Davey presented to the UC Davis Neurology/Neurosurgery service for evaluation of an abnormal gait in
the hind limbs. On neurological exam today he does have voluntary movement in his hind limbs but they
are weak and cause him to have an abnormal gait in the hindquarters. He has absent placement
reactions (will not right his foot when we flip it over) in both hind feet. This has progressed from his
previous evaluations which noted slow but present responses in first just the right and then both hind
legs. The condition appears non-painful but he is able to sense pain in his back legs. His problem was
localized to the spinal cord in the middle of his back
The most likely cause for Davey's paresis, given his breed and history, is a disc herniation. Other causes
of spinal cord disease in dogs include neoplasia (cancer), trauma, inflammatory diseases, and infectious
diseases. A full work-up would be necessary (bloodwork, chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and either
MRI or CT + myelogram) to determine the underlying cause of Davey's spinal cord disease.
We discussed that diagnostics and possible surgery would be the best option for Davey. We understand
you may have options for a more discounted work-up and procedure with hospitals in the San Diego
area that your organization has affiliations with, as UC Davis does not offer discounts to rescue groups.
We discussed that it is likely Davey's signs will continue to progress and that we recommend surgery
sooner rather than later (in the next week or two rather than month or two).
During the interim from your departure here to Davey's treatment in San Diego, he will require some
specific care to minimize and additional unnecessary damage to his spinal cord.
CRATE REST:
Davey should be kept in a crate or small, confined area at all times except to carry him outside to urinate
and defecate. You can carry him outside 3-4 times a day to go to the bathroom only. Please have Davey
on a leash at all times when he is outside to prevent excessive activity. Davey can sit with you, but he
should be back in his enclosure when not directly supervised. No running, jumping, playing, or roughhousing.
MONITORING:
Please watch Davey carefully for any further progression of his signs. If he becomes suddenly worse
(unable to walk, urinate etc.), he may need surgery even sooner than we expected and should be taken
to a capable hospital as soon as possible.
Thank you for bringing Davey in today. He is a very sweet boy and we wish him the best and a good
forever home in the future.
If you have any further questions or concerns please call us at (530) 752-1393
Senior Student: Lisa Kentfield
Resident Clinician: Dr. Cona Anwer
Faculty Clinician: Dr. Karen Vernau
DOWN NO SURGERY
NAME presented to the UC Davis Neurology/Neurosurgery service for evaluation of being unable to walk
in the hind limbs. On neurological exam today he has no voluntary movement in his hind limbs and does
not appear to have any pain sensation in his hind limbs. His problem was localized to the spinal cord in
the middle of his back
The most likely cause for NAME's paralysis, given his breed and history, is a disc herniation. Other causes
of spinal cord disease in dogs includes trauma, inflammatory diseases, and infectious diseases. A full
work-up would be necessary (bloodwork, chest x-rays, abdominal ultrasound, and MRI) to determine
the underlying cause of NAME's spinal cord disease.
Although diagnostics and possible surgery would be the best option for NAME, these are not feasible
options for you. We discussed that it is unlikely NAME will ever walk again. He is also unable to urinate
on his own. To care for him at home he will need extensive nursing care for the rest of his life including
expressing his bladder, physical therapy, and keeping him clean and dry. He may do very well with a cart
so he can go for walks.
Based on the smell of NAME's urine he may have a urinary tract infection. We recommend treating with
2 weeks of antibiotics and then culturing his urine when you have completed the antibiotics. We can
then see if he has cleared the infection. Because Charlie cannot void his bladder normally, he is prone to
urinary tract infections and should be monitored for these.
CRATE REST:
For the next 6 weeks, NAME should be kept in a crate or small, confined area at all times except to carry
him outside to urinate and defecate. You can carry him outside 3-4 times a day to go to the bathroom
only. Please have NAME on a leash at all times when he is outside to prevent excessive activity. NAME
can sit with you, but he should be back in his enclosure when not directly supervised. No running,
jumping, playing, or rough-housing.
MEDICATIONS:
Prednisone (5mg tablets): Give 1 tablet once per day for 3 days, then every other day for 4 days, then
stop. Please do not use this medication with any other steroid medications or NSAIDS such as aspirin,
Rimadyl, Metacam, and Deramaxx.
Prazosin (1mg capsules): Give 1 capsule about an hour before you are going to express Charlie, twice per
day.This medication is to relax Charlie's urethra and make it easier to express his bladder. Side effects
include excessive lethargy and weakness. If you notice these signs please discontinue the medication
and call us as it may be a sign of low blood pressure. If you are still having trouble expressing his
bladder, please call as well as we may be able to increase the dose.
Clavamox (125mg tablets): Please give 1 tablet by mouth every 12 hours until gone. This medication is
an antibiotic. In some dogs this medication can cause stomach upset (vomiting, diarrhea, inappetance).
We recommend giving this medication with food to reduce this side effect.
MONITORING:
Please watch NAME carefully for any further difficulty breathing. If you notice that he is working harder
to breath please contact the neurology service as Charlie may need to be rechecked.
Please also monitor NAME's urine for increased odor, blood in the urine, or dribbling urine. This may
indicate that Charlie has a urinary tract infection.
FEEDING:
NAME is at a good weight at this time. We recommend continuing his current diet unless he continues
to lose weight. You should be able to easily feel his ribs but not see them.
RECHECK:
We recommend returning in 3 weeks for a urine culture and to meet with our physical therapist (Dr.
Frank) to discuss fitting NAME for a cart and any further exercises you can be doing with him at home.
You have an appointment on Friday October 5th at 11:30 with us, and then 12:00 with Dr. Frank.
Thank you for bringing NAME in today. He is a very sweet boy and we hope he feels better soon.
Resident Clinician: Dr. Cona Anwer
Faculty Clinician: Dr. Maggie Knipe