Jimmy Whippet is really poorly :(

[bexVN]

Today we are shortly heading off for a referral to a neuroloy vet with a high possibility of Jimmy having an MRI. Don't think I've ever felt quite so much dread before and Fitz my cat has done his bes on thst score over the years!

My stomach is churning, my hands are shaking and I have been on the verge of tears since yest (well verge is not quite true I broke down in front of everyone at work!)

My dear, sweet, loving most wonderful Jimmy is a poorly boy and my boss is really concerned. She has been honest and has said she is worried that he ma have a brain tumour. I have never hoped so hard that she be completely wrong.

This is such a shock that I haven't had time to take it all on board (he was seen yest, appt today) I don't know why I'm posting this but I hope we're wrong (there is a chance of eg meningitis or a bleed on the brain) and I hope I can soon be smiling again because right now I don't feel I have a whole lot to smile about





Jimmy chillin' a few short months ago

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Thank you all for your words, still waiting on news, long day. DKL thank you for the info. Will keep it in mind.

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No brain tumour seen, which I am so relieved to be able to say but we are not out of the woods yet. The truth is they don't know what is wrong. They are going to get a top Neuro vet to look at the images asap.

I am for now just relieved that he is back home albeit very groggy and even more wobbly than before.

Still a very worried Mum (and Dad and family and friends!) one day at a time for now

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Jimmy enjoyed the snow today

He didn't want to be out long (couple mins) but he did have a bit of a run around, though sadly fell over twice due to his ataxia

I hope we get some answers because he's in a sad place right now re: long term quality of life.
Though maybe he'll get better on his own,



Tried to rotate the pic, failed miserably!

Edited by bexVN on Friday 18th January 20:50

Edited by bexVN on Friday 18th January 20:51

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thank you. I have poor tecchie skills as you see

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They are giving a look only a sighthound could achieve when being made to look daft (but still good-looking)

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Hi thanks for thinking of him.

I wish I had something good to day but no one can seem to put a finger on what it is and believe me they are trying. Both vets ck'd him today and scouring the books. A few possible but no conclusions. The Neuro vet couldn't see anything obvious on the scan.

Jimmy is miserable. He spends most if his days in bed, he did make a play for a toy yesterday but stopped as he lost balance. His ear twitch has worsened and his eye looks a bit worse. He's been started on Gabapentin in case he is getting a neuralgia.

More bloods done (clutching at straws) My boss is genuinely worried esp as she has never had something like this where no answer can be found

At least he still wants his food!

Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 22 January 20:25

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AdiT said:

Turn7 said:

Always hope if a dog is eating I reckon.....fingers crossed Bex.

+1 on this. Hope he feels better soon. My friends Whippet can go off his food if the weather changes so still eating has to be a good sign.

Thank you. Though Jimbo has rarely had issues with his food! He's eating ok but not eating his food all in one go all the time anymore, so there has been a change. No problems with dog treats though sadly these have to stop for a while as he now has diarrhoea. His L eye has worsened since yest and he now seems to be drinking more but balance (or lack of) seems about the same.

Really appreciating the support, it does help.

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fistofsteel said:

Just a couple of thoughts..

Have they done a CSF tap, may be worth doing even if the MR is normal?

Atlantoaxial subluxation can occur in mature dogs and usually the neck is extended for the MR so it doesn't show - just need a lateral neck with a bit of flexion to rule out.

Sorry if this is all already done.

Would he show any discomfort with this condition, in the neck? Would it cause the 'head' signs he's showing.
No tap has been done, what would this cover? (I know meningitis but not really much else) Any input appreciated, I really want to know what's going on

We've even run a complete thyroid profile as this condition can present with neurological changes. I know an answer may be bad news but at the same time I'd hate to miss something that could've been treated and we missed it.

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 24th January 09:55

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Thank you for your reply. They did include all of his spine. The only sl change was sl dehydrated disc and a tiny bit of bulging. However they sent the MRI to Mike Targett (who I may see in a week) and he just felt there was nothing to match Jimmy's symptoms. Shame they didn't do a csf tap at the time.

I did read up re neosporosis etc, so I will bear that in mind. Thank you for your time.

Ironically he had a 2 week course of Antirobe just before all this for a nail bed infection.

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 24th January 17:18

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 24th January 17:22

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Bobbins-is that good or bad .

I believe it was a static one (no huge van outside the surgery, I know they used to have a mobile one)

Looking at him today I'd swear his left eye is sinking into his head. I didn't notice the sunken appearance yest just the increase visibility of the sclera of that eye

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 24th January 18:21

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Bloody well hope it's a good one, it cost me £1,400 I don't expect pitiful for that!!

(hoping ins will cover it but there may be an issue, thank god for credit cards, though it'll take me forever to pay it off if they don't pay it)

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Not getting in the way at all.

Yes certainly crossed my mind and mentioned it to the vet but she didn't feel there was and if I'm honest he was displaying a few very minor symptoms before his nail bed inf.

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Karyn said:

I've got all sorts of 'House' (you know, that American doctor program) scenarios whizzing round my head now... All those 'mysterious', 'unsolvable' cases he solves... A mix of symptoms, from coincidental, simultaneous illnesses, where the diagnostician is looking for one wholiastic, medical reason to explain the symptoms, when really there's multiple illnesses, causing the different symptoms that are presenting simultaneously.



I'm really rooting for Jimmy Fingers crossed for a diagnosis soon


( at cost, as well! Especially considering what fistofsteel is saying!)

thank you Karen that's the first time that I have been able raise a smile about Jimmy's illness since I became aware of it. Where's Hugh Laurie when you need you need him.

Edited by bexVN on Thursday 24th January 19:55

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Amazing how the smallest of things can suddenly become so important.

Jimmy is still poorly and still wanting to sleep/ rest lots etc but today he interacted with play more than he has done for days. It has wiped him out now and we are talking less than 10 mins but to see his enthusiasm continue for more than a couple of mins was nice, he staggered a bit/ stumbled etc but seemed to be able to hold himself a bit better. (sadly he then went down on his back legs as he jumped on the settee)

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 27th January 12:53

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'See you Jimmeh!' Jimmy says thank you though sadly he's had a bad turn this evening, settled now but a disappointing setback. Raised my hopes too quickly I think

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Aww poor Monty, so glad he made a full recovery. YHM

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Jasandjules said:

bexVN said:

'See you Jimmeh!' Jimmy says thank you though sadly he's had a bad turn this evening, settled now but a disappointing setback. Raised my hopes too quickly I think

How is he now?

He fell onto his side at work today just going round a corner he hasn't got loads worse and at times seems 'OK' but his signs never go away completely. It's all very stressful 2013 has currently been a st year.

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Jasandjules said:

bexVN said:

He fell onto his side at work today just going round a corner he hasn't got loads worse and at times seems 'OK' but his signs never go away completely. It's all very stressful 2013 has currently been a st year.

Oh I am sorry to hear that. Perhaps Chris Day might come up with something that might help? Even if only a little?

Is that Yertis? I'll be grateful for any ideas as everyone is at a loss right now, I'm not sure what the future holds as even if he gets no worse I won't be able to walk him properly or not worry that he won't fall and hurt himself. I know I'm being negative and I don't want to be.

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GokTweed said:

Hi Bex, this is a shot in the dark and only came to mind really because i've just had a set of exams and there was a question regarding what i am about to mention.

What about a type of Spongiform encephalopathy? I know dogs seem resistant to developing this kind of disease but there have been papers published showing a some cases in dogs and as it seems a lot of things have been ruled out perhaps its worth consideration?

would an MRI not show changes with this type of condition? How do they diagnose it?