Aimee
Boxer Insane
Poor Baxter has been having a terrible time, we could really use some help. Mid May we took Baxter to the emergency vet for what was diagnosed as a stroke (partial facial paralysis, head tilt, eating sideways, staggering to the right, etc). Although Baxter did begin to improve on the medication, it was only short lived. The emergency vet discussed three possibilities with us. Stroke, brain tumor or ear infection. The vet believed it to be a stroke but stated that if he did not continue to improve on meds, we would need to watch for seizures and other signs indicative of a brain tumor. Apparently, brain tumors are common in boxers (atleast we keep being told this). It is probably good to mention that the emergency vet is one of Baxter's primary vets so she is very familiar with him. Since the emergency vet visit, we have kept in contact with our vets office and have seen them one other time in regards to Baxter's symptoms. Both vets have different theories. One strongly feels that he is experiencing residual effects of the stroke but the other is highly suspicious it's a brain tumor. The only way to tell for certain would be to do an MRI for which they do not feel he is a candidate because he would need to be put under anesthia. Baxter is not himself, I need to know what is wrong with him so that I can figure out how to help him but I feel like I've come up to a brick wall. Baxter no longer knows his way around the house, he is always bumping into things that have been where they are for years (for those who are not familiar with Baxter he is blind). We used to be able to let Baxter out and he would go down the deck stairs, do his business and come back up. When we let him out to do his business we have to escort him now because he immediately goes to the right when he exists the door and gets tangled in the deck furniture when the stairs are to the left and always have been. He doesn't sleep as well as he used to, waking up several times a night. Baxter seems to get confused very easily, when I call him he sometimes goes in the opposite direction of my voice. He tends to circle and always to the right. He got to circling in the yard one time so fast that I had to go and stop him and then he began to stagger and he fell over in the yard. A few nights ago when we were on our walk we stopped to talk with the neighbors and he circled to the right around my husbands legs while we stood still. Also, when he lifts his leg to pee he will sometimes sway very noticeably. He has wet the bed in his sleep, but only on two occasions.
We have a vet appointment for Baxter again tomorrow, I'm requesting a referral to a neurologist. Any information, advice or experiences you could share would be helpful. I'm very sad for Baxter and want only the best for him.
We have a vet appointment for Baxter again tomorrow, I'm requesting a referral to a neurologist. Any information, advice or experiences you could share would be helpful. I'm very sad for Baxter and want only the best for him.
