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Well, it happened again tonight after a walk. Shorter walk; less than a mile. She was fine; I even carried her a bit so she wouldn't get too tired.
A few minutes later, we were relaxing in the yard and I could see something was wrong. She started moving very slowly; then sank down to the ground. She was not unconscious or in pain. I called her to me and she could not get up. She rolled over to her side; I picked her up and brought her in and gave her a few frosted cheerios.
Seconds later . . fine. Bouncing around like normal.
I'm worried sick. I'll call the vet first thing in the morning. He wants to do a blood glucose test - thinking hypoglycemia .. but I'm worried it's her liver issues. Of course, hypoglycemia and liver problems kind of go hand in hand, I think.
I switched her to vegetarian food (which she hates). Everything I see about hypoglycemia says to feed a protein rich meal; but dogs with liver issues don't get protein rich meals. Maybe I gave her too much protein overall today; I just don't know.
It's so scary to see your dog helpless and not able to stand. I hope the vet does get to the bottom of this.
Please say a little prayer that it's nothing serious. I'm worried. Unable to stand (3rd time in a two week period . . can not be good).
Vet cannot see her until Monday. She will spend the day there for some testing. He wants to do a fasting blood glucose test; then feed her; then exercise her; then test her blood sugars again.
I personally think another BAT is in order.
I asked him if it could be neurological and he said - first we will rule out/in hypoglycemia; then we will go down those 'other avenues'. He said that when the liver doesn't function properly - it doesn't process protein properly and often does not process sugars well either - so she could be 'spiking' all the time.
He told me not to walk her; feed her several small meals this week-end; and have some Karo Syrup on hand if she gets weak like that again.
In my heart - I think she will be ok this week-end. But if it is NOT low blood sugar; then he better be referring her quickly to a specialist.
Thanks LTTP; it has been very scary. I'm sick to my stomach when I think about it.
But I know I have a good and competent vet and I must trust in him now. Of course, I've been trolling the internet but I'm going to stop. It could be a hundred different things. I keep switching her food; jumping from one thing to another and I have to stop now and wait and watch.
She had no walk today; she did eat and play normally and was fine. She whined the whole time Ringo and I went on our walk (and I will confess - it was so nice to walk with Ringo alone; he loves the walk and she does not).
Fingers crossed for Lucy. I've never had a dog with health issues before; it's very time consuming; and I got very little work done today. I can't have too many days like this or I won't be able to afford all these tests!
For anyone that was interested, thought I would update.
I ended up taking Lucy to an emergency Vet in another town on Friday night.
I had carefully monitored her protein intake; did not walk her; and I saw her standing in the dining room with her right leg stick straight out. She then sank to the ground. So many things were going through my mind, mainly neurological problems, that I decided not to wait until her regular Vet appt on Monday. I gave her some Karo Syrup - which she happily licked but probably did not need.
The ER vet diagnosed her immediately with 2 luxating patellas in her back legs. Her knees slide in an out of joint; she lays down and slides them back in and hence all the quick and 'miracle' recoveries.
She prob has a Grade III but he cautioned me not to let anyone talk me into immediate surgery.
I'm not sure what her regular Vet will say . . . the constant and sudden 'lameness' is not good. BUT, it's still better than dying of some progressive brain disease which is where my mind was going!
Too much protein is associated with kidney problems not liver problems. And this very well could be a diet related problem. Dogs and carnivores! they need protein. and losts of it. A Vegitarian diet would mal-nutrition a dog. !
Thank you for your advice. Lucy does indeed have liver problems and bladder problems as well. Her protein is mildly restricted per her Vet's advice and protocol for dealing with mild internal liver shunting.
Amount and type of protein is quite important when dealing with liver issues - but my post was 2 years ago and they are well under control.
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Lucy Update
