Hello everyone, it took me a while to learn to navigate this website, I started with a blog The Miracle of Salina's Mystery.  I don't know where to begin, it seems like yesterday Salina was running up the beach.  The beginning of September, Salina started licking her foot, as if she were cleaning a cut.  We had just walked up the beach 2 days before, so we assumed she cut her foot on a rock or shell.  It seemed to get worse, where we took her to our regular vet.  Her foot was bandaged, but continued to tear off the bandage an bite her foot.  We then used the "Elizabethan" collar to help her heal.  A few days later she couldn't make it up the stairs, by the morning, her rear end was paralyzed.  They thought she had a tick bite which can caused temporary paralysis, so an antibiotic was given.  The paralysis didn't improve so we were referred to a Neurologist two hours away.  At that time, Salina was very lethargic, barely ate and was in a lot of pain.  We were told by the Dr. her prognosis was not promising, she would be incontinent, possibly remain paralyzed and may continue to self-mutilate her foot which could be dangerous to her health.  We decided the best thing to do was put her down, her quality of life seemd minimal.  We brought her home and called our regular vet. 

The next day we brought her to the vets to say good-by, of course all day I would look at her anal area an noticed it was closed, that she had control…the Dr. came in with the two needles and a shaver…I asked him to look at her one more time.  He did, and noticed she was dehydrated, but appeard better than the nuerologist stated in her fax.  He offered to keep her for the night and we could go for a second opinion the following day.  We went for a second opinion, the same prognosis, but with a more positive support, that having a handicapped dog isn't that bad.  We decided to go thru with an MRI and possible surgery.  The MRI showed inflamation in her spinal cord, surgery not necessary and a spinal tap was done.  She was placed on prednizone and was improving, the spinal tap showed no signs of cancer or infection….it was a mystery. 

We used a harness to hold up her back area for walks and would assist her to expunge her bladder.  Within a few days she was able to go the the bathroom by herself (outside!) bowel movement soon to follow!  Salina is not incontinent.  She went at her foot again…two times…the second time she did a job.  Our veterinarian then decided it would be best to amputate that leg. 

She had previously lost all feeling in that leg, but she was feeling something that was telling her her foot didn't belong.  Of course like the rest of you, we were devestated, but knew it was the best thing to do.  It has been one week today since her surgery. 

She walks on her front legs only, she has feeling in her rear leg, but it is very stiff and only uses it to balance when standing.  I try therapy by bending her leg, but it seems to hurt her.  Still not sure what is wrong with Salina, they won't rule out cancer because of her age (she's 8), but again, her bloodwork did not show signs. 

I have been reading the forum and see I am not alone, plus I've been having a lot of supportive responses on Salina's blog.  Today is the day I am shedding tears, this all happened so fast and the should've, would've, could've keep coming up.  I just want her to be able to use her back leg for better walking. 

I can't figure out how to post her picture on here, or I would.