Obtaining a Diagnosis: Bilateral Proprioceptive Stalling in Older Dogs
Titan has recently been diagnosed by his vet with Bilateral Propriocetive Loss (BPS). Titan passed away in August 2014, he was 15 years old. He was quite old for his race. BPS doesn’t just affect older dogs, it has multiple causes and can affect dogs of any age for a number of reasons. The signs and symptoms of BPS Titan are:
trip on
creep
leg collapse
Inability to coordinate body movements.
Difficulty going up or down stairs
Causes of bilateral proprioceptive arrest
BPS can be caused by:
Acute inflammation along the spinal cord.
Interruption of nerve transmission along the spinal tract.
tumors
Injury
nerve damage
Infection
How is BPS diagnosed?
BPS is diagnosed by a veterinarian based on:
Signs and symptoms reported
abnormal neurologic exam
Scans such as X-rays or MRI
Some treatment options may be:
Treatment for BPS consists of:
steroid drug
anti-inflammatory drugs
Antibiotics for infections.
Our own experience with BPS
Due to Titan’s age and good quality of life, we are not currently treating his BPS. BPS is a progressive condition in aging dogs and will continue to worsen over time. Titán and I return every six months for vet checkups to monitor his progress and reassess his care plan. Titan is still excited to go for long walks and eats well and drinks well on his own initiative. He does not have any pain in his back or extremities, regardless of his current state.
What we did to support Titan’s better quality of life
We had heard of the therapeutic dog swim lessons that are typically conducted at dog spas. Although we were skeptical, we were also desperate to promote Titan’s quality of life. We decided to give it a try. I’ve posted a few videos on YouTube on how this worked for us and viewers can really see what a therapeutic swim goes into to improve muscle development and fitness, not just splash around for fun.
I’m not a vet. I am simply using my experience with my aging dog to share with you some of the exchanges that take place as dogs age in general. See your vet if you have any questions or concerns regarding your dog’s health, or if you think your dog might also have BPS.
Supporting your dog through BPS
Supporting your dog through BPS is a big decision. Some owners won’t make the decision too. It is PROGRESSIVE, and it is the beginning of the decline of the elderly. You can prolong your dog’s quality of life by maximizing his fitness level through therapeutic swimming, but you can only prolong his life and minimize his suffering. The condition cannot be cured. Ultimately, it will result in incontinence first of stool, then urine and stool, and finally behavioral changes such as aggressiveness, confusion, and loss of appetite and loss of interest in drinking until there is no quality of life left. This is a time to make memories and decide where your emotional and financial limits are. Get professional help during the pre-grief and grief process if you need it too.
