Hello all. I posted a week or so ago about Damsons nit wanting to go for a walk, her sudden stopping and occasional lying down. I had been back and forth to vets over a couple of months re her being 'flat'. Full blood work ups revealed nothing. She has digestive intolerances and chronic skin flare ups. But we managed all of this and had a happy lab who loved people and the world( bar the occasional small, yappy dog she might encounter) I finally asked fir a case conference at my vets, and got one. For the first time her gait and movement were monitored( she walks well and confidently when she gets going, the suddenly - stop) and her neck and joints examined for flexibility. I also mentioned an occasional cough, which had previously been dismissed. Full sets of X-rays show small bony growths on 3 cervical vertebrae, some on elbows, but nothing significant for 7.5 yr old dog, apparently, and nothing that would suggest this was the cause of her problem. So, back to that cough....evidence of early laryngeal paralysis. That plus the sudden stopping and 'absences' at those times - only seconds long- apparently suggest possible myasthenia gravis. Another blood test has been done, results awaited .possible neurophysiology visit looms. I am out of my depth here. Oh yes and today she has had several episodes of urinary incontinence. Which is a first. Has anybody been through this? I want to ask the right questions to get the best possible outcome.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? I'm afraid I don't have any helpful experience, but wanted to say how sorry I am that you're going through this.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? I`m sorry , I don't have any experience of this either, I am sorry that you are going through such a hard time , hoping you have some answers soon x
Re: Myasthenia gravis? I am very sorry to read your post, such a worry for you. I am afraid I have no experience of this. I have known it in a human.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Sorry to hear this; so worrying for you Again, I'm afraid I don't know anything about this in dogs, but I hope someone here can help you.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? I'm afraid that it is new to me too. But I wanted to say I admire you for persisting so hard to make sure your beloved dog was properly examined. Please let us know how things go.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Thank you all for the good wishes. It helps to share. Will keep you updated on results and progress. Damson fast asleep beside me as I write.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Sorry, no experience here either. Just wanted to send you both virtual hugs and hope the vets can get to the bottom if everything {{ hugs}}
Re: Myasthenia gravis? So sorry to hear this. I know a very little about this in humans. Can remember droopy eyelids being a diagnostic feature. I think reasonable success with medication. Pretty rare though. Think I will try and find out more.....have you had any success on vet sites??
Re: Myasthenia gravis? It's a new one on me, too. Hugs from here as well. I hope you find the answers quickly, sometimes the worst is the not knowing. Please keep us posted!
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Myasthenia gravis is rare in dogs but often can be successfully treated, and certainly the clinical signs you describe could be compatible. Blood testing is usually diagnostic. Other diseases will also cause very similar clinical signs, especially hypothyroidism which is common but I reckon your vets will have checked hypothyroidism first - worth asking if you don't know for sure. Let us know how you get on and if she does have myasthenia gravis I'll post some more.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Waiting for the results of the blood test for this, due next week. Thyroid function and levels are fine, and she doesnt have Addisons or all sorts of things. We seem to know a lot about what she doesn't have... Damson has to be encouraged to leave home. She is wary of the lead and I am lucky enough to able to access a bridle way within 20 feet, so coaxed her into this, off lead. She has 'absences' and I have to draw her attention to me. She wags when she 'sees' me, and comes in. She started off at a neat pace this evening for a few hundred yards by my side. This takes us to a stream where she always plays and stops. So far so good. Then she left the stream and sat down, a little hunched figure, going no further. I said ' home' and she happily turned round and set off. On the return trip she 'froze' 3 times, a walking dog in suspended animation. Each time I had to call her attention back to me. She walked happily back after each absence, although the lovely jaunty tail was missing..... So, test results first. She never freezes in the garden, just out. I am going to take her to our regular beach walk this weekend and see how she copes with that. So far, no problem with jumping in or out of the car - and she has always loved the beach.....so very, very sad and worried. Your support and any insight means a great deal. Thank you.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Poor Damson and poor you I hope you get a diagnosis soon and hopefully she can get the right treatment. It's hard when you don't know what is happening to her and why. Hope you have fun at the beach tomorrow
Re: Myasthenia gravis? I just wanted to let you know that you are both are in my thoughts and prayers. I do hope that an effective course of treatment is sorted out soon,
Re: Myasthenia gravis? I hope you have a lovely time at the beach tomorrow. ;D It's impossible not to worry but by this time next week you will hopefully know what the problem is and be getting some treatment for her and getting back to normal. Got my fingers crossed for you.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? They do make us so worried when something's wrong... I hope that things are looking up in the next week or so.
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Really sorry to read about Damson....this is something I've never heard about .....you are taking really good care of her , let us know when you get a diagnosis Best wishes Angela x
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Hello all. Still waiting for the blood test results. Have left a message chasing them up. It's frustrating. Meanwhile: last weekend at the beach was great, happy and alert with only one brief 'stop', and that was partly because Damson and OH had put some distance between me and my elderly arthritic dog. No swimming as I was worried she might have a 'freeze' episode in the water( unlikely, but you start to imagine all scenarios when faced with the unknown), plus, if it is MG, and she already has early laryngeal paralysis, I am afraid of aspiration of water into lungs. Fear is insidious......that apart, the rest of the week has seen a generally more alert and happy dog, asking to go out, just as she used to, at times running and jumping freely over the common and in the local woods. Sometimes the lead is tolerated/ accepted as normal, sometimes not. It took coaxing and 20 mins to get her to the post box 200 yards away from the house on one occasion. On/ off lead made no difference. I am now being looked at as the crazy lady who capers and makes funny noises to attract her dogs attention.....! Don't care if it works and snaps her back to me! Will let you know when I hear more. I am minded not to vaccinate until this is resolved. It's an insurance requirement, so a Catch 22, as I need the insurance to pay for all the investigations/ treatment. Anyone been in this situation, and do you know of any without aluminium as a valent?
Re: Myasthenia gravis? Hello all. Still waiting for test results. This dog has me perplexed! But in a good way? We have had some lovely and lively off lead romps, some great beach walks and even a couple of good walks on lead since I last posted, with only a couple of minor 'freezes'. She sometimes plays inside again, but also takes her self off to a corner by the front door from time to time. Appetite is fine and she looks in great condition. Is any or all of this consistent with MG? If anyone knows? I don't get the blood results until next week and am trying to make a coherent and comprehensive list of questions to ask my vet when I go back. I have had Labradors for many years,been through injury, surgery cancer etc. but this is uncharted territory.......I need to be objective and dispassionate to get the best result and information. I just wonder if we are ' barking up the wrong tree' - as it were!
