Her answer was always, “No, he doesn’t follow that pattern.” Berry, from the University’s Veterinary Medical Department, provided reassurance as I named off these terrible diseases. I filled the time with Internet searches: articles about Polymyositis, Muscular Dystrophy, Myasthenia Gravis, and Multiple Sclerosis filled my computer screen. He wore a boot brace to help prevent a broken leg and possible limb amputation. He had little strength in his front legs or feet his weak lower left front leg doubled under when he tried to walk, forcing him to walk almost on the top of his foot. Although his appetite remained good, he was wasting away. Barney was on a regimen of Prednisone in high doses, pain medication, high-protein, high-fat puppy food, and multiple vitamins. The biopsy incisions were healing, but slowly. He had numerous shaved areas over his body from his biopsies. Barney had lost almost 8 pounds his shoulder muscles had atrophied and retracted. Biopsies of nerve and muscle from under his armpit went to California for evaluation. Still, nothing explained his progressive crippling. When the orthopedic-related testing came back inconclusive, Barney was referred to a Neurologist for further evaluation, including an MRI. I described the July accident, but to rule out possible conditions, the hospital conducted a battery of tests – a CAT scan, spinal tap for fluid evaluation and blood tests for possible tick-borne diseases. Barney’s front limbs were useless, requiring the use of an animal transport wagon to wheel him in for his appointment. It was well into August when we arrived at our first appointment at The University of Florida Small Animal Hospital, Orthopedic Unit. Our local vet referred us to the University of Florida’s Small Animal Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. His favorite position became the “prairie dog” –sitting up on his rear to take pressure off his front legs.īecause his rear appeared unaffected, Barney could get onto a bed or a chair, and with help, negotiate the porch steps, but his front legs were fast becoming useless. Now he was unable to take more than a few steps without having to lie down for relief. Our vet prescribed acupuncture, which did nothing to alleviate Barney’s pain. ![]() Although his pain was evident, his x-rays revealed no physiological reason for the changes. His front legs had started to cross over he was out at the elbows and his back was roached.Īt our local vet’s office, I described Barney’s porch door incident. Despite several days of crate rest, Barney began to display changes in movement. ![]() Later at obedience class, when Barney yelped taking a jump, I became concerned. Our boy Barney (GCH Cariad Elgin’s Barna Medve CD RN), - was an active, bossy, noisy, enthusiastic Vizsla, when everything changed.ĭetermined to be first off the porch and into the yard, Barney slammed the soft area inside his shoulder into the metal frame of the porch door.
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