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Please Help. She is my world and Im worried

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Purdy

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Hi everyone.
First time on the forum, a new member. I'm not so sure if someone else has posted the same condition before - but all help, advice, ideas welcome (and needed!)
She is my beloved Purds. She is a 10-year-old standard white poodle. I love her more than words can describe. She is a very lively, curious and stubborn girl who is very intelligent. She loves her walkies and exploring the surroundings for a long time. Very often she would wander off following a smell or a sight of an animal in the forest. She has been the most energetic, incredibly active dog who has walked miles and miles without any sign of tiredness or slowing down. Until just 5 days ago.
Last Sunday we had big cuddles, belly tickling, loads of fuss and attention. Her usual self when nothing matters more than just the two of us. Then this Tuesday two things became very noticeable - her sight deteriorated (up close she couldn't see where the treats were - she could only smell them) and her walking. She became wobbly, leaning towards one side or the other, exceptionally lame to the point of being reluctant to come down the stairs or even get in the car. She is usually the very first one to greet me when I walk in through the door, she is literary flying down the stairs as soon as she hears my voice. But not now, not in the last 5 days. She is not as lively as much as she used to be. The vet said cataract on both her eyes, but arthritis on both her legs (due to the lameness). Is it really possible for arthritis to develop or even progress that fast? I didn't notice anything looking like arthritis or joint pain before these 5 days. Can the vet be wrong here? I know she is 10, but with no previous signs... The vet recommended synoquin which we have ordered online but she doesn't seem like herself more and more every day. I feel like it is something else, and my main fear here is a stroke. Anyone any experience similar or advice?
 
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We aren’t vets, we don’t have x-ray vision, & even if we were vets & DID have x-ray vision, LOL, we have not seen this dog... in the flesh, or virtually, nor have we seen the x-rays.
:—))

Basically, if U don’t believe the current vet’s Dx, U will have to pay another vet for a 2nd opinion.
Cataracts can be surgically removed; arthritis can only be controlled, by controlling the patient’s wt, & giving both supplements & anti-inflammatories.

- terry

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So sorry Purdy , really upsetting seeing them like this , does all seem rather sudden though if she’s been ok a few days ago . Could have been a stroke/seizure as had similar with a pony I had, she was fine when I put her in her stable at night then next morning had lost her balance on one side , vet seemed to think it was a stroke. Hope you can get a diagnosis for her , let us know.
 
leashedForLife said:
.


We aren’t vets, we don’t have x-ray vision, & even if we were vets & DID have x-ray vision, LOL, we have not seen this dog... in the flesh, or virtually, nor have we seen the x-rays.
:—))

Basically, if U don’t believe the current vet’s Dx, U will have to pay another vet for a 2nd opinion.
Cataracts can be surgically removed; arthritis can only be controlled, by controlling the patient’s wt, & giving both supplements & anti-inflammatories.

- terry

.
Click to expand...
LOL meaning lots of love or laugh out loud ? Not appropriate when someone is upset about the health of their pet !
 
I would say if you are really worried either phone your vet again or go somewhere else for a second opinion.
When Remy took ill my vet wasnt available so I saw new people at the practice they couldnt see anything wrong his symptoms persisted but because they had said there was nothing wrong we didnt chase it.. Six months later he had two massive fits and arrived at the vet only so that the vet could ease his final moments.
Afterwards our vet spoke with us and said he was sorry he hadnt seen Remy earlier because everything we described had pointed to neuro problems. This does not necessarily mean anything could have been done but it would have made it less of a shock so dont sit it out and worry, chase after answers and possible solutions.

Wishing you lots of courage and love
 
The vision and the balance and walking problems coming on together,I'd be looking for a second opinion from a another vet.
Don't be scared of asking for a second opinion,I did with a condition I had. So glad I did. After some tests the second doctor sent me for I was seeing a surgeon two days later. Within three weeks I'd have bypass surgery. The pros can get things wrong.
Good luck,hope things go your way for your dog.
 
Rhythmpig said:
The vision and the balance and walking problems coming on together,I'd be looking for a second opinion from a another vet.
Don't be scared of asking for a second opinion,I did with a condition I had. So glad I did. After some tests the second doctor sent me for I was seeing a surgeon two days later. Within three weeks I'd have bypass surgery. The pros can get things wrong.
Good luck,hope things go your way for your dog.
Click to expand...
Many thanks Rhythmpig
I will definitely take your advice, I will go and see another vet.
I'm happy it worked out for you.
All the best
 
I would ask the next vet you consult about vestibular disease since it impacts both vision and balance. And not to scare you I had a very old boy who recovered to have a decent life. But as Terry said we're not vets so really we're making suggestions without real skill. Best of luck with her...you know your dog better than anyone so let that be your guide.
 
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Vestibular disease affects vision only insofar as spinning or jerking eyes make vision confusing.
If the dog’s eyesight is otherwise normal, they can see - they just can’t perceive up from down, & orient themselves in space. This causes distress & even nausea, the dog cannot stand or walk properly, as they are disoriented.

I don’t think it’s possible that any vet could say that a dog has cataracts, & when seen by another vet, the second vet says au contraire, this dog has perfectly normal eyes, with clear lenses — cataracts which are so mature that the dog is essentially blind, as described above, are obvious & easy to see, even for a pet owner, so long as they themselves have normal vision & know what to look for, in the dog’s eyes.

A vet ophthalmologist might be a worthwhile consult, as they could give a more accurate prognosis on the dog’s odds for a successful cataract surgery. :)

- terry

.
 
Thanks to all of you!
She was taken to another vet - and he said there is a lot more than arthritis and cataracts. She probably had a stoke, he's given her pills for blood circulation, steroid injection, antibiotics.. She is in a better spirit, more like herself even though she is still wobbly (and her head is tilted to one side when she walks). He noticed all the symptoms and didn't rush when he was checking her.
Again, thank you all for your replies and best wishes.
 
I'm glad you found some answers, at least you know now. Hope things work out for you both
 
Yup - as I said vestibular syndrome (dogs don't actually seem to have strokes like humans, this is their equivalent.) My old boy gradually recovered a great deal of his health though he always had the head tilt! Stay positive...there is a good outcome to hope for.
 
.

Is she actually blind, due to mature cataracts in both eyes?

Or was she visually disoriented by her aural imbalance, temporarily, PLUS she has cataracts?


.
 
It does sound like a vestibular attack, my previous dog, collie cross had one, he was unsteady on his feet for a while, like he wanted to go left but would stagger right, frightened the life out of me I can tell you. Took a while but he he did recover, he lived till he was 15 x
 
So glad you got some answers and your little one seems to be on the mend.
Also thankyou for letting us all know what the outcome was, its encouraging to hear a second opinion isnt a waste of time like many people think and that it can mean a world of difference.

I hope Purdy continues to recover..
 
Purdy said:
Hi everyone.
First time on the forum, a new member. I'm not so sure if someone else has posted the same condition before - but all help, advice, ideas welcome (and needed!)
She is my beloved Purds. She is a 10-year-old standard white poodle. I love her more than words can describe. She is a very lively, curious and stubborn girl who is very intelligent. She loves her walkies and exploring the surroundings for a long time. Very often she would wander off following a smell or a sight of an animal in the forest. She has been the most energetic, incredibly active dog who has walked miles and miles without any sign of tiredness or slowing down. Until just 5 days ago.
Last Sunday we had big cuddles, belly tickling, loads of fuss and attention. Her usual self when nothing matters more than just the two of us. Then this Tuesday two things became very noticeable - her sight deteriorated (up close she couldn't see where the treats were - she could only smell them) and her walking. She became wobbly, leaning towards one side or the other, exceptionally lame to the point of being reluctant to come down the stairs or even get in the car. She is usually the very first one to greet me when I walk in through the door, she is literary flying down the stairs as soon as she hears my voice. But not now, not in the last 5 days. She is not as lively as much as she used to be. The vet said cataract on both her eyes, but arthritis on both her legs (due to the lameness). Is it really possible for arthritis to develop or even progress that fast? I didn't notice anything looking like arthritis or joint pain before these 5 days. Can the vet be wrong here? I know she is 10, but with no previous signs... The vet recommended synoquin which we have ordered online but she doesn't seem like herself more and more every day. I feel like it is something else, and my main fear here is a stroke. Anyone any experience similar or advice?
Click to expand...
Get her to the vet ASAP - does she have lesions if not still take her ASAP
 
Walkiestime said:
Get her to the vet ASAP - does she have lesions if not still take her ASAP
Click to expand...

If you read the whole thread, you'll find the OP already has a second diagnosis and Purdy is now improving, and no doubt being closely monitored.
 
I am hardly
JudyN said:
If you read the whole thread, you'll find the OP already has a second diagnosis and Purdy is now improving, and no doubt being closely monitored.
Click to expand...
on line now and it only brought the urgent top thread so did not see the rest.
 
Thank you for your well wishes. I wasn't on the forum over the last few days because she was getting a lot worse. She was a bit better the day when we saw the second vet. But the last 5 days were a total decline in her movements balance and standing up. She was full of spirit and her tail was wagging but.. she will be put to sleep tomorrow morning. The vet said brain tumor without any possibility of recovery. I'm all in tears. I was more than blessed to have her in my life.
 
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