We have an almost seven year old Rottweiler who has been healthy his entire life except for two shoulder surgeries at age 2 and 3. He has been a very active dog who also requires mental stimulation given to him by his adoptive parents. He has had a well-considered and researched diet his entire life. He is absolutely the centerpiece of our lives.
Recently, one day he suffered an unusual gait in his left hind leg. Overnight, his leg became non-weight bearing. The next day it occurred in the right hind leg to the extent that both hind legs were non-weight bearing. They remained sensitive to reflex and pain testing but he did not know where his legs were and tried to walk on the knuckles of his hind legs. He could voluntarily move his hind legs.
MRI’s, blood work, and spinal tap were basically clean. Normal degeneration of the spine has occurred, with no compression noted on the spinal cord. He appears to have a smaller than normal spinal cord for a dog his size, 112 pounds. There are no other apparent deficiencies.
He has been diagnosed with possible FCE (stroke) on an exclusionary basis only as there is no concrete medical evidence as to yes or no. Medical management, confinement to a restricted area, short necessary walks, massage, range of motion physical therapy, acupuncture and water therapy have all been suggested and are underway.
Water therapy and passive physical therapy seem to assist appreciably in his rehabilitation . After one week, he has progressed from no walking ability in his hind legs (his hind was carried in a sling) to walking over 100 yards on each walk (with the sling for stability only). He is close to being able to stand without help. He is totally cooperative with his therapy and clearly wants to get better. His vet, water therapist, and Washington State Veterinary Hospital have been absolutely wonderful in every way possible.
Our Questions:
Are there experimental or otherwise medical or surgical intervention possibilities available to veterinary science today for this condition and if so, what?
Secondly, are there other non-medical procedures that should be considered or have been successful with other patients having similar conditions?
We are willing to try anything reasonable.
