Final diagnosis for General

[Shelly]

The new vet said he had a stroke.  Which was one of the things my normal vet suspected.  He may improve on his own, it just takes time.  I am devastated and feel really helpless.  What I wouldn't give to see one of his crazy quirks right now.  I wish he would take off and do the zoomies, or anything!!!

The vet looked at a few more things than my other vet, after hearing me go through the test she had run and what she said.  He also tested his urine, and it was normal.  He looked into his eyes and didn't see any swelling which would suggest neurological.  He did say General's back legs had swollen lymph nodes, which could be causing some of the back leg issues.

It's just so weird, he had these flu/respiratory issues.  Must have just been a coincidence that he caught a bug at the same time as the stroke.

Please keep General in your prayers that he will return to his normal, crazy, spaz-like self!!!!

[Shell]

Poor General. Lots of prayers for him and his family.

[Jerr_N_Tiff]

oh how heart breaking! Our thoughts are with you and General (((hugs)))

[winwinsmom]

Good thoughts and prayers coming your way.  Hope General is back to normal soon 

[Jerr_N_Tiff]

Can I ask how they came up with a diagnosis of stroke?  Did they do a CT?  I'm just curious..

[Shelly]

Bascially, they did all other tests and checks that they could, and stroke was the only thing that made sense when all the tests came back ok.  They said I could go to the Ames Veterinary School and get a CT and MRI, but even then nothing could be done to reverse the stroke.  I was researching online on caring for dogs with strokes, and am now wondering if it's Vestibular Syndrome, which has very similair symptoms.  General always has a lot of ear buildup, which I clean out every other day.  The first vet gave me a medicated wash, to use twice daily, in addition to my normal ear cleanser every other day.  Vestibular Sydrome can be caused by other things too, though.  And generally improves in a couple week.

Either way, stroke or Vestibular, I am optimistic for a recovery.  I will help him through this.

[ksdstny]

i'm sorry to hear this. i hope everything turns out well for general.

[brumzoo]

It is rare for dogs to have strokes but it is possible. That weird incident I had with Bozz at the beginning of the year may have been a stroke. The other possible diagnosis is a brain tumor. Bozz is still blind in his right eye but other than that, is now himself.  It did take him about a week to get back to normal. The only way to know for sure is a CT and MRI but there would be no treatment, so we are just going to keep going like we have been. 
Prayers and kisses for General and hugs to you! 

[Q-T Dozer]

I read your other post that mentioned an URI and the symptoms including congestion, heavy breathing, eye discharge, lethargy, and weakness... all of which are symptms my pup had back in November, including a sudden loss of appetite. He was 4 1/2 months at the time and it was a real ordeal to have to go through. Much like I'm reading about your experience, the vet was unable to give me a definite diagnosis but in the end had assumed it was an URI. The first week was the hardest until we found a medication that agreed with him. He was extremely lethargic to the point where he could barely hold his head up let alone stand. I got through it by taking time off work to consistently coax him to drink water and eat small portions and would perform cupping (I think thats what its called) on his sides to try and loosing up some of the gunk he had built up in his chest. Also, I placed a warm air mist vaporizer next to his bed and turned my bathroom into a sauna for about an hour every 8 hrs or so. This site helped big time too! He is 7 months old as of today and is all better, though he can still sound a bit wraspy at times, so I still use the vaporizer once and a while and do "cupping" daily. Maybe  General doesn't have an URI but he definitly has alot of the same issues that my Dozer had. The post from my ordeal are all under Immediate Health Issues:

PLEASE HELP! 4 1/2 Month EB Now at Veternary Hospital
« on: November 03, 2010, 04:43:42 PM »

I'm sorry to hear about all that you are going through and truly hope General has a speedy recovery!

[Susan & the bullies]

Sending out lots of love to you and General! I hope and pray that whatever is going on clears up quickly. The uncertaintly makes it sooo stressful -- in addition to seeing him sick.      Pleases let us know how he is doing. I'm keeping him close in my thoughts. 

[buddha]

Oh goodness...I am so sorry about General!  I hope he starts feeling better soon.  Sending lots of good thoughts your way...please keep us posted on how he's doing.   

[DwightsMom]

Lots of hugs!