Facial muscle wastage and possible nerve damage after car injury to my dog

[happyliza]

Since my dog Sienna was hit by a car just over one month ago further symptoms are now appearing. Over the last week I have noticed a huge dent in the left side of her head from the side of her eye right up to her ear covering half her cheek. The indentation is up to nealy one inch deep and very noticable when looking full on compared to her normal side. I have also noticed the the bone running across the top of her crown (from between the eyes to bak of neck) is also protruding more. Obviously this is very worrying.

Yesterday I took her to the vet, as these symptoms were not visible during her treatment. Though she has been sleeping much more, a bit off her food and although alert when she wants to be, no longer is all excited and jumpy when good friends come to the door - which is so unlike her.

The vet suggested she may have incurred nerve damage during the car impact and that may be causing the muscle wastage. Unfortunately she didn't know what to do other than give possible tablets (I am naot sure for what), but I am waiting as she, and the other vetsthere are waiting to speak to a doctor! They still haven't rung me back yet.

Does anyone have any experience of this or can give me any advice as to whether this is just temporary? What is the best form of treatment? I am sure it is still getting worse too. This is very disturbing.

This is totally new to me so I would appreciate and feedback peeps may have. Thanks.


I just wanted to add: Is there any pain or things that my dog may be going through that I may not be aware of? It doesn't hurt her when I press these spots. Is this a symptom of more possible internal damage we haven't picked up on yet. What would be worst case scenario here. thx.

 

[ggen]

Hello happyliza.

I'm sorry to hear that your pup was injured and is suffering. You mentioned that the dog already had treatment after the initial injury. Were there X-rays taken or an MRI done? Both of these can be very pricy (especially the MRI). I was wondering if these images had been taken and was a part of the diagnosis from your vet.

I'm wondering if besides nerve damage, there could be some swelling of the brain.

 

[happyliza]

Thank you Brightlight11. I too worry seriously about brain damage. As this injury is now showing itself it could get steadily worse. She did have an xray as she had an odema - air swelling over her left side. Also blood tests showing her enzymes and liver was affected. These are normal now. I am not sure whether the xray covered her head so I will ask.

 

[Nancy2feathers]

Since my dog Sienna was hit by a car just over one month ago further symptoms are now appearing. Over the last week I have noticed a huge dent in the left side of her head from the side of her eye right up to her ear covering half her cheek. The indentation is up to nealy one inch deep and very noticable when looking full on compared to her normal side. I have also noticed the the bone running across the top of her crown (from between the eyes to bak of neck) is also protruding more. Obviously this is very worrying.

Yesterday I took her to the vet, as these symptoms were not visible during her treatment. Though she has been sleeping much more, a bit off her food and although alert when she wants to be, no longer is all excited and jumpy when good friends come to the door - which is so unlike her.

The vet suggested she may have incurred nerve damage during the car impact and that may be causing the muscle wastage. Unfortunately she didn't know what to do other than give possible tablets (I am naot sure for what), but I am waitio hear about your fng as she, and the other vetsthere are waiting to speak to a doctor! They still haven't rung me back yet.

Does anyone have any experience of this or can give me any advice as to whether this is just temporary? What is the best form of treatment? I am sure it is still getting worse too. This is very disturbing.

This is totally new to me so I would appreciate and feedback peeps may have. Thanks.


I just wanted to add: Is there any pain or things that my dog may be going through that I may not be aware of? It doesn't hurt her when I press these spots. Is this a symptom of more possible internal damage we haven't picked up on yet. What would be worst case scenario here. thx.

I`m sorry to hear about your four legged friend. In the past I`ve used Rescue Remedy for dogs (a homeopathic remedy). I believe it
helps when trauma occurs. Is she trembling or shivering at all when lying down? Sometimes that`s a sign of pain. There were times when I gave my dogs half or quarter(depending on weight) of a regular or children`s aspirin for pain. Most Vets won`t mention to give them aspirin.

Please no offense to Vets on this forum, but in general, my experience has been that most Vets want your credit card up front to run tests and so forth that can be very costly. Then what do you do with that info. If it`s nothing major, fine. I would do what I could plus some to get my pet better. If it`s something major and my pet has no chance of recovery, I would try to make her as comfortable as possible until you have to make plans for his/ her end time.

I`m not sure if your doggie friend is getting up and going outside to do her business. When they reach the point of not being able to take care of business,(and there`s no chance of them getting better) you`ll want to ask yourself if her/his quality of life is suffering?

I know it`s not easy, my doggies are family members and I sure do miss the ones that have passed.

 

[Keit]

The vet suggested she may have incurred nerve damage during the car impact and that may be causing the muscle wastage. Unfortunately she didn't know what to do other than give possible tablets (I am naot sure for what), but I am waiting as she, and the other vetsthere are waiting to speak to a doctor! They still haven't rung me back yet.

I am very sorry happyliza, that your dog may have additional problems. I am not yet familiar with many ways of treating or diagnosing potential neural damage, but there are couple of possible and harmless things you could ask your vet to do. First, when a neuro-damage is suspected, a neurologic evaluation is performed.
_http://www.merckmanuals.com/pethealth/dog_disorders_and_diseases/brain_spinal_cord_and_nerve_disorders_of_dogs/the_neurologic_evaluation_of_dogs.html
It's more valid when a dog has a problem with extremities or a spine, but perhaps there is also a test for facial nerves. You can make one by yourself by pinching the skin and seeing if you get any reaction. Or you can do it with a needle. Don't worry, it may hurt, but that would be a good sign!

Now, another thing you could ask your vet about is electrical stimulation.
_http://www.integrativepetcare.com/ourservices/electricalstimulation.html
I don't know how it is done in US, but here vets use the so called "d'Arsonval machine" (it is mainly used in beauty salons to treat the skin, so you may be familiar with it from there) Here is an example of one: _http://www.ebay.com/bhp/high-frequency-d-arsonval
This device is used here in cases of potentially reversible neurological damage (and I saw myself that it worked), especially in cases of pinched nerve or muscle wastage. It's not painful, but more ticklish, also considering the fact that animals have a higher pain threshold.

Basically, it stimulates nerve endings and helps the signal to reach its destination. And after the electrical stimulation, a short deep muscle massage is performed, to stimulate the blood flow to the area.

It's kind of hard to advice more than this without having additional information, but hope it helps!

 

[happyliza]

Thank you for the helpful advice. She appears to be acting quite normally and still alert as well as going to the loo regularly and eating. But as this appeared when the vet was happy to discontinue treatment I obviously am worried about further complications. I will certainly enquire about the electrical stimulation that sounds really good. I have been massaging the area quite alot to help stimulate blood flow.

A friend here has asked whether they put antihistamine into the drip (I am not sure at this stage) as when she had to have it she ended up with a big hole/dent in her arm and serious muscle wastage as a result. It did come back to normal but took over one year. With Sienna it may be a bit more complicated as it is one the side and upper part of her face.

I will visit the vets again tomorrow with this new info and see if we can get it organised.

I do have some BAch home remedy but only Walnut, Star of Bethlehem and some Wormwood. Difficult to get here. Which would you suggest, I can ask the next person going back to UK to get me some.

 

[Vic]

Quote Nancy2feathers: In the past I've used Rescue Remedy for dogs (a homeopathic remedy)

It's Bach Rescue Remedy, Happyliza. It's the most well known of Bach's range, so if you can get Bach there you should be able to get their Rescue Remedy.

I pray your dog heals fully and quickly.

 

[Keit]

A friend here has asked whether they put antihistamine into the drip (I am not sure at this stage) as when she had to have it she ended up with a big hole/dent in her arm and serious muscle wastage as a result. It did come back to normal but took over one year. With Sienna it may be a bit more complicated as it is one the side and upper part of her face.

Well, antihistamine is usually given in cases of allergy, so not sure if it would be given to your dog as part of the treatment after an accident. Wish you luck tomorrow!

 

[happyliza]

Thank you everyone. At least I am going there with more info now. I will let you know what they say. If necessary I will take her to a beauty salon that likes dogs to get the nerveblood stimulation treatment! lol

Will make enquiries here too about obtaining the rescue remedy.

 

[Nancy2feathers]

My well wishes too, happyliza. Stimulation of new blood flow sounds good. Massage for animals can be very healing just like with people. Good luck!

 

[happyliza]

Well I just got a call back from the vet (I called in there yesterday as had no response but the one dealing with Sienna was not there and I was told to phone back this morning which I did).

Their answer - albeit she said in advance that is might not work, was Cortisone!! So I politely said NO explaining that I refuse to take it for myself and that considering that it may not even work I was not prepared to put my dog on steroids. She then proposed vitamin b12 and b6 as well as selenium. As I had to pay £35 for the one's she has already been taking, is there any harm in giving her the ones that I take? Would brazil nuts be ok for the selenium?

I will still continue enquiries for the electrical stimulation and see if there is a small machine i could get.

Thanks for your post too Nancytwofeathers.

 

[Nancy2feathers]

Quote:Would brazil nuts be ok for the selenium?

I`m not sure about Brazil nuts. I wouldn`t feed any kind of nuts to my dog.

Quote:I will still continue enquiries for the electrical stimulation and see if there is a small machine i could get.

Is the electrical stimulator that you are checking into the same as what`s called a tens unit? If so, I bought one years ago from my chiropractor for under $100.00. It has 4 pads connected to wires that lead to a small box that contains batteries and you can adjust the amount of electric stimulation you want. It work great to get the blood flowing in a specific area. I used it on my shoulder and lower back to break up muscle spasms and get blood flow to the area. I bet you could find one on Amazon or ebay if that`s a route you want to take?

Good luck!

 

[Nancy2feathers]

I was just thinking...I`m not using my stimulator right now and if that`s what you`re looking for I can lend you mine. :) We would probably need to go through administrators if this is a possibility.

 

[happyliza]

I think this is what Keit mentioned, I am not sure if a Tens machine does the same thing. Thank you for the offer of lending me yours, that is very kind. I would not recommend it though sadly as our post rarely gets here from abroad so I would hate for it to be lost en-route.
Does your machine do similar? First I have to establish which is more beneficial.

I have also noticed that the machine below mentions having to have cream on the skin first to protect it. I doubt whether that would work with a dog? Can I just use some water and wet her fur instead? Am a bit confused now.

If I can establish what is best to use I could put out a request on the forums and FB here if anyone has one to sell (plus try ordering via a salon too).

High-Frequency-Darsonval-Darsonval-Skin-Facial-Care-Spa-Salon-Beauty-Kit-


Introduction:

The high frequency electrotherapy is an important beauty instrument. It is through the glass electrode tube to produce high frequency current, and apply to the skin, thus achieves the treatment result.
1.It helps to calm the nerve and has analgesia function.
2.Has the function of anti-aging, anti-wrinkle and skin-tightened.
3.Improve secretion, the PH value causes the skin lean to neutrality.
4.Accelerate blood circulation and improve metabolism.
5.It produces the ozone for sterilization, can help wound to heal and to restrain pores.


Features:

100% Brand New & High Quality
Remove spot
Heal skin scars
Enhance blood circulation
Improve lymph activity
Help skin nutrition
Strengthen cell metabolism
Improve secretion and PH value
Diminish inflammation
Sterilize bacteria
Accelerate healing of wounds
Reduce visible skin pores

 

[Jasmine]

Hi happyliza, I was sad to hear that your puppy was injured in a car accident. :(

It sounds like the High-Frequency-Darsonval is similar to the TENS unit in functionality if it's designed to output light pulses of electrical stimuli. The TENS unit gives very weak to mild electrical stimuli within your control of the meter. Like Nancy2feathers I also got one from my chiropractor a couple years ago. Looking on ebay or Amazon was a good idea. I've included pictures of mine here in case you're curious of what it looks like.

Did you try the pinch method yet that Keit suggested?