Terrier troubles

[lehughes]

This is another e-mail that came to me, but I'm posting here for others to see and provide opinions.

Hello Laurie

I'm not a qualified vet rehabber or CCRP student (yet) either.

I'm a qualified canine bowen and massage therapist and certified hydro therapist (have my own water treadmill) and soon to have laser (waiting on the spectra vet laser to arrive)

I had this lovely old 15 yr female, desexed, Blind, Tenterfield terrier in yesterday.

Client had visited the vet prior to me and vet diagnosed a pinch nerve in back and prescribed meloxicam. This was a subjective opinion no scans were performed and owner has chosen not to as we are 4-5hrs away from specialist vets and equipment where we live.

this video is only short and not showing huge detail.
https://youtu.be/F_CLbx_tb-8
{Note to others: cut and paste this into a new URL bar to watch the video.}

Reactive/sensitive to right- T11 - T13 and bilaterally L6-7, and Right S1-3.

When Palpating the cervical sensitive at C2-4 on right side.

Right forelimb paw placement landing medially, minimal flexion in hindlimbs with right worse than left hindlimb.

Conscious Proprioception (paw placement test) was positive in all four limbs.

My question Laurie, and I do realize this is hard to observe. What your thoughts are and what this doggy could be suffering from? pinched nerve? The vet that prescribed meloxicam didn't even put a hand on the dog for assessment just observed and prescribed meds consult all over rover in 10 minutes!!!(according to the owner)

What would be the best options for treatment given we don't have an objective opinion to work with.

We are really backwards here in the country (4 hrs from a major city or any specialists) in terms of rehab. I'm working hard to get vets on board with my hydro facility (I only take vet referral as I respect the opinion of the vets before commencement of hydro) the younger vets are keen but its a slow process however i'm optimistic and were slowly getting there)

I really want to help this doggy be as comfortable as possible any suggestions from your amazing mind and expertise would be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully my laser arrives soon!

Thanks heaps Laurie!

Kind Regards

K.

[lehughes]

Hi K,

I’m going to post this on the forum (anonymously) to see if others have any ideas as well.

So firstly, because you have front and rear involvement, if we believe this to be from one lesion / issue, then that puts it in the neck, or above, or systemic.
As such, your differentials are spinal cord compression in the neck, something in the brain, or a ‘chemistry’ issue.

So, it’s likely prudent to encourage bloodwork and a cervical x-ray. If it’s in the brain… well, that would require a CT or MRI (which personally are not things I’d pursue unless owners are aware that they are looking for a tumour and would potentially want to treat it).

From a rehab perspective. I’d focus on the neck. My treatment plan would include laser, neck mobilizations, neck traction, show the owner how to do traction at home, perhaps a portable PEMF unit.
It sort of puts you in a pickle, the manual therapies are what I’d focus on. There’s videos for the traction. You could try that - comfort is key. And then laser when it gets to you!

I hope this helps!

Cheers,

Laurie