Brutus is 8 years old, VERY lethargic, losing weight - Page 4

ChristyA · #37 29th May 2008, 05:51 PM

Don't know where you are in Tenn. but Univ. of TN has a great vet school. They may be able to help you out on this problem.
Christy

Sablegirl · #38 29th May 2008, 07:47 PM

Good luck Brutus...hang in there and fight

karaintn · #39 30th May 2008, 08:46 AM

Christy- I'm on the other side of the state (Memphis). About 4 years ago we went to the Vet School as LSU for some issues with Brutus (LSU is about 6 hrs away, vs UT which is about 8 hours). We were impressed with LSU as well.

This morning Brutus collapsed and yelped at the same time. Maybe I was being too optimistic that the collapsing wasn't painful.

Kara

Gruntsmom · #40 30th May 2008, 11:59 AM

Thinking of Brutus this morning and sending out more positive thoughts and vibes - keeping you both in my prayers.

karaintn · #41 2nd June 2008, 07:40 AM

Brutus is deteriorating rapidly. His back two legs seem practically paralyzed, and he has to drag himself with his front legs to get down the hallway. He only leaves his bed twice a day when we force him to go outside and to eat something. I never thought anything like this could come on so fast! He went from stumbling a bit last week to being barely able to move around this morning. Such difficult decisions await us and I just don't know what it is best.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Kara

crowpete · #42 2nd June 2008, 11:51 AM

I am so very sorry to hear abour Brutus. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with Brutus and your family. We are here for you!!! HUGS

Gruntsmom · #43 2nd June 2008, 01:00 PM

Kara, I'm so sorry to hear about Brutus. My heart goes out to you and your dear boy, and I keep you both in my prayers. Your love for him will guide you. Sending you and Brutus hugs.

SweetCody · #44 2nd June 2008, 01:23 PM

I am so sorry to hear that things are going downhill so far so fast. Sending (((((((((((vibes))))))))))))) to both you and your dear boy. Look to your heart and the amount of love the two of you share whenever a decision is to be made. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

djheitz · #45 2nd June 2008, 07:05 PM

I'm sorry that Brutus is not feeling any better yet. One thing I didn't know about with our weim - there are carts made especially for dogs that lose the use of their legs. If you want to consider it, there are possibilities that may help. We couldn't have done it anyway - too many steps in the old house.

Cainsmommy · #46 2nd June 2008, 08:41 PM

Oh Kara i'm so sorry to hear about brutus. I hope things get better soon. thoughts and prayers and lots of sloppy kisses from my boys to you!

karaintn · #47 3rd June 2008, 08:19 AM

The vet suggested yesterday that we try Predisone so see if that would help with his back end functioning. He said it may not help but it can't hurt. So he took half a pill last night and half of one this morning. I can't tell yet if it's helping his legs, but I believe it is increasing his appetite, which is wonderful. There is absolutely nothing worse than seeing a frail bony dog struggling to walk.

His coat is also look really mangy - not smooth. I assume that's from his lack of eating/malnutrition. Does that sound right?

He ate a full breakfast this morning, which he hasn't done in a few weeks, so I'm hoping for some weight gain.

Kara

runboorun · #48 3rd June 2008, 11:03 AM

I logged on to look for other possibilities for my boy Hogan. Sadly, he has many of the same issues as your Brutus. I painfully watched my first boy, Boo, go through DM and I finally had to make the decision to set him free of his non working body, but that was 4 years ago.
Hogan came into my life immediately after losing Boo. We found each other at the shelter while I was still mourning. Nobody wanted Hogan because he was extremely shy and heartworm positive. Nobody except me. Its been 4 great years with Hogan, but in the last year, he has started to show similar signs as Boo's DM. His legs are getting weaker. He slides all over any area that is not carpeted, and he has the "knuckling" going on at times.
My heart goes out to you during this time.
One of the things you said that I can relate to is that you mentioned that Brutus will just stand in a room. I don't think that he's confused. Hogan would do the same thing. The problem is that they don't want to leave a carpeted area because they know they lose control on the bare floor. Hogan goes from carpeted area to carpeted area in the house. Even in the living room, he will stand on the carpet with his rear legs and only let his front legs on the bare floor. Its the same with water and food. Try feeding him on the carpet.
Like Brutus, Hogan was diagnosed with a thyroid problem, but his thyroid is low. Because of this, his immune system is weakened and he's had a bout with ringworm and hair loss. To say Hogan has seen better days is an understatement.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Brutus. I hope that you find some workarounds for his legs. I am going to be looking into a cart this week.