Back Leg Weakness

[PatricksMom]

So tell me I don't need to be freaking out. Patrick was at the dog park yesterday, but not playing strenously or running. All of a sudden we noticed back leg weakness, I think originating in the hips.

 

He has well-managed arthritis, is 10, and a good weight. I came home and gave him an asprin on top of his usual meds (what we typically do if he's having a bad day). It happened again a couple times yesterday evening. Today it seems to have cleared up, so I don't think it's an e-vet issue.

 

If it doesn't happen again, should I still take him in on Monday? Obviously if it continues he'll be going in.

 

Any idea what this is likely to be--I have scary ideas running through my head about nerve damage or something.

[DunesMom]

Doesn't sound like enough for an e-vet trip. Wait to see your regular vet. Note specifics of the weakness - exactly how did he seem weak? Stumbling? Sinking rear end? Unable to rise? Any vocalization?

 

I'd consider lumbosacral stenosis in a 10 y.o. grey. It's an easy test; check the Suzanne Stack article information.

 

My old guy lived with it for five years, misdiagnosed as arthritis even though there were no arthritic changes on x-ray. LS can be managed so he lives comfortably. Be sure you explore all the options -- acupuncture worked wonders for Dune, as did various anti-inflammatory drugs combined with tramadol toward the end.

 

good luck!

 

Other resources:

www.greyhound-data.com/dir/397/Lumbosacral_Stenosis.pdf

forum.greytalk.com/lofiversion/index.php/t170496.html

http://www.greythealth.com/

[GeorgeofNE]

I assume you've discussed adding asprin to what he's already taking with your vet? Cause you do NOT want to give asprin if your dog is already on anti-inflammatories, and your really don't want to give plain aspirin if you can avoid it. Ascriptin is a much better choice. It's asprin buffered with Maalox to protect their stomach lining.

[Remolacha]

When Sugar developed back end weakness (it looked like she was trying to limp on both back legs at the same time ), acupuncture was, literally, a life saver! I assume you are already giving a glucosamine supplement?

[PatricksMom]

Yes, the vet knows that one or two days a month we suplement his tramadol with one buffered asprin, she says that's fine since he's not on another anti-inflamitory.

 

He's been on cosequine for about 5 years (first as a preventative now to help deal with the arthritis.)

 

Thanks Dune's mom, if this happens again, I'll take that article in when I take him in to the vet.

[PatricksMom]

Update: 2 days without a reoccurance. Assuming this keeps up, I'm going to wait for his annual checkup, in a month or two and mention it then.

 

Thanks again to everyone for chiming in.

[Guest ss556]

Alan had ups and downs with his rear leg weakness. It would act up and then be ok. April of last year I finally took him to a holistic/acupuncturist vet. He had 7 treatments there and it helped after the seond one IIRC. Then it was on and off since last summer and he had them once a month up to the week before he "left us". It always seemed to help him.