Senior dobe-limp - Page 3

alwayshadpets · 09-12-2008, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARGE2008

How old was the dog when diagnosed ans how long did he or she live?
I am very hopeful that this can be treated and she can live a somewhat normal life on low doses of meds...Thanks for the reply and kind words from everyone--We appreciate the support it is very hard as she is a VERY huge member of our family.......I owned her since about 11 weeks and she will be 10 on 11/01/08

Zeus, my doberman granddog (10yrs old) was diagnosed with wobblers this past March. He had surgery and is doing fine. There seems to be progress made in the treatment of this disease.

DobeMomToo · 09-12-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARGE2008

How old was the dog when diagnosed ans how long did he or she live?
I am very hopeful that this can be treated and she can live a somewhat normal life on low doses of meds...Thanks for the reply and kind words from everyone--We appreciate the support it is very hard as she is a VERY huge member of our family.......I owned her since about 11 weeks and she will be 10 on 11/01/08

Shelby was formally diagnosed with full blown Wobblers at about 11 years of age. She'd been diagnosed at 8 with Spondo, and had 2 seizures prior to turning 11. In hindsight, it all points to Wobblers in her future.

She lived two days past her 14th birthday. She lived well. She lived fully and with a tremendous quality of life.

There are surgical options, but given her advanced age, we didn't feel they were "reasonable" even though they "could" be done. Again, I have a great Vet that balances reason against medical capability in stellar fashion. I was recently reminded of that with my Blaze.

Do not give up hope. Do not discount your ability to provide her with continued quality of life through various avenues. What you ultimately find out, and choose do do with that information, can never be incorrect or wrong when done out of love.

Keep us posted. Hugs to all of you.

SARGE2008 · 09-12-2008, 11:29 AM

Thank DobermomToo.. I appreciate the info. Very informative and makes me have more hope. She is responding well to the meds after just 1 day -I will know more after 3 when they take the xrays.

DobeMomToo · 09-12-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARGE2008

Thank DobermomToo.. I appreciate the info. Very informative and makes me have more hope. She is responding well to the meds after just 1 day -I will know more after 3 when they take the xrays.

Let us know what the X-rays say. Keep her somewhat confined in the meantime.

**lyngr** · 09-12-2008, 02:39 PM

Positive thoughts for you. I'm curious about the results. Fingers crossed she's ok.

SARGE2008 · 09-12-2008, 07:54 PM

OK the vet said she has longterm arthritis in her vertibrae in her neck. Silimar to Wobblers just not quite. He is confident that she will make a good recovery from this w/limiting her activity and keeping her on meds for the next 5 days-then we will re-evaluate. So I feel better yet we are not out of the wods just yet.

**lyngr** · 09-12-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARGE2008

OK the vet said she has longterm arthritis in her vertibrae in her neck. Silimar to Wobblers just not quite. He is confident that she will make a good recovery from this w/limiting her activity and keeping her on meds for the next 5 days-then we will re-evaluate. So I feel better yet we are not out of the wods just yet.

You must be relieved, though.

Arthritis can be diagnosed through an xray?

DobeMomToo · 09-12-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARGE2008

OK the vet said she has longterm arthritis in her vertibrae in her neck. Silimar to Wobblers just not quite. He is confident that she will make a good recovery from this w/limiting her activity and keeping her on meds for the next 5 days-then we will re-evaluate. So I feel better yet we are not out of the wods just yet.

Great news!!! Keep it up!

reddobes · 09-12-2008, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SARGE2008

OK the vet said she has longterm arthritis in her vertibrae in her neck. Silimar to Wobblers just not quite. He is confident that she will make a good recovery from this w/limiting her activity and keeping her on meds for the next 5 days-then we will re-evaluate. So I feel better yet we are not out of the wods just yet.

Arthritis changes (DJD) do not rule out Wobblers. DJD changes can occur any anatomic abnormality, injuries, instability, etc.
The only way to definitively diagnose is via more advanced imaging such as a myelogram, MRI or CT scan. These advanced diagnostics let you determine if/where the spinal cord compression is.

Another option to consider is having the xrays evaluated by a vet radiologist. This can be done at most vet schools, some referral practices or OFA will also do interpretation as well (separate from the database). Xrays can be mailed or emailed depending on the format.

Hope your girl responds well to medical therapy.

**lolonurse** · 09-12-2008, 11:30 PM

What a relief - I hope she does really well. Our vets have long recommended Glucosamine and Chondroitin for arthritic conditions and for joint/tendon injuries. (My orthopedic surgeon and sports med docs recommended the same for me!) Our girl takes it daily - for around 5 years now, for badly torn knee ligaments. They said she couldn't run or jump any more, but there's no stopping her! It helps a lot! Ask your vet if it might help her, along with the medical treatments. Many good wishes - Lois