Pip diagnosis - Central cord syndrome

[critters]

That kind of thing can happen with humans; I’ve heard it called beibg a walking quadriplegic.

[CarolC]

Maybe I could start using that when I explain to people. "It's like being a walking quadriplegic".

He did something amazing 2 days ago. I started to post it, but then being cautious, I'd rather see him do it again before I'm sure it wasn't just a fluke. I was lifting him off his bed, and as I began to move him I was moving him kind of to the left and then lifting, because he was lying on his right side so I needed to get my hands under him, which is harder when he's sunk in the bed. As he went to the left so he was being held half over the bed and half over the floor, he quick put his left front foot down on the carpet, as you would if you wanted to quick! brace yourself against a fall. It was instant, and he placed his foot perfectly and kind of pushed off a little bit. His left front is the one that is most affected. He is also doing a lot more sniffing the yard.

[critters]

Interesting…

I actually met a walking quad in the 80s

[CarolC]

Another first for Pip. It was cool this morning and I put him out to potty while I was doing morning cleanup. He started barking at a cat in the alley behind us and then he bounded across the yard to the back fence and barked at the cat. A big, extra fluffy, light grey long-haired kitty. He lost his balance but continued to bark at the cat, who continued to do his business in the alley, looked at him curiously, then took his leave. But there was another cat in the side alley! A short-haired cat. So off he goes hopping and springing with his overcharged hind legs bouncing his hindquarters in the air in a hop/run. He gets almost to the side fence and loses his balance, but gets right back up. Then he barked at this second cat, approaching the fence in various places, staying on his feet mostly, barking till it left. Then he came back toward the middle of the yard and settled in a spot and rested and smelled things, satisfied that he had run off all the cats. I think it would be correct to say, "Today Pip was running around the yard". I remember when it was a big deal for me to put him about 10' from the door and let him run to the door. I remember when I first got him and he couldn't even hold his head up and he nearly snapped my thumb off (literally) when his head fell over sideways one time while I was carrying him. His gait in his hind legs is a bit like a bucking bronco with a lot of vertical motion, but today he ran from fence to fence and for sure he gets first prize!

[critters]

Running is running, & it works for him!!

[CarolC]

Amen!!

[CarolC]

He's so funny. He's done something 3 times now. I set him in the yard so he can potty. There's a cat outside the fence he wants to bark at. He finishes pottying and begins barking. I think, "That's enough barking" and go to get him. He runs off! He's not ready to come in, he wants to bark at the cat some more. SO funny! So now I'm chasing him across the yard.

[critters]

Wear Mama out!