Nom de Plume

Ever since I got Harry, he’s been a bit unsteady on his feet. At first, I thought it was because he was a puppy and puppies are naturally tippy. Then he hit about a year, and I really started noticing that he wasn’t as coordinated as other pugs the same age. I talked to my vet, there was nothing much to do because he’s always been a happy little guy, and it never really made a difference in his activity levels or quality of life. We just assumed he might have some brain damage from his early puppy abuse.

Yesterday, he slept in really late. We finally got him up, and his legs just gave out from under him. He couldn’t stand, his tail was droopy, he looked miserable, wouldn’t eat. I rushed him to the emergency vet. The e-vet thought it might be toxicity. Bloodwork fine, x-rays fine. Got a cortisone shot. The e-vet said he was walking a bit last night when I called, but when I picked him up this morning, he looked worse. Again, couldn’t stand. I took him to my regular vet who said it was definitely neurological. He referred me to a neurologist in Tacoma. By the time we got there mid-morning (Elizabeth went with me for support), Harry could stand and walk, but was still very unsteady and droopy tailed. He slept the entire way there, and he was very disoriented.

The neurologist assessed him. The problems seem to be on his right side: decreased reactions, no facial sensation or menace reaction on the right side. Then there’s some other stuff I don’t understand. Based on that, he said that it was either PDE or hydrocephalus. (The discharge summary also says “other inflammatory, degenerative disease.”)

I didn’t get an MRI done, though there is that as an option. I asked whether doing an MRI was worth it, and they said it would determine which it was — but as the treatment for either is the same, it might be worthwhile to give prednisone a chance first. Don’t get me wrong: I am more than happy to spend the money if there’s a possibility that it will make a difference. But they were very clear that he is not going to get better. I’m conflicted on the MRI, to tell you the truth. I read something online about a shunt if it’s hydrocephalus, but I need to call the vet tomorrow and ask about it.

Now that I look back on it, the signs are there. One of the symptoms of PDE is not jumping on or off things anymore–and he hasn’t been jumping off the bed for weeks, instead waiting for me to lift him off. I had assumed it was due to the new, higher frame, but perhaps not. He’s been getting more clumsy too. As the vet said, dogs can compensate for a lot, and for a long time. Then they really degenerate and can no longer compensate. In my mind, the real problem is that one’s standard of normal changes.

Harry’s home now, limping and shuffling around. I went to the store and bought hamburger to roll his pills into, and a huge new stash of plush squeaky toys. He’s getting steaks for dinner, pig ears for lunch, plush toys all the time, and lots and lots of love.