Megs Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Sorry for the long post! My dog Kasey has shown some hindquarter deterioration in the last 2-3 months. She is a ridgeback x rottweiler, 2 yrs old. Originally it started out what looked like stiff hips and she was shortening her stride to compensate. It wasn't obvious anytime other than when she was out running off-lead. I tried painkillers and anti-inflams and reduced exercise to on-lead with no change. She was looked over by a vet and showed some average hip flexion, everything thing else was great, no pain, swelling or heat. We xrayed hips and half of her spine, which showed nothing abnormal. The last 4 days has seen her markedly worse (again just while running - not flat out running or walking but trotting and cantering) she now occasionally adds in bunny hops and swings her leg out to the side, again just the back end and not one particular side is worse. She saw the vet again and no cause found for the change. 2 days ago she was sitting down and attempted to scratch her chin, head tilted down, leg came up but she couldn't move her leg to scratch herself - looked at her leg oddly, tired again - looked surprised - went back to sleep. This obviously shows a neurological problem of some sort. I have an appointment with a well regarded neuro specialist tomorrow but i guess i just want opinions on what it could be/ if anyone has had a similar problem or suggestions on what we should be testing for? I was speaking to a trainer i highly regard yesterday and she suggested a metal or plant toxicity could be possible as i had moved house around the time this started to occur (however have since moved back into previous place 2 weeks ago). The house was a complete mess - much older house with outside rundown buildings (empty). I've been trolling the net to try and find out if any of the plants there are poisonous to dogs, its just taking awhile! Appreciate any advice/suggestions you have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 sounds a bit nasty ... poor girl. I hope you can get some answers soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megs Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 (edited) Thanks persephone, me too! Should have also said, that she does seem to get worse the harder/longer she's been exercised for ie at the start of the walk it not that noticeable and at the end much more so. Don't know any neuro problems that would do this? Some things suggest neuro others orthopedic, shes an odd case for sure. Edited July 31, 2011 by Megs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Good luck with the specialist app't. ..hope you get good news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Could it be Subluxating Patellas? Was this checked? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megs Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 Unfortunately this was checked too. Simple and fixable like patella would be nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 A pinching nerve? T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
becks Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 could be a disc problem, they often don't show up with a normal xray. That would be something that can come and go and get worse after exercise and stop full extention of leg for a scratch when it is flaring up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 Has hip dysplasia been eliminated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megs Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 Thanks for the ideas guys. Just back from the specialist now and unfortunately they're not sure whats wrong with her either . Its maybe a case of wobblers and im just seeing its very early signs or something else. Her reflexes were all perfect on the tapping test (cant remember the proper name for it!) and at the moment its a wait and see case. Basically they want to see how it progresses to see what to test/diagnosis. A spinal CT is first on that list but they want to wait a week or two first. Now I'm not well known for my patience, especially when it comes to my dogs so i've booked her in with another vet who is also a chiropractor/physio/acupuncturist for tomorrow. I would like to properly rule out exactly what becks and tdierikx said - disc or pinched nerve or maybe something else. I dont think it can hurt, especially if i'm just waiting to see her deteriorate anyway. Poodlefan, hip dysplasia has been ruled out, it was the first thing i thought of too but the xrays showed nothing out of the ordinary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 I have a rescue foster failure here that had a brain injury as a pup which causes her to be uncoordinated - funniest thing in the world to watch her try to scratch her ear - I usually have to call her over and do it for her the poor thing... *grin* Then again, I know what is wrong with my dog, and she doesn't know she's "broken" - so we won't tell her, right? I hope you find out what is causing your dog's issues - and that it's something that can be treated and fixed up relatively quickly. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Did the vets take you seriously about the possibly toxicity? Organophosphates like Glyphosate (roundup) in large enough doses can do the same thing. You take a Cholinesterase blood level for that There is also deadly nightshade which can cause staggers, I know one man who had 3 horses with the same thing because he thought they just wouldnt eat it :rolleyes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_poisonous_plants long but it can be a start. If you need a hand deciphering it just PM me You can also try Neil Meurer in Lal Lal he has had experience with paralysed dogs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Has your dog had her neck xrayed to check that her verterbrae are normal? Good luck in finding out what is going on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megs Posted August 1, 2011 Author Share Posted August 1, 2011 (edited) Nekebet, no, toxicity was not taken seriously at all - no vomiting thus no poison. I was only in there 10-15 mins and it felt a little rushed/not cared about. I would have thought if wobblers was an option she would have been booked in to have a myelogram to either rule it out or confirm but he was reluctant to do anything and just wait, and if/when she gets worse we do the myelogram. I've booked her in to see kim lin at highton tomorrow - or would you suggest someone else? Just want to know whats going on!!!! I've got pics of all the plants that shes had contact with in the garden and instead of trying to search the net for another 2 hours i'm going to take them to a plant nursery tomorrow and ask them what they are! Ososwift no neck xray has been taken yet. Nothing besides hip xrays and painkillers (to assess if shes better on pain meds) has been really done. I'm happy to spend the money i just dont know what on. Tdierikx your pup sounds like a cutie, thankfully kasey seems to be blissfully unaware of anything wrong too. Edited August 1, 2011 by Megs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marina Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Do you have snails? These nasties carry a parasite that can cause paralysis in puppies. Maybe in adults to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megs Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Just back from the vet chiro and acupuncturist with hopefully some good news . Kasey has muscular trauma to her hindquarters and the base of her neck. Although we can't completely rule out wobbler syndrome or something else neurological, the vet is confident that the damage she was feeling could explain all the gait oddities present :D. Nothing is certain and over the next three sessions we expect to see a marked improvement otherwise neurological is likely. I've got lots of stretches to do with her as well as hindquarter awareness activities and a weekly session with the vet for acupuncture and whatever else is needed. I have to say although i'm not getting my hopes up that i'm much more confident in this diagnosis - she said things to me that i had also picked up on including what side she was worse on and behavioral changes she was presenting. $55 well spent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I have to say although i'm not getting my hopes up that i'm much more confident in this diagnosis - she said things to me that i had also picked up on including what side she was worse on and behavioral changes she was presenting happier update here's hoping! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Crossing fingers that the chiro diagnosis is correct, and Kasey makes a total recovery in quick order... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 The vet you saw was the one that got my Rottweiler up and walking from a complete cripple unable to lift himself. She's worth the money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Megs Posted August 2, 2011 Author Share Posted August 2, 2011 Thank you for all the support, advice and well wishes. Hoping to finally get a good nights sleep tonight with a more positive diagnosis and something productive to do! Kasey is my heart dog and at 2yrs of age i'm not willing to lose her without doing everything i can. Nekhbet, Kim is fantastic, what she says and does just makes sense. I was very impressed with her obvious skill, honesty and common sense approach. She also takes the time to talk and listen and at no time did it feel like she had a time constraint and was very patient with kasey who is nervy in new environments. We are lucky to have her in geelong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now