HELP PLEASE! SICK MAL with unknown cause - Page 1

I have a 4, nearly 5, year old Bel Malinois named Bodhi. I've previous cared for 2 German Shepards and multiple other dogs. Bodhi is now my only dog as he has been throughout his life. About a month ago, he started to appear slightly lethargic, was dragging his feet more after our usual run/play times and increased shedding. He has a history of shedding when nervous but since he still has a full coat, so I assumed it was just because of summer coming. We live in Florida too, so time to get rid of the Winter Coat. Within the last week, he took a turn for the worst. He seems to be in pain and refuses to move. The VET has no idea what is wrong with him. We've taken him to see 3 VETS now, including a animal neurologist. He appears weak when walking, disoriented and tilts his head slightly. He refuses to eat unless medicine is in it and even then only small amounts. We've got him on Doxcycline and Prednisone. He's also started experiencing a varient of seizures which cause him to completely lock up all muscles and lose bladder control. I don't even know if he can make it through the weekend. Bodhi has been my rock in my life through a tough year. I'm afraid it might be Degenerative Myelopathy caused by an empathic stress from what I've been going through. He's always been a very sensitive dog.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY ADVICE OR MAY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE? PLEASE! All my Vets are clueless and the blood work doesn't get back until Monday.
I can be reached at 9*0*4* 451- fore se7en  WON four (varied numerals to min spamming calls - Fore & Won like the number it sounds).

Or try me at soblissedout@aol.com

Thank you!

Maxi

Blissed,

 You are local to me, which clinics have you taken Bodhi to? Have you called UF in Gainesville?

Beth

It sounds neurological...the neurologist could not find anything?
I'd do a cat scan to rule out brain tumor/swelling as well.

Well, he seems to have come round the bend.
He's much more responsive and his appetite has returned on some level. He had gotten to refusing to eat on Friday.  On a pseudo-"feel good" level, I've noticed less "fear" in his eyes too :-) Whereas he was unresponsive to even his favorite treats, he'll even try to eat beef jerky or popcorn now - things that used to make him go crazy with just the scent. :-)
We've noticed some other things: He has increased sense of vertigo and is not able walk as far when up. :-(  Though I wonder if this is just because we've been carrying him everywhere since Friday and he's gotten used to it. We're going to make him get up and walk around the house some today, though it is very taxing on him. His heart rate jumps really high. Haven't timed bpm.
His eyes also scan from side to side when not directly focused on something holding his attention.
Combination of these two leads me to thing it is Vestibular problem, which compared to the alternatives would be awesome. My friend had the same problems with her Italian Greyhounds.
He's also seemed to increase mucus production as he experienced wet coughs last night and we saw some mucus coming out of his nose during it.
Could this be an infection????

Either way, with a strong anti-biotic to fight infection and a strong steroid to fight histamine response/swelling, I'm actually optimistic again :-)

Thanks to the people on the forum who have contacted me. YOU ROCK! I really appreciate the assistance. What can I say>? Malinois' owners rule!

Oh, and I should clarify. His trouble walking (now) seems to stem from a lack of sense of balance, not lethargy or pain.

I am so glad to hear that Bodhi is doing better!! Definitely please let all of us know how he continues to do over the next couple of weeks. Has the Vet said anything more about a CAT scan or MRI?

Beth

It has taken me a while to repond because I had to put Bodhi down. He had 5 seizures in a very short period of time. Extremely damaging.  It has been very sad for me. Thank you for all the responses.
Maxi

i am sorry for your loss.  I know the pain.  i'm still getting over the loss of my dog (3 years ago) that I had to put down from Wobblers (GSD)

I am also very sorry for loss of Bodhi.  Did any of his test's confirm a diagnosis???   Companion loss can be so difficult to handle.  I have never considered my dog's as pet's.  They are Family member's.  Best to both you and your Family.
Beth