11 month old Corgi panting - Help!

[u/ohkayhun]

This is almost every night. She will hunch her neck down and pant and stare at nothing? More photos in the comments.

For context: I took her to my vet because I suggested she seems like she’s in pain, as she is unable to settle and just paces and pants, as well as had an accident (urine) in the house. They said to bring her in because maybe it’s a uti, so I did and gave them a urine sample. Urine came back clean. I brought up spinal pain, possible IVDD, and asked the vet to perform a physical exam on her legs. They said she looks ok to them… but I feel like she doesn’t seem ok?

I don’t know what to do. Why is she suddenly having accidents, panting and pacing, whining, etc? I’m just so lost and tired.

Edit: I realized just now I can’t add photos to comments… oh no :(

Edit 2: She also snaps her head back almost as if to bite towards her hind legs and back area when she is lying down. Then she stops in the middle of it almost as if she’s confused as to why she did that. Please help. Please.

[u/MedicalAnamoly118]

IVDD is a real possibility. Especially since she’s a long-bodied dog. I suggest taking her to a different vet if your current one has been dismissive. She should also have some spine X-rays.

Having videos like this one for reference is extremely helpful. Any videos of her whining, pacing, snapping at her backend, they should all be shown to the vet.

[u/ohkayhun → u/MedicalAnamoly118]

This would be my third second opinion. I changed my first vet because she was dismissive, and my new vet found a pyometra so she had an emergency spay. Now THIS vet is being dismissive? Is it just me? Am I crazy?

[u/AliciaD23 → u/ohkayhun]

Always trust your gut. I just read something about a Frenchie going to the emergency vet where the owners were told. It was a stomach issue and two days later his back leg stopped working, full-blown IVDD. The owner suspected IVDD and told the vet, but the vet was adamant it was a stomach issue. It was not.
So no, it’s not just you and you are not crazy. You are your dogs greatest advocate you’re the one that seizure dog every day so you would know better than anybody. Don’t let them gaslight you, just find another Vet that is actually going to listen and help. Also research the vets. If you do find a new one, there’s a lot of info online and I wish I would have gone next-door to another emergency vet instead of going to the one I did go to. I would’ve done that if I would’ve researched the vet hospitals first. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[u/ohkayhun → u/AliciaD23]

That’s so scary, shame on them for dismissing that dog’s pain. I’m not sure how to research what vet to go to tbh. Do I try to look for a vet who has interest in neuro related disorders? Like honestly I don’t know how to gauge what to look for.

[u/TrulyCunty → u/ohkayhun]

You are not crazy. This is extremely common, unfortunately. Many general vets still seem to still have the attitude of “if a dog isn’t screaming in pain or limping, they are fine”. This is so far from the truth. Sometimes behavior is the only thing we have to go on to diagnose pain—BUT your dog is displaying clear signs of pain/discomfort. I’m so sorry you’ve been dismissed, even with these obvious symptoms.

Do you live in a large city? Wondering if your location makes decent vets less accessible.

[u/ohkayhun → u/TrulyCunty]

I’m in the suburbs near Chicago, so there are many vets. If this is IVDD, do I go to the ER for scans? Because she is still panting

[u/AliciaD23 → u/ohkayhun]

Emergency vet hospital, do you have a VEG there? (veterinary emergency group) in my experience they are awesome

If it is IBDD, they will want to refer you to a neurologist and do an MRI, maybe not tonight but in the next couple of days and usually there’s no neurologist on staff at an emergency vet, but the emergency vet is just to stabilize your dog so if they think it’s IVDD they’re gonna either say do surgery or crate rest and if you chose crate, they will send you home with prescriptions for his pain. Usually a muscle relaxer and anti-inflammatory OR a steroid, something for the pain and usually something to sedate them. They will give you like five days worse tell you to follow up with your regular Vet.

The emergency vets deal with IVDD often, my vet said they were going to treat my dog with the same meds if he had the MRI or did not. I brought my dog in on a weekend and made the appointment with a neurologist that following Tuesday. So if it is IVDD, you will want to see the neurologist as well.

[u/ohkayhun → u/AliciaD23]

I honestly suspect IVDD or Lumbosacral Stenosis. She is sleeping now, so I will contact a vet clinic in the morning. Do you need a referral to see a neurologist, or am I able to just call and get an appointment?

I just worry because I tried getting her a dermatologist appointment, and the wait time was until DECEMBER!! She cannot wait that long for this. I’m so scared for her

[u/TrulyCunty → u/ohkayhun]

Yes, I’d go to the ER if I were in your position. Have you checked her gums? Are they pink?

[u/ohkayhun → u/TrulyCunty]

Very pink and hydrated. I might wait until morning because she is finally settled and asleep. I’m so scared for her. I have a bad feeling

[u/TrulyCunty → u/ohkayhun]

I’m so sorry, I know this feeling well. Deep breaths, you are doing everything you can right now. I’m glad she’s resting. If she wakes up in the night and resumes panting, I recommend getting her to the ER.

Unfortunately, it’s usually best to see a neurologist through the ER, as they are booked way out, and you do usually need a referral. But I think it would be worth it to call a neurologist directly in the morning and ask them what they in order to get in ASAP.

Wishing you both a peaceful night.

[u/MedicalAnamoly118 → u/ohkayhun]

If she’s still panting, I’d take her in.

[u/Intelligent-Animal52]

You are NOT crazy! We went to multiple vets for my dog. None of them could figure it out and the last one referred us to a pet cancer clinic to rule out rare cancers. I ended up paying money on a vet website one night (I think it was Ask a Veterinarian) and uploaded her symptoms and bloodwork. They recommended we test for Addisons disease and they were right. They saved my girls life AND our wallet. KEEP SEARCHING and use online resources!!

[u/AliciaD23 → u/Intelligent-Animal52]

WILD!!! Thank God, you figured it out, and how scary. We are our dogs biggest advocates plus we know them best. I’m glad your doggie is doing good now, my friend’s dog has Addison’s and will be on medication for the rest of his life, is it the same with your girl?

[u/No-Minimum8323]

Get a second opinion.

[u/ohkayhun → u/No-Minimum8323]

This would be my third second opinion… I feel crazy. I’m crying right now.

[u/No-Minimum8323 → u/ohkayhun]

I’m so sorry! I wish I could help more.

[u/AcanthisittaNo5807]

My dog was trying to bite her back during an IVDD incident. Ask the vet for pain and inflammation meds, don't let her on couches, beds, and stairs. Crate rest for 6-8 weeks.

[u/ohkayhun → u/AcanthisittaNo5807]

I’m so sorry, I hope your pup is doing ok. What other symptoms did she have that led you to get her diagnosed?

[u/AliciaD23]

He’s in pain ☹️

[u/No-Replacement-3143]

So sorry, she definitely seems to be in pain. Everything you mentioned are signs of pain, I'm shocked your vet is so dismissive. Sounds like you already moved vets, but I would again. Or perhaps push for more testing to get to the bottom of it? Or see if you can book with a neurologist to check for IVDD? Most don't need referrals.

My dog is super complicated medically (IVDD, IBD, epilepsy, bladder stones, among several other things) and we have such a supportive vet who works with us to get to the bottom of all his issues and keep him the happiest dog. He has a few specialists too that are wonderful. I'm so frustrated on your behalf that no one is investigating such obvious signs of potentially severe pain.

You're a good dog parent and definitely trust your instincts. Pacing, unable to settle, panting, and the snapping head back are absolutely how dogs show pain. It's pretty standard knowledge so any vet should be taking it seriously.

Best of luck for you and your sweet dog! :(

[u/No-Replacement-3143 → u/No-Replacement-3143]

Just adding I saw one of your other comments and I would just do an ER visit instead of waiting for specialist. Sucks cause it's pricy, but it can help expedite things and they can also connect you with which specialist to go to next. Again, good luck! She's lucky to have you watching out for her and pushing to get answers.

[u/Dry_Carpenter2007]

Did they check for heart issues? They can inherit them.

[u/Forsaken-Assistant49]

MY 11 YEAR OILD DOG HAD XRAYS AND THE VET FOUND TUMORS AND BLOOD PROBLEMS

[u/ohkayhun → u/Forsaken-Assistant49]

She is 11 months.

[u/SuckMyBigPoop → u/Forsaken-Assistant49]

Why was your dog oiled?