all of these conditions, so we will cross that bridge when we come to it. I'm shocked and confused, but happy she seems comfortable for now.

[Erny]

Is it possible that what the Vet's seeing as spinal and hip problems is only because of how your dog might be holding her abdomen? If the abdomen is sore, it will cause arching (in various degrees, from slight almost unnoticeable, to severe). This will cause the spine to become more noticeable/stand out and potentially do the same with the hips.

I wouldn't turn my attentions off a possible issue concerning the stomach.