The Back “Stroke”

by Pilar Kuhn

On one fateful morning two weeks ago while playing ball with our 7 year old Bouvier Garrison, our lives changed in a split-second. While turning to push off after his beloved ball, he shrieked in pain for what felt like forever and fell to the ground, pushing himself around in circles with his front legs.  His rear legs were not functioning. The screams had my husband running from the house to see what had happened and found me kneeling and crying over our boy who was on his side in the grass looking up at me with confused eyes.  We waited a minute to see if he could stand up, but it was very clear his back legs were not functioning.  The thoughts that raced through my head were fast, furious, and most certainly all over the place. Rod ran inside to get keys and my purse. I scooped Garrison up under his front legs, carried him to our van, laid back into the van with him on my stomach, and rolled him onto the floor.  I drove as quickly, yet safely, as I could through Los Angeles morning traffic to our regular vet.

Dr. Fuchino took a quick look at him and said we had to get to a neurologist nearby. Upon arrival at the next clinic, the neurologist came into the exam room to start our discussion.  I was impressed. She had done quick homework on the temperament of a Bouvier while I was in transit. She knew they were stoic and stubborn.  Her “pinch test” on his rear legs resulted in a delayed reaction, but he could eventually feel her on both legs. She did the same test on the front and got the same reaction. His front was fine, so that didn’t help her.  All of his other vitals seemed fine. She assumed it could be one of two things, but before we ventured into the costly world of MRIs and spinal taps, she wanted to do a blood panel and an x-ray.  I agreed.

Bloodwork and x-rays showed a very healthy dog.  A very healthy dog that currently couldn’t walk.  It was time to move on to the MRI.  At this point, I had to leave my dog behind for overnight evaluation and expertise on handling a 90 pound paraplegic and I drove one of the longest drives I’ve experienced in quite some time.

Several hours later we received the phone call.  Garrison had suffered a double FCE – Fibrocartilaginous Emoblism. Essentially, a stroke of the spine. How does this “back stroke” even occur?

Affecting mostly larger breed dogs and quite often when they jump or push off to turn quickly, in this instance when the spine twists the vertical artery somehow emits blood into the spinal cord. This “clot” immediately impacts the spine and all body parts or functionality below that point. It is a neurological mystery, but this is was our new reality.  Because of the anomaly of two FCEs, the neurologist did a spinal tap and confirmed there was blood in the spine.  Not a lot of blood, but there was blood. The biggest question in all our minds was if he would ever walk again. All dogs suffering from an FCE have an initial 60%-70% chance of recovery, but the first two weeks reveal a lot about chances of recovery. Another question I had was if this is a genetic issue and the neurologist said there is no proof of it being genetic in any breed.

The next morning I immediately began researching aqua therapy and canine rehabilitation facilities in the Los Angeles area. I had several colleagues reach out with their suggestions and they all turned us toward the same facility in Santa Monica – Two Hands Four Paws. The neurologist called in the early afternoon with “cautious optimism”. Garrison was able to control his bladder and those motor skills, above and beyond using his rear legs, were more encouraging to her than any other function.

We began our “road to recovery” four days post-injury. It’s a whole new world for us dealing with a paraplegic dog. And it’s opened our eyes to the world of FCEs and canine neurology. My heart goes out to anyone who’s ever had a dog affected by this mysterious injury. It’s heart-wrenching and challenging, but we proceed each day with “cautious optimism”. And therapy. Lots and lots of physical therapy.

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Posted by chesliepickett on Jul 1 2014. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.