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Brain Problems?

25K views 177 replies 34 participants last post by  xxcass 
#1 ·
:sad3:Has anyone expierenced having a chi with a brain problem? The vets cannot seem to figure out what is wrong with my little girl yet, and the last thing to check is doing an MRI or a spine tap. Since she is very weak it is a high risk putting her under anesthetic. I was just wondering if anyone has expierenced going through any brain problems such as water in the brain or a brain tumor? I wanted to see if the symptoms are similar. If so what symptoms did the dog show and how did they find out?
 
#80 ·
So glad to hear about CoCo. At the end of her steroid therapy, they might go awhile on every other day doseage.

Steroids are great when needed. I am 75 yrs old, with artificial knees and hips. I took steroids for asthma for 38 YEARS! It took its toll with teeth also. There were no inhalers with steroids back then! I am greatful that now we have the ortho doctors who do such remarkable work!
 
#81 ·
Don't feel bad about changing the vets at first the female at the clinic I go to kept telling me because all tests were normal that she was convinced it was behavioral. I made an appointment with her boss the owner and told him I was offended because I felt she was brushing me off. In the long run he watched coco carefully and when he noticed the signs of her shaking her head when we put her down and the head tilt and circling and walking into things immediately made me an appointment at the neurologist. Go with your instincts we know our pets better than anyone since we live with them 24-7.
 
#82 ·
Well its been a week on the 1/2 mg of prednisone. I think she was doing better on the 1 mg she has that blank stare again, is very quiet is still eating but just seems off. She has an ear infection right now and I see my regular vet on Monday again so maybe he will suggest putting her back on the 1mg. I just feel something is different with her. Ugh.
 
#84 ·
What a long journey this has been for you & your CoCo!
Hope that is not happening but be assured it is normal to go through relapses and she may need to up back to 1mg. The goal is the lowest possible dose that will prevent that..and may need to be on a lifetime perhaps every other day.
My Gizmo has been on 5 mg almost a month now for SRM and even though he walks much better..he is starving and thirsty all day long..seems very depressed and not interested in his toys at all. :(
Neuro vet wants to lower pred. it to 2.5 mg in a couple of weeks already...to see if he can deal with it and not relapse..hate that approach so early in his treatment.
Will go back up to 5 mg asap if I see him go down like he was...so sad seeing our sweeties go through something like this..mine is only 10 months old and was just letting us pick him up after 6 months of being here...now I am wondering if that was the early signs of meningitis..he stopped running away as he used to..
He has always been so scared of everything..it is only me, hubby and 12 yr. daughter who has high functioning autism and very quiet so I knew he would get better but then the meningitis hit him overnight so HARD!
When did CoCo start being herself again as far as playing and not sleeping all day?
Does the Pred. make them sleep and be so down the whole time on it?
There is no other alternative so will just try to give lots of spoiling and pray for a remission so I can get him off this drug..hopefully.
Best wishes to your baby and keep on updating. XXX



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#85 ·
Its hard to say Coco has been an extremely quiet dog since I got her. She went through the puppy stage but her tongue always hung out since day 1 and she slept alot but I showed a picture of her at 4 months old to the neurologist and it seems her left ear was always lower than her right ear. Seems this was some sort of a sign maybe birth defect. Her teeth never got big she has small teeth not big like a regular chihuahua. As for the prednisone, as soon as they gave her the first injection that night she started eating again and within a week or two she was back playing with her toys. But she has been sleepy and quiet but she really has been such a good dog since day 1 we got her at 5 weeks old. She never has accidents in the house and still doesnt she constantly begs for food but drinks just a little more than usual nothing major. Its good for them to drink while onthe prednisone and they started her with 2.5 so I wouldnt worry. Your right it is so hard. She missed the tract coming in the patio door yesterday but because she has an ear infection im not sure if its that causing a bit of imbalance and my vet will probably suggest i put her back to 1 mg on monday im fairly sure i just dont want to start it myself without speaking to him. shes still eating if she had changed that i would have started it. I will update you on monday im there at 9am. The only thing I would have changed about this whole thing is I wish from the beginning I would have gotten two of them to keep each other company as I so feel quilty when I leave her for a few hours.

Spend as much time and attention with your baby. Does yours have any aggression. Mine has her moments which she never did before this whole thing. The vet said its like they are little stallions on prednisone so I guess we have to live with it. She is wimpering a bit when I pick her up thats something I will discuss. I would have thought by now the neurologist would be suggestion blood work on her so I will also discuss that with the vet on Monday. Thanks for everyones support on this whole thing.
 
#86 ·
Hi:)
Gizmo is exactly like your CoCo..he does not have one cell of aggression whatsoever..and never barks or bites.
Very quiet since I have had him..he would get very excited in the morning when I got him out of his crate..tail wagging like a helicopter..licking me to death..running around like crazy.
Now he is way more subdued excited and only last a minute or so before it poops him out and has o lay down.
He also would have few moments a day where he played with his toys that was really cute..loved to have me throw his ball and he would run..get it and bring it back..
If I went anywhere and came back there would be all his little toys from the door going to garage all the way to the living room as if he was bringing them for me to play with..he also would sleep by the door till I got home even if hubby and daughter were here...very sweet.
But...he always has slept quite a bit..at 4 months old he would take 5 hour naps at a time straight.
He is my first Chi so had no clue other than the stereotypical responses..they yap, nip and hate everyone but their owner.
Which he does none of that other than very attached to just me..he is impossible to train not to mark things even after being neutered and taken out constantly so he now wears male belly bands that hold pads that work perfect.
He looks bloated and heavy already from the pred,.I am giving him a tiny hand of food every 3 hours to help with the begging.
He also makes low whimper sounds when I pick him up and not sure if it is because of the extra weight affected his breathing when being held or in pain.
Still can not go up and down a step well and when he walks it is stiff and rigid.
Your the first person I have found with this meningitis after days and days of looking it up..guess it is pretty rare.
Very late last night he pulled out his kitty and was dragging it and chewing on it so hoping he will return to normal soon..he used to play with over 20 of his toys.
Hope CoCo is better today and her unsteadiness is from her ears, :)
I go on Tuesday for first follow up with neuro vet..glad she is wanting to see him often.
My old vet never even called to check on him once in 2 weeks and seemed annoyed when I called to him a report. :/
In good hands now. :)



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#87 ·
How did they diagnosis your boy did you have the mRI and spinal tap? Coco is the same today I too think its from the extra weight she is puffy as well and does a small whimper when I pick her up. Ive been taking her for walks to try and keep the weight down we go about 10 houses up the street then she wants to come back and two houses before ours she stopps in a stance and wants me to pick her up.

Thats good news he had an interest in a toy. Yes I didnt find many people either. At least we found something in common. Will update tomorrow.
 
#88 ·
Initially an associate Vet at our reg. vets office (reg. vet off thAt day)
She did some blood tests to rule out things including a Liver shunt in which the shunts to Liver gets blocked and Liver can not detox too well so neuro symptoms show up....then sent me home with Metcam liq. (24 hr. non-steroid anti-inflammatory)
She had me come back in afternoon for Xrays....she also did physical exam both times very thoroughly and did not feel it was his joints or pinch nerve in spine or injury..he was not showing any signs of pain..just unable to use back legs to walk...would start to take a step and his left or right leg would jut out to his side and just stick out till you put it down..very weird.
More flat than usual but just figured it was due to all the exams and stress of the day.
All of his tests came back negative so she wanted me to come back again in morning to see our reg. vet. when the office opened..
She had also called a neuro vet and consulted in the phone and even she was not sure what was going on and was not able to see us because her schedule was so full...the only other neuro vet was over an hour away and she felt he was fine enough to wait to see what reg. vet thought in morning~Wednesday
Our reg. Vet examined him and did neuro checks just as other vet did and stated he felt it was probable steroid responsive meningitis where his immune system was attacking his body...and no need to get a bunch of very expensive tests because it is treated with prednisone....so sent me home with pred. 5 day full dose and five 1/2 doses and Baytril antibiotic.
The vet bill totaled almost $500 thus far soI was relieved!
Next morning he was taking steps..only about 5 but much better than none.
The following day he went 10 steps and collapsed and slept all day long..very lethargic.
By Saturday he was extremely sleeply and by that night he could not raise his head to look at me..it appeared his neck was very stiff and hurting..he would flinch if I touched him.
Called ER vet hosp. And was told they could only provide supportive care and could no treat without definitive diagnoses..like MRI and Cat scan..Spinal tap and that could only be done on Monday...all these tests could run up to $10,000 very easily!
By this time I had read tons on this type of meningitis and knew that initially they are given high doses of prednesone and Gizmo was on half of the recommended dose..so I gave him 2.5mg more of prednisone...by morning he was much better and ran a bit..still slept all day long.
By Monday he was about the same but walking totally normal albeit very slowly....called the vet and he wanted me to give only 2.5mg for 5 days and then stop it...when I told him how everything I read on it on the internet and that this required long term pred..and told him I was scared...he accused me of arguing and hung up on me...I instantly called neuro vet and set an appt. asap...went up next day to pick up Gizmo's records & Xrays..and confronted the vet about hanging up on me,lhe stated he had no time to listen to all the things people have read online,,he was a busy man.
No apology or remorse.
Asked him to justify doing on 5 full doses of pred. for SRM...he then stated he NEVER told me that it was steroid responsive meningitis..i told him he said "probable" SMR...and he even denied that!
It was a ton of back and worth after that but was able to get my point across of what I thought of him andcleft with my head up high.c:)
The neuro vet looked over everything and stated she felt comfortable treating him with the Prednisone and wanted to give him cyclosporine as well.land that 5 days only of Pred. for this condition is unheard of...because he had been on the Pred. & Baytril the MRI/cat scan/spinal tap was not be conclusive so he never got them...the advice was to watch him closely.
That was 2 weeks ago and each day he seems better except not as perky..no energy.
Getting bloated from the pred...hungry & thirsty all day.
At night he pants sometimes which I hate..and has fits of being restless a d unable to settle down,
But in no pain..and walks and runs fine..just unable to do either for more than a minute...I walk him around my backyard as he is terrified of leashes still.
We do one round and he stops before done and wants me to pick him up...he used to run around over and over like a jackrabbit just for fun..now just walks very slowly. Sigh.
This is such an agonizing thing to go through..the unknown is unbearable. I just hope he can recover and not need the pred. For the rest of his life...wish there were more stories on this..especially on those that have survived for more than a few years...seems like all go through several relapses before it is over with...
He is so young-10months old so hope that helps him.
Thanks for keeping me informed on your CoCo..we are right behind you so it is assuring to not be alone. :)
Take care!
Shelley




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#89 ·
Try using a harness instead of a collar that has always been what I used for Coco. She is sleeping quite a bit since the decrease and still chases her toy when we throw it but then lays down in front of it she used to grab it and run away. I'm the firm believer that the vets are like lawyers trying to get as much money as they can. My regular vet is wonderful such a kind and caring man and a soft voice and coco responds very well to him but she hates the female neurologist and I really feel that she brushes me off lately because she keeps repeating that without a proper diagnosis its not good to do this and said she has seen many dogs respond then crash and then its too late. If they made the mri's more affordable I may have considered it but the thought of putting such a small dog through the spinal tap etc makes me sick. Coco initially stopped eating altogether we did all the blood work and repeat blood xrays etc and it was all normal. We were force feeding her baby food to try and keep her alive until they could figure it out. My regular vet didnt like the steriod route but he said if the neurologist puts her on it and she responds they even it it prolongs her lifespan a few more years he was for it and he has been happy with her response. I talked to him 2 weeks ago when it was only 2 days on the decrease and he said if she regressed he would recommend putting her up to 1mg again. Since I trust his judgement I will talk in the morning. Has your boy shown any signs of agression? At the beginning she was pretty agressive but that definately calmed down she has the odd moment. One thing he did tell me is that exercise is important because prednisone can make the muscles weak so keeping them exercised is a good idea even if its for 5 minutes. Just keep at it. Its time consuming seems worse than having a baby at home. Coco has luxating patellas and I'm not sure when she limps a little if its the brain problem or that so I keep an eye on that.
 
#93 ·
Hi Cass:)
I wish Gizmo could handle a harness and leash. I tried at least 5x and he just freezes and will not move even after 5 minutes...I used treats and praise and he just sat so frozen.
Poor thang is so scared.
The Prednisone has not produced any aggression..but tiredness and depression.
Hope it resolves soon because I miss his old puppy self.
My reg vet is the money sucker here..he neutered & microchipped him 3 months ago and it was $600!
All the blood work & tests were over $500 which in my opinion is ridicules but I had no choice at the time.
Spending 1,000's for tests that do not even show this type of meningitis just seems like a huge waste of money and so glad the neuro is willing to treat him with the pred. & cyclosporin.
If it was something bacterial or viral he would be deteriorating by now instead getting better I would think?
Have an appointment with Neuro vet in the morning.
Today Giz is walking around the house and wagging his tail..little baby steps to recovering:)



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#94 ·
Well I'm back from the vet. Her ear infection is gone and we went over all the small changes I've been noticing. We talked about that is is licking her paws again, is very quiet runs for her toy but lays down and is generally just quiet much more than when she was on the 1mg. I gave her 1/2 mg this morning and since my appointment was a 9am he said to go home and give her the other 1/2 tablet and wants her back on the 1 mg. He said she is telling us what her body needs and doesnt want to wait because if you wait too long she could regress and not bounce back. The neurologist never sent him the report since July 3 but he sent an email requesting it for the second time and along with it sent a note that we are increasing her. I asked him why she hasnt suggested blood work after 7 months of being on steriods and if she is wimpering a bit when I pick her up that it could be a sign of something. He agreed and took her in the back to do blood work and will call me tomorrow.

He told me a story that he has 4 dogs and 3 of them have been on steriods for years for various other reasons and that if it prolongs their life span for a few years its better than loos
ing them at this young age even though shes 5 now.

He said steriod responsive menegitis is exactly what it is it responds to steriods. He told me not to walk her today its very hot here today and just let her rest in the air conditioning today.

So he will call tomorrow afternoon with the blood results and I will see him again on the 23rd of July to see her progress again.

So far so good I guess.
 
#95 ·
Poor gizmo I agree with all the tests. I've spent over $2000 so far with all the blood work vet and neurology visit and xrays so I know exactly what you mean.

I used a harness when I got her at 5 weeks gradually having to buy a bigger one and then a bigger one again after the steriods puffer her out. She always wore xs and now wears small. I am fortunate she loves her harness.

Keep me posted on your appointment tomorrow.
 
#97 ·
I agree that she should be upped to 1 mg of pred.

I was on prednisone for 38 years, and I'm now 75!! Yes it does have lots of side effects, but most can be dealt with. I hope that this pup gets off evenually. Take it day by day. I have a cat who had bowel issues and was put on prednisone as a kitten. Worked fine. Took her dose down to quickly, and then had to go back up and wean her off for SEVEN MONTHS! Slowly does the trick! She is now 9 yrs old. Good luck.
 
#98 ·
38 years wow you have given me hope! He said the sad reality is that she may be on it for the rest of her life. She is already more lively than this weekend. She heard me getting some food before and came running which on the weekend she wasn't doing. He did say part of effects from the prednisone is depression but I'm happy to see her a little more lively this afternoon.

I am very lucky to have such a caring vet. He's an older man maybe the old school vets are just in it for the right reasons and maybe the younger ones just focus on the money.
 
#99 ·
Have you asked the vet about everyother day dosing? You double the daily dose (give 2 mg) everyother day. This may not work for dogs?? Supposed to help the adrenal gland in producing cortisone. It worked for me, but my cat never got to that point. She was on a course of weaning for 7 months. She is healthy now at 8+ years.
 
#102 ·
Hi Cass:)
Sorry so late in responding,,not on Ipad till now:)
The appointment went great.
She informed me how slow the progress was going to be and it may at least 6 months before he is back to only about 90-95% which is the norm. So slow.
It reassured me that Gizmo is going the way he is supposed to be...she wants to cut the 5mg Prednisone to 4.75 mg and to increase the cyclosporine from 0.1units to 0.15 to compensate lower the steroid.
IF I see any regression I am to go back to the 5mg as a standing order which is nice if he relapsed on the weekend.
He has gained 2 pounds in e last month...from 6 pounds to 8.3 lbs.
Little Roly Poly:)
Hope he will perk up from lower his dose and not make him worse.
I will be seeing the Neuro once a month for follow ups...so for now we are good!
How is CoCo now..hope she is bouncing back.
Keep me posted!
Shelley


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#103 ·
Coco is much more alert now since 2 days of being on the 1mg. She is still wimpering a bit when I pick her up. Results of her blood work he said a small higher level on the liver but nothing alarming normal for steriod use and some higher white cells. He thinks she may have urinary tract infection I collected a sample this morning and am bringing it in for analysis. Since she had her heat last month he said it could be from her licking so much and bacteria from her mouth. If its positive we will have antibiotics for a bit to clear that up. I noticed when she squatted the other day after she went pee she also squatted again and was walking and peeing at the same time and I suspected however shes not asking to go out any more frequently so it may have just started. Coco had dropped from 7 lbs to 4 in January and shes 8 lbs now. Yes quite a jump and puffy too so dont worry. Keep up the tender loving care. They are worth it.
 
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