An update on Herman's 'weirdness'

M

MollyMoomin

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www.petandanimalfeeds.co.uk
If anyone is interested :unsure:

Anyway, I posted a while back about taking him to the vets because he paced rather than ran and was essentially not behaving as a 2 year old Weimer should.

Vet did x rays which showed nothing but still agreed something wasn't right, he just didn't know what. Asked him what he would do if it was his mutt, he said nothing as to all intents and purposes, he is healthy, he isn't in pain - he just runs a bit weird. But for peace of mind all round, he would refer him to a vet who saw far more of 'odd' cases than he did.

So today we dutifully toddled off to GodLikeVet (and Googling him it seems he really is GodLike) who conveniently enough was only in Harrogate (10miles). Was fully expecting to be told I was neurotic which the first vet made me feel (a big deal is always made about how much of a wimp Herman is) but no :(

GLV thinks its either his spinal cord or something neurological so Herman is going back next Thursday for a spinal tap (I have had to come back and uncapitalise those ;) ) and more x rays. Depending on what comes back from those, he could well be being referred to Newmarket for an EMG.

I don't really know how I feel atm. While I feel vindicated there IS something wrong, the words 'spinal cord' and 'neurological' are striking fear into every part of my body. Especially as apart from the running weirdly, he is a healthy dog, he plays, he runs, he doesn't LOOK like a dog who may have something hidiously wrong with him, if that makes sense?
 
I can understand your mixed feelings. But you should congratulate yourself that you knew your dog and knew something wasn't right with him. Fingers crossed that the x rays find something easily treatable and Herman is soon back to his normal self. I know its probably pointless saying it but try not to worry.
 
A friend had a similar "not quite right" feeling about her young Borzoi.
One MRI later & he has no cerebellum. A congenital tumour has prevented it growing & he lacks coordination & balance. He is fine otherwise & doesn't know what he is missing.
 
I hope u get a good outcome. I know how u feel and I work in a vets. I thought I was losing the plot in regard to my wirehaired pointer, finally one vet listened and did the tests I asked for, the day the meds arrived he was paralysed:( luckily the meds where a miracle drug and we caught it in time, had I not been so insistant he would be dead now.
 
Oh what a worry they put us through:( Fingers crossed its something fixable or its something he can live with.

Well done for seeking further advice and as MM said try not to worry.
 
Thank you - one minute I'm telling myself its nothing awful, the next I have myself convinced I am going to find myself with some decisions to make on Thursday.

He had a great walk (for him :rolleyes: ) this morning - chasing pheasants (i know...) for a dog who struggles to find a gravy bone in plain sight, he has an uncanny knack for flushing pheasants out of my FILs wheat! Chasing his ball (and dropping it into the ditch - I can't get it out as I have a sprained foot, courtesy of guess who... Its a funny story) finding his ball, pouncing on stones, ditch running....

And so the story of my sprained foot.... A boy at work claimed he could run faster than the dog so with Friday 9th April being a lovely sunny day, I had the weekend off, was in a good mood, yaddayadda I decided he could actually do the race.

Jed and Herman set themselves up on the other side of the carpark, I stand in the shop (which was empty of customers! THankfully...) and shout go, cheering the dog to come on as they run. To be fair to Jed, he WAS in front for a fair way but then he slowed down to take into account running through the (open) shop door and being in the shop. Herman did no such thing and only started to brake when he saw me stood. I had turned to talk to another member of staff so didn't take into account the dog not stopping. Herman slid into my my legs took them out from under me, completely - nearly landed flat on my face. However, I did not, I sat on my foot instead. :clever: Dog saw me on the floor thought we were cuddling. :rolleyes: Oaf. He is none the worse for the mishap. I have only just ditched the crutches. Did I mention it was my birthday Monday?!
 
It's a really difficult situation to be in, but you should be proud of yourself for knowing your well dog enough to insist on more tests. Try not to worry too much, at least now you are on the way to a diagnosis and you can deal with problems as and when they arise. The fact that he is happy and mobile is a huge bonus and whatever the problem at least it's not affecting his ability to enjoy life.

Belated happy birthday!
 
He's in good hands, try not to panic, and hoping for a good outcome :)
You're a good owner. I know people who don't even notice that a dog is dead lame, never mind 'just not right'.
 
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