Remember Matilda and the tick paralysis?

Well, it's back. Or all of the symptoms are anyway. I can't find any ticks on her. Came on exactly the same way. Was fine when I got home from work last night, ate dinner with her usual gusto. Woke up this morning and she was laying alone in the other room. Boys were not home last night so they can be removed from the equation. Didn't get any food (other than her dinner) from me. Was with Bob in the kitchen all day yesterday, he's acting fine (thinking they got into something).

The symptoms are:

• doesn't want to be touched, staying away from everyone else... in another room.
  
• not moving much, can move but doesn't want to. However, if I touch her or hold her, she has all of her strength to get away. Full body exam doesn't show any particular place that bothers her.
  
• refusing all food
  
• sleeping with her head up, obviously not resting well. Looks uncomfortable.
  
• eyes more bulgy than usual.
  
• panting
  
• licking lips, smacking mouth often.
  
• not peeing as usual, but went when I touched her - flooded the floor
  
• tail tucked, walking wide-stanced
  
• 
  

Editing to add - head shaking and fever.

We go to the vet in about an hour.

Oh no!! I'm so sorry this odd thing is going on again. Sending lots of good thoughts - keep us updated!!

Oh no. I'll be thinking about her. Let us know what the vet says.

Oh no! I hope your vet has some answers.

Oh no. So scary. It kinda sounds neurological or in her neck or something. Poor girl. I am sorry. I hope you can get some answers.

We are chatting on FB, but prayers for you both!

Oh Lisa, how devastatingly troubling!! Hope you can find answers and they are all easily treated. Will be waiting anxiously for updates.

Oh, sounds scary! I hope the vet can figure it out, and your girl is okay.

What a scary thing to go through! I'll keep her in my thoughts and will be looking for an update!

Any updates??

I hope things are going well. I'll be checking back for updates. I hope it is good news.

Oh, crap! Saying a prayer for Matilda and hoping for a good update.

Saira wrote:Any updates??

I was just coming to check too. I hope everything is okay.

Thanks for all of the good thoughts.

Matilda spent all day at the vet's office getting a full workup. I was able to bring her home around 5. No, we don't know what's wrong.

Nothing in particular on her body is hurting her. The part of her back that was bothering her the last time isn't bothering her now. They did notice that her knees are loose and pop a little, but that's not the problem right now.

No ticks, marks or anything unusual on her skin.

Blood workup - white blood cell count is high (and was expected since she's running a fever). Everything else was normal

Urinalysis - she does have an infection, but the vet didn't feel that this was the cause of her issues or the fever.

Xrays - nothing unusual.

Matilda hasn't been out of our yard since the beginning of May, so it's unlikely she caught something.

Next week we'll get the results of a tick titer test to see if the last tick bite could have caused a tick borne disease. For now she's on antibiotics and an anti-inflamitory. Her fever is back down with the meds. She's still not eating, didn't get up when the boys came home. And she hasn't wandered past the living room of our house, just not up and around.

Whatever it is, it's scary. 7pm last night, she was bouncing around and gobbled her dinner, 7am this morning she wouldn't get up or eat.

I am so sorry Lisa. It sounds like they really can't tell you anything? Second opinion? I just hate the not knowing part. For her to be quiet, you KNOW something is not right!

I sure wish I could help....this not knowing must make you feel so helpless. Just know, we are all here for you to listen. I will be thinking of your baby girl, and hoping she gets better very, very soon.

I'm sorry, Lisa. I'm sure it's super frustrating and worrisome. I don't recall off hand what things you checked for/ruled out last time but is it possible that it's a pinched nerve or something? Just thinking of people who are fine one minute then in terrible pain the next just from moving the wrong way. Although I guess that wouldn't explain the fever.

Any particular reason why the vet doesn't think the UTI is the issue? Could there be an accompanying issue like stones that's causing her a lot of pain and affecting her behavior?

Amanda wrote:I'm sorry, Lisa. I'm sure it's super frustrating and worrisome. I don't recall off hand what things you checked for/ruled out last time but is it possible that it's a pinched nerve or something? Just thinking of people who are fine one minute then in terrible pain the next just from moving the wrong way. Although I guess that wouldn't explain the fever.

Any particular reason why the vet doesn't think the UTI is the issue? Could there be an accompanying issue like stones that's causing her a lot of pain and affecting her behavior?

I'll have to ask about stones tomorrow when I talk to her. The discussion about the UTI was that as sick as Matilda is and how high her fever was that it was she felt that it more than a UTI.

Adding that Matilda refused her kibble, cheese, marshmallow, hot dog and finally ate a little chicken baby food and cereal. Enough that she got her pill down - whew.

And... I forgot the GOOD news. Matilda has lost more weight and she's down to 17.3lbs. We were aiming for 18. But BBBob wanted to go a little further

This is so scary. I am at a loss of what it could be. Hugs for us!

I came back checking in on Matilda too. I wish there were better news. I agree with everyone else, the not knowing is enough to make you crazy. Still sending lots of good thoughts to you all