Boris is very unwell.
Discussion
This is Boris. He's my 10 year old Samoyed.. and he is not very well. Over the past week he has suddenly got very wobbly and prone to falling over/walking into things. He also zones out a lot, and now sleeps with his eyes open but rolled into the back of his head. He cannot seem to settle sometimes, and paces the floor (when he isn't wobbling or falling over) He also vomits from time to time.
Despite being unwell, his wonderful, gentle character is still there, and despite finding it hard to stand he still wants to greet you and say hi at every opportunity.
After a number of tests the vets are thinking are something in his head (tumour?) or perhaps canine meningitis. Either way, it's not too good and to be honest I really don't know what to do. An MRI is £2k apparently, but the insurance will only cover £500 of that. But if its a brain tumour do I really want to put him through the pain and discomfort of such a massive operation?
He has been a truly wonderful animal, a veritable life saver. He is so well known in the area. Everyone loves Boris and his smiling gentle ways. To see him like this, when just a few weeks ago he was leaping around like a puppy is just heart breaking.
Can anyone help me with more information on Canine Meningitis? I have looked at the on-line stuff but I just cannot get my head around what I should do for the best.
A couple more pics of my lovely lad:
They have ruled out vestibular as a reason then?
Could they not just try tx for canine meningitis without the scan, would it really make things worse to do that.
Have they given him anything yet?
MRI can help provide a lot of info (as long as csf tap inc) often to rule things out.
Remember it's early days yet do make sure a few things first before you make any decisions
I really understand what you are going through it is very hard to watch them struggle but at this time there is a chance of helping him.
I hope there is improvement soon
(and if no answers they try will prob try steroids)
I don't know if I'd put him through an op to rem a brain tumour of that's what it is. Not something I've ever known a dog to have done (not saying they aren't done though) I suppose it'd depend on where it was etc
Could they not just try tx for canine meningitis without the scan, would it really make things worse to do that.
Have they given him anything yet?
MRI can help provide a lot of info (as long as csf tap inc) often to rule things out.
Remember it's early days yet do make sure a few things first before you make any decisions
I really understand what you are going through it is very hard to watch them struggle but at this time there is a chance of helping him.
I hope there is improvement soon
(and if no answers they try will prob try steroids)
I don't know if I'd put him through an op to rem a brain tumour of that's what it is. Not something I've ever known a dog to have done (not saying they aren't done though) I suppose it'd depend on where it was etc
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 30th January 15:27
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 30th January 15:34
bexVN said:
They have ruled out vestibular as a reason then?
Could they not just try tx for canine meningitis without the scan, would it really make things worse to so that.
Have they given him anything yet?
Vet has discounted vestibular cos his eyes aren't doing the side to side thing they would expect. Also his ears are Ok apparently. Could they not just try tx for canine meningitis without the scan, would it really make things worse to so that.
Have they given him anything yet?
Bloods and urine have come back ok, with no sign of infection so far - hence the tumour / meningitis options they are now considering
Edited by andymadmak on Thursday 30th January 15:43
bexVN said:
They don't always (though it is a common symptom). My dogs eyes rolled to the back of her head when she got one.
Have they given him any treatment yet, I'm hoping yes.
Have they done a complete thyroid panel?
Don't know about thyroid. Have they given him any treatment yet, I'm hoping yes.
Have they done a complete thyroid panel?
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 30th January 15:47
They have given him some syrup to settle his tummy, tramadol, and vivitonin - I think one of those is a pain killer?
They want him to see a neurologist tomorrow.
Tramadol is an opioid based pain relief it can have strong effects in some dogs inc sedatory, restlessness, blurred vision and difficulty sleeping
My cat sat staring into space on it!!
Vivitonin is useful if it is vestibular improves oxygen flow in the circulation.
I would definitely visit neurologist tom.
My cat sat staring into space on it!!
Vivitonin is useful if it is vestibular improves oxygen flow in the circulation.
I would definitely visit neurologist tom.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 30th January 16:22
Gorgeous dog.
I've now had experience of palliative treatment in 2 pets with cancer, a cat and a dog: the mog had a brain tumour which had already been growing for a LONG time when it was diagnosed, he lived a full year on high dose steroids and although he slowed down towards the end it was definitely quality time worth having. The dog died just a few weeks ago of bone marrow cancer (myeloma) and she was able to have chemotherapy - like with people, myeloma isn't curable but chemo can sometimes keep them in good health for a relatively long time.
What I'm getting at is, if it's offered/possible, don't rule out surgery just because it's surgery and has a big recovery period - if it might give you and Boris a good 6 months, year, 2 years... or more even (no idea how long Samoyeds typically live), then it's at least worth considering.
I really hope all of the above turns out to be completely irrelevant and that he's back to his usual self in a few days.
I've now had experience of palliative treatment in 2 pets with cancer, a cat and a dog: the mog had a brain tumour which had already been growing for a LONG time when it was diagnosed, he lived a full year on high dose steroids and although he slowed down towards the end it was definitely quality time worth having. The dog died just a few weeks ago of bone marrow cancer (myeloma) and she was able to have chemotherapy - like with people, myeloma isn't curable but chemo can sometimes keep them in good health for a relatively long time.
What I'm getting at is, if it's offered/possible, don't rule out surgery just because it's surgery and has a big recovery period - if it might give you and Boris a good 6 months, year, 2 years... or more even (no idea how long Samoyeds typically live), then it's at least worth considering.
I really hope all of the above turns out to be completely irrelevant and that he's back to his usual self in a few days.
Well, he's been to see a specialist neurologist today and the news is not good. It looks like my beloved Boris has a brain tumour. I don't want to put him through an operation at his age, so we are just going to try to keep him happy and comfortable until the end game arrives.
He's not in pain, so that's a blessing.
I am heartbroken
Thanks to everyone for your kind messages.
Thank you Boris for being such an awesome member of my family.
He's not in pain, so that's a blessing.
I am heartbroken
Thanks to everyone for your kind messages.
Thank you Boris for being such an awesome member of my family.
Thank you everyone for your kind messages.
They say your dog chooses you, and that was certainly the case with Boris. I saw him in a litter of 8 pups when he was just a few weeks old, and he was the only one to toddle over to me and sit on my shoe and start chewing my laces. I was chosen at that moment, and I have been blessed to have had him in my life for the past 10 years.
Thanks again.
They say your dog chooses you, and that was certainly the case with Boris. I saw him in a litter of 8 pups when he was just a few weeks old, and he was the only one to toddle over to me and sit on my shoe and start chewing my laces. I was chosen at that moment, and I have been blessed to have had him in my life for the past 10 years.
Thanks again.
I'm not a regular in this forum but thought I'd have a peek.
So sorry to read your story and I hope you have some good quality time in the future.
We lost our very much loved Burmese yesterday. He was just over 14 it appears he too may have been unwell for some time. We were also offered an MRI scan but after 4 days this week at the vets and a bill already of £1600 with a very, very unwell friend we decided to bring him home Wednesday evening and he passed away in my arms yesterday morning, there really was nothing else we could do and at his age the scan would have probably been wasted. Having spoken to the vets and researched on the net I find it bizarre his illness points towards one called 'Cushing's Disease' and he died 10 years to the day (and almost to the hour) my Dad died of the same rare disease
It's strange to those who don't have pets how attached we get to these little friends - they give so much to their owners and it's hard when they go - I've heard it said a home without pets is simply a house and I think I agree with that sentiment
Enjoy Boris, he looks such a lovely chap and I'm sure he's in the best possible hands.
So sorry to read your story and I hope you have some good quality time in the future.
We lost our very much loved Burmese yesterday. He was just over 14 it appears he too may have been unwell for some time. We were also offered an MRI scan but after 4 days this week at the vets and a bill already of £1600 with a very, very unwell friend we decided to bring him home Wednesday evening and he passed away in my arms yesterday morning, there really was nothing else we could do and at his age the scan would have probably been wasted. Having spoken to the vets and researched on the net I find it bizarre his illness points towards one called 'Cushing's Disease' and he died 10 years to the day (and almost to the hour) my Dad died of the same rare disease
It's strange to those who don't have pets how attached we get to these little friends - they give so much to their owners and it's hard when they go - I've heard it said a home without pets is simply a house and I think I agree with that sentiment
Enjoy Boris, he looks such a lovely chap and I'm sure he's in the best possible hands.
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