Has anyone ever heard of or had.....

[HOLYTERROR]

their dog pinch a nerve in the hip/back area that makes their rottie loose control of the leg? It's not painful, but it's like their leg has fallen asleep... the toes will roll under because they can't feel anything when they're walking.

Kimberly

[Tri-Star]

I had a dog that had that. He had spondilosis in his neck and lower back. His hind feet would roll under like you said. I used accupucture and chiropractic treatments on him. I found that for him the chiropractic treatments were doing the best and just went with that. The foot rolling stopped, but he did need to take Joint Maintenance products and occasionally get adjusted too.

[Judi W]

It certainly sounds like a neurological problem, but you will need to have it diagnosed before going further. I certainly wouldn't simply say a pinched nerve and let it go at that. For as long as it is not tended to there will be atrophy taking place and habits formed. Sometimes with something like this a course of pred will relieve any swelling and allow things to return to normal. Don't just curious - get the dog some medical care.

[HOLYTERROR]

I already did Judy... I had a vet appt within 30 minutes after it happened. I was only asking because she'd said that it was a fairly common thing to have happen in rotties.

Had them do a full work up... since all the symptoms had almost disappeared by the time we got there, bedrest was the only thing ordered... that and keep an eye on her to make sure that it didn't reoccur and need more indepth treatment.

So far so good.... the leg is a touch weaker than the other, but considering it's her bad leg and she's almost 10... for the time being all I care about is that there is no pain and there doesn't seem to be.

So resting and relaxing for the last 5 days is doing wonders. :D

Kimberly

[HOLYTERROR]

I'm also going to call the vet tomorrow with follow up info and to just make sure they don't feel a need to see her again.

Kimberly

[Judi W]

Common thing in Rottweilers is the most absurd thing I've ever heard of and simply not true. That's sort of a "gosh I don't know, it must be something about the breed"............ Did the vet put her on pred to reduce any possible swelling and inflamation? Or just send you home and hope it goes away? Pred is standard for this type of thing. It is not used long term, but for initial therapy.

Sorry if I thought you had not seen a vet, but no this is not a breed related thing.

Give the dear girl a hug.

[Carina43]

Yes, once. It was spondylosis, I guess - I got home and the poor dog couldn't use his back legs at all. I took him right to my vet, who gave him a shot of cortisone right in the lower back. Within minutes he was fine, and never had another episode. I think he was about 8 at the time, he lived a pretty active life for another two years.

[HOLYTERROR]

When I took her to the vet Judi... she did a work up in the office and checked Casey's reflexes. She spent alot of time putting Casey's hips through some mobility work along with working what I'd the "knee". She tested Casey's reflexes and everything looked ok. She pointed out to me that the "bad" leg was "alittle" slower than the other and showed me what she was looking at.

She then had us go outside to walk around... sitting, making turns in both directions and walking straight to see if there was something noticable that she would have missed in the office.

Other than the left leg being slightly weaker than the other there was nothing new. The weakness in the leg has been an ongoing problem for almost a year and has been steadily coming on as she's gotten older. Casey takes gluc/chon pills for the joints and ascripton morning and night for inflammation and/or pain.

The vet felt because of the things that Casey was on for meds at the time that pred might not be necessary at that time along with the fact that all her symptoms had mostly cleared within 30 minutes.

This happened on a Thursday and she told me if there even the slightest change to call and that they would fit me right in. She said to keep her quiet... no running, jumping or rough playing for about 4-5 days, see if everything looks good and to follow up with a call on Monday to make sure they don't want to see her again.

Now I feel guilty.... maybe I should have insisted on the pred regardless. I don't have a medical background, that's what I have a vet for and everything she was saying made sense and sounded on the up and up.

Kimberly

[NikkiDeland]

Alex has a cervical / spinal problem. When it was more severe and he lost most of the use of his back legs we had him on pred. That reduced the swelling and he regained use of his back legs. Now he is being maintained on Glycoflex III, acupuncture, and we recently started using TF Canine Complete (haven't noticed any difference yet with the TF Canine Complete).
His rear legs are still a little uncoordinated, and on bad days he drags his rear feet a little, but overall he's doing pretty good with his treatments.

[Judi W]

The stuff you have her on would be useful for joint disease (hips, etc. ) but has no effect on the spinal area and most neuro problems would originate there. Pred is what should have been used.

[HOLYTERROR]

Thanks for the info Judi... I'll deffinitely be more prepared if this should happen again. I'll make sure I pursue the pred issue more aggressively next time.

Kimberly