Potential disease - please help

[RebeccaH]

We've taken our 7 year old female to the vet to check out her front ankles that seem to be failing. She often puts her weight on her front ankles with her paws bent backwards when she stops to sniff during her walks. This has been going on for a month or two, just after our male passed away, so it may be a stress thing. The vet sees no sign of ligament or joint damage and her back legs/ankles are fine. By doing some research on the net of our own, she might have CDRM - Chronic Degenerative Radiculo Myelopathy which is a neutrological disease, generally found in German Shepards and with the back legs failing first. This might be a stretch since we haven't sent her for any blood work yet, but we want to know what the potential is. She also is now beginning to drag her front paws when she goes for walks. Has anyone ever encountered such a situation or have any info. on CDRM and Rotts?

[MARYDVM]

Not sure from your description exactly what is happening. Are you saying she is standing on the tops of her front feet? Paws bent backwards, pads facing up? Something like this would be a sign of serious neurological disease - possibly involving the vertebrae of the neck. Disc disease, Wobblers, cancer, a whole range of possibilities. Best to have her evaluated by a neurologist.

[LynnS]

My Akita had something similar but without more info it may or may not be the same thing. She started exhibiting signs at about 9 and it was not until she was 13 that she was seriously compromised.

[RebeccaH]

When we took her to the vet, they did a test where they bend the ankle backwards and place it down so she adds weight on it. In a normal situation, the dog will move it back to orgional position quickly as it is uncomfortable. The hind legs responded very quickly, the front legs were delayed 1-2 seconds.

From my understanding from the vet, most neurological disorders begin with the rear legs, not the front.

Can arthritis be doing this in any way? She isn't limited in her desire for activity. Just crushed my heart to see her not be at 100%. She doesnt even seem to notice that she is doing it.

Our vet told us to watch it for a couple months and document it on a calendar... If it is crdm wouldn't it be better to start taking vitamin supplements now and slow the issue rather than wait for it to be a problem then react?

[LynnS]

Originally Posted by RebeccaH

When we took her to the vet, they did a test where they bend the ankle backwards and place it down so she adds weight on it. In a normal situation, the dog will move it back to orgional position quickly as it is uncomfortable. The hind legs responded very quickly, the front legs were delayed 1-2 seconds.

From my understanding from the vet, most neurological disorders begin with the rear legs, not the front.

Can arthritis be doing this in any way? She isn't limited in her desire for activity. Just crushed my heart to see her not be at 100%. She doesnt even seem to notice that she is doing it.

Our vet told us to watch it for a couple months and document it on a calendar... If it is crdm wouldn't it be better to start taking vitamin supplements now and slow the issue rather than wait for it to be a problem then react?

With my Akita the back legs responded and front legs were delayed (longer than 1-2 seconds). I have no idea how effective supplements are. The vet we were seeing at the time said that there was nothing that could be done besides anti inflammatory medication as it progressed (that is not to say that the Vet's word was gospel as I no longer use him)...

In any case if confronted with this situation again, I would get a second opinion (preferably from a specialist)...

[Judi W]

It is neurological and what limb is affected would depend upon the site of the damage. Yes, pred is the most used and effective for reducing whatever might be causing the pressure, but that does not mean that is can solve or resolve. I would ask for a consult with a nuerologist. It is not at all likely that this is stress related. Sorry you are having this concern.