Posted by melody
on August 10, 2008, 5:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Canine viral meningitis"
I just saw this posting. I believe Thumper was sick a couple of weeks before she finally couldn't hide it any more. When the symptoms became apparent, it overtook her very quickly...within 48 hours or so. She was stiff and getting stiffer for about 10 days, then she was "down" about 5 days (total of approx. 1 month of being sick, 2 weeks of that time is estimated). She was on prednisone and antibiotics for a week or so and was getting better every day, then it seemed like overnight she bounced back. I woke up one morning to her nuzzling my elbow; she was STANDING, wagging her tail and smiling all at once! She had gotten so bad, she could not get up at all. She would lay on her side and literally scream, either in pain or fright. I had to take time off work because if I left her sight for one moment, she would start the horrific screaming.
I am so sorry for you and your EBD. I was told Thumper wouldn't make a 100% recovery, that there would be lasting neurological problems. I haven't really noticed anything specific, but like I said in my post a couple of minutes ago, there are days here and there that she doesn't act quite right (can't put my finger on it) and once or twice, I've noticed a "hitch" in her gait but it goes away, I guess overnight. Thumper is maybe a year old and the vet feels that was why her recovery was an apparently full recovery which was also a lot faster than they anticipated. They had originally told me 8-12 weeks recuperation from the virus, maybe longer for "physical therapy" to get her body back in shape.
Now, about the body getting back in shape....I started noticing Thumper growing boobs. She had missed her spay appointment due to the meningitis and I started wondering how she could've gotten away from me long enough to be preggers.... Well, the steroids is what made her swell and look like she was in a delicate condition. She has lost the firmness, but she's sagging some now. She needs a personal trainer! I'm not one to exercise and she won't go beyond eye shot of me. When I had my Dogo, she'd get her exercise running along side of the car....not chasing cars. That was how I would help her get rid of some of that pent up energy...It was way more than I had... and this was one way she could run to her heart's content....she LOVED it. Thumper is a very shy and cautious girl and I can't figure out a way to help her unless I start running which I will/can NOT do. I forced myself to run for years and my knees and ankles are paying for it now... I guess I could try a bicycle, huh?
If there's anything I can do to help, even moral support or ranting, let me know. Feel free to email me.
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