Is this DM?

My sweet Lily started dragging her right rear leg a couple months ago. I took her to the vet and they poked and prodded and put her on bed rest, anti-inflammatory meds and gabapentin. She has never exhibited pain and still is able to run around the house and takes great joy in chasing the boys while they play ball in the yard. If this were a slipped disc I would think that she would be in pain or cry with exertion of any kind...Am I wrong?

She used to sit on her rear feet, but now when she sits she sits on her rump and sticks both legs out straight alongside her front legs. Her rear left leg is looking a bit wobbly now, as well.

I'm researching incontinence/evacuation methods on the internet and "wheelies" in advance of what may be coming. Just looking for advice or other people's experiences on the progression of DM.

Thanks,

Denise

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Comment by Vicky Hay on July 11, 2016 at 4:04pm: Oh, dear -- how disturbing!

At one point I thought one of the German shepherds had DM -- she also would drag a hind foot, and the claws were wearing down. The vet, who was very good with large dogs, didn't think that was the issue. Over time, this symptom didn't get any worse, until she reached advanced old age, when severe arthritis set in and her mild hip dysplasia became a big problem. By then she had some other pretty serious issues.

I wouldn't borrow trouble unless and until it becomes apparent that DM really is the problem. She could have a spinal or a hip condition. Keep an eye on it, but don't pull out all the stops until you have a better idea of what's going on. Also...always get a second opinion. No matter how much you trust your vet: get a second opinion.

Comment by Denise V on July 11, 2016 at 6:43am: The vet did roll her toes under and she didn't correct its position. She had standard lab work done and it was all normal.
She's gotten very feisty over the last couple days, wanting more attention and nipping and bumping our legs when she doesn't get it. Her face is looking older quickly and she's losing a lot of hair so I'm going to take her back in. Something's just not right.

Comment by Linda on July 10, 2016 at 7:30pm: Did the vet test her hind feet by putting her paw top down to see how long it takes her to correct it? Max began with a tremor in his left back leg, it didn't affect his running around or anything, it was just there but not 100% of the time, he was 8. It was a good 5 years later that he began having the leg go out from under him when walking and then it began in his right leg. No pain. We used a cart for him when he just couldn't walk. He was also diagnosed with lymphoma last October. We choose not to treat that except with steroids because of the DM. He finally lost control of his bladder in December and had lost a lot of weight so we made the decision for our boy, he was 13.5. Max's situation was complicated by the lymphoma.

Check with the corgi club that serves your area about the availability of a cart that they can loan you if and when it becomes necessary. That's how we got a cart for Max.

Comment by Jill M on July 9, 2016 at 5:33pm: University of Missouri's DM page-- they are doing great work in DM research , testing, etc

http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/DM/ancmntDM.htm

Comment by Jill M on July 9, 2016 at 5:31pm: http://corgiaid.org/cart/corgisonwheels/

fantastic book

Comment by Denise V on July 8, 2016 at 2:55pm: She is 10-11. A rescue, so we're not positive. She does have worn toenails on her right rear foot and you can see and hear the scraping. No sores, thankfully.

Comment by Beth on July 8, 2016 at 12:11pm: Loss of use in the absence of pain is often DM but sometimes a herniated disc is actually not painful and it can also be that. Usually DM shows a pattern of dragging nails then scuffed toes then weakness starting in one rear hind leg and moving to the other. However if they don't ever walk on pavement you can miss the early signs.

How old is Lily?