Adverse Vaccine Reaction: Adventures in Wobbling

We’re really trying to get back on a normal blog schedule, but it has been tougher than expected to balance our must-do list with everything else. Plus, as Lilly starts feeling better, she wants more Mommy time … and in a world where the choice is spending time with my girl and writing a post … well, no offense. ;o)

We saw significant improvements in Lilly’s control of her body as she recovers from meningoencephalomyelitis (inflammation of the brain and lining of the brain and spinal cord).

That doesn’t mean, however, that Lilly doesn’t end up in some pretty funny (and also sad) situations with her wobbly body.

Canine Ataxia (wobbly walking) – Like Bad Chopsticks

One evening while Lilly negotiated snow in the dog pen during a potty run, she simply could not manage to keep her rear legs a workable distance apart. Somehow, her back legs kept getting crisscrossed like a couple of wayward chopsticks, which isn’t conducive to the functioning tripod required to poop. My poor sweetie fell butt-first and tipped over in the snow 7-8 times before she finally managed a steady-enough position.

Canine Ataxia (weak front end) – Tyrannosaurus Rex

Another night, Lilly managed a good-enough tripod to poop, but her front legs gave out, and she fell face-first in the snow while her rear legs came off the ground. She looked like a Tyrannosaurus Rex trying to do a handstand while pooping.

Canine Ataxia (poor rear leg control) – Speed Skater Loose in the Curve

Sunday morning while racing around the house trying to find Tom, Lilly looked like a speed skater who got loose in the turn. Legs completely akimbo at the most improbable angles, she flew through the house, sliding through curves.

What Lilly Can Do

So, for now, here is a list of what Lilly can do:

• Walk straight forward on the flat at normal speed
• Climb stairs and hills pretty well, as long as she doesn’t try to go too fast
• Jump up and down from things like the sofa without help

What Lilly Cannot Do (Yet)

That leaves these normal tasks on our to-work-on list:

• Walk on anything other than flat ground … she is better if the grade is parallel to her path. If the grade is perpendicular? Forget it, she’ll fall every time.
• Walk backward with any control
• Walk steadily at speed
• Run without falling
• Turn either direction without slipping or falling
• Go down stairs with reliable control