Hi
My friend is devastated, her Labrador, until now quite healthy coudn't get out of the car on return from her walk yesterday. Total hindquarters paralysis. She was taken to the QM Hosp for animals in Potters Bar and they have diagnosed Fibrocartilaginous embolism. There is no surgery available, and it seems a very small chance that she will recover.

I'm so desperate to help my best friend (I know just how she is feeling), so does anyone have experience of this? She is also considering trying her in a mobility cart. Does anyone have experience of this with a large dog, and is there anywhere where she could get a "cart" on loan, to see if her dog can or will take to it.

All and any help gratefully received.

Thanks
Katrina

This is an interuption of blood supply to the spinal cord. The condition is not painful and according to "The Book" stabilises after about 24 hours and most cases make a recovery within 7 to 14 days. If there is no improvement in that time then the future is not good. I have to say that my old girl never recovered. She was 12 years old at the time.

I have to say that the QM hospital is just about the finest place and the people are some of the formost in their field.

Regards, John

Forgot to say, I was told to move her backlegs in a "Bicycling" sort of action, as if she was peddleing, in order to try to keep some muscle tone so that if she did get movement back she would have to muscle to start with.

Best wishes, John

Thanks John for your reply. Things have taken a turn for the worse since my post, and she has decided to have her pts. I know she's doing the right thing, but it is so hard and I feel so sorry for her.

So sorry for your friend :-( I lost a very special boy very suddenly to a back problem so I always feel an extra empathy for others going through the same thing. Tell her I'm very sorry to hear about her dog
Anne

I'm sorry Katrina. Like I said, I lost my old lady. Quality of life is the expression used but it dosen't make it any easier. Trouble is, it's a responsibility we take on when we decide to have a dog. Tell her I feel for her.

Regards, John

How very sad for your friend.

My Lab who we lost last August, after a booster had this for 48 hours afterwards. We were very worried but she managed to come out of it and had another two happy healthy years with us.

Do pass on my sympathy to your friend.

Lucy
xx

Thanks everyone I will pass your kind words on to her. She came round today, and is just about holding up. Trouble is she doesn't want to be at home, but time does make it a little easier as we all know.

Thanks all
Katrina