HD and hind leg lameness

[stefnee]

Last week (Monday) I came home to my nine year old Rottie, unable to use his hind legs. He could walk, but had very little control over them. I would say poor motor control. I took him to the vet and had xrays done. The vet said that he still has mild HD and arthritis has set it in. He is on Rimadyl for two weeks, but was told that if he does not improve in seven days that we would ger referred to a specialist.

The only thing that has changed is that I found a patch of hair missing on one of his back legs with a scab on it. I pointed this out to the vet and he thought it may be ringworms. He did some blood work, and I guess he rulled that out.

But why all of the sudden would he loose control of his legs. I is like he tries to stand up, but his hind legs refuse to cooperate. I plan on taking him back to the vet tomorrow, but from what I have read on HD, total loose of motor functions in the hind legs is NOT a symton of HD. Thanks

Stefnee

[Judi W]

I agree with you. This sounds more like a neurological issue than the influence of the HD which would show you a painful expression, but not loss of control.

[moondog]

Did the vet check his spine? I would make sure to have your vet, or better yet a specialist, take a good look at his spine, too, as there are many conditions that can affect the spine and cause rear end weakness.

As for the patch of hair, if it came up empty for ringworm, have the vet do a scraping for demodex, which can sometimes pop up in adult dogs with an underlying condition that stresses the immune system.

[stefnee]

This evening, we ended up at the Emergency Vet because Nico has not gone to the bathroom in almost two days. We would take him outside and he would just lay there. He has not eaten the food the vet prescribed for him (royal canin), so not wanting him to go hungry, put down his old food, and he at that. He has been drinking alot and that was why I was worried. Did not want him to be uncomfortable with a full blatter and not be able to relieve himself. The emergency vet took some x-rays, mainly looking for cancer. the vet told us that if they did find anything in the xrays taken tonight, she would not have good news. Luckily, nothing was found. Because she did not find anything in her xrays, she thinks it may either be cancer or a slipped disc.

Nico is staying overnight to be monitored and will be transfered to the surgeons tomorrow morning to get an evaluation from them.

I feel kind of upset at the vet who said it was HD and gave us rimadyl for him. We could have gotten all of this done last week. Last Monday, Nico was able to walk, today, he cannot.

Stefnee

[moondog]

Well, it sounds like his care is going in a better direction now. I'd be upset that the other vet diagnosed it as a hip problem, too. Good thing your dog has you to help sort it all out and do some investigating on your own. I hope it turns out to be something treatable, I'll keep my fingers crossed. Let us know.

[Judi W]

I am glad you are hurrying on this. The poor boy is sure to be sufferning and needs help. Best wishes.

[StephanieandToby]

My Toby threw his back out once in a while and was unable to stand without help...however, it was very infrequent and only lasted a few minutes...half hour at most...not as long as your dog is suffering...
I hope it's good news...wishing you luck for Nico!!

[stefnee]

I got a call from the surgen this morning after they did a myelogram on Nico. His has a herniated disk in C6 and C7. He did great during surgery and hopefully will be home in two or three days.

[debbiej]

whew! glad to hear he is diagnosed, and on the mend.

[moondog]

Phew! I'm glad to hear they found it and the surgery was successful! You must be feeling much, much better. Has the vet told you what his aftercare and rehabilitation should consist of, and what to expect? Will he be able to recover completely?

[ladycricket]

Originally Posted by stefnee

I got a call from the surgen this morning after they did a myelogram on Nico. His has a herniated disk in C6 and C7. He did great during surgery and hopefully will be home in two or three days.

I just read this thread, you must be so relieved now that he is finally diagnosed and it's fixable! Healing thoughts for Nico!

[Joyce Belcher]

Help I Read Your Reply On One Of Your Explaing So Much Of The Symptoms Of My 8yr Old Rottie I Went To Visit My Mom Inhe Hospital I Retruned Home Only To Find My Baba Vert Drunk And Could Not Steady Himself This Was Friday And He Has Gotten To The Point That He Is Not Using His Legs To Step With I Took Him To The Vet And He Said He Had Hd And A Spinal Cord We Think He Has A Lot Of Imformation On X Ray I Was Hard To Tell Just How Much Damage If Any He Also Gave Me Som Strroids And He Can For A Very Long Peroids At A Time Do You Have Any Advice That You May Be Able To Help Please

[BostonRott]

Joyce,

Please try not to put a capital letter at the beginning of every word, it makes for VERY difficult reading.

All dogs have a spinal cord. Do you mean that there is an injury? HD will NOT cause the symptoms that have been described. What Stefnee describes is neurological in basis (as turned out to be the case) and if your dog is displaying similar symptoms, they need to diagnose him ASAP.

Steroids will not solve a herniated disk, Wobbler's syndrome or any number of other things that may be causing problems. They will help with inflammation, but I'm guessing that whatever is ailing your dog is not a simple inflammation, as neuro problems rarely are that basic.

[Anne]

Joyce Belcher I think you must have misunderstood what the vet said. I trust you are taking some action to relieve your dog of his pain. Please consult your vet again and ask him/her to explain the condition to you again.

BTW I agree with BostonRott. Your post is very difficult to read without punctuation and capital letters at the beginning of every word.