On Saturday, my 8 year old was running in our garden after her ball when she stumbled and howled. Well we saw the emergency vet and he thought it was a muscle strain. Unfortunately she has deteriorated over the weekend and is having trouble controlling her hind legs. I have just got back from the vet and am so shocked. He has admitted her for a GA this morning and x-rays, but he suspects either a stroke or a serious back injury.

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this.  I hope it doesn't turn out to be as serious as you may think, and that your dog is back on her feet very soon.
Sending lots of hugs and healing thoughts her way.
Helen

Keeping everything crossed. I know that some dogs DO recover from stroke, so that might be the option to hope for, the lesser of the two evils. Let us know how she gets on. HUGS.

Sorry to here your news,I will be keeping everything crossed for you that the results are not as bad as you thought. Is your breed prone to back problems?

Rhona

Oh Sheila... Im so sorry to hear this, fingers crossed for you that the results will be more positive than your fearing.
Fingers crossed and {hugs} for you after such a nasty shock xx

Here's hoping everything will be OK - all things crossable are in the appropriate positions ;)

I've had two different dogs with a similar sounding problem - one, aged 12, it was a stroke from which she recovered to live a normal life for another 2+ years except she required a diueretic for removing fluid building in her chest.  The other, a 5 year old, which it turned out had slipped a disc and this was treated with anti-inflammatories and enforced cage rest (and later lead walks only) over several weeks.   Again, a full recovery made.

Hopefully your girl will be even less adversely affected but if it is the same as either of mine it's certainly not the end of the world and MORE importantly, not the end of HER ;)

HTH, good luck,
Teri :)    

Our girl has just been xrayed for s similar thing.  The vet says her hips are good and suspects muscle strain.  She did get worse over the next couple of days but has made some improvement.  Her back legs dont seem very strong and she falls sometimes.  I just hope its not nerve damage but im convinced it is her muscles.  Clumsy things arent they and theyve got one leg on each corner!  Let me know how she gets on xx

Thnak you all for your kind words. I have fetched Charlie back from the vets and he has confirmed that the most likely cause of her problems is a stroke.  At the moment she is struggling to use her back legs, but I am hoping that this is partly due to the after effects of the GA.  It is so sad sad to see a previously active dog suddenly reduced to this and the contrast with our young puppy is heartbreaking. I think it is just a waiting game now, but if anyone has has a similar incident, and has any helpful advice on how to make her comfortable, please share it. thank you all again X

So sorry to hear that - remarkable recoveries can be made from strokes, so I do hope she can improve enough to be happy for a good while longer with you.
Is there such a thing as a stroke specialist for animals ?

So sorry to hear this, I've no experience with strokes in dogs at all, (only in people) has your vet not put you in touch with anyone who can help at all, can physio be of any use? I guess you need to see how she is after she recovers from GA, I have my fingers, toes, and legs crossed that she will regain the use of her legs, just wanted to send my wishes to you both.

Hi again,

as mentioned earlier I have been through this and although my girl was considerably older than Charlie, she made a reasonable recovery.  The only slight repercussions were an almost indiscernible head tilt and also she had a fluid build up in her chest which was controlled by a low dosage water tablet daily.   She went on to live her life pretty much as she had been doing pre stroke, thoroughly enjoying her food, exercise as normal and being pampered even more than she had been anyway (hardly possible :D )

Obviously the severity of a stroke in dogs differs in individuals as it does with humans but I want to let you understand that it needn't herald a dire change in how Charlie and you spend time together - he's not an old dog and please God will shake this off soon and you'll see an improvement.

best wishes, Teri :) 

My parents dog a gsd cross collie had a stroke about 2 months ago he is doing a lot better now he is still a bit unsteady on his feet sometimes but hes doing well mind you he did have a little fall down the stairs the other day but vets thinks he may of just bruised himself a little bit i know how hard it is seeing a happy health dog go from running around like a nut one minute to seeing like that the next what made it worse for my parents they were on holiday when it happened they were told not to come home because i could deal with it but they still came home that night all i would say is try and keep things as normal for you dog but maybe keep a bit of closer eye on them it takes time to recover from something like this i hope your dog is felling better really soon

Ohh I'm so sorry to hear this...my prayers and thoughts are with you both! All the best, Dawn XX

thank you everyone again. I just wanted to let you know that Charlie is more comfortable in herself today and she has managed to crouch down for a wee with only a little help from me, so that's definately better. She can't manage the back step or any uneven ground but she has had a lttle sniff around the garden, although her right hind leg is dragging, but still, the fact that she wanted to try and walk this morning is a bit more encouraging. Fingers crossed that she improves a little day by day. I am seeign the vet tomorrow and will ask him about using the hydrotherapy pool at the nearby college, which the horses and police dogs use.

Pleased to hear that Charlie has improved and I will keep my fingers crossed that she continues to do so.

Hugs for Charlie