My 9 year old St. Bernard recently suffered a spinal embolism playing in the yard with my other dogs. His diagnosis was based on my vet's observation and Cole's symptoms, including sudden loss of use of his hind end, with seemingly no pain. I did not have an MRI done, not only because of cost, but vet visits are very difficult these days. Getting him in and out of the car is nearly impossible, and he is very stressed out in the process, causing him seizures (he is epileptic). I have a wonderful vet that always helps via telephone or text messages with video. After about 3 weeks, he slowly began to show signs of improvement in his ability to get up and walk. He made a great improvement relatively quickly, but this last week he seems to be regressing. He is having a hard time getting up and has very little endurance. Throughout it all, he has maintained a very healthy appetite and water consumption is normal. Lately, he is very clingy and whiny. He still doesn't seem to be in any pain, but more of aggravated or confused. He has always been a "velcro dog" but now whines and wants help getting up every time I leave the room. He also seems very restless. I'm curious if it is normal to make progress an then regress in recovery. I will add, he has battled epilepsy since 13 months old and has had 2 strokes (that I know of) in the last year and a half. He also has a bit of dementia at times.

Our dog Max 11 year old Aussie slipped on some snow/ice,yelped and then couldn't get up. Noted right hind leg limp and couldn't bear weight.Initially required assist to get back into the house,right leg drag, took to Vet ER, X-rays neg. Saw neurologist next day. Wants to rule out,slip/ruptured disc vs tumor. Doesn't feel its a tumor. MRI scheduled in a few days, with possible surgery. On Predisone,gabapentin,pilosec & misoprostol, along with rest.No problem with bowels or bladder.Doing research and came across Fibrocartilaginoue Embolic myelopathy. I am thinking this matches what Max has. It seems like recovery will be long if at all vs surgery for a disc ruptured.I guess I am more worried about the Dx of FEM due to recovery.Probably being selfish but we have a planned a vacation in 3 weeks which has been 1 year in the planning. We love our Max and am worried about who will want to take on this care responsibility.Do you think this could be FEM vs a ruptured disc? thanks

Hi, a few weeks ago my dog was diagnose with Fibrocartilaginous. This was based on the symptoms they found. She had surgery to remove a skin mole on her shoulder and almost a week later she was not acting herself. Another week went by and I took her into my vet. They gave her Ant-inflammatory and muscle relaxers. 3 Days after that her left leg went out. The vet suggested a neurologist. The vet that worked with the specialist says FCE. A day after this visit both legs stopped functioning. I have been working her back legs at home for the last Week or so. This was a slow spiral not just over night. I have seen no improvements in her legs.. they just seem to be weaker. Her right leg was stronger now it's starting to look like her left. I have been given no real direction on what to do but MRI and to keep doing what I'm doing. This is very hard to do because she panics whenever I try to get her to lay down and it becomes a debacle. She can't hold her poop. I don't know if she realizes she's pooping. Any advise will be helpful please. Feeling sort of lost here. I do have an appointment with a therapist at the Paws rehab water clinic.

My cattle dog is making a good recovery, FCE happened 4 months ago and she can now walk ok( abit wobbly). Is light exercise ok for her now or should I keep her rested?

Atticus was a very active and athletic 9 year old Shepherd mix. We adopted an older Bichon Frise into the home. On day 3 of the new dog in the house, Atticus started acting strange. He would not lie down in his normal spots in the home, but would stand awkwardly in the center of the living room. He stopped eating. Initially we attributed his behavior to the new dog in the home. 2 days later, he started dragging his hind leg while on our evening walk. The next day he was weaker, but still able to walk. When I took him to the Vet in the afternoon, he could not stand unassisted, his hind legs were both paralyzed and he was incontinent of urine. The vet kept him overnight, did xrays of the spine and blood work. We live in a small community where there is no MRI available. Xrays of the spine and bloodwork came back negative. The vet diagnosed FCE and we took Atticus home the next day. We built a PVC wheel chair for him and he was fairly active for a few days. At day 7, he became weak and could no longer bear weight on his front legs. He can still move them, but cannot do more than lift his head off the ground. When we support his rear with a towel, he is now unable to stand. The vet added Prednisone to his treatment, but I have not seen much improvement. We turn him every 2-3 hours and express his bladder. We are doing ROM exercises with him, but rear legs remain completely flaccid. His appetite is good and he will drink water when a bowl is held up to his mouth. It's been 10 days since the initial onset of paralysis in his hind legs. We are losing hope that our beloved Atticus will recover.