As many of you know, my girl Elsa suffered a Spinal Stroke on Tuesday evening. It is very important to me that I share as much information with you all that I can. Many people seeing a stroke would opt for euthanasia, just like with Vestibular. I want you all to know that there is hope.
We were outside playing catch when Elsa very suddenly collapsed mid run, screaming in pain. So many horrific thoughts ran through my head in an instant. Had she broken her back? Her leg? Was she paralyzed? All these thoughts, yet I’d seen it happen and nothing actually happened. She had been running to get her ball and dropped halfway there.
I ran to her trying to get her to her feet. She was screaming in pain so I was careful to avoid her teeth. I could clearly see that her back left leg was not right. I fumbled for my phone with one hand, holding her up with the other. I was thankful I’d just put it in my pocket a moment before. I dialed my husband and blurted out that Elsa was down and I didn’t know what was wrong. Then I said “come home,” that’s it and hung up.
Hoisting Elsa up I considered lifting her. What if I was making whatever happened worse? What if I was hurting her by picking her up? I didn’t have a choice, I couldn’t just leave her there. Once in the house I lay her in the middle of the living room thinking that she would be safe there. I called the vet and told them I was coming in (I love my Vet by the way). While she was on the floor I ran and opened my car, grabbed my coat and purse. We had been playing outside so Riggs did not need to go out first. By the time I got back to Elsa she was flopping around like a fish on the floor trying to right herself but could not.
I hoisted her up again into my arms (lifting weights is SOOOO important). I told Riggs “just Elsa,” which he understands that he is not coming with us. I held Elsa in one arm (not easy,) but I had to shut it behind us so that Riggs didn’t sneak out in the panic. I got her in the back of my SUV and drove. On the way I tried to breathe, to calm myself and get a grip. I could hear Elsa flopping around in the back but I just needed to get to the Vet.
Once there I ran in asking someone to hold the door for me. With an almighty stretch I grabbed my lady out of the back and ran her in. A wonderful woman told me she would grab a leash and close my car for me. They took Elsa from me, I thanked the nice lady and sat down taking a deep breath. Now I just had to wait.
I didn’t have to wait long when they called me in a back room with the news. My Vet is wonderful, he is the best listening Veterinarian I’ve ever been to and explains everything in extensive detail. He began explaining just as my husband walked through the door. “I’m pretty certain that it is a spinal stroke, an FCE” he said. I had so many questions, which is normal for me as I want to know everything there is to know about pretty much everything. He explained.
Here are a few links to pages on FCE or Fibrocartilagenous Embolism
Affiliated Veterinary Specialists
A spinal stroke is not like Vestibular. I thought it might be the same thing but it is very different. Tilley had a herniated disc which was very much like this stroke but it was treated with steroids which quickly rectified the paralysis. Then she was struck with Vestibular which she lived with for about 3 years before passing at almost 16 years of age. She was an amazingly strong dog and I miss her dearly.
Tuesday Elsa could barely move, we kept a towel under her stomach and held most of her weight. The next morning she seemed a bit more mobile but not a lot. We were at the Neurology specialist yesterday afternoon. After physically going over Elsa and discussing the facts about the incident she concurred that it was more than likely a stroke. We decided against the MRI right now because of the danger of anesthetic to Elsa.
As of this morning she has attempted to walk herself. Her back left leg is by far the most affected although her other limbs are not right. This afternoon she walked from the grass outside to the door and then I assisted her. She is very wobbly and weak; but she is swinging that dead left leg ahead now when she walks.
It makes me so sad to see my super athlete “Sporty Spice” in this condition but I have watched so many videos of dogs who have suffered the same blow but far worse. Many dog lose their bladder and bowel continence. Elsa has peed and pooped in the yard as I cheered her on. I do not know what the future holds; I have read good things and bad things so we will just hope for the best and push on.
As I sit writing this, watching Elsa on her new Orthopedic bed as she twitches in her sleep; I cannot believe that this is the same girl that was flying just hours before the stroke hit her. In fact she just got in trouble the other day for jumping over my short garden fence and into my garden. I told her “get out of there or you’ll get a spanking.” She looked over her shoulder, shrugged and jumped back over with ease as she seemed to say “whatever.” I had to smile. She is a very, very special girl; as are each and everyone, right?
She has been airborne since she joined us over 8 years ago.