I have an 11 year old Pom named Moose. He begin showing signs of a collapsing trachea, the vet gave him Tusogen (hydrocodone) once he begin this loud, harsh intense coughing.a month ago. Then sent us to a specialist who....hasn't really done anything except want to give an inhaler OR 'scope him" then prescribe an inhaler. Meanwhile outta the blue one morning 5 days ago, he could barley walk. (This is the issue, only mentioning the trachea/cough jus in case its related). When he tries to walk, he goes into a circle and flops down. His right rear leg is what looks like "stuck inward", like shifted to under his center, or he's doing that. So back to the vet where they said it could be a brain tumor is always possible, but unlikely, she thinks its a disk problem, Except, his Front right leg has issue too. This leg its like he can't or won't move his wrist to set the paw down. Now he is on Tusegen, Gabapention (like a nerve pain killer?) and Metacam (anti-inflammatory) . I almost think he had a stroke, except sometimes, even first thing in morning, he may trot along and you can barely tell there's an issue. Then that afternoon, he tries to stand and just can't do it. His appetite sure is unchanged, and you can read his feelings on face easily he's happy for most part; So I don't know whats the problem, stroke, tumor, disk, hip displacement (vet didn't think so) Anyone have any ideas on this or seen / heard of this ?
I've thought of that, but being I'm on Vet # 2 now, and been to a diagnostic specialist....it's a rabbit hole, that's why I took a shot n the dark here....maybe someone else has experienced the same.
It's impossible for anyone to say "my dog had this and this is what we did". Simply because there are so many things it could potentially be. I would sit down with my vet and discuss what course of actions are available for each likely diagnosis. Then you can decide what to do. It may be that your vet IS doing this already by giving the meds. If it's a disk problem, then the meds should ease some of the pain and you should see some change, however small. If it's a stroke or tumor, then it's much more difficult and expensive to diagnose. And there may not be much that can be done in that case.
I thought the specialist was regarding a possible collapsing trachea, not the other problems that you then mentioned and asked about.
I think you are very likey 100% spot on, I was just spit balling, in hopes of someone handing me a miracle answer...still in hopes. What ever it is wrong with him it come on like the snap of a finger. I also think it "could be" related to his cough, in the sense that when he does cough...its HARD and intense, if a disk was already predisposition that could of pushed it over the edge. However, have disk issues myself, and the symptoms are very "Quadrant" like. Mine is in my neck...so its my arms, for him to have both front and back leg issues...BUT, only on right hand side? Thats not disk like symptoms...even the Vet said this.
I agree. One side only suggests brain more than spine. It could also be multiple things. There may be a spinal issue but there could also be something else - either interconnected or not.
But would "Brain" fluctuate?...as in yesterday morning, first thing, when it should be worse, he went out and trotted around the yard and back in, then that night he could barely stand, today...he's visably messed up, hes much better. I would think a brain issue would either stay bad or get worse? Someone else suggested a blood clot, which is scary if that circulates around
Look up vestibular disease and see if what you are seeing is anything like it. If it is, dogs usually recover well leaving them with a head tilt
Since I have issues with vets I wouldn't leave the office without a definitive answer. They paid plenty for all the machines the least they could do is an MRI or xray of limbs. I would also acknowledge his age, top age for Poms is around 15-16 yrs but 11 isn't young either. If you think he's in any pain after a full day of no pain you may want to discuss pain meds or euthanasia if it's uncurable. You aren't likely to get an answer about end of life from a vet when he can spend more money on more stuff. Believe me vets are a dime a dozen. You can switch vets at anytime. I know the post is a year old.