Early symptoms of SRMA?

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Muddy unicorn

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I’m keeping everything crossed that I’m wrong but I’m desperately worried that my 5 and a bit month old puppy has the early signs of SRMA. Unfortunately it’s something his breed is prone to so although it’s rare it’s not totally unheard of. Does anyone have any experience of the early symptoms?
 
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Muddy unicorn said:
I’m keeping everything crossed that I’m wrong but I’m desperately worried that my 5 and a bit month old puppy has the early signs of SRMA. Unfortunately it’s something his breed is prone to so although it’s rare it’s not totally unheard of. Does anyone have any experience of the early symptoms?
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Yes. My young Irish Terrier (under 12 months) had SRMA and recovered well. Early symptoms were that he was very quiet, progressing to having back and neck pain. He continued to eat, drink, wee and poo but it was if he had been playing too roughly. He was rushed to hospital but actually only needed a drip and paracetamol but it was very frightening. By the time he got 2 hours away to hospital he was screaming in pain if touched. It was extremely distressing tbh. If you think your dog has this, get it to a specialist vet asap. Some dogs can recover spontaneously but I wouldn't want to take that chance. I hope it is not SRMA but it can be dealt with if it is and you can act swiftly. Hoping your dog is soon much better.
 
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Quiet, high temp, neck pain shown by stiff low neck carriage, pottery gait, reluctance for certain movements. May well only show signs of being not quite right. Examination of the neck movements and temp by a vet will increase/decrease the suspicion for SRMA.
 
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palo1 said:
Yes. My young Irish Terrier (under 12 months) had SRMA and recovered well. Early symptoms were that he was very quiet, progressing to having back and neck pain. He continued to eat, drink, wee and poo but it was if he had been playing too roughly. He was rushed to hospital but actually only needed a drip and paracetamol but it was very frightening. By the time he got 2 hours away to hospital he was screaming in pain if touched. It was extremely distressing tbh. If you think your dog has this, get it to a specialist vet asap. Some dogs can recover spontaneously but I wouldn't want to take that chance. I hope it is not SRMA but it can be dealt with if it is and you can act swiftly. Hoping your dog is soon much better.
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Thank you - he woke up this morning and didn’t want to get out of bed - he was sitting hunched up in an odd way with his ears back. He didn’t want to go for a walk and was moving very stiffly. His neck seems sore - he’s eating and drinking as normal but is so quiet and sad - completely abnormal for him. I took him to the emergency vet this afternoon but they couldn’t find any obvious cause - apart from his neck being very sore when they manipulated his head to his chest. They sent him home with painkillers and advice to go to our normal vet first thing tomorrow.
 
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Initial symptoms were a fever, shaking and quiet.

Progressed to subtle hesitation putting his head down to eat or drink. Pain when moved when led down; he sleeps on our bed and if I moved in my sleep, he would yelp.

A dog with SRMA will often find bringing the nose into the chest painful.

He also had a small relapse which had different symptoms, walking with a very obvious hunch in the back.
 
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Muddy unicorn said:
Thank you - he woke up this morning and didn’t want to get out of bed - he was sitting hunched up in an odd way with his ears back. He didn’t want to go for a walk and was moving very stiffly. His neck seems sore - he’s eating and drinking as normal but is so quiet and sad - completely abnormal for him. I took him to the emergency vet this afternoon but they couldn’t find any obvious cause - apart from his neck being very sore when they manipulated his head to his chest. They sent him home with painkillers and advice to go to our normal vet first thing tomorrow.
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I don't think it is always easy to diagnose but if you can keep an eye on him overnight, if he deteriorates perhaps ring the OOH vet. Having had the experience once, I would not leave it long before asking for a specialist vet consultation and treatment. If it is SRMA Steroids will resolve it and whilst they can relapse, mine never has thankfully. I hope you can see a vet asap or that your dog looks much better soon.
 
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Jenko109 said:
Just read your description. I would be very surprised if this was not SRMA and would get him referred as an emergency to a specialist.
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Yes, that would absolutely be my course of action too. I wouldn't want to leave it overnight tbh but would try to arrange for an emergency consult.
 
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Muddy unicorn said:
Thank you - how fast did it progress?
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Initially it was quite slow; over the course of a day but then by 9pm that night (having seen a vet originally at 10 am) he was extremely unwell; he had to be sedated for the journey to hospital but was still in terrible pain. Once treated - overnight (and without needing a lumbar puncture to diagnose) he was much better the next day; just with a very stiff gait and very quiet. It took a few weeks for him to be completely himself again. If I thought my dog had this again I would definitely go for an emergency vet visit I am afraid. SRMA can be treated thankfully.
 
Jenko109

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Muddy unicorn said:
Thank you - how fast did it progress?
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Day 1: fever/shaking/quiet: vet gave him something to bring the temperature down

Day 2: no change: again, vet gave him another shot to bring temperature down. Evening of day 2, subtle hesitation with water/food bowl.

Day 3: woke me up crying in the early hours of the morning when I moved in bed (causing him to move) called vets as soon as they opened and insisted on immediate referral.

It can be very quick.
 
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Thank you both - they offered to keep him overnight but as they didn’t have the facilities to diagnose I thought he’d be happier at home - I’ll have a read of your thread now @palo1
 
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My daughters whippet puppy had this recently, started with neck pain and then developed a high temperature. She asked for a referral to a specialist hospital where pup was kept in for a couple of days, had a spinal tap and was treated with iv antibiotics and steroids. She improved quickly with this treatment and was allowed home where her improvement continued, although side effects of the steroids kicked in and she was eating, drinking and peeing excessively. She is now on a much reduced dose of steroids and is back to normal. Speedy treatment seems to be the key so I am glad you are going to push for a referral. Keep us updated as to how he is please.
 
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Positive vibes please - he deteriorated markedly between going to see our regular vet this morning and being admitted to hospital at lunchtime. The plan is blood tests and stronger pain relief today then MRI and spinal tap first thing in the morning. By the time I left him there he could barely walk and was crying out in pain when he moved his neck. He was still wagging his tail though when anyone spoke to him.
 
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Muddy unicorn said:
Positive vibes please - he deteriorated markedly between going to see our regular vet this morning and being admitted to hospital at lunchtime. The plan is blood tests and stronger pain relief today then MRI and spinal tap first thing in the morning. By the time I left him there he could barely walk and was crying out in pain when he moved his neck. He was still wagging his tail though when anyone spoke to him.
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Why aren’t they doing MEI and spinal tap today?
 
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palo1

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Muddy unicorn said:
Positive vibes please - he deteriorated markedly between going to see our regular vet this morning and being admitted to hospital at lunchtime. The plan is blood tests and stronger pain relief today then MRI and spinal tap first thing in the morning. By the time I left him there he could barely walk and was crying out in pain when he moved his neck. He was still wagging his tail though when anyone spoke to him.
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So sorry to hear this but fingers crossed that pain relief will help and that possibly further diagnostics not needed. It is a horrible thing and my poor lad deteriorated quickly too so I feel your pain. I am sure that your referral vet will do whatever is best for your dog so try to stay positive.
 
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