Bumping Into Walls, Dragging Paw

[camelot522]

Hello,

I am submitting this question for my one of my daughters until she gets her computer going. Emma is 6 years old (in July) and has experienced a few staggered incidents of bumping into a table, wall or door. She has also had incidents of suddenly dragging her paw, & does not immediately return it to the normal position, pads on the floor - in other words, she will continue to drag it 'upside down' as she walks.

Initially, the vet thought it might be a seizure, but is now doing blood tests for Cushings Disease. My daughter's computer is currently down, so I did some research for her, but Emma's symptoms don't fit Cushings Disease. We understand & respect that the vet has his reason for checking this out, but we are just curious if anyone else has ever heard of this?

I have witnesses it only once. I was sitting in a chair & Emma came toward me. Just as she reached my legs/lap, I extended my hands out to her, but she suddenly, abruptly & with absolutely no warning, banged her head into the coffee table which was on her immediate left. Just as abruptly she then lifted her head toward me, as though nothing had happened, to play. It was so fast, & totally involuntary. I have to tell you I was so startled - I thought maybe I had inadvertently done something, maybe hit her head with my hands as we 'approached each other', etc. But my daughter said it wasn't me, that that is what had been happening to her from time to time.

There are no other symptoms & she has been on no medication other than antibiotics twice for a glandular type problem (swelling in the anal area from constipation - a cyst developed & became inflamed & infected). She eats well, does her outdoor thing well - no frequent urination.

Has anyone else seen this before?

Thank you for any info or advice you may have to offer.

[moondog]

It sounds like a neurological problem to me, especially because she doesn't "right" her foot, but drags it. If this was my dog, I'd ask for a referral to a neurologist and take her there.

If your daughter can get it on video, all the better. Dogs rarely do this stuff "on cue" while actually at the vet's office and a visual for the vet would be helpful, I'd think.

[camelot522]

Thank you, Moondog. Never thought of that. A quick video on the camcorder would certianly provide an exact picuture of the incident. Will get that to her tomorrow. These incidents are few & far between, but this way she'll be prepared.

My first thought was seizure/neurological, too, as a friend of mine has a 10 year old police K-9 diganosed with a neurological condition with almost identical symptoms. And the vet originally thought it possibly seizures, but for some reason now wants to test for Cushings. Those tests are this Wed.

Thanks for your advice!

[moondog]

If it's Cushings caused by a pituitary tumor, it could cause neurological symptoms, so it's good to rule that out, but what you are describing doesn't sound like the "disorienting" type symptoms that can occur with Cushing's (circling, seizures, blindness).

If the Cushing's tests come out negative, I'd ask for a referral to a neurologist.

[camelot522]

Ok - now it makes a bit more sense to me. In researching Cushings, I noticed that there were neurological symptoms, but they were definitely not the same as the ones Emma is having. But because of the presence of such in both diseases, he is probably going to proceed on a process of elimination.

Originally Posted by moondog

If it's Cushings caused by a pituitary tumor, it could cause neurological symptoms, so it's good to rule that out, but what you are describing doesn't sound like the "disorienting" type symptoms that can occur with Cushing's (circling, seizures, blindness).

If the Cushing's tests come out negative, I'd ask for a referral to a neurologist.

[spoiledbabies3]

The dragging of the paw can be attributed to neurological issues if the paw is not uprighted. If the paw is uprighted according to my vet it can also be a part of serious arthritis. In your case things are most likely pointing to neurological damage. My old man had very serious arthritis, however, and since he uprighted the paw immediately and just dragged when stepping up stairs it was attributed to a serious arthritic condition. Good luck with your fur baby...I will think positive thoughts for you both.

[BostonRott]

When she is acting normal (not bumping into things, not dragging her paw), try this:

Take her foot and try to set it upside down (as she does when she drags it). Do this with all 4 feet. See if any of them are slower to be "righted" than the others. It's a test of proprioception (the ability to know the position of hte body), and is something they do when looking for neuro problems. If you notice that any are different, be SURE to let your vet know, and also ask for the neuro consult.

My first thought when reading your post was "neuro."