Help!!!! 7 month old with spine problems

[phembree]

Hi. I adopted Brutus a Frenchie puppy in May of this year. He fits right into our family and has quickly grown to be the center of attention. Recently we started noticing some laziness in his back legs. We took him to the vet for x-rays. Our vet stated that he has never seen a spine so deformed before and advised me that eventually he will need to be put to sleep.
I have contacted the Ohio State College of Vetrinary medicine and they said there might be some help for him. We could not get an appointment for him for a month. He continues to stumble and be awkward. Is there any advice or a referal to anyone in this area?
We don't want to accept that there is nothing that can be done for a 8 month old puppy who was fine just a short time ago.

[franp]

I think that the Vet you went to is an alarmist..There are a number of Frenchies that have come in rescue(www.frenchbulldogrescuenetwork.org) with serious back issues. Some have had disc herniations and surgery. Some are paralyzed and use carts.. But all are living with thier families even with these disablitlies..
The important aspect is that the families are willing to do what it takes to manage the dog's life..

Your dog is still walking and able to control its bladder and bowels.. It many NEVER loose function.. How can this Vet say something with such certainty? I know of dogs with OFA perfect spines that have become paralyzed and dogs with horrid spines that lived till a ripe old age with NO problem.

The head of OFA, Dr Keller has stated that there is no relation betwwen hemi vertabrae and degenerative disc disease..

If I were you, I would go to the nearest Vet school and find a specialist .Ditch the Vet you are seeing now.. and enjoy your dog..

[phembree]

Thanks for the input. He has an appointment with a specialist tomorrow.
There has been a noticeable decrease in ability to do things especially recently. He does not like to be carried even though his rear end does not cooperate all the times. He used to jump up on couch to sit and will no longer even attempt it. He just lies on the floor. He has wore his back nails down extremely low dragging his nails when he walks.
I am not sure how much to limit his activity because he loves to socialize. His most strenuous activity going up stairs and playing. We just don't want to see him deteriorate as quickly as the vet projected.
There is no question that we would prefer him to be handicapped than not to have him around. It is hearbreaking to see him lose his abilities over the past few weeks though.

[bulldoggin30]

Sorry to hear about your pup :( Just take it day by day and enjoy him. Ohio State is a great place, I'm sure they can help. By the way, where is Solon?

[phembree]

Solon is a southeast suburb of Cleveland.

[mdenglund]

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. I know how scary it can be to hear your puppy has a serious condition. Try to be optimistic, even though it can be hard. Do research online, try to find a recommended frenchie or bulldog vet near you google can be a great tool. We have a great vet here in MN. I know that isn't close to you, but often X-rays can be sent without you having to make a trip until necessary. Her name is Ann Windsor, I would suggest to google her. She has written books on frenchies. You may find someone very good, close to you. Keep your puppy happy and comfortable and take everything as it comes. All of us at the site are here for you and you will be in our thoughts. Best of luck and keep us posted.

[phembree]

We saw a specialist/ surgeon today. There is no help for Brutus. His spine is so curved that it has damaged his spinal cord. They did not even charge for the visit because they felt so bad. She said once it is damaged it will eventually just deteriorate to nothing.

She told us that she has seen a few surgieries in attempts to try to correct dogs with his condition, but the outcome is never pretty and often painful and has never had a good outcome. This condition is not exclusive to any particular breed, but she says it seems more common in Frechies, Bostons, and pugs. It is only seen in puppies because the damage occurs as thier spine grows.
Brutus will continue to stuble until he eventually looses all movement in his legs. He will reach a point where there will be no feeling in his legs and he will not be able to relive his bladder himself. She said we will know when it is time to let him go.
We will just enjoy the time we have left with him and spoil him all we can.

[Chefren]

I'm so sorry for your puppy.:(

Please read this article.

http://www.frenchbulldogvillage.com/grebe_interview.htm

btw. your puppy should be kept in crate or something so that he won't make worse.

[phembree]

New hope! Ohio State University called and presented his case to the surgeons. They gave him an appointment on Tuesday. The woman seemed optimistic. She has owned frechies herself.
We still have some hope that Brutus will get better. She says his age and breed is a good combination.
Someone's prayers must have worked.
We are back to limiting his activity rather than letting him do what he wants. I am hoping he is still able to walk by the time we get him there.

[bulldoggin30]

That's such great news! appicon We live in a subdivision of Columbus and have heard great things about OSU. Keep us posted!

[phembree]

We will. He is Ohio State's mascot. lol:)

[phembree]

Brutus is staying from Tuesday til Friday at OSU. He is having an MRI ,which the human MRI is only available for the animals on Thursday, and a spinal tap. Everything went well with the tests we are just waiting on the results. The staff there is awesome, way better than any people docotors I've ever been to. He has charmed them into spoiling him too.

He was seen by their surgeon who consulted with a neurologist before even talking to us about Brutus. They are unclear if the crooked spine is the problem or it may be an injury or illness that we were unaware of.They said most spinal deformities present no sudden symptoms or worsening in a quick period of time. More likely that if the deformity was an issue we would have seen problems from the beginning not starting at 6 months.

Worst case scenario is they send him home on some sterioids - anti inflamitory drugs and see how he progresses,

The surgeon said some spinal problems are not improved, but only complicated by surgery. Depending if the problem is due to the deformity of his spine he may be able to be stabalized so he does not get any worse. He has only seen one dog out of about 50 with Brutus's condition go back to normal. We are crossing our fingers that things do not get any ,worse.

[phembree]

Surgery is not an option for Brutus. The MRI showed he has stretched out his spinal cord.
His Spinal Tap revealed some inflamation so they sent him home on a month of steroids and pepcid with cage rest as much as possible. We joke he looks like a silverback gorilla because he has a square patch shaved in the center of his lower back.
I guess we will just enjoy the time we have left with him. Hopefully he makes it to his first birthday.....
He is such a trooper. You can't help but be happy when you are with him.

[bulldoggin30]

I'm so sorry about your pup. Just enjoy every moment with him!

[L. Cammack]

I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. My puppy, Bunny, was diagnosed with the same condition when she was less than six months old. Even Texas A&M could not help her so I elected to return her to the breeder for another puppy since her health was guaranteed. The day I returned her is still in my memory as the hardest thing I have ever done. It was weeks before I could ask the breeder what she and her vet, who is a Frenchie specialiast decided to do. I have to say that even the prospect of getting another puppy did not help ease the pain of losing my precious Bunny. My prayers are with you.

[French Queen]

I'm really sorry to hear about Brutus, when you are told something like this it really knocks you for six. Enjoy the time you still have with him, don't let him see you or hear you upset; these little dogs are so tuned in to our feelings.

My boy who had cancer was only given 5/6 months to live. I made everyday his Birthday. I made a video diary of our time together which I will treasure forever, it was so hard to make at the time but I'm so glad I did it now.

I know no words can possibly ease what you're going through but I wish you both all the best.

French Queen & the little clowns :)

[phembree]

No one gave Brutus much hope, but he was a year old in December and continues to improve!!
After an MRI and Spinal Tap we left OSU with a month of steroids and a prescription for cage rest. Brutus showed drastic improvement over the first 2 weeks and continues to amaze us. He no longer staggers when he walks and is a very happy active part of our house. He still can not jump up on furniture and has a hard time navigating steps that are not carpeted, but otherwise is fine.
One of the vet techs at OSU gave us some valuable advice. She told us to not give up hope. As Brutus grew his spine grew and the pressure on his spinal cord was elimiated. He may have a few handicaps, but has grown into a big, handsome, loveable, spoiled man.