Back end problem
We had him to the vet last Thursday with a problem. He was going up the stairs really slow... two steps, stop, two steps again. Gave him a Deramaxx and went to the vet the next day. Of course, he didn't have an issue then. Tonight he seems to have that problem again. Seems to be in his back area, like it's too heavy and can't get up. No hip problems that was seen on x-rays this summer. The vet thinks it may be a spinal issue. Has anyone have a problem like this? |
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| Aw - Poor Poo Bear.
I know all about spinal 'injuries" but- not sure about Poo's specific issue. Will there be an MRI or CT scan? This can help pinpoint the problem. As others chime in here- I am sure you will get great advice. Take care, Lori |
| I'm thinking about talking with our friend who is a chiropractor and practices across the street from us and see what she can do for him.
The vet wanted us to keep an eye on him and report back if we still have the problem. He thinks it could be something pinching in the spinal area. Pooh will be 9 pretty soon, so it always worries me that something can go wrong with him. |
| Good idea to speak with the chiropractor. We go to a vet/chiropractor and it's really helpful.
I had a previous sheepie that would take the stairs one at a time and towards the end I had to give her a helping hand by gently assisting her backend up the stairs. She'd look at me to help her if I was too slow in helping her and she wouldn't start up the stairs until my hand was in place. Sounds kind of funny now. She was adorable. It was like that gave her some confidence. But, she had hip dysplasia. Good luck, hope your baby gets better! |
| Did the vet do a paw turnover test even though Pooh Bear seemed OK? If yes, did Pooh Bear know where his paw was?
If Pooh Bear didn't know where his paw was, I'd lean towards either physical spinal issues or "Degenerative Myelopathy" (DM) which is a slow gradual loss of spinal cord function. DM is somewhat common in sheepdogs. If he DID know where his paw was, it wouldn't be DM and I'd be surprised if it was a spinal issue -- do they cause problems and resolve that quickly? I don't know how much shows up on XRay, but he could also be experiencing some pain back there, maybe the beginnings of some arthritis, and pain meds might help. I'd be inclined to ask the vet for some pain medication and see if that eliminates the problem before spending tons on specialists, but I could be wrong. |
| If this is Degenerative Myelopathy has anyone dealt with this? I am so hoping it isn't, I'm heartbroken just thinking of it. I did some reading on it. ( Excuse the tears while I'm typing. ) Wish our babies would live as long as we do........ |
germany wrote: If this is Degenerative Myelopathy has anyone dealt with this? I am so hoping it isn't, I'm heartbroken just thinking of it. I did some reading on it. ( Excuse the tears while I'm typing. ) Wish our babies would live as long as we do........
I didn't know DM is common in OES? (Not arguing, just never realized) They can peform a very simply test to check for neuroligical function, as described. Try not to assume the worst (like I always do  ) Another thing that is very common in OES is spondylosis - arthritis of the spine). It's just wear and tear arthritis; none of us are getting any younger.
With his ACL issue, even repaired, he may be out of whack from compensating, so a chiropractic visit could be a good thing. Oh, and stair boosts: yup, my FCE girl starts up the stairs and then waits for me to quick sling my arm underneath her and up we go. Just habit. She can make it up on her own, but I'm trying to save her front end as much as possible. They have modifed slings, handles really, that they can wear so you can grab as needed and I'm thinking of getting her one. She has this nasty habit of running through the house and taking corners at a breakneck speed she has no business trying for, so that might even give me a quick waty to catch her too 
Kristine |
| Please don't worry about DM. First it won't do any good to worry about it -- if it is going to happen it will.
The worst part about DM is that the front half of the dog is great -- happy helathy lovin life, while the back half just won't cooperate. It's sad. The GREAT thing about DM is that it is painless to the dog. Our dog was diagnosed with both arthritis and DM at about 8 1/2 years, he lived a great life until 13 1/2. |
Ron wrote: Please don't worry about DM. First it won't do any good to worry about it -- if it is going to happen it will.
The worst part about DM is that the front half of the dog is great -- happy helathy lovin life, while the back half just won't cooperate. It's sad. The GREAT thing about DM is that it is painless to the dog. Kelsey has damage to her cruciate was not a full rupture but a partial tear. We could not operate on her due to the age factor. About 8 months later she started tripping over nothing, when she walked occassionally she would drag/knuckle over her back feet. Thought it was the cruciate playing up. Took her to the vets and one of the first things the vet did was the paw turnover test. It took a long time for her to place her back foot into the right position again. So we have either DM or some sort of compression on the spine interrupting the signals to the back end. I have not had it officially diagnosed because of the age factor, she is coming up to 13 and there was no way I wanted her knocked out for x-rays just too risky to try and get a confirmation on wether it is a spinal compression or maybe DM. Anyway cutting a long story short. She is doing well and has had this problem for awhile now. We had metacam useage for 6 months but that was for the cruciate pain and we had to stop using that as it was affecting her with the long term use. Now she is on nothing, just supplements and no pain, but still occassionally tripping over nothing and still occassionally she walks and sort of drags/knuckles over her back feet. She wont do stairs at all we are now having a dog ramp put on 3 little steps up at the Holiday farm for her to be able to go in and outside confidently instead of mom having to try and carry her over the steps last time we were up there. As ron said they feel no pain, but it does progress and the progression is really slow. Kelsey is still quite the independant girl who only needs my help on occassions and even though she is a bit wonky at times she is managing the spinal issue real well at nearly 13 and has absolutely no pain issues with it.  |
| Sending good thoughts to you and Pooh Bear. I think visiting a chiropractor may help and I've heard of theuraputic warm pools they have for dogs in some places.
Sending Pooh Bear lots of belly rubs Marianne |
| I'm visiting the chiropractor myself today, so I'll ask if she'll see the dog.
He does have a sore area about half way down his spine. He lets me know if I have rubbed him too hard in that area, so maybe this is where the problem is coming from? The vet did not do a paw over test. He did a pretty thorough physical and orthopedic exam. I think he wanted to make sure his ACL repair was ok. He was thinking it would be something that is pinching in the spine and we should keep an eye on things. He has been taking his Deramaxx and we have been keeping him from tackling the stairs. He walks just fine. Just seems like his butt is heavy! He is a big dog....at least 6 inches taller than I have read about and weighs in at 130 lbs. (yes, he does need to lose some weight, but someone keeps slipping treats to him.....could it be my husband? Why yes it is!!!!) |
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