Anyone who has read my other topic will know that Alfie went to bed fine on Monday evening but woke up unable to use his back legs on Tuesday morning  :-(  We have been to vets every day since Tuesday and each day we have seen a different vet all with varied opinions.
Tuesday, the vet had quite a few different ideas as to what could be wrong with Alfie and she was quite worried about possible Lungworm as she had seen another dog recently who had a collapsed back end and it was indeed Lungworm - she wasn't sure about Alfie though because he wasn't showing any other symptoms so she was also thinking towards a possible disc problem - either slipped or swollen and prescribed total cage rest and gave him metacam.
Wednesday, we saw a different vet who was very pleased with Alfie's progress as he was much brighter and had regained a considerable amount of strength and movement. This vet was thinking more along the lines that Alfie had a swollen disc and that nothing had burst or slipped judging by the speed of his recovery so far - she didn't even mention Lungworm. Again, Alfie was prescribed total cage rest and he was given another Metacam injection.
Thursday, which was yesterdays visit has left me quite concerned. We saw another vet who seemed very much focused on the fact that we should definitely be treating for Lungworm. The vet said that we could do a test for Lungworm which involves testing three faecal samples over three consecutive days but rather than do that, we should just treat for Lungworm by using Milbemax - one tablet last night and another dose in two weeks time - now I wouldn't want to try and tell a qualified vet how to do his job but a do know of a lady from another forum who lost her puppy to Lungworm a while ago, she is a very intelligent lady (human haematologist) has studied every corner of this disease, attended seminars etc  and there isn't a lot that she doesn't know about it. She has passed on info which advised  that to TREAT Lungworm, Milbemax must be given 1 x tablet each week over four weeks - should I question the vet about just the two tablets, one now and then one in two weeks? Does anyone here know from experience the correct dosage for actually treating Lungworm and notjust routine prevention?
Hubby and I came away last night worried and in limbo to be honest but we definitely want to test for the lungworm so that we know either way. I have called the surgery this morning and we have been told that we can start the test on Monday as no samples are collected over the weekend. At least we will then be nearer to knowing what has caused Alfie's lameness. We have never been offered x-rays but to be honest, if that means a GA then I wouldn't want to go down that route now as Alfie is recovering really well and all the vets that we have seen are very confident that he will make a full recovery as long as he is rested. I just wish we knew what has caused this to happen..........sorry to ramble.

Lungworm is certainly out there but far from common.  It is common however, for Cavaliers to have vertibrae problems. 
If he was mine, I'd definitely be investigating an Osteopath, who will tell you instantly by touch if he has any structural problems without a GA for X-rays.  Drugs for me would only be an option once structural problems were eliminated. :)

I'm going to get the test for Lungworm first, its just three faecal samples tested over three days - if the results are negative then maybe an osteopath will be the next port of call - I am however worried about somebody prodding at the unknown and doing more damage than good.........

I am however worried about somebody prodding at the unknown and doing more damage than good.........
That's not what they do Harley.  The side effect of drugs are much more of a risk.  If you want to PM me, then I'll explain more. :)

Hi I agree that an Osteopath may be a good idea.  I took my older Goldie to an Osteopath when my vet said that Penny was suffering from Epilepsy and that she had arthritis and said to give her more and more medication, Rimadyl, in large amounts which I didn't agree with. I went to the Osteopath armed with X rays showing the extent of the Arthritis but he didn't want to see them he closed his eyes and felt all over her body and then told me where the problems were - he was spot on.  We have gone back regularly every 3 months in winter and then 6 months for summer, I have never had to give Penny another Rimadyl tablet and since our first visit she has never had another fit - although he did tell me she didn't suffer from Epilepsy she was having pain spasms in her back which caused her whole body to stiffen.  Don't rule out an Osteopath they don't necessarily prod and poke about and can often give you a very quick diagnosis! Just my experience.
Jan

he didn't want to see them he closed his eyes and felt all over her body and then told me where the problems were - he was spot on.

Exactly right. :)  They're taught to 'see' with their finger. :)

> Lungworm is certainly out there but far from common.  It is common however, for Cavaliers to have vertibrae problems. 

I would agree with Westcoast. I am preparing an article on lungworm and have spoken to Dr Eric Morgan about this.

Although it is said that lungworm can be picked up from the silvery trails of slugs and snails it is not been found to be the case so far. Dr Morgan did advise that a dogs toys or bones should not be left in the garden overnight, as sometimes a small snail or slug might hide in or under them and get accidently swallowed by the dogs.