My 3yo very boisterous GSD this morning was not quite himself, nothing drastic just not quite right.

As the day progressed he became more and more uncordinated behind and over 12 hrs has become quite ataxic and almost drunk behind. As far as I know he hasn't had any trauma or accident... he's such a wimp I'm sure I'd know as he and I are joined at the hip.

Got quite worried this evening as he is falling over so took off just now to Emergency vets who are puzzled. It seems he is a bit tight over the back of his abdomen but seems worse over his back. He doesn't seem aware of his back legs and is dragging his toes and has a loss of feeling in the pad area and feet.

Has anyone got any ideas, experience of what this could be. I am so very worried about him, he is my soulmate and I am so afraid its something serious and I'm going to lose him.

Anyone who is able to send Reiki would be very much appreciated.

He is going in the morning for x-rays. I have searched Wobblers in dogs and GSD Myelopathy but all these seem to come on slowly not suddenly. Other thing it could be is prolapsed disc and that may need surgery (I so can't afford this but by god he will have it if he needs it, I'll beg, borrow and steal if I have to).

Any help appreciated, thank you.

Check for Myasthenia Gravis, This sounds similar, but not exactly like Megans bahaviour, and it took a French vet from the Royal Dick to suggest doing test, which had, back then to be sent off to San Diego in California, It is not a common disease and most vets I have spoken to have never had a patient with this. The French vet was over on a years exchange and he had seen it once in France. Megan lived quite happily on medication and never looked back.
Kay

Have you had his ears checked? My old lab/dane used to get like that when he had ear infections
Just a thought. x

He had xrays this morning and  our vet thought she could see a fracture at C6 in the neck so he was referred immediately to Queens hospital in Cambs so off we ran there.

He was very wobbly when we got there but vet was unsure whether he couldn't walk because he was still groggy from the GA or whether it was sinister. He looks at xrays and didn't think there was a fracture. He has a loss of sensation from top of tail/back end to about 6 inches back. It's as if the back end isn't communicating with the brain. He does have some reflexes although poor and he knuckles right over and doesn't seem to know he's doing it, when he sits down his back legs splay right out. He doesn't seem in any pain just confused why he keeps falling over and VERY quiet in himself. He is in control of his bladded although did soil himself in the car, but I think he was just so sleepy.

So the long and short of it is they haven't got a clue. They are going to monitor him overnight and see how he is when he is properly with it. An MRI scan is planned to give a clearer picture.

What I cannot understand is how a 100% healthy dog can deteriorate like this so fast. Poison was suggested but how would we know and what would be the symptoms?

Just a footnote... make sure you have your dogs insured... he's not and I have to beg, borrow and steal now :-(

What an absolute nightmare. Thinking of you both and will say a prayer for him tonight (may not be your faith but it can't do him any harm surely).

Really hope that everything works out well for you,

Helen.

A friends Lab went like that suddenly, she had been poisoned.  With treatment she recovered within a few days.
Hope your dog does too.
Dawn.

Have you found out any more yet?  My Lab is 7 yrs old and has suffered sudden ataxia too.  Xmas morning he could not stop shaking (pain) could not stand u0p and whenever he tried to he knuckled. The offending leg was left, then right, followed by collapsing back legs.  Very wobbly.  No tempurature and Herat rate and BP all normal.  He was given painkilling injection and seemed to be improved.  By the 27th he was worse than ever.  Had to be carried out to car in a blanket as a stretcher.  His kneck seems to be the problem as he howled when the vet moved it sideways but especially so when his head was lifted upward.  Meningitis or slipped disk are obvious possible causes bnut absense of a high temperature seems to rule out the latter.  Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated.