Back Legs Problem
Bubba is soon to be 11 years old in a couple months. a few weeks ago we were going downstairs where the computer room is and had already went down the six steps from the living room(2-story) to the foyer and then six more steps to the downstairs area.
I forgot something and told Bubba to stay there while I went back up to the kitchen. Of course, he didn't listen and came back up those last six steps to the foyer area but never got all the way up. When I looked his front paws were on the slate foyer but his back legs were still on the last two steps. He looked frantic so I grabbed his front two legs and pulled him up. Chalking this off to maybe he couldn't get traction on his front paws due to the slick slate I overlooked it.
This past Saturday we had gone out on the deck to go out in the back yard and there's 12 steps to go down. No problem, he's negotiated up and own those steps for years. He got to the first couple of steps and tumbled all the way down 10 more steps and landed in the yard. I was scared stiff he may have broken a leg, cracked a rib or worse yet, his back or neck. He sat there awhile and I felt all over him for problems but he got up and walked away like nothing had happened. No chancing another event like that I decided we won't go down those steps again.
Last night as we were getting to go out back for his last potty break around 8:30 we went down the steps inside to cut through the garage and out the back door. He got down all steps but as he made it down to the parquet floor his back legs were spread out like an eagle-one going to the left, one going to the right like someone trying to learn to skate. He stood there temporarily and then walked toward me but he was still walking with both feet outward. After about six feet of walking like that he finally straightened them out and was fine.
Part of me wants to blame this on his being overweight and being 10 years old. Another part wants to think the worse as being maybe the onset of DM. After what I explained, I'd appreciate any insight into this. We go to the vet today as I'm not waiting anymore for my guessing.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by D46 on
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I was giving him 3/4 cup of Fromm's Chicken a' la Veg but have changed to 1/2 cup. I still give him the unsalted DelMonte Green Beans and boiled chicken breast. It's the snacks we have trouble with, not so much the meals.
Last summer I had to have a second bypass on my left leg. This time it was the worse operation I've ever had. The vascular surgeon took what he called the 'Great Saphenous Vein" and used it to bypass the plaque that had built up in my main artery. That one already had a stent in it. The operation took a toll on me and was hospitalized five days and had to h ave therapist come to the house to help me walk again. I had no appetite at all. I couldn't get through half of a Lean Cuisine TV dinner. I didn't know it at the time but I was also hyperthyroid as well, probably contributing to my not caring for food. I had gotten down to 124 pounds and looked like death sucking on a life saver!
Long story short, I'm still working on the thyroid problem and now am hypo instead of hyperthyroid but at least I've gained up to 138.
The last thing I want to do is put Bubba on is some reduced fat diet like Hills. that's the worse food possible, IMHO and I don't like anything Hills makes. I think the 1/2 cup of his usual food will suffice. Cutting back known good food is better than food supposedly for seniors, reduced fat or both. I think some just have a propensity to be bigger than others. Looks at us, some of us eat the same amount as others yet they may gain while we loose. Bubba's aunt is heavier than him yet her breeder feeds them all alike.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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I have to adjust my dogs food every few months. If they gain then it's smaller amounts but usually around 1/2 cup twice a day but my dogs do get exercise.. I also feed grain free which Fromms may be? I do agree that good food is better than "diet" foods for dogs....it's the amount and how much they do. My 5 dogs split 1 piece of American cheese a day and the Charlee Bears are another 3 calorie snack that mine like. They get 3 each. Does he like carrots or apples? Those are good fillers too.
Does he like any toys that he will go get and bring back to you? That would be a fun way for him to get some exercise also.
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Fromm's is grain free. I've tried over the years Canadae, Origen, Innova and lastly Fromm's. He didn't really cull any of them! I know I've over fed bubba. If I give him cheese, other than the half inch size cubes, I'll tear it in half and give him the whole thing. I don't know how many calories that entails. Like most, he loves cheese and peanut butter and will lick your finger as long as it's got peanut butter on it.
He's not into veggies and won't touch apples. The only way to get him to eat carrots is I have to shred it and put it in his kibble. He likes blueberries but only if I smash them up in my hand first. If I put 4-5 in my hand, he won't take them. I have to smash them up. Is that spoiled or what?:) Well, he's my buddy.
He has toys but will run across the room, snag one of them, shake it a bit and then lay it down. There have been times and it was so cute, he'd grab one up and take it out the back on the deck and go down the steps with it in his mouth dropping it after he got down to the ground. I wish a thousand times I had videoed that as he doesn't do it anymore.
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How about a treat ball that he has to chase and work at getting his yummy treats out of if he wants a treat? I know it's hard and Corgis always think they are being starved.
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I've tried it all with him. The treat balls didn't work long-too much work. I stuffed the Kong with peanut butter and small treats and that lasted about ten minutes.
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Permalink Reply by Vicky Hay on
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LOL!! Well, ten minutes is prob'ly better than ten seconds (or less). :-)
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Don't give him any fake food -- i.e. "diet" formula. Just give him less. Trust us: he's a DOG. He doesn't eat for the same reasons humans do.
Once I bought a new measuring cup for the food I was doling out to the Gershep and the Greyhound. They were each supposed to get one cup of kibble. Well...uhm....the plastic cup thingie I got was a) about half as tall as the one I'd been using and b) had markings molded into the plastic with no contrast. I didn't realize that when I scooped up a whole cupful, as I'd been doing for years with the defunct measure, I was actually giving them TWICE as much. The Gershep bloated up like a balloon before I tumbled to this dumb move. Soon as I realized, I cut the rations back to 1 cup per meal, and they never seemed to notice. No begging, no signs of starvation. They just quietly went back to their normal weight.
Sounds like you've had even better Adventures in Medical Science than I have. Have you tried ice cream? I became addicted after the last surgery. Works pretty well to plump you right up. Sure tastes good, too. ;-)
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It's been several months now and things haven't improved. In fact, back in July the vet diagnosed him with arthritis in both rear knees and he's been on several med to include Metacam and Duraquin(sp?) Neither has really helped with the problem of his not being able to negotiate the stairs anymore. He started getting worse about mid summer but could still come up and down the stairs with a little trouble and slow going.
Fast forward to October and he now was dragging periodically his left foot to the point of getting a hot spot on one of the toes. I was getting worried about how arthritis could cause that problem. Since the First part of November he started dragging the left leg from time to time and I'd pick up his hind quarters to help him a little. Then he started walking ok but staggering now and then. Finally about six weeks back I had to start helping him up the step and would take his legs and basically walk him up the stairs in the house to get us from the down stairs to the living room upstairs. He can still come down but it makes me nervous wondering if he'll fall. He has to get 3-4 starts and will begin to come down but stop, turn around and try again.
Last week the vet told me she thinks there was something else going on besides arthritis and had me take him to a neurologist. I did not get encouraging news from her after she saw him walk and did a series of tests. She had me order a test kid from OFA for DM which I got some days ago and sent it back. I haven't heard anything yet and am on pins and needles hoping it's anything but that...maybe a herniated disc or something. I have a video on FB but didn't know how to show it here so you could see how he's walking. I feel like I've been beat to death and all the blood has left me. Bubba just turned 11 back in August but this started about late June or mid July. Could it possibly be something else causing this?
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Oh dear. That's very scary. But don't borrow trouble...at 11 he's a very old dog and could have any number of age-related issues. Also if this vet comes back with negative news, do get a second opinion.
Did you have any luck at reducing his weight?
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The vet seems to think it's DM as does the neurologist he's recently seen. No notification from OFA yet as to the results of the sample I sent them. I've had little luck with his weight. He'll lose 6-8 pounds and then gain most of it back.
He does have arthritis in both rear knees according to the vet but I don't consider 11 as "a very old dog".
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:-) The older we get, the younger those years seem, eh? I no longer think of, say, 60, as very old...yet you can't escape the fact that even at that tender age we humans start to show some signs of decrepitude.
As daunting as this predicament sounds, I hope you get positive news. It's an ordeal!
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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I'm afraid my leanings are also towards DM. I just went thru this and as I read your description it was almost word for word what I went thru with Max the last several months. This does not necessarily mean you have to make a decision on him. If he is healthy otherwise many dogs take to a cart without problems once they get thru the learning curve. Max used one. Unfortunately Max also had lymphoma and the toll on his body was too much.
I am so sorry you are both going thru this, it is so hard.
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