Hattie's Tripping and Wobbliness

[Charlie]

I have started a new thread as things are changing.

I took Hattie back to the vet to review how she is, having been on daily metacam for 3 weeks. I was also asked to keep a daily diary of Hattie's tripping up on her front legs and back leg wobbliness. No difference on the metacam. She looked at the diary and was concerned at the level of tripping/wobbliness which is all still the same, some days worse than others. The vet did a thorough examination, looked into her eyes which are quite cloudy now. She wasn't too sure if the light was getting to the back of her eyes. I explained that I do quite a bit of long distance hand signal training with her and she has no problem. Hattie has no problem negotiating anything. She did say it might be worth sending her to Stirling to the Opthamologyst to see if there is anything going on with her eyesight if the bloods are negative. She did some limb reaction tests by standing each paw on paper and pulling it out from under her to see her reactions which were good, she did knuckle tests, all fine, checked her ears all good. Checked down her spine and manipulated all her legs again.

We decided the best plan was to take a blood panel to include Thyroid, kidney and liver function as these apparently can cause tripping and wobbliness. Another concern that was talked about is it could be neurological. She clipped the fur on her neck and took a sample. Hattie was a complete star standing still and not a movement or sound. They were amazed at just how well behaved and tolerant she is I will get the results on Wednesday. I asked about the massage clinic in Oban but she asked me not to do anything until we get the results, so I'm wondering if she thinks it is arthritis afterall as that wasn't mentioned today. Hattie is not to have any metacam and I have to keep another diary to see if there is any difference.

Aside from this Hattie got to meet some lovely cats and a puppy, she is so gentle of everything.

I am worried but I have been for a while If there is anything going on I just need some answers and then a plan to help her my lovely girl. xx

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

It's so hard to see them get old, but I really admire how you are pursuing all avenues to make sure that Hattie ages as gracefully as possible. Hopefully you'll get some answers from the tests today. And kudos to Hattie for continuing to be her gracious and patient Hattie self.

 

[Granca]

That sounds like a thorough check for Hattie. I hope there’s a good way forward when you get the results.

 

[kateincornwall]

Always best to explore every possibility Helen , your Vet sounds very vigilant , fingers crossed for a good outcome x

 

[Oberon]

Sounds like you’re in really good hands with the vet. I hope you can soon get to the bottom of it all.

 

[Joy]

Your vet sounds very thorough. I hope the test results show a clear way forward.

 

[MellowYellow]

Sounds like a very thorough check up Helen, I hope you get some answers to help you with a plan going forward for Hattie.

 

[Stacia]

I can imagine you must feel worried but best to know what the problem is/might be and be able to have a plan forward, your vet sounds very thorough. Hattie certainly looked very well in the photos of the training.

 

[Lisa]

Hope you get results soon, with a clear answer to it all. I know it’s hard not to worry, but until you know for sure take it a day at a time! Hattie is in good hands and I know you will do all you can to address whatever the issue is!

 

[Cath]

So sorry Helen, its so hard when you don't know what's going on. You are doing your best for her

 

[M.F.]

Such a worry. But how proud you rightly were when Hattie was such a star at the vet.

Did the vet check her ears? I have suffered from vertigo recently. Not sure of the cause. But when I’ve got out of bed, it’s felt like the world is spinning.

The other thing I’d be looking at is: have you changed the flea/tick preventative and dewormer? These can cause neurological issues.

 

[MellowYellow]

Actually, M.F. may be onto something there, lots of dogs get vestibulitis as they get older.

 

[Charlie]

The vet did check her ears @M.F. all looked good, haven't ever changed worming but did change flea/tick about a year ago but the tripping up was before that. My vet down south dismissed it as "she's a bit creaky or it's due to her cloudy eyes". Just looked up vestibulitis. No head tilt which the vet did ask me about, she has had blood tests for thyroid which is mentioned, liver and kidney so hopefully should know more tomorrow. x

 

[edzbird]

Good to have a thorough check & bloods, your vet sounds very sensible. Hope you get some answers to give you a plan of action.

 

[Boogie]

Yes, hope you get some answers soon xx
.

 

[Shaz82]

She is such a good girl for the vet, hope you get some answers x

 

[VanillaBean]

Hope you get answers soon and get a plan if needed moving forward.

 

[Candy]

Hoping you get some answers and solutions soon for your gorgeous girl.xx

 

[Lab_adore]

Everything crossed xx

 

[Charlie]

The vet called this evening with the following blood test results.

Hattie's kidneys are not working properly. Urea should be 3-10 Hattie's is 11, Creatine should be between 44-133 Hattie's is 144. SDMA kidney function should be under 14, Hattie's is 17. Her thyroid is the low end of normal, therefore not working properly. She is also anemic, not sure how that's happened. She now has to go on a renal food diet, something like Royal Canine or Hills KD. I have to take her back on Monday to have her blood pressure taken.

Apparently this is what is causing the tripping and wobbliness. The vet asked me had Hattie ever had blood taken - NO. I am furious that my vet down south never took my concerns seriously, I have been asking about this for well over a year and all I got told was it's her cloudy eyes or she's getting creaky.

I am overwhelmed and don't really understand all of this and even if I have relayed it correctly, so if anyone does understand it I would be extremely grateful of a laymans explanation.

xx