I took this photo of Alayne with Claude the blind Great Dane puppy yesterday morning before she took him to our vets. By evening, we had a very troubling diagnosis for this boy.
Ever since Claude arrived last fall, we've been concerned about his development. His spine was hunched, he was sort of flat-footed, and he never gained the kind of weight we thought he should. We had two physical and neurological evaluations done, but there was nothing conclusive other than he had carpal laxity syndrome, which was why he was flat-footed. As he grew, his back never really straightened out, and he became a bit clumsy. At times it was hard to decide whether this was the awkwardness of a giant, goofy blind puppy, or whether something else was going on.
Despite the inconclusive evaluations, Alayne and I suspected there WAS something else affecting Claude, but we didn't know what. We even turned down an offer to adopt him a couple of months ago because of this concern. Then, in the past two weeks, he began to get really awkward. He'd slip and fall inside the house for no apparent reason; as he walked, he'd swing his rear legs out in a wide arc; other times he'd have trouble getting up. And yet these were fleeting moments, and much of the time he was just fine, running and carousing like the 10-month old goofball he is. But the frequency of these episodes increased in the past week, and we realized it was time to take him back for another neuro evaluation.
So yesterday our internal medicine specialist in Helena, Dr. Britt Culver, examined Claude again. This time, the diagnosis was grim: Claude may have Wobbler's Syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects young Great Danes and older Dobermans. In fact, Claude is at the typical age for the onset of symptoms and he has the classic signs.
Essentially his vertebrae are growing in a way that they begin constricting the spinal cord, interfering with the body's ability to transmit nerve signals. This is a progressive disease, and sometimes it can be managed medically, other times only with surgery ... and even then, the outcome is not always assured. The reason is that surgeons could "fix" the one or two vertebrae pressing on the cord now, but as he grows, new constrictions could develop elsewhere along the spine. One veterinarian used a freight train analogy: say you have a derailment because a couple of freight cars get uncoupled ... you get them back on the track, start going again, and then two more cars become uncoupled.
What we need now is more information -- how severe the cord compression is, how many areas are involved, what the rest of the vertebrae look like. This means a trip to Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine to see a neurologist and probably to get an MRI done.
As it happens ... we have Brynn's appointment scheduled at WSU for next Monday, February 5th, so we're doubling up and will be taking Claude along as well. We scheduled Claude's appointment this morning, and we were fortunate that they could get us in on such short notice. (I was going to devote tonight's blog to Brynn's upcoming appointment, but was obviously overtaken by events.) So stay tuned for lots of medical news on the blog next week!
(Click on photo for larger image.)
Looks like your intuition was right on, and good timing for a neuro evaluation.
It's fortunate that you can bring both Brynn and Claude to Washington for further evaulation. I'm sorry the news wasn't better for Claude but perhaps there will be a remedy offered after his visit to WSU. I'm sending positive affirmations that this will be the case!
Good luck and safe travels to Washington!
Posted by: Leilani | February 05, 2007 at 07:39 AM
Please take a look at my site in regard to treating wobblers. I hope it helps.
Christy
Posted by: Christy | February 04, 2007 at 10:15 PM
Sending hugs to Claude and best wishes that his health problem can be solved.
Posted by: Nina | February 04, 2007 at 07:12 PM
Hello, I found your site from an NBC news report that was linked to dailykos.com. I am sorry to hear about Claude. I used to work as a Registered Veterinary Technician but now I am a teacher in south Los Angeles. Seeing the news report made me miss being a technician. I know how much work it is to do what you are doing.
Posted by: Barbara | February 03, 2007 at 11:31 PM
He's such a big gorgeous guy. I know you'll do the best for him, as you always do for the animals in their time of medical need. Best wishes for a good solution for both Claude and Brynn. Have a safe trip.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie Burke | February 03, 2007 at 06:23 PM
I will be keeping Claude & Brynn in my thoughts for Monday's appointment.
Posted by: Leigh | February 03, 2007 at 01:31 PM
I'll keep Claude in my special thoughts & let my brother know as well. He lives in Ky. & has a warm spot for Claude. I'm glad you found out in time to take him with Brynn to Wa. St.! That's where Dr. Fred Metcalf graduated from many years ago.
Big hugs all around,
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | February 02, 2007 at 06:12 PM
I'm so sorry to hear about Claude. As the owner of a young male dane, I've been watching for stories of him with particular interest. I'd like to make a donation to his medical bills once you know what you're really looking at.
Posted by: danielle | February 02, 2007 at 07:28 AM
Oh, how my heart breaks for Claude. I am owned by a 6 year old great dane who is the biggest lover ever! My dog sitter has a 9 year old great dane who has lived with Wobbler's for quite some time now. He was older when diagnosed (unusual for the most part in danes), and not a candidate for surgery. They have managed him from a holistic standpoint after traditional medicine didn't seem to be working. He receives acupuncture as well as some other holistic treatments and he's thriving! I will read with anticipation to see how Claude is doing!
Posted by: Shannon | February 02, 2007 at 06:50 AM