URGENT!!! 4th day in ICU - neurological issue unclear. Possibly Encephalitis or Lymphoma

Jaxsonthebulldog

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Aug 1, 2016
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Jaxson
Hoping for some help or direction. Our 2.5 year old english bulldog Jaxson had what appeared to be a seizure Thursday night (July 28th) and 4-days later is still in ICU with cause unknown. Will try to give as much detail as I know. Suggestions, own experience, help would be greatly appreciated. (for history of Jaxson please go to [MENTION=16188]Jaxsonthebulldog[/MENTION] on instragram - https://www.instagram.com/jaxsonthebulldog/

Jaxson has been fighting what we thought and were told by the vet (and a separate visit to the hospital) was a middle ear infection for the past two months. Concerned, we followed up with vet visits regularly. Prognoses was always that he had a middle ear infection. During this time he has been on antibiotics, antinausea, steroids, naturopathic drops, and Vitamin B injections. Some days were better than others, but the basic symptoms included,
-head tilting to the left
-lethargic
-loss of balance at times
-loss of appetite
-weight loss
-depressed/disconnected
-occassional moaning

Thursday evening Jaxson appeared to be agitated/wouldn't keep still, pacing back and forth and breathing heavily. We attempted to give him water, but he wouldn't drink it. I picked him up and when I placed him on the floor his front paw was beneath his belly and he couldn't seem to get up from that. He then panicked and started having what appeared to be a seizure.
Panicked, I drove him to an emergency hospital.

Jaxson went into ICU immediately. Electrolytes were low (better now). Wet him and put ice packs underneath him to cool him off. Gave him Valium and put him on IV. He has since had x-rays, blood work, MRI and a spinal tap done.
-x-rays good
-blood work came back good with slight elevated numbers in his liver, but so small it was okay.
-spinal tab showed 0 count on white blood cells (the norm is 0-4)
-MRI showed an irregular area in the right brain stem and an irregularity in the right medulla.

Bit of a mystery as to what the underlying cause is.

In the front part of the brain there are fluid chambers called ventricles. His are quite large. Neurologist is not putting too much weight on this because most bulldogs can have large ones. If they are big it can be a disease called Hypersephalus - these normally can develop signs at 1-year of age. Jaxson will be 3 in October.


What specialist did see in the MRI that shouldn't be there was an irregular area of brain in the right brain stem. In the right medulla. That will explain why he's delayed to correct the paw-claw correction test.
The only other thing they saw that's irregular in the brain was on that same side in the cerebellum (sits right above the medulla). But that won't cause the dull and circulating to the right, which he does do sometimes recently.
Dull, pacing, circulating - these are usually symptoms of the front brain.
-Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, but his spinal tap was normal, no elevated white blood cells.
Middle-inner ear seemed ok on MRI
The other consideration is Lymphoma in the brain, but this usually has high white cell count and targets older dogs.
-They see dysfunction in an area of the brain, but struggling on the underlying cause. The diagnostics do not fit nicely with the dysfunction.

Can anyone please help? The worse part is not knowing.
thank you in advance.
mdr
IMG_0611.JPGFullSizeRender.jpg
 

cali baker

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I'm so sorry your boy Jaxson is going through this. It's so heartbreaking when our bullies are sick and the cause is unknown. I don't have experience w/neurological disorders in my own dogs but I know others on this forum have and hopefully will be able to give you some words/input. In the meantime, what is the course of Jaxson's hospital stay now? I take it he's still being worked up by the neurologist? Hugs to you and your family!
 

Corine Pesantes

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Oh! My heart is breaking for you right now. While I can't offer any advice, I can pray for Jaxson and your family!


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Marine91

The New Casper
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I wish I had some advice I could give but sadly I do not know as I have never been through what Jaxson is going through. Al I can offer is to keep him in our thoughts and prayers hoping that he recovers.
 

Bizzymammabee

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No experience but I would like to add my prayers and send some ❤️ for you both.


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OP
J

Jaxsonthebulldog

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Aug 1, 2016
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Jaxson
  • Thread Starter
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  • #7
Thank you for your comments cali, they are very much appreciiated.
The timing of Jaxson's seizure (possibly) didn't help. It was the middle of the night, Friday morning before a long weekend. They had all of Friday to do tests, but after that the hospital was without specialists for the long weekend. Should be back to full staff tomorrow, so we are really hoping to hear further news. Because of the seizure, vomiting and sensitive state, he has been on full watch since we brought him in.
-Vestibular disease, Encephalitis, cancer, cerebellar atriophy, myasthenia gravis - beat it, thrive or die. I have read everything since Friday that my head is about to bust. We just need to know what he's in for.
ugh x
 

helsonwheels

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Jan 10, 2016
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There was some in here had almost issue. Hang on will page someone as she knows them all...
[MENTION=2894]2BullyMama[/MENTION] who was the person her dog had same issue as Jaxson?
 

helsonwheels

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Jan 10, 2016
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Nyala, Jake (R.I.P. Duke)
Hoping for some help or direction. Our 2.5 year old english bulldog Jaxson had what appeared to be a seizure Thursday night (July 28th) and 4-days later is still in ICU with cause unknown. Will try to give as much detail as I know. Suggestions, own experience, help would be greatly appreciated. (for history of Jaxson please go to [MENTION=16188]Jaxsonthebulldog[/MENTION] on instragram - https://www.instagram.com/jaxsonthebulldog/

Jaxson has been fighting what we thought and were told by the vet (and a separate visit to the hospital) was a middle ear infection for the past two months. Concerned, we followed up with vet visits regularly. Prognoses was always that he had a middle ear infection. During this time he has been on antibiotics, antinausea, steroids, naturopathic drops, and Vitamin B injections. Some days were better than others, but the basic symptoms included,
-head tilting to the left
-lethargic
-loss of balance at times
-loss of appetite
-weight loss
-depressed/disconnected
-occassional moaning

Thursday evening Jaxson appeared to be agitated/wouldn't keep still, pacing back and forth and breathing heavily. We attempted to give him water, but he wouldn't drink it. I picked him up and when I placed him on the floor his front paw was beneath his belly and he couldn't seem to get up from that. He then panicked and started having what appeared to be a seizure.
Panicked, I drove him to an emergency hospital.

Jaxson went into ICU immediately. Electrolytes were low (better now). Wet him and put ice packs underneath him to cool him off. Gave him Valium and put him on IV. He has since had x-rays, blood work, MRI and a spinal tap done.
-x-rays good
-blood work came back good with slight elevated numbers in his liver, but so small it was okay.
-spinal tab showed 0 count on white blood cells (the norm is 0-4)
-MRI showed an irregular area in the right brain stem and an irregularity in the right medulla.

Bit of a mystery as to what the underlying cause is.

In the front part of the brain there are fluid chambers called ventricles. His are quite large. Neurologist is not putting too much weight on this because most bulldogs can have large ones. If they are big it can be a disease called Hypersephalus - these normally can develop signs at 1-year of age. Jaxson will be 3 in October.


What specialist did see in the MRI that shouldn't be there was an irregular area of brain in the right brain stem. In the right medulla. That will explain why he's delayed to correct the paw-claw correction test.
The only other thing they saw that's irregular in the brain was on that same side in the cerebellum (sits right above the medulla). But that won't cause the dull and circulating to the right, which he does do sometimes recently.
Dull, pacing, circulating - these are usually symptoms of the front brain.
-Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain, but his spinal tap was normal, no elevated white blood cells.
Middle-inner ear seemed ok on MRI
The other consideration is Lymphoma in the brain, but this usually has high white cell count and targets older dogs.
-They see dysfunction in an area of the brain, but struggling on the underlying cause. The diagnostics do not fit nicely with the dysfunction.

Can anyone please help? The worse part is not knowing.
thank you in advance.
mdr
View attachment 100380View attachment 100379


http://www.englishbulldognews.com/f...48925-seizure-related-ear-infection-meds.html
 

Ftse 100

Bully lov'in wonder from down under
Mar 25, 2012
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I have no experience here but am sending prayers for a safe recovery for Jaxson
 

ddnene

EBN's SWEETHEART aka our little GOOB
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I am SO very sorry to hear about Jaxson, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...

I had a boxer that went thru a somewhat similar issue, but she ended up having cushings disease. It causes small tumors on the brain, and other organs in the body. I will tag some people who may be able to help... their bulldogs have had seizures as well.
 

rjisaterp

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I like to echo what most have already said. I sort of was through this when Jewel had her bout of pancreatitis. Her liver enzymes were up and they did not know the cause. After a sonogram was performed a diagnosis was rendered and treatment began. I thought we were going to lose Jewel but after the treatment she bounced back. I do hope the vets can help Jaxon but not knowing what to treat is difficult. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to you, your family, and of course Jaxon.
 

Libra926

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I've read thru this and I'm stumped. Since I have a seizure baby... anytime a story comes up I think "get an MRI to determine if there is a brain lesion". You've already done that... I'm so sorry about your baby. Not knowing would kill me too. Prayers to you that a correction/cure is found for your sweet boy.
 

Manydogs

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I am praying for your boy,Jaxson:pray:and you,that they find the answers. His symptoms also sound like symptom of MS.
 

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