Bassett Hound and ongoing problems

[sasolis]

I am unpatiently waiting for the vets to open once again. Last night Copper never came in to bed and this morning I found him outside unable to get up. Hub and I carried him in and he is wrapped in a blanket, he is resting but seems to be in pain. He couldn't seem to lift his body up and I can't figure out if it is the back end or front.
He was just at the vet last Saturday, I felt a suspicious lump fortunately it turned out to be nothing out of the ordinary. Heartworm test is neg, he is on preventative, shots are up to date and he seemed to be fine.
He seemed to be ok up until yesterday, he didn't have an appetite in the morning but ate later in the day. He didn't want to come inside so I left him out with the foster pup we have and wrongly assumed he had came in later after I went to bed.
I went out this morning fearing the worse with a flashlight and found him in the far corner of the yard, laying, I feared he wasn't breathing. He responded some when I petted him but he couldn't get himself up. I woke hub in a panic and we got him in the house. Now we are just waiting to get him back to the vets asap.
Please pray, my almost 8 yr old boy has had a rough year. Copper contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever this past fall and had been gravely ill. He had been in and out of the vets three times and was his old self after the third round of meds. Sadly right after he was diagnosed we had two more cases in the area and one pup never made it.
I will post later with whatever the Doc finds today.

[Tambrey]

I would be calling the vet NOW and getting in NOW...most all vets have emergency services....call the office and get that number.....
DO NOT WAIT....TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!!!

[Marty]

As the owner of Bassets, I second what Tambrey said. This is definitely an emergency situation, and the faster it is taken care of, the better the chance of success.

It sounds like it could be a ruptured disc, and both of us have been there with this. Please keep us updated when you can...sending prayers for Copper.

[Tambrey]

ruptured disc is exactly what I thought of right away...our doxie had that happen 2 years ago....he had successful surgery, which MUST be done within 48 hours after rupture to be even considered successful, and now he runs and scrooches all over the place...one would never know he was paralyzed....

prayers that the doctor was able to figure out what happened and that something could be done for Copper....

[davet]

ruptured disc is also on top of the list..you can safely give him an aspiri if the vet visit is in 6 or more housrs. away..may not help but it is better that nothing...gentle backmssage might help also at least it will help you...

[sasolis]

We got Cop to the vet by 830am. He was kept all night and is still there. The doc said he responded some to IV and antibiotics, was able to get up and move a little. Xrays and lab work are being done and hopefully he will have some idea today. He hasn't ruled out lingering affects of Rocky Mountain, he said some dogs do have continuing issues even with good care.
Not sure about the ruptured disc? This is the 4th hospital stay since he contracted the RM virus and some of the symptoms seem to repeat; fever, lethargy, no appetite, shaking/tremors, stiffness, but this is the first time that lameness or him being unable to walk or get up has come up.
I trust my vet, he is in good hands. I pray today we get news of what may be going on. I will update later today.

[Marty]

Thanks for coming back and updating us. I think the reason we all thought immediately of a ruptured disc is because it is not uncommon in dogs with long backs..Bassets and Doxies.

Sounds like he has enough with RM and doesn't need back problems as well! I have no experience with that, but I'm sure Traci may have something to add when she sees this. Wishing you and Copper the best! These Bassets know how to wiggle into your heart!

[Traci]

I personally would test for lyme disease, and a full immunological profile, your vet might be missing something else (that might be secondary). I'd also rule out neurological (whether that is immunological in nature or not), obstruction or GI tract inflammation, joint or bone disease and tumors. Have xrays been done? Has he had a full heart workup?

What was the lump and where was it located? How was it determined not to be of suspicious nature?

You mentioned rocky mountain spotted fever cases in the area and a pup who didn't make it, was this your pup? Do you have puppies at home, and if so, how many?

[sasolis]

Lyme was ruled out when all the labs were sent off in the fall. At that time we were unsure if it was Lyme, Rocky Mountain or something else.
Xrays show nothing, no obstruction, no bone problems, etc. Unsure about a heart work up.
The lump was near where his rib cage meets in the chest, nothing suspicious per the vet, not normal but not abnormal?
The pup that died was not mine. I have two others and they have been healthy, no tick born disease or anything else. Foster pup is also healthy. The vet thought for sure that one of the other dogs might get sick but they have been fine.
The vet put him on 1o days of antibiotic and to be followed up with another type in 10 days.
He is home, worn out but eating, drinking and walking.
The vet was reading up on RM virus today and it may have affected his immune system to the point it could be up and down for a while.
I know what to look for thank god and to get him in right away but it is very frustrating watching him goes through these boughts. Other than what the Doc says, not sure what other course of treatment could be done?
Thanks for all the support.

[Traci]

Lump not suspicious according to the vet. What did he do to address that? Did he do a fluid aspiration or determine it was a lipoma or did he recommend to remove it? Was it subcutaneous or attached to muscle or bone?

Perhaps another PCR should be done to determine if circulating antibodies are present, this would help the vet determine if this is related to RM or something else.