Can I Get Some Advice For My Corgi? Please?

[Hollis]

My sweet little Honey girl has stopped doing stairs. This is very new, maybe a week. As she can be pretty stubborn I thought she was just being lazy but today when I came home from work I called her downstairs (we have kind of a raised ranch but "live" upstairs.) She wouldnt come down. Her most favorite thing in the world is to come downstairs with mommy. She's just breaking my heart...

 

She's 10 years old. Has never had any back or hips issues. She's never been allowed on furniture only because I was always afraid of her hurting her back if she jumped down. She is eating and drinking with no problem. She's not running around outside but will do what she needs to do and then come back....which is also very odd as we always had to prod her back in. I dont think she's sleeping any more then usual and she's still barking out the sliders and the passing world. I'll be calling the vet tomorrow to see if we can get her in on Friday for her annual as well as to see if we can figure out whats going on.

 

Any suggestions on anything I can do for her in the mean time? We have Deramaxx in the house as Norm takes 50 mg a day. (They are 100 mg tabs that I split.) I'm really tempting to start her on 25 mg but wanted your advice.

 

I know she's not a grey, but she's my first baby. I'm in tears just sitting here writing this...............

Edited April 18, 2008 by HarleighHdMom

[greylyn]

Oh, Holly! I hope there is nothing seriously wrong!

[Guest sheila]

does she get any supplements such as glucosomine or MSM?

[iluvgreys]

Without a diagnosis, you don't know what you're treating by giving her an NSAID. She could have some other type of discomfort that could be worsened by that medication. How's her appetite? And vision? Any problems with getting around, eye tracking? Hoping it's nothing serious.

[Hollis]

does she get any supplements such as glucosomine or MSM?

 

 

Yes Sheila-K9 Liquid Health.

 

For at least a year. Now if this had happened say, 2 months ago when I ran out and didnt get any for a month I would understand. But she's been back on for over a month.

 

What a minute.......could a new food do it? We recently changed from Natures Variety to Taste of the Wild. Thats the only significant change lately. But that just seems crazy.

[GreyTzu]

Consider adding both Fresh Factors and Joint Health to her diet from Springtime, Inc.. Also consider finding an Acupuncture/Chiropractic Vet. You can search here to find one in your area. I would go for the supplements and Acup./Chiro. first.

[Hollis]

Without a diagnosis, you don't know what you're treating by giving her an NSAID. She could have some other type of discomfort that could be worsened by that medication. How's her appetite? And vision? Any problems with getting around, eye tracking? Hoping it's nothing serious.

 

No other issue at all. She eats, she drinks, she barks, she "goes". She doesnt run around as much but that I expect at 10. And the not running around isnt a yesterday she was tearing up the house and today shes not. Thats been gradual.

 

Consider adding both Fresh Factors and Joint Health to her diet from Springtime, Inc.. Also consider finding an Acupuncture/Chiropractic Vet. You can search here to find one in your area. I would go for the supplements and Acup./Chiro. first.

 

In addition to the K9 Liquid Health? All the kids are on it.

[GreyTzu]

I would add the Fresh Factors and reevaluate. Maybe up the K9LH a bit.

 

You can use Arnica Montana, a holistic remedy, to help with her pain.

[Hollis]

Thanks Wendy. I appreciate the advice.

[GreyTzu]

 

[JerseyGirlInOz]

Wendy's got the advice covered, so all I'll add is !!!

[Guest KyGrey]

I don't have any advice but am wishing you the best with her. My first is not a greyhound either but that doesn't mean I love him less. Please keep us informed. Boomer is a long bodied short leg dog too.

[Guest Winterwish]

Sending good thoughts out for Honey and hope it's something that will be taken care of with ease.

Maybe it's a sprain,or could there be something stuck in her paw?

 

Just thinking that it could possibly be an ear infection,just mentioning that as a thought. maybe that could cause her to feel a little off balance and needing to stay put?

[ShantisMom]

Just thinking that it could possibly be an ear infection,just mentioning that as a thought. maybe that could cause her to feel a little off balance and needing to stay put?

 

 

I believe food reactions can appear as ear infections. Maybe it is as simple as the food change? Keep up posted. Grey or not, still your baby and we all care.

[Guest CyndiW]

My non-greyhound (11 years old) stopped doing stairs a couple of months ago and then one night had a very painful episode. Turns out it was his back (degenerative disc disease). I knew he had hip and knee problems but never dreamed he also had arthritis in his back. He went back on Deramaxx and an occasional tramadol and has been very comfortable. It took him about 2 weeks of rest and now he is doing stairs again. He has a day now and then that he is not as active and will not come up the stairs but overall he is back to himself. Could your vet get Honey in a little sooner and at least get some x-rays and bloodwork done? If she is going on Deramaxx or any other NSAID, your vet will want current bloodwork and then continue to monitor it. Good luck and keep us posted on how Honey is doing.

[Batmom]

I would try to get her into the vet sooner.

 

When Zema refused to do the stairs, it was due to a urinary tract infection. Poor baby just HURT.

[jamngrey]

no advice but sending hugs

[Hollis]

my goodness you're all so sweet. I'll be calling the vet tomorrow to get her in as soon as I can. Thank you for the support and good wishes. I'll let you know...

[Guest FullMetalFrank]

Will keep your little one in my prayers, I have a soft spot for corgis; they are one of our favorite breeds after greyhounds! We have never owned one but plan to adopt one someday, such neat little dogs!

[kudzu]

In your place I would get her to the vet to check for back problems since they can be serious but don't get too worried yet. It may be something minor. My "niece" is staying with us for a few days. (I do not consider my dogs to be my children, yet I call my sister's dog my niece. Go figure!) She is a Corgi & just shy of 10 yo. She is still racking up the agility titles but they are careful now after a few episodes of pain which included the need to carry her up & down stairs. Once it was a strain in her back but the other times it was actually a rear leg. It's possible she strained her back compensating for the leg. She takes a joint/arthritis supplement daily. Has special exercises & massage my sister does frequently, especially after a lot of exercise. Plus she gets Traumeel, a homeopathic med, after a big workout or when she seems painful, which is rare now.

 

Hopefully this is just a minor strain or soft tissue injury & you will see her cute bunny-butt bouncing up & down the stairs soon.

[Hollis]

Called the vet today. They and I feel comfortable waiting until Friday which was already scheduled off. (Well-not COMFORTABLE, but I think she'll be ok until then. Last night she went FLYING off the back stairs (only 2), but I had to help her back up. And if I had know she was going to do that, I would have restrained her not knowing what the heck is going on with her. She's had a UTI before with multiple peeing inside the house incidents so I'm fairly comfortable that its not a UTI. And I'll be watching her closely. If it worsens, she'll go sooner. Thanks for the thoughts. I'll let you know....

 

Kudzu-thanks for that. You're right. She does have a cute little bunny-butt!

[Guest LindsaySF]

Hopefully her jumping off the back stairs (little stinker ) means she's feel marginally better. Good luck at the vet!

[Madeara]

Corgi's can develop back problems and Hip Dysplasia

 

On a health note, any of the short legged breeds are prone to back problems. Due to their unnaturally short legs and relatively heavy bodies, corgis should not be allowed to jump on and off furniture or be asked to stand on their hind legs. Back injuries can result from a lot of this type behavior and is expensive to treat and painful for the dog. As with any breed, going to a reputable breeder (not a pet store or puppy broker ) will help ensure a sound personality and a healthy dog. Training should always begin young and be consistent, as should socialization with children, adults and other dogs (large and small). Corgis on the whole not only fit well with families with or without children, but also make great companions for older adults and single people too.

 

read this site

 

http://www.barkbytes.com/bremed/pwelsh.htm

 

I hope this does not develop into any of this problems.

 

 

 

 

[Hollis]

back from the vet. Honey is relatively healthy for a 10 year old! Eyes are good as is most of her back. Doc was able to palpate one area that was painful to Honey so she does think there may be some disc disease. But for right now we need only watch her and give baby aspirin if we think she's having a tough day. Doc suggested Gul and Con but all the kids are already on it. And Honey needs to lose another pound or 2 but thats it. Shes hovering at 25-26 right now which is great as she was 30 lbs in 2006! So I think what may have happened is that the grooming she had a few weeks ago was to much for her. I very much like this groomer and dont think anything happened per say. But I do think at 10 years old, a morning of grooming and especially with all the drying and brushing that she needs, I think it was just to much for her. We went back to the groomer after the vet, (my little stink butt and I had a girls day out!) and I spoke with the groomer. We'll all just have to be careful with her. But the best news of all is, Honey is doing stairs ago! She's not jumping up them, it is a slow careful step up, but she's doing them! No whimpering, no whining. I honestly think she just over did it and needed some time to rest.

 

Thanks for all the good thoughts for my sweet little Honey Bunny!

 

[ShantisMom]

Glad to hear your baby is doing better! Getting old just sucks!