Really worried about Jax...again

[Amanda F.]

Jax has been acting a little off since we returned from vacation a few weeks ago. The ataxia in his back end is bad, like it is after a cluster of seizures. To my knowledge he has not had a seizure since December 27, 2012. He has been laying around more than normal, not really playing much. Medicine time has always been a favorite for him but for the last week he will barely take it and sometimes spits it out. He wasn't taking treats yesterday, he never refuses food of any kind. I called the vet earlier to see if I could get him in today or tomorrow but they are booked so I scheduled an appointment for next week. I was planning to have his phenobarb and potassium bromide levels checked and see if we could slowly lower the dose since he has been doing so well. I was thinking that maybe his levels are too high and maybe that was why he has been acting a little off. Well when I got home today I noticed that one of his pupils were dilated. So he had one really big and one small. I went straight to the computer to see what could be causing it. Medication was listed as a cause in some instances so I decided I would add it to the list of things to speak with the vet about. Again I'm thinking his meds are causing the issues. Well I had just bought the boys a new bag of food and Jax LOVES to eat. I filled his bowl, he walked over sniffed it and walked away and laid down. That NEVER happens. I added some coconut oil and he just looked at me. I placed the food on the floor and he smelled it and began licking it. I noticed he wasn't eating normally so I thought maybe he had a tooth or gum issue. I tried to open his mouth and couldn't. He was not fighting me...his jaw will not open more that an inch or two. I got back on the computer and called a long time vet tech friend of mine. She believes it has to be something neurological. From everything I read and all that she had to say it doesn't sound good. I was going to rush him to the ER vet but I am really not happy with any nearby. And since he has had so many trips the funds are not exactly there for another one at the moment. So unless something changes tonight, I will be calling his regular vet first thing in the morning. I'm sure they will see him once I tell them what's going on. He does not seem to be in pain or distress in any way. Just a few minutes ago he was playing and chasing an ice cube across the floor. Has anyone dealt with anything like this before?

 

[Bailey's Mom]

I have no information to ease your fears, but I hear your pain. You are not alone. It must be very hard waiting for a post with useful information, but it sounds like a very difficult case. I hope I don't offend you by saying this, but I will pray for Jax and you.

 

[Amanda F.]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it! We will take all the well wishes and prayers we can get

 

[Sadies Mom]

Is he able to drink water?

 

[Amanda F.]

yes he is. From all I've read it seems like this may be it http://www.ehow.com/about_6530373_canine-myositis.html

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Wow Amanda! I hope he is alright but hope for a speedy recovery and that all goes well.

 

[Sadies Mom]

I am no help here, but I hope your vet will be able to squeeze him in. If you massage his jaw muscles, does he seem to be in pain or discomfort? I am not sure if it should be done or not. Hoping for the best.

 

[Amanda F.]

Thanks Mary. I hope so too. Just when I think we are getting on the right track with him something else comes up...and there are never any answers! Its so frustrating and heart breaking. I love him to death and want more than anything for him to be happy and healthy.

 

[angelbears]

We are so sorry Jax isn't feeling well! Sending healing thoughts for Jax and calming thoughts for you. I firmly believe this is a minor bump in the road.

 

[Iymala]

Healing thoughts for Jax. I hope you get some answers and treatment options at the vet.

 

[Amanda F.]

Thanks everyone. I hope this is just a bump! @Sadies Mom I was massaging his face last night. He really enjoyed it when I was rubbing higher near his ears. When I moved down lower he would take it for a minute and then sort of pull away. I thought maybe it bothered him so I kept the massage up higher and he was fine with that...well more than fine. If I stopped I got the upside head flip and he looked at me like "Why exactly did you stop?!"

 

[Amanda F.]

I just spoke with the vet, he has an appointment at 9:45am. I'll let you all know what we find out. Please keep the prayers and well wishes coming!! This boy needs all he can get.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

Goodness gracious Amanda my heart goes out to you and your family. Sending good thought s your way.

 

[Sadies Mom]

Keep us posted. Healing vibes to Jax!!!!ray:

 

[ruthcatrin]

Crossing fingers for you!

I know of a lady who has a pug who can't open her mouth all the way, but I don't know the cause, I'll see if I can dig out her blog....

 

[angelbears]

Jax, go and show mom there is nothing to worry about. Glad you could get in today. Ya'll have been in thoughts all morning and will continue to be until we get the thumbs up.

 

[Sadies Mom]

Try to stay of the internet searches. It is hard. I tortured my self when Sadie was sick. Unfortunately, my research was confirmed and correct, but not as bad as all the web sites suggested.

 

[musicdeb]

Sorry to hear about Jax. Titan sends healing vibes... Let us know the result of the vet visit today.

 

[Amanda F.]

We just got home from the vet. She was pretty stumped by his symptoms. She said we could try prednisone but it lowers the threshold for seizures and works against the phenobarb so we may end up sending him into a cluster...and the pred may not even help. Option two was to take xrays of chest, neck and skull and sedate him to see if they could manipulate his jaw when his muscles were relaxed...problem being that they didn't have the time or staff to do that today. Option 3 is send him to Purdue University. They have tons of specialists but none are in today. I talked with Jason and we decided to go with Purdue. Our vet called them and they said, if Jax is stable (which he is) that they would rather me bring him up on Tuesday when all the specialists are in. Obviously if he gets worse we will take him sooner but right now he is doing ok. So we have an appointment Tuesday morning at 9:00am. They did ask that our vet do a chest xray and blood work so we had that done today. Our vet said they would probably do an MRI or CT scan along with some other in depth testing at Purdue. They quoted a price of up to $2500 just for tests. I was able to have my credit limit raised with Care Credit but that will barely cover the testing. I don't know what we will do if he has to have surgery. The vet techs suggested that we do a fundraiser of some sort but I have no idea where to start with that. My little sister is checking into some options for me. I am pretty drained at the moment. Thanks again to everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Crossing fingers for you!

I talked to the lady with the pug that I mentioned and she says they never did figure out why the pug can't open her mouth all the way, but that she IS slowly getting better. She did suggest looking at canine mytosis.