Border Collie

[rod@plasterbrok]

Hi guys,

Very sad day for us our beutiful border collie 8 years old, suddenly became paralyised in her back legs.

There was no injury, no warning, she was running around ok. Then sat down and couldn't get up.

Our dogs are very loved and part of the family, she is at the vet in hope that whatever has caused this may not be permanent. Nothing shows up on xray, everything else is fine.

We are at a loss, has anyone else had this sort of thing happened to their dog? Did they come good?

Timing couldnt be worse as I am leaving to go away for a week on Friday.

Thanks

Rod Dyson

[bitingmidge]

Are you sure it's not a tick?

I guess the vet would have picked that up, but look carefully in every fold of skin.

P:confused:

[Gumby]

I've nvere heard of that in a reasonably young dog Rod. Hope she's OK. I have one just a couple of years younger (she was in my video) and she's a beautiful dog. Border Collies are the best. Very loving, very smart and great with kids (but mine absolutely hates other dogs except for our kelpie of course).

Hope she's OK. Sorry I can't help.

[silentC]

Sounds like a tick to me too but I'm no vet. Have seen two dogs go down with it, pretty much as you describe, except there is usually a bit of limping and difficulty standing up that occurs before full paralysis. Both recovered but only because the vet was on to it and gave them the antidote.

Hope it turns out OK.

[rod@plasterbrok]

Thank guys I will be talking to the Vet tonight and bring that up I never thought of a tic.

They did blood test that came up negative would it show up in a blood test?

Thanks Gumby, they are fantastic dogs. I live on a golf course and she came out with me every night for a game of golf. All the other golfers loved her too.

Golf may never be the same :(

[silentC]

would it show up in a blood test
Don't know. Vets are usually pretty good at detecting that it's a tick based on the symptoms and the two times I've been involved in, they knew it was a tick without having to do blood tests. The problem for them is finding it, especially on dogs with thick coats.

I think if it actually was a tick, by the time paralysis sets in they only have a short time to get the drugs into them. Unfortunately it happens very quickly. Let's hope it is something else because if they haven't given the tick serum by now it is probably too late :(

[Gumby]

Just been googling ticks. It's the toxins and bacteria they introduce into the blood which cause the problems by the look of things. So in answer to the question, I suppose it would show up in a blood test.

It also said in children, the paralysis starts in the lower body and works it's way up, sounds similar in the dog.

[Clinton1]

A mate's dog injured its back and became paralysed - this took 6 weeks to heal and it has to be kept calm now so it doesn't do it again.
You'll know where you stand after seeing the vet, re tick, tumour or other injury.

I feel for you and the kids, hope it works out.

[rod@plasterbrok]

Thanks for you responses.

The vet has ruled out ticks and is more inclined to think it is a tumor that is not showing up on xray.

We just have to wait and see I guess.

Thanks for your help.

[Ian Smith]

Rod,
I dunno what is about them, but there's only one breed of dog for me. Toby and Nell (see avatar) are very special to our family, so I do hope there's a happy outcome.

Ian

[Bluegum]

Yep I have to agree, we own a 2 and a bit year old blue merle. Absolute gentledog. I have never seen such a devoted and loyal dog. His other canine mate is a 15 week old female Australian Sheep dog. She is the oppisite in your face but she loves us and him almost as much as her food. I hope your BC Gets better Rod as they are a beautiful family member.:D

[rod@plasterbrok]

This is our 2nd border, unfortunatly things are not looking good for her.

One good thing is the vet is happy to keep her with him for the week while I'm away as she is not in any pain. I leave tomorrow, so if it is something that will improve over time we will be able to give it a chance.

It is so strange that he cant see anything wrong on all the xrays and nothing else is showing up. She has lost the deep pain sensation in her legs which is not a good sign.

Its nice to see a lot of border lovers here. I really apreciate you kind words.

Your dogs look great Ian.

Thanks

[Gumby]

What's her name Rod ?

[AlexS]

Our previous dog developed similar symptoms after some boisterous play. Turned out to be a slipped disc. A few weeks of being very quiet and also being carried up the stairs (nearly giving me a slipped disc!) and she was OK, although it did come back to haunt her when she was old.
Hope your dog has something similar and not a tumor or some other nasty.

[E. maculata]

G'day Rod, we too are a Collie family, going on some experience your Bitch may have "slipped a disc" as has beed suggested by Clinton & Alex, especially if she's a jumper, if not easily identified don't hesitate get the vet to persue every avenue, search the net, ask everyone you can think of.

One 12.5 yr old monster (55cm at shoulders, almost a metre from muzzle to butt, 35 kilos in his prime all muscle, very large for a PB collie), square muzzled liver & white Alpha -Reggie impecable health, bar arthiritis in hind quarters from jumping even.

One 18 week old B&W male -Ike (turner)- already a good guard dog

RIP Bessiebear 10 yr old B&W bitch beautiful temperament to her family, my kids best mate, lost her late last year to status epilipse, absolutely impecable creditentails despite this did not enjoy great health for her whole lifebut did enjoy (not) a very close relationship with her vets, who also cried as she passed away, too many health problems for such a gentle nature.

probably should mention Scarlett - Golden Retriever, beautiful dog, dumb as , but loves everyone of us to pieces, including her 2 mates.

Hope it is nothing bad mate, shouldn't be as they are a pretty stoic breed.

[Ramps]

Love Border Collies

If we weren't in a rental we would have another like a shot
Have had 1.5 (one was a long term "loan")
The Loan had similar symtoms once when we had here but it was in conjunction with a bad gastro bug ... apparently this wasn't the first time ... following day she was OK but it was scary for a while ... overnighter in the vet.

I spose you would have commented if she had any other symptoms or ailments like this?

All the best

[rod@plasterbrok]

Gee guys thanks so much, you have given us some hope.

Her name is Ally Gumby. Me being away for 10 days will hopefully give it a bit of time. The main thing the vet is concerned about is that she is loosing deep pain sensation in her back legs.

I leave tomorrow but will drop back here before I go. Then let you know how things are when I get back.

Thanks

Rod

[Gumby]

from Bonnie :(

[rod@plasterbrok]

Hey thanks Gumby You just made a very sad girls day! My daughter just loved it.

So did I!

Cheers

[Doughboy]

Rod I hope the family pet and your faithful mate recovers quickly and completely. Border Collies are the smartest dogs I have ever had the pleasure to be around.

My dad had a B/C bitch that made it to 18, albeit blind and deaf for the last six months of her life. When she went to doggy heaven I remember dad sitting in the lounge room cradling her and telling her that it was ok for her to go now. All the while tears were flowing freely down his cheeks.

I feel for you mate.

Pete

[rod@plasterbrok]

Hi,

I am back from Darwin today.

Ally is in the same condition as she was when I left. She is very happy and in no pain so we are looking after her in hope that it may be something that rights itself.

The vet can find no spinal damage by xray, so we have to wait and see how it goes. We will take her to a specialist this week and see if they can diagnose the problem.

It is really hard as she still wants to take on the postman and anything else she used to do.

I'll keep you posted thanks.

Rod

[Gumby]

I was wondering how she was going. Sounds hopeful. Thanks for the update.

[Ian Smith]

Well, Rod...I guess the bad news is there's no good news, and the good news is that's all the bad news there is. I have been checking regularly to see how things were going, and hope Ally does improve with time.

Regards

Ian

[Ian Smith]

Rod, any news on Ally?

[E. maculata]

What Ian said

How'd she going?

[Stuart]

Same - how's she going? She is obviously part of the family, with a name like

Her name is Ally Gumby;)

[Auld Bassoon]

Perhaps Ally would like some Domi Biscuits? Might help with her joints...

[reybec]

Hi guys,

Very sad day for us our beutiful border collie 8 years old, suddenly became paralyised in her back legs.

There was no injury, no warning, she was running around ok. Then sat down and couldn't get up.


our 11 year old Border Collie had a similar thing today

took him to the vet turns out he has had heart failure & has no circulation with little hope of recovery

as he has been fighting another illness for the past 5 weeks or so we had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep

[Gumby]

:(
Sorry to hear that.
It's better to send him off peacefully rather than be cruel and keep him going.

[reybec]

thanks

it was a hard choice but one that had to be done

we have to keep an eye on our other dog now she knows something is going on

[E. maculata]

our 11 year old Border Collie had a similar thing today

took him to the vet turns out he has had heart failure & has no circulation with little hope of recovery

as he has been fighting another illness for the past 5 weeks or so we had to make the heartbreaking decision to put him to sleep

:(
Watch his mate, they know, ours got morose and almost lost the plot when we lost our old collie, got him another mate and he has a new lease on life.

[rod@plasterbrok]

Update.

Ally still cant walk but has shown improvement is her back right leg and can take her weight on it when supported in upright position.

She uses this leg to help push herself around. The left back leg is pretty much useless, but has a small amount of deep pain responce.

So we are keeping Ally going as she seems quite relaxed about it all, in the hope she will continue to improve.

Cheers and thank you all for your comments.

Rod

[rod@plasterbrok]

By the way I am sorry for not letting you know earlier haven't been around so much in the last 2 weeks.

Thanks again.

[Gumby]

Thanks Rod. Sounds a bit more promising.

[Zed]

I've had GSD's - they also can lose thier back legs. Its kinder to let em go.... nothing more undiginfied than crapping in your own bed. animals hate the smell of thier own feaces and will hold it in as long as possible causing them great pain and distress...

get a puppy the day after - it will ease the loss.

Cheers

[rod@plasterbrok]

A report.

About 4 weeks ago Ally started standing up with her weight on one back leg.

Over the 4 weeks she has progressed to getting around walking on 3 legs. We take her out onto the golf couse every night using a towel to help take her weight a bit. Now she can walk about 200m on her own.

The vet suggests we have the other leg removed as it causes her to lose ballance. She should be able to get around normally but on three legs very soon. Unbelievable eh!!

Patience pays off.

Cheers

[Clinton1]

good to hear Rod.... a hard decision to for you to make, but dogs are worth the hard decisions the buggers make you think about.

:2tsup:

[Bluegum]

Hope it all goes well Rod, we own a BC and I think some how they just get under your skin and really get into your heart. Clinton is right as dogs really do know how to make you think about things. I remember last year when we lost our red cattle dog to a brown snake just how hard it was. Please keep us updated mate and we really do hope that she picks up.

[McFly]

Good to hear Rod. I am a vet so I know what a hard decision it can be to decide if you should wait for a paralysis problem to come right or not. It can certainly take time to see improvements.
I suspect your girl may have had a condition called fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE). This tends to be a sudden onset problem in larger breed dogs, it can sometimes look like they have been shot when running around. It is caused by a small piece of cartilage from the disc which blocks off the blood supply to part of the spinal cord. The lack of blood causes damage to the cord and loss of sensation and nervous supply to parts of the body behind the lesion. It doesn't show up on xrays but the signs are similar to a prolapsed disc so xrays help to evaluate this possibility. Frequently one side is affected worse than the other side of the body.
There is no addtional treatment for this problem so it wouldn't have affected how to treat Ally if this was known for sure to be the cause of the paralysis.
Good on you for your patience:). It certainly pays to wait sometimes.
BTW - if the other leg is not functional then amputation will certainly make life easier for Ally.

[rod@plasterbrok]

Thank you very much for that information. That is exactly how things went. We have been stalling having the other leg amputated in hope it may come good as well. It has shown some small signs of improvement. When we walk her she will take about 12 steps with this leg functioning but without taking any weight.

We had heard stories of dogs that suddenly became paralysed recovering after 12 months so we decided to look after her and see what happened.

The amazement when she first stood up was incredible. Now to see her hopping around and standing up to eat, etc. is exciting.

I will post some more updates here. I am amazed that so many people here are caring enough to post their support.

Cheers Rod