ADVICE NEEDED - 6mo Old EB Puppy - can no longer walk

[brunothebully]

Hello All Bulldog Lovers - I recently got an EB puppy.. She is 6 months old and was full of life until, Wednesday 3/16/2022. She threw up around noon and was acting very funny, frozen in her stance, walking slowly, could tell she was in pain and was having trouble breathing. I gave her water and she eventually threw up again, this time the throw up was not just her food, but also the tag from a hand towel. (I have the entire hand towel, she only ate the tag). Her bad breathing persisted for the next few hours. I took her to the ER to get treated, her HR was 180, after x-rays it was determined she had Aspiration Pneumonia. They also found out she has bi-lateral hip dysplasia from the x-ray. I had her stay overnight at the Vet to be treated for the Aspiration Pneumonia. I went to check on Bailey the next morning and her breathing was slightly better, but SHE CAN NOW NO LONGER WALK. How did this happen over night while she was being treated for Aspiration Pneumonia? (No one at the vet was able to tell us why or how this happened after we were told she was under supervision at all times and in the intensive care unit. This is very scary how my 6 month old puppy walked into the vet, but had to be carried out, unable to walk)

We immediately took her out of that vet and moved her to a large regional animal hospital with a Neurologist. After examination of the dog and review of the X-rays, it was determined by the Neurologist, the dog has in addition to the Aspiration Pneumonia and Bi-Lateral Hip Dysplasia, Spinal Bifida and Degenerative Disc Disease (spine is compressed). It has been 48 hours since she threw up and everything began to turn for the worse, I am writing this on 3/18/2022. She currently is alert, has life in her, is eating, but she can not stand herself up on her own or with assistance, she just sits pretty much on her tail. The doctors are worried she is getting worse with her legs and it is undetermined as this moment if she is paralyzed in her back legs. When they do a deep nerve test by giving a pinch to the dogs legs, she reacts to that.

I am writing this note on the forum to see if anyone out there can shed some light on how a dog can walk into a vet and after 12 hours not be able to walk. Could it be due to the spinal issues? Did she have a stroke? What will the future look like for this dog? Will spinal surgery work or will she slip another disc shortly after? What type of life can this dog live with this many issues at such a young age?

We will not know further answers until the dog undergoes an MRI, but her lungs are too weak for that currently. Once she recovers from the pneumonia we will get the MRI to determine the exact location of this issue on her spine. I understand this dog has two major genetic issues and I will be contacting the breeder to figure out why he would breed sick dogs. I appreciate all of your feedback and insights during this scary and unpredictable time.

 

[Manydogs]

Spinal Bifida and Degenerative Disc DiseaseI am so sorry to hear of this. You need to contact your breeder and tell them. How long have you had her? Unfortunately, it sounds like the prognosis in not good and her life will be difficult, and very expensive. It will be your decision of what is best, but definitely contact the breeder because this is most likely due to bad breeding AND a bad breeder. See what @oscarmayer says.
I know you love your pup, but decisions will have to be made as to her future.

 

[1Chumly]

I can be of no help but I just wanted to say how sorry I am for you and your pup.

 

[Cbrugs]

Unfortunately it sounds like very bad breeding. Sorry you are going through this with that poor baby.

You definitely need to reach out to the breeder. Responsible breeders will give a health guarantee on their puppies for at least 1 year. Did this breeder give a health guarantee?

 

[oscarmayer]

I would question the SB diagnosis...leave that to a specialist. It's possible but...
I assume she is not incontinent. Unexplained incontinence is one of the first signs of Spina Bifida.

It's possible that at 100% health she was able to work(play) through the pain of the hip dysplasia. That will get more difficult as she ages. Once past the pneumonia(and I hope she can get there) & her lungs are back in order, her strength will come back and, hopefully, she'll be back to "her" normal and supporting her back end.
First step...get her past the pneumonia.
Next...determine if she is, in fact, an SB pup.
If not SB, then address the severity of the hip dysplasia.

 

[Mmsaxman]

I agree with suggestion of bad breeding. But remember, even if she loses the ability to walk on her back legs, there are devices that help dogs live full lives. Don't give up and hoping for a full recovery for your baby.

 

[mmesophie1]

I had a puppy with pulmonary stenosis and tearfully for both of us the breeder took him back after we had had him for 2 months. She no longer breeds this line. We acquired a new puppy from another breeder and then were asked if we wanted our sick puppy back, for free, and of course we accepted and gave him palliative care, which was expensive!! You should have some relief from this issue, at least purchase money should be returned.

 

[Penelopes Family]

So sorry bout your baby. I follow this group on FB...maybe you could reach out to them for guidance. https://www.facebook.com/opierescue/

 

[2BullyMama]

I have no insight but will begin sending healing prayers for your baby

 

[VooDoo & Breezy Cano]

Hello All Bulldog Lovers - I recently got an EB puppy.. She is 6 months old and was full of life until, Wednesday 3/16/2022. She threw up around noon and was acting very funny, frozen in her stance, walking slowly, could tell she was in pain and was having trouble breathing. I gave her water and she eventually threw up again, this time the throw up was not just her food, but also the tag from a hand towel. (I have the entire hand towel, she only ate the tag). Her bad breathing persisted for the next few hours. I took her to the ER to get treated, her HR was 180, after x-rays it was determined she had Aspiration Pneumonia. They also found out she has bi-lateral hip dysplasia from the x-ray. I had her stay overnight at the Vet to be treated for the Aspiration Pneumonia. I went to check on Bailey the next morning and her breathing was slightly better, but SHE CAN NOW NO LONGER WALK. How did this happen over night while she was being treated for Aspiration Pneumonia? (No one at the vet was able to tell us why or how this happened after we were told she was under supervision at all times and in the intensive care unit. This is very scary how my 6 month old puppy walked into the vet, but had to be carried out, unable to walk)

We immediately took her out of that vet and moved her to a large regional animal hospital with a Neurologist. After examination of the dog and review of the X-rays, it was determined by the Neurologist, the dog has in addition to the Aspiration Pneumonia and Bi-Lateral Hip Dysplasia, Spinal Bifida and Degenerative Disc Disease (spine is compressed). It has been 48 hours since she threw up and everything began to turn for the worse, I am writing this on 3/18/2022. She currently is alert, has life in her, is eating, but she can not stand herself up on her own or with assistance, she just sits pretty much on her tail. The doctors are worried she is getting worse with her legs and it is undetermined as this moment if she is paralyzed in her back legs. When they do a deep nerve test by giving a pinch to the dogs legs, she reacts to that.

I am writing this note on the forum to see if anyone out there can shed some light on how a dog can walk into a vet and after 12 hours not be able to walk. Could it be due to the spinal issues? Did she have a stroke? What will the future look like for this dog? Will spinal surgery work or will she slip another disc shortly after? What type of life can this dog live with this many issues at such a young age?

We will not know further answers until the dog undergoes an MRI, but her lungs are too weak for that currently. Once she recovers from the pneumonia we will get the MRI to determine the exact location of this issue on her spine. I understand this dog has two major genetic issues and I will be contacting the breeder to figure out why he would breed sick dogs. I appreciate all of your feedback and insights during this scary and unpredictable time.

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. She must be scared. I agree that this is bad breeding. Maybe this is IVDD. Dogs with this loss mobility in their back legs. It can be treated in some cases depending on severity. She can live a happy life even if this is permanent. Aspiration pneumonia is such a scary thing. Sending positive vibes and prayers.

 

[Daisy1010]

So sorry to hear this. Not sure if it is of any help. But I got my lovely EB in Jan, she is now almost 6 months. But not long after I got her she became very lifeless and in pain. Took her to vet school as they discovered she had Discospondylitis (infection at bottom of spine). So she was put on antibiotics (still is) but they also thought SB. They then thought it came from urine infection. But we just had to wait and see. Anyway, within days she was like a new puppy again and still is. However when we went back for yet another check up and she got bloods taken they she has a liver shunt. So she cannot clear toxins etc which would account for infection. They will continue for now on antibiotics but say she may need op which will be risky. She is also on Purina food to avoid protiens. Just don`t know how it will go in future but for now, she looks completely fine and happy.