Knuckling over/tripping?
Does anyone`s corgi trip when they run, or knuckle over when they have something? I got Sam from a shelter earlier this week and I`ve noticed that when he runs he trips, almost like he can`t run quite fast enough. I`ve attributed it to big paws or excitement but I wanted to know if anyone else`s puppy does this. Also, sometimes when he`s walking with a toy he`ll stop and curl his paws over and flop over on the toy. It`s awfully cute, but I want to make sure it`s just a quirk and nothing serious. He`s five months old and was picked up by animal control when he was around three months old-ish in very bad condition, so I`m worried he may have suffered some early neurological damage from malnutrition and improper care. It doesn`t seem to affect him, and he`s not in pain or anything, but I`m still a little worried. He`s a very active boy, and in addition to being clumsy I don`t think he`s the brightest bulb in the box. We`re seeing his vet Tuesday, but I wanted some opinions from other people who had more firsthand experience with the Pemmies.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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To test for neurological disease you can basically just fold the foot so he is standing on the knuckle and see if he rights it so the pads are on the ground again. Do this with each foot one at a time. If he stands on his knuckles (or the "top" of his foot) when you bend it, and makes no attempt to put his foot in the proper position, then this indicates a neurological condition.
Franklin is pretty clumsy and so is the new puppy. Not as much tripping as running into things constantly. I guess Franklin does his fair share of tripping though too. Corgis just tend to be so exhuberant about life they don't pay attention to where their feet are! If you are really concerned you can take him to the vet for a neurological exam and a basic health check.
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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on
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I believe this is called the "foot drop" test in humans. I think it's one thing you'd look for in diagnosing DM, which of course he's way way too young for.
He might be a victim of CPM (Critical Puppy Malnutrition). When puppies don't get all the food they want, they can end up scarred for life, basically canine vegetables fit for little more than chasing balls or sheep, often spending much of their lives nearly comatose, just napping. Some victims engage in compulsive, repetitive, almost autistic behaviors like retrieving and presenting a tennis ball over and over again. Others become destructive, tearing their toys apart bit by bit. In advanced cases, some of their fur falls out, chronically. Look for loose dog hair in the house, it's a sign. :)
Sam might not be the sharpest spoon in the drawer, but hey, he found you, didn't he?
Careful what you say... he's gonna be outsmarting you in no time.
;-)
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Permalink Reply by Snickmom on
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OMC!!! I have loose dog hair in the house!!! Napping, yes, chasing balls, yes, tearing up toys, yes yes yes.
But I KNOW Snickers has never been hungry in her life, so she must be in the normal range of napping, chasing and tearing. I hope CPM does not happen to dogs often, because I can't find it on the web....
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Permalink Reply by Maddie, Sam, and Ruby on
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If begging for apples and carrots and bed chewing is a sign I think we might have a problem here.
Pssh, you say that now but you haven`t seen the full on derp that happens when he`s charged with doing something that requires thought. Full on back flops and protest-growling, sometimes accompanied by baby tantrum style stump kicking before he finally gives up and waddles off to do something else. It`s ridiculous!
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Permalink Reply by Ellen Andersen on
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My Nimh trips sometimes...he's kind of clumsy, but he's fine.
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Permalink Reply by Kevan hudson on
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Benson , on occasion, trips,I think his brain just moves faster than his feet.He never seems the worse for wear.
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Permalink Reply by Melinda (Penny's Mom) on
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Penny will trip running up the stairs...she just gets going too fast for her little legs to keep up!! LOL
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Permalink Reply by Ludi on
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I would definitely do the test Melissa described - it is very straightforward and easy to do on your own. I'd also like to chime in that Ace sometimes goes arse over tea kettle when running full tilt in the mulch of our courtyard. I agree with the sentiment that corgis are exuberant fellows and pretty carefree when in hot pursuit. :)
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Thanks so much everyone! I just did the test and while he`s a little slow righting himself on his left paw he did do it after a second. I`m going to ask the vet about it just in case, but knowing that tripping isn`t unusual does ease my mind a little. I really appreciate the help.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Many pups at that age are "top heavy" and will trip, I even had a giant breed pup that would somersault! This is normal. A Vet check is always in order when you first get a dog, especially a rescue, so your appointment is good. Another consideration is that his muscle tone and coordination may not be so good because of the conditions he was raised in. Walks with you will take care of that, plus his normal activity, but it may take a few weeks to see improvement.
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So if it`s a muscle tone issue then it should just resolve it`s self? He gets two walks a day, plus lots of playtime so I suppose it should get better overtime, then. Thank you!
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Muscle tone will get better and better with a normal life :-)
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