paralysed chihuahuah

[carolg]

I'm looking for advice re my chihuahuah/toy poodle Ginge. She has become paralysed in all four legs, though she still has feeling in them. She cant stand up, but has control over other functions - eating, tail wagging, licking, though seems to have lost some control over waste removal. She does not appear to be in pain. A few days before the paralysis she lost volume in her bark. I have taken her to two local vets who referred me to a diagnostic centre. However they are a long way off and charge an enormous amount of money for MRI's which I have been told would be needed. I would be happy to pay if I thought there was hope for her survival, however I'm concerned that it could result in medical intervention which may not succeed anyway. Has anyone out there come across this type of problem?

[k9mania]

I would look for an orthopedic vet specialist, an accupunturist that is also a vet. I have seen the accupuncturist do great things. There are also carts for dogs with major weakness in their hind legs. You do not want to make your pet go through major pain. Here is a website for holistic vets in Australia http://www.hataa.asn.au/mapoAust.htm. I hope this helps.

[carolg]

I would look for an orthopedic vet specialist, an accupunturist that is also a vet. I have seen the accupuncturist do great things. There are also carts for dogs with major weakness in their hind legs. You do not want to make your pet go through major pain. Here is a website for holistic vets in Australia http://www.hataa.asn.au/mapoAust.htm. I hope this helps.

Thanks for this, I will make inquiries. Because her bark is affected, and also because she does appear somewhat fragile, I worry that it might be a tumour, perhaps near a nerve. I have actually found a very slight mound on her back, near the top of her right leg and she signals discomfort when I press it. I'm not sure what this might mean as I know nothing about dog anatomy and diseases. Thanks again for your interest.