antonio Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Hi, I have a 4 month old happy Dogue De Bordeaux puppy. He has problem with his front paws - a few days ago, overnight, he lost the control over the movement of both front paws. When walking, he sometimes stumbles on his wrists. I am sure that he does not feel any pain, he carries on as usual. When I hold his paw, it seems completely numb. This has come as a big shock, for it is a very happy and healthy pup. Has anyone heard of this problem? There are no other symptoms and the vet found it very unusual and had no idea of what the problem might be. Eventually it will be a very big dog - does anybody have any knowledge how it might affect his growing up if it doesn't improve? Thanks for your help. Antonio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 (edited) . Edited June 7, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio Posted March 31, 2007 Author Share Posted March 31, 2007 Asks the vet to refer to on to a specialist. It could be a problem with his spine. I would do this ASAP. What did your vet suggest you should do about this? Did he give you any advice or suggest any treatment? Please let us know how things go with this pup. Good luck. Hi, thanks for your reply. The vet basically said to go home and check the Internet for more information. She said if it doesn't improve, she would refer us to a specialist - neurologist. We're a little worried of the costs of going down this path. He wasn't a cheap puppy to purchase in the first place. Will keep you posted, fingers crossed. He's the best pup, love him to bits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birgulparis Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 Talk to the breeder, they should no more than anyone if this is common!!! Poor puppy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted March 31, 2007 Share Posted March 31, 2007 (edited) . Edited June 7, 2009 by cavNrott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 Hi, thanks for your reply. The vet basically said to go home and check the Internet for more information. She said if it doesn't improve, she would refer us to a specialist - neurologist. We're a little worried of the costs of going down this path. He wasn't a cheap puppy to purchase in the first place. Will keep you posted, fingers crossed. He's the best pup, love him to bits. I'd be a bit ticked off with a vet telling me to check the internet. You are paying her for professional advice and she sends you to check the net?....maybe she should check the internet. However a neurologist sounds like a good idea. For sure it will cost you but that's what we do for our dogs. No good pupper is cheap and it seems the purchase price is the cheapest part of the whole deal....or it was in the case with my pedigree girl. I wouldn't wait any longer to take him to get checked by a specialist though. Whatever it is, if it's not improving rapidly then I guess it is getting worse. Did she do the test where she bends the foot back to see if the pup will right it when standing? Another thing, have you spoken to the breeder about this? If so, what do they suggest. Yes, please do keep us posted. I agree! Talk to breeder! I'd focus on how you love the pup and want to do the best for him. They SHOULD be able to give advice- what vet they use, for example. I wouldn't ask for $$ assistance until you know what you're dealing with. If it's a hereditary condition, the breeder should share some responsibility. This does not sound normal. Was he checked for ticks? I'm no expert and don't know if paralysis tick would present like this. I'd have thought back legs would be affected also. Ticks can hide everywhere, including any orifices (inside ears, anus etc.). Best wishes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R00 Posted April 1, 2007 Share Posted April 1, 2007 In no particular order, talk to breeder and find a new vet. ASAP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 you need to contact the breeder NOW call them up to get advice and also reccomendations on a suitable vet. Sounds like a nerve problem, has the pup fallen off anything lately or stumbled down some stairs? Could be spinal or the dog could have weak wrists. What diet is the dog on at the moment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Whereabouts are you? There are a couple of good neurologists around. Is the pup down on its pasterns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 A neighbours bulldog did this years ago. (they no longer have him) He had splints on his feet for months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhi Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 A puppy food for large breeds is essential for growing bones. My vet advised me to keep my growing lab x to be on puppy 'for large breeds' food until he is 18months old. He was having problems with plates of bones fusing in his knees due to poor diet, if his diet wasn't rectified he would have been lame as an adult Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flealea Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 Hi ya I am a dogue person in Sydney, and have to agree that it is a sad day when a vet says to refer to the internet. I always advise people to speak to a good vet and the breeder. Some large breeds, and maybe many other breeds, can have what appears to be floppy front feet as they are down heavy in their pasterns (thats is the dogs front legs are not strong and straight from the wrist). When they run, they look like they have floppy paddling front feet. But by your description, it sounds like the foot is turning under at the wrist, not good. I would be looking into making sure you have good nutrition for your pup and getting him checked out for any nerve damage or neurological problem. Cheers Leanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 wouldnt it be downright stupid to refer someone to the internet? where would the OP even know where to bloody start : maybe thats where the vets degree came from ... antonio the diet is definately worth looking deeper into. My dogue had bad front feet when I got him at 7 1/2 months as well as a few other problems. Eagle Pack giant breed was excellent, as well as fresh protein/calcium sources like chicken maryland, necks and frames. Just a thought ... you aren't supplementing the dogues diet with extra calcium or supplements are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joan of Arc Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I can only agree with all the others re your vet: go with your gut feeling - if you feel your vet got her degree from the lucky dip as the school fete then she probably did. Get a second opinion and NOW. Speak to the breeder NOW - ask him/her to recommend thier vet if you are geographically close or perhaps she/he or another breeder could assist you in finding a better vet in your area. Good Luck and keep us all informed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 Hi all, Thank you for your replies, much appreciated. We did manage to contact the breeder, and she recommended a vet in our area that has eperience with Dogue De Bordeaux, and also recommended to find a manipulator (Chiropractor for dogs) before seeing a Neurologist. Our puppy comes from a very healthy litter and excellent pedigree, and (luckily) no other puppies from same parents had any problems. We also looked into his diet, and went for breeder's recommendation to use Purina Beniful. He hasn't been on bad or cheap diet before, but we will start supplementing with calcium now also. As far as I know, he didn't have any serious falls or accidents. If he has pinched a nerve in his spine, manipulator should be able to sort it out, as the breeder suggests. We've never owned a dog before. It's great to see there is a big caring dog-lovers community out there willing to help, thank you all for that. See, the vet was right to recommend to find te help on Internet. We won't need her services anymore (as valuable as they are) - 4 years of studies didn't amount to much here. What ticks me off is not the vet bill, it's the fact that if somebody else comes in with the same problem, she still would not know how to help. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoelace Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 (edited) Hi Antonio Glad you were able to contact your baby's breeder and seek advice. A chiropracter was one of my first thoughts when I saw your post. What area do you live in as some DOLers may be able to suggest a good chiropracter. There is also the Australian Dogue de Bordeaux forum which you might like to join for information specifically about Dogues. Regards Shoelace PS Be careful supplementing with calcuim. Too much is as harmful as too little. Edited April 2, 2007 by Shoelace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antonio Posted April 2, 2007 Author Share Posted April 2, 2007 Hi, Thanks for that. We live in the southern suburb of Perth. If somebody can recommend a new Chiropractor for dogs in our area, please let us know. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 I would also say to be careful with calcium and even puppy food. A friend of ours had a Dane puppy who ended up with problems in her legs - her diet consisted of a good quality puppy dryfood and chicken wings. Apparently she had too much calcium and her bones grew too quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted April 2, 2007 Share Posted April 2, 2007 go the Eagle Pack giant breed puppy if you can get a hold of it magic stuff! That or Royal Canin, they are premium foods. Beneful is good due to less additives but its not specifically made for giant breeds, especially if yours is having problems with its skeletal system. dont go putting calcium on dry puppy food and adding too much. a complete food shouldnt need more calcium then is already in it or your pups bones harden and grow too fast. It also affects hair, skin and nerves as well. Dogues need to grow slowly, my boy at nearly 2 is still growing so keep an eye on the pups weight too. Let the pup be a bit ribby especially with leg problems, they do so much better in the hot weather being a little underweight as well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoelace Posted April 3, 2007 Share Posted April 3, 2007 Hi Antonio Can't help with a chiro in Perth as I'm on the other side of the country. Could I suggest your putting a post in the Health and Nutrition section asking if anyone knows a good chiro in the Perth area. I'm sure that someone can recommend one. I agree with what Nekhbet said re Eagle Pack Large Breed Puppy. That's what I've got my babies on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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