greyhoundangel Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Does anyone have experience with this? Long term? I know many dams will 'kill' pups that are not quite right, but if a pup has been removed and was discovered later to have brain damage, I need to know things I should be aware of. One thing is, do they get worse with age? Look forward to hearing the replies... Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joycie Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Hi Mel About 6 weeks ago I took on foster dog with brain damage - he has been with us for about 4 years, and has little chance of being adopted, he had been in a few foster homes, but they couldn't cope with his particular behavioural problems! Luckily he seems to be very happy with me, and I haven't had any problems with him - but then I have known him for 3 1/2 years so knew what I was dealing with. We do not know if he was born with the neurological problem or suffered an accident, but his behaviour has not really changed since we have known him - he's about 8 years old now I suppose. He's lost his sight in one eye, and cannot be walked on a lead, he just goes in circles if you try, but he loves to belt around the garden a couple of times a day. The problem with what you are asking is that brain damage can vary so widely from dog to dog - from quite minor things like a head wobble etc, to more serious things like being unable to walk. Most of the time you wouldn't know with young pups - until they get older. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it would be unlikely for you to encounter two dogs with the same problems - once the vet assesses them, then you can decide what to do. Sounds like you wouldn't be asking the question unless you thought you had a pup you were concerned about. Don't lose heart, we've had quite a few rescue dogs with minor brain damage, and they have all found homes - we just call them "Special Needs" dogs, it's surprising how many people want to take the one that no-one else wants! Hmmm, don't think I've been much help now I've read this through, but since I've typed it, might as well post it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 8, 2005 Author Share Posted August 8, 2005 Hello, Thanks for responding. Well I have had this boy since he was a pup, and he is approx. 6 yrs of age now. I've just noticed over the years that his strange behaviour has gotten worse... Since you have a dog with a similar problem, you can understand that they tend to do strange things... I'm just concerned that something may be getting worse? Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shekhina Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 (edited) I have a cat with brain damage...yes, its not a dog obviously, but brain damage all the same. He was mauled by a dog when he was 10 weeks old and is very lucky to be alive. Straight after the incident he couldn't walk straight or eat properly, and tried to drown himself in the water bowl a few times I guess it took about 4 or 5 months for him to get back to any kind of normality...he's still got problems, but he's learnt to live quite well with them and its certainly made a wonderful impact on his personality...he is the most beautiful, placid cat you could imagine. He can be a bit odd though, he'll get into these moods where his behaviour is so different, he'll tear around the house making the strangest noises, it seems as though he's playing but then he'll "zone out" and have that blank look like nobody is home up there...know what I mean? I think its harder for me sometimes than it is for him...I have to watch him near roads because he has even less road sense than other cats (will sit in the middle of the road and not move...I've had to retrieve him numerous times and once a poor man had to stop his car and wait for me to get him because this cat just wasn't gonna move ). He also doesn't have any idea about danger...at all. He will sit on a fence with a savage dog trying to eat him and think its trying to play. I have a terror of a dog over the back fence, actually I think it should be classed as dangerous, it has gone for me over the fence and tried to pull one of my kittens down the other day :p As far as it getting worse with age...this cat is only 4 years old this year, so I can't comment too much on old age making things worse...but there hasn't been any improvement or decline in anything the last 2 or so years. But anyways, the cat seems very happy, yes sometimes when he tries to jump he will completely misjudge it and smack himself out, but all in all it seems much more difficult and stressful for me than it is for him. As IBite has said, it will depend on the animal, but they seem to cope a hell of a lot better than we do with all sorts of things...so long as they're happy Edited August 8, 2005 by shekhina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 8, 2005 Author Share Posted August 8, 2005 I'm probably being paranoid but the change has been constant for some time now... I am a bit of a worrier when it comes to my furkids as you could appreciate... Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shekhina Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Is it possible for it to be a brain tumor? Or is that when the personality changes very suddenly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 8, 2005 Author Share Posted August 8, 2005 It's not been suddenly but constant meaning constantly over the past few years... It's just constantly gotten worse... He appears totally healthy, happy...I might be worrying too much, but thought I would check to see if it was common? Will get him checked out anyways... Yes brain tumors can cause personality changes in dogs... Oh well, will try and not get too stressed... Thanks for all the input, much appreciated Mel xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouiseBrooks Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Mel I do have a dog with brain damage sometimes for a period she seems to get worse then reverts to what I call "normal"behaviour for her. I did ask the vet when she had her check up in June if age would make it worse. He said it could as the arteries hardened but they now have medication for Alzamiers in dogs that clean out the radicals in the body and this would help. I know what you mean about worry. Maybe a checkup is due? Mine do not have yearly vaccinations but do still have a yearly checkup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 9, 2005 Author Share Posted August 9, 2005 Hello Louise, Yes another check-up is definitely on the cards. He as at the Vet's not so long back but that was for an injury and at the time his behaviour was still around the norm for him... You worry because it could just be what happens but if it's something like you say, then it's best to get in early... Mel xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 (edited) Mel .... I do hope things check out ok for your boy. And good on you for taking on and caring so much for a "Special Needs" dog. (I think that's a lovely term for the 'condition', Ibite) Edited August 9, 2005 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordelia Posted August 9, 2005 Share Posted August 9, 2005 Depending on the cause of the brain damage, if it is a degenerative condition, it will show up on a catscan or an MRI. Behaviour will vary depending on which part of the brain is damaged (White matter or Grey matter) and the actual lobe of the brain (frontal etc) damaged. Hope he's ok Mel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 Hi, A relative of mine had a greyhound with brain damage. It did get slightly worse as he got older, but he lived to 13 or 14. He was ok most of the time and lived a normal life. His head wobble got worse if he was trying to concentrate on something or standing still, staring waiting for his food. We would clap our hands just in front of his face or yell sharply to him and he would snap out of the wobble and act as if nothing had happened. But his was only very mild when younger so I guess it depends on the degree of damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouiseBrooks Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 Finger crossed for both of you Mel. They are so special aren't they? ;) for your little tyke from me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 10, 2005 Author Share Posted August 10, 2005 (edited) Thanks everyone for your replies... Well I went and saw the Vet yesterday, they all fell in love with him again - he does tend to make you do that ;) He is booked in to see the Behavourist on Friday, and then we will also decide if medication is the way to go... I've had John since he was a puppy, at 8 weeks he was taken to the Vet to be put to sleep as he had been crushed by his mother and had his pelvis broken... He had some growing pains but that didn't last for more than a year. I think we had him in our care at around 6 months... He never grew properly and the Vet thought he would never grow bigger than he was at 6 months... John weighs 23kg if that gives an idea of his size... The Vet yesterday did say however that he is in really good health, so that is a plus I worry for the most part because as many know who have dogs or who have had dogs with brain damage, they are at a high risk of being killed by other dogs that live with them... I know I am safe with Tia as she is just not that type of dog and has been with John since he was a pup - she handles him very well. Stanley often will lay into John but due to his size has not been able to do much, plus I think deep down he knows not to take it too far... Still I worry...if we can help him out a bit more since he is getting worse, then I will Thanks again, Mel xx Edited August 10, 2005 by greyhoundangel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOE Posted August 10, 2005 Share Posted August 10, 2005 My Vizsla IKE had brain damage he was not born with it, It was not his fault he had it my stupid DIL took him to far for a walk and cooked his brain. She had to eventually half carry him home and he was at the stage of purple tongue and bulging eyes by the time she got him home. He was finally stabilised after 12 hours but was never the same after that. After he bit me the third time I had him PTS. He was 5 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Well today's visit to the Vet was a waste of time... She doesn't do consults at the clinic and has all these forms to fill out... I was like why didn't the Vet just say this so I didn't have to drive all the way back up with John for nothing? Oh well, will fill in the forms but might get another opinion first as don't want to be wasting money on something that could be better spent on the 'right' treatment... Mel xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcprgf Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 I've had experience with both birth related and accident related... However I' no expert. But this is what I've encountered. BTW I haven't read the whoele thread so I might be repeating other people, or not helpingat all. Anyway here goes; Case 1: From Birth, This dog was born dead, then revived, only to die I think 2 times again. His mother paid no interest in him, so he was part hand raised, part on his mother. He came to my mum at 8 weeks of age, and was taken places to 'solcialise' but he was never 'quite right'. He bacame a one person dog. He wouldn't eat unless my mum fed him, he would never walk on a lead. Hated bathes or being picked up, or anything where he couldn't feel anything solid underneath hiim. He wouldn't come inside on the tiles because he couldn't control himself on the slippery floor. He didn't have the 100% co-ordination of a normal dog in other words. He despised other dogs, and most dogs for some reason picked on him. He was bottom of the pecking order at mums, even the cats could get it over on him. He was pretty much just a strange dog all round. He wasn't always in control of his legs, and would roll his eyes occasionally. He has since been stolen or got out and wandered off. Something anyway we are still looking for him. Case 2: Accident, Striker was a car accident victim. He lost his front leg, and although I don't know the full story, something happened to his head as well. He was saved after a very expensive vet bill. But it was obvious, besides his leg, he was going to have some huge disabilities. His head was partially crushed on one side so that, when you looked at him, one eye bulged out a bit more than the other. And there was an indent behind the eye. He was never accepted amongst the other dogs again. He wasn't our dog, but due to his 'uncaring' owners he would come to our house every day and we bacame his half way house. Every dog in the neighbourhood would bash the poor little bugger, and after a hiding from one of dogs one day, he never came back to our house. He went back to the house where he was born and unfortunately I can't tell you how the story ends, because I don't know what happened to him. Either way the two similarities I have found is that other dogs just don't seem to accept a dog they once did...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 It's very common for dogs with brain damage to be killed by other dogs... I brought up my concerns of this to our Vet the other day, she agreed... It's pretty scary... Thank you for sharing... Mel xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bully36 Posted August 12, 2005 Share Posted August 12, 2005 I have 2 rescue pups coming from Renbury and one has brain damage. I have been told that she plays with her sister but sometimes has to stop and think where to put her feet. She also will stand in a corner and just bark. Not at anything in particular. I am not sure where to go with her. The pound said she wasnt to bad but I am just wondering what the chances of her getting a home will be. This is Pheebe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greyhoundangel Posted August 12, 2005 Author Share Posted August 12, 2005 Do they know that she definitely has brain damage? It could just be her being a pup I've seen some strange puppy behaviour... She is cute little girl - good luck with her... I think I really must find out when Ross is at the clinic, he hasn't been there of late so either has cut down on his shifts, is sick, or taking some time off... I read over the stuff that I had to fill in for John and it's just not what it is about...why spend $250 when you know it's not going to make a difference... I trust Ross more with his recommendations... Mel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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