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Permalink Reply by JH on July 15, 2009 at 11:11pm

Hi. Have you ruled out hip-dysplasia?
This topic has been around. If you look for posts on DM (degerative mylopathy i think it is called) you can see that many people have had similar probs. I've read that the onset can start as early as 7 yrs. We just lost ours this past Feb. She would have been 14 this past June. She began dragging the hind legs April and we went through the muscle relaxants and antiinflammatory ets. We almost went for a cart for her, but her front legs began to go and by Jan she was so bad we had to lift her up to eat/drink and clean up under her. Ours did well on the pills for a few weeks and then they didn't really hlp much. Our vet said the prognosis wasn't good after her relapse. He wouldn't do any extra testing or surgeries because of her age. If yours is responding well to the meds good luck. Maybe you can get a cart since it sounds less serious than mine. We just tried to keep her happy and comfotable towards the end.
I wish you lots of luck and many more years than we had.

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Permalink Reply by Mickey on July 16, 2009 at 11:20am

Thanks for all the good information - I've had several people sent notes. I'm grateful for MyCorgi - only just discovered it. I went to the vet yesterday and she blew out her knee. The limping last week was the first sign, it then got a little better, but then the ligament gave out and then it blew. Surgery is the answer or let her limp, be in pain, gimp around, risk the other knee blowing because it's doing all the work. So I'm wrapping my brain around the cost, 1400.00.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvia & Timmy on July 16, 2009 at 12:06am

MyCorgi member Bobbie Mayer is the cart coordinator for Corgi Aid and one her page she has listed her squidoo site. If you go to that site it will offer all kinds of links and information regarding both IVDD, a disk disease and DM, degenerative myelopathy which is very different. Her squidoo page also shows several videos on dogs in carts. Hopefully others here can offer you some resources and information. My suggestion is to seek out an orthopedic vet that has experience with PWC's if possible. I know when I needed ortho help (not back related) I had to drive 4 hours, but it was worth it to have the expertise.

Good Luck and keep us posted

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Permalink Reply by Mickey on July 16, 2009 at 11:19am

Thanks for all the good information - I've had several people sent notes. I'm grateful for MyCorgi - only just discovered it. I went to the vet yesterday and she blew out her knee. The limping last week was the first sign, it then got a little better, but then the ligament gave out and then it blew. Surgery is the answer or let her limp, be in pain, gimp around, risk the other knee blowing because it's doing all the work. So I'm wrapping my brain around the cost, 1400.00.

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Permalink Reply by Sylvia & Timmy on July 16, 2009 at 2:03pm

June,
If it's a CCR problem, let me recommend a comment by Dr. Narda Robinson on the Pet Connection blog yesterday. She wrote an extensive paper regarding surgeries and options for ACL and CCR issues. She is the premier researcher in that area (including complimentary and alternative) and it might be a worthwhile read for you and give you some discussion items in a consult with the orthopedic vet doing the surgery. I've attached the url if you're interested

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-practice-news-columns/com...

Just for information she is a professor at CSU (Colorado State University Vet Hospital) one of the premier cancer and research vet hospitals in the country.

Just food for thought and I always believe in knowing all I can to help in decision making. Again, sorry about the news, but keep us posted and give Sophie lots of hugs and belly rubs from us.

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Permalink Reply by JH on July 16, 2009 at 2:08pm

The corgi we had that I mentioned in my last post had cruciate ligament surgery when she was under a year old. Florida grass has long runners and her back paw got caught up in the "vine" and torn the ligament. She was doing well on the first surgery, but had to have it redone because it was loose when the swelling went down. She ran more like a bunny after that and couldn't swim very well, it was like she was capsizing. If the vett thinks the surgery is the best option go for it. If it is something that can be fixed I'd do it.

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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on July 21, 2009 at 10:55am

Sparty partially tore his cruciate ligament a couple of years ago. It is the most common injury requiring surgery in dogs. We opted not to have surgery after consulting at length with our vet. After using anti-inflammatory meds for about 3-4 months and curtailing his activities he does pretty good. He is not on meds now and does occasionally limp when our regular walks get too long but otherwise he is good. My neighbor's dog tore her's completely at the same time and had the surgery and went to rehab. She is also doing pretty well but she also is not as active as she once was but she was 10 at the time. She is a cocker spaniel by the way) So, if that is what it is, just research and talk to your vet to make an informed decision. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Mickey on July 21, 2009 at 12:00pm

Hi Bev, thanks for the info - Sophie did have a ruptured cruciate ligament - and she will have surgery today, as a matter of fact, just dropped her off. It isn't a cheap surgery as you know but I believe it was the right thing to do for us. It'll be a long row to hoe here for a while but I'm grateful that it wasn't worse and we'll be able to deal with it. She's 12yrs and not a complainer, bless her heart. Thanks for your comments! Cheers, June

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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on July 21, 2009 at 2:39pm

Hi June, Let us know how she is doing! And I will be thinking good thoughts for you. Bev

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