Jiffer Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 (edited) Orion has always been prone to doing the splits on our hardwood. I suspect that it has something to do with the dropped muscle in his right leg. We usually catch him and right him immediately. Tonight was no different. He came up behind DH and in the excitement of preparing for a walkies, Orion did the splits. DH righted him and off the pups went outside into the yard for the pre-walk potty. When they came back in, DH called to me to tell me that Orion wasn't walking right. Sure enough, he's weight bearing on the right leg, but it keeps knuckling over. He will right it, but it takes him a second. If I knuckle it over, same thing. Poor thing went to turn around at one point and the leg wasn't working right so he fell on his bum. Then when he went to get back up, he couldn't gather it beneath him in order to use it to push up. I helped him get up, but not much, since he then used his left to bear the weight. I can't find any hot areas on it (to indicate injury), and he's acting normal otherwise. He was able to poop with some difficulty (stepped forward twice while in "the stance") but couldn't hike the left leg to do his pee. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Have you seen this before? Edited to add: He's almost 9 years old. He puts full weight on the "bad" leg unless the toes are knuckled, then he will stop and right himself, before putting weight on the foot. He's on 1000mg of Glucosamine daily. Edited April 28, 2008 by Jiffer Quote Jennifer and Beamish (an unnamed Irish-born Racer) DOB: October 30, 2011 Forever and always missing my "Vowels", Icarus, Atlas, Orion, Uber, and Miss Echo, and Mojito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 His spine might need a chiro adjustment. Sounds like things are out of whack (technical medical term). Sending prayers to your pupper. BTW, can you put down a few carpet runners so he can avoid falls in the future? Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicocat Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Anytime I see knuckling, I get to the vet pronto. Quote Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lotsagreys4me Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Sounds neurological to me but I certainly am no vet. I would take him to a specialist for an evaluation. When my old guy got so he couldn't walk on our hardwood floors without doing the splits, I bought a ton of throw rugs for him so it didn't happen or at least didn't happen so often. Good luck and let us know. Paws crossed over here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xan Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Owey. As well as taking him to the vet, maybe you can get him some booties with rubbery feet so he can be more secure on the wooden floors. I've seen many varieties for sale (one of mine wears booties on walks, so I'm in the market pretty often). I hope he feels better soon! Quote My Inspirations: Grey Pogo, borzoi Katie, Meep the cat, AND MY BELOVED DH!!!Missing Rowdy, Coco, Brilly, Happy and Wabi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guinness_the_greyt Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I had this problem with Spirit when she moved in... I was soooooooo worried she was going to get hurt. She kept looking like Bambi sliding on ice! I was using a sleeve from a shirt tied around her waist... whenever we were on the slick floor I always had ahold of her so she couldn't actually hit the ground. I contacted Diane for thoughts since she has had so many seniors... She suggested I walk her to work up the muscles... I walked her several miles a day (through out the day not all at once) I also put in runners so she had a safe zone.... The rugs didn't work cuz she wouldn't walk n them! The walking helped and she no longer falls all the time... Brooklyn has to hip check her in order to have her fall over. Don't know if working up Orion's muscles will work (never had the dropped muscle issue) As far as the limping goes I am now a HUGE fan of canine acupuncture (used it for Harley's arthritis and Memphis' back pain from Valley Fever) If you have a vet in your area that uses acupuncture you may wanna try that. Good luck! Get better soon Orion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hannahmom Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Absolutly no advice, but a big hug for poor Orion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Prayers for your little sweetie. Please keep us posted. I am always afraid Lola will do this on the tile floor, so I have runners and throw rugs where she walks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Vet visit in order-sooner rather than later. Sounds like he may have hurt his back and he might need steroids to get that inflammation down a.s.a.p. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Sending prayers. If you have an alternative vet, I'd go asap. If not, a regular vet. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffer Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 He has an appointment this morning at 10:20a.m. so we're leaving to go in an hour. He has had no improvement over night. Whenever he steps now, the foot knuckles. I'll update as soon as we're back. Quote Jennifer and Beamish (an unnamed Irish-born Racer) DOB: October 30, 2011 Forever and always missing my "Vowels", Icarus, Atlas, Orion, Uber, and Miss Echo, and Mojito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Zookiesmom Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Hope you feel better soon Orion!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Good you are seeing the vet - I had a hound mix with spine problems and knuckling is classic - they don't properly feel where and how they are placing their feet. Getting the swelling down asap is important. Sending prayers and will be watching for an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbotaina Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 He has an appointment this morning at 10:20a.m. so we're leaving to go in an hour. He has had no improvement over night. Whenever he steps now, the foot knuckles. I'll update as soon as we're back. Best wishes that it's nothing serious. However, if it turns out that the knuckling may be an ongoing thing, Therapaws has a special brace for that now. :goodluck Quote Meredith with Heyokha (HUS Me Teddy) and Crow (Mike Milbury). Missing Turbo (Sendahl Boss), Pancho, JoJo, and "Fat Stacks" Juana, the psycho kitty. Canku wakan kin manipi."Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Looking for the update. This happened to Alan last Friday - the rear leg split. He slides, he knuckles, he trotts and runs better than he walks. I have between 4-7 rugs in my kitchen. He is going to the holistic vet next wednesday. It's upsetting and scary as Alan is a very big boy. Good luck to you and Orion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jiffer Posted April 24, 2008 Author Share Posted April 24, 2008 (edited) We're back. The diagnosis is a pulled or stretched nerve. His leg has normal responses, normal pain sensation, normal range of motion and it can support his weight when it's righted. He's on strict orders to be leashed to potty, no walks for now until we see an improvement. He was given an antiflammatory injection and sent home with prednisone. If we don't see any improvement within the next few days, I have to call them back and ask for a referral to a neurologist. But the vet was pretty confident that the pred would do the trick. In the meantime, my fingers are crossed very tightly. It figures, too, Miss Echo's back is finally all better and last night was the first time she did zoomies around the yard since prior to her injury. Edited April 24, 2008 by Jiffer Quote Jennifer and Beamish (an unnamed Irish-born Racer) DOB: October 30, 2011 Forever and always missing my "Vowels", Icarus, Atlas, Orion, Uber, and Miss Echo, and Mojito. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytmonty Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I hope his nerve heals. The Pred will probably help him feel more comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Winterwish Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 I hope Orion's feeling better very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickiesmom Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Well that sounds manageable. Hope Orion improves soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Sending lots of healing thoughts! Boss has done the splits on us, very scary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Will keep Orion in our prayers Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Poor baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Sending hugs and hopes a few days rest and meds is all it takes. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gryhndsr4us Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Healing thoughts for Orion. This is why I stopped taking Clark to indoor Meet-N-Greets. He has done the splits several times on the floors at PetCo. The girls are fine there, just my big baby has issues. Quote Sue ,Sky and Dood, Bridge angels Clark, Gypsy, Dreamy and Sneakers, Oshkosh,WI Heartbound Greyhound Adoption<p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 (edited) Sending prayers for a swift recovery. Edited to add: Can you put some rubber back throws on the hardwood floors? Feel better soon sweetheart. Edited April 24, 2008 by patricia Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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