Something Is Wrong With Legs' Back Legs

[FiveRoooooers]

Hang in there, Lucy. Your vet sounds wonderful. PM me if you want more info.

[Guest BleuDog]

Your Pics are WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!

 

Legs is Wonderful.....and fingers, toes, and nails crossed.....

[Guest Javasmom]

Awww, the pictures are so cute and he is a doll. I still have my figures crossed for you and legs.

[carronstar]

Lots of good thoughts and prayers. Snuggles would be great for both of you.

[RileysLegacy]

The specialist was able to look at Legs' xrays today. He doesn't think there is anything wrong w his spine. He didn't see anything that would explain what's been going on. Legs has an appt with an orthopedist on Tues, they are thinking it could be a soft tissue injury but that isn't adding up to me. He hasn't had an injury in the month I've had him, and he's getting worse. I should feel relieved but I know how often osteo is missed and called a soft tissue injury at first Should I have them send the xrays to Dr Couto? I just feel so helpless He has been screaming in pain a few times a day, it's awful.

Edited September 24, 2010 by RileysMomma

[Batmom]

Forgive me for missing some posts. Does he have some pain meds on board, Lucy?

 

It wouldn't hurt for them to send the x-rays and a description of the symptoms.

 

Sending lots of hugs for you and your sweet boy.

[ShantisMom]

I would make sure he gets pain meds if not already too. Tramadol is $4 at Walmart. I would send them to Dr. Couto. Just for piece of mind if nothing else.

 

Keep in mind Lucy, you don't know how much exercise he was getting and what he was allowed to do. Stairs, beds, etc. Legs may be getting way more than he has seen in years! Also, I would not let him jump in and out of the car if you can help it. Kona use to and she tore her knee ligament.

 

Most of the nasty stuff that was suspected is ruled out. Take a sigh of relief with that. Believe me, I know how hard not having a answer is! I will take you out for cocktails soon. Hopefully by then we will have more information because I hate the waiting too!!!

[joejoesmom]

Wanted to let you know about Dr. Couto and OSU. Dr. C is going to Spain this weekend and will not return until October 5th. It sounds like he has a really busy schedule so he may not be checking emails. However one of his staff will look at the xrays. They are very capable. Dr. Marin is the one who normally responds to greyhound owners with possible cancer. She is somewhat hard to understand over the telephone as she has a strong accent.

 

In any case, here is the info to get in touch with them:

 

Here is info on how to contact Dr. Couto and his team. The email or phone consult is free, however a few people have been told they must sign up for the website ($50) and submit the request that way. Dr. Couto tells me that this is not true. However, if you are a member of their website, please submit your request that way because it will automate things and make record keeping for them easier. Certain chemo drugs are free; you would need to pay to have them administered.

 

Greyhound Health and Wellness Program

Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

601 Vernon Tharp Street

Columbus, Ohio 43210

Phone: (614) 247-6757 or (614) 247-8490

Email: greyosu@osu.edu

Website: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/GHWP.htm (registration and fee now required to get full access to this site)

 

This email goes to the team. If Dr. Couto is traveling, you may get a quicker answer from one of his team members. Drs. Marin and Zaldivar typically respond to greyhound owners. The consult is free but if you can afford to support the program please do so. You can sign up for full access to the website ($99 per calendar year) or donate through the giving page on the website. If you decide to donate, you can double your money by giving through the Greyhound Project. Just go to this website and scroll down to the appropriate donation button: http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/donate.shtml. They will match the funds that you donate.

 

The Team:

 

Dr. Couto, Department Head, Greyhound Medicine, Oncology and Hematology

Dr. Lili Marin, Greyhound Health and Oncology

Dr. Sara Zaldivar, Greyhound Health and Oncology

Dr. William Kisselberth, Oncology

Dr. Cheryl London, Oncology

Dr. Cristina Iazbik, Blood Bank Director and Hematologist

Dr. Bridget Urie, Oncology Resident

Dr. Matt Sherger, Oncology Resident

Dr. Joelle Fenger, Oncology Resident

Dr. Roberta Portela, Oncology Resident

Dawn Hudson, Vet Tech

Ashley DeFelice, Vet Tech

Stacey Gallant, Vet Tech

 

Drs Marin and Zaldivar are originally from Spanish speaking countries. If you have trouble understanding them over the phone, you might ask for one of the other vets or vet techs to “translate”.

 

Dr. Couto's direct email is:

couto.1@osu.edu

His phone number is also 614-247-6757. If he is in town, he typically returns emails in the early hours of the morning.

 

You should know that (in my humble opinion) they need more staff. Unfortunately finances do not permit it at this time. They do 20 to 30 greyhound consults a day along with all of their "in canine" patients. Depending on their workload there may be a wait for the consultation. If you are contacting them on an emergency basis, please let them know.

If you want to make an appointment to be seen in person/canine, you can call the main number to set up a date/time. The main number for the veterinary hospital is 614-292-3551.

 

If you decide to visit OSU please contact me. I may be able to put you up in a local home, provide moral support, or just help with logistics:

 

Finewhipador-drool@yahoo.com

 

Jane

[Guest larock]

I've had a greyhound with Neurological problems that affected his legs and did cause him a lot of pain. Have they explored that option?

[Guest Javasmom]

Still crossing my fingers. I do not want you to feel the pain you felt with Riley! Hugs Lucy. Message me if you need to, I am keeping you and Legs in my thoughts.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Javasmom

[greypuppyluv]

I've had a greyhound with Neurological problems that affected his legs and did cause him a lot of pain. Have they explored that option?

This is my thought also. From watching the video and from what you've described, I would call a neurologist and just see what he/she says. From taking Phaelin to one for his seizures, they really do know more than the regular vets do as far as neurological issues go. Sending to you and Legs and hoping you get some answers soon.

[fsugrad]

Really looks and sounds like a neurological issue to me, too, not that I am any sort of medical expert.

Sending lots of hugs to you and a to that handsome Legs--hopefully you will have an answer soon!

[Guest GentleHugs]

Haven't had a chance to get on GT lately.

 

I'm far from being a vet but do have hands on experience with neuro/spinal/neck issues. I just watched the video and this might be totally off but I'd have his neck checked/exrayed. Seems like your vet checked everything else except his neck for compressed, slipped or ruptured discs. Compressed or ruptured discs in the neck will affect the hind legs, cause him to slightly collapse or collapse totally and a whole bunch of painful neuro issues. Compressed discs in the neck puts pressure on the spinal cord nerve. My Heisman was diagnosed with Wobbler's (compressed disc - last disc in the lower neck near the shoulder area). We kept it under control for 3 1/2 yrs before we finally had to let him go. He could no longer stand or walk without assistance. He went to the bridge at age 12 1/2 in 2007 but he was much younger when he was diagnosed. He raced until he was just a couple of months shy of being 6.

 

I'd only let him out to go potty on lead then crate rest totally. No jumping, running, doing steps - no trotting or strenuous activity - no climbing up and down on furniture and that includes your bed, too - no jumping in and out of the car - nothing for at least 2 weeks if not longer. Also talk to your vet about getting him on some type of an anti inflammatory to help reduce the swelling down around the spinal cord, too, if it is a compressed disc. If he can tolerate it, I'd switch him out of a martingale and get a harness on him to ease any discomfort in the neck area. Unfortunately where Heisman's compressed disc was at - he couldn't tolerate a harness so I had to put a very light weight 1 inch martingale collar on him. He couldn't tolerate a larger heavier martingale at all.

 

Sometimes dogs will suddenly turn around while walking and act like they are biting at a fly or bug on them towards their hind end area with nerve/neuro issues, too.

 

Just a suggestion.... hope your vet can figure it out. In the meantime, I'll say some prayers for Legs. He's a handsome boy.

[VinnieAndRexsMom]

Wow, Lucy. I don't know what to say except that I am with you in exploring all the options. I also believe that this boy is exactly where he needs to be

Sending big hugs to you and Legs.

[Guest Javasmom]

Lucy, any news?

[RileysLegacy]

Ugh, I'm so frustrated The ortho looked at Legs today and was able to get him to cry when he manipulated his right hip, so he thinks he has torn ligaments there. He wants him on strict bed rest for a month. Legs has been holding up his back LEFT leg though?? And I know Legs has not had an injury since I've had him. He's been only leash walked, and been to the dog park once, where he just peed and sniffed other dogs. And since his last home barely exercised him, this just doesn't make sense to me. He said if he doesn't get better or gets worse, he needs an MRI and/or follow up xrays.

 

I also sent my vet a video of Legs doing the air snapping thing and she thinks it could be seizures. She is sending the video to a behavioral specialist to see what she thinks. This damn dog has had needed 4 different specialists aready! I know I've only had him for a month but I love him so much He is going to go stir crazy being in the house for a month And I'll be worrying still...

Edited September 28, 2010 by RileysMomma

[GreyTzu]

:grouphug

[FiveRoooooers]

Well, that is frustrating. The right leg could be painful because it is compensating for the issue with the left leg, but they still need to figure out what is going on with the left side. It took *nine* different doctors to finally diagnose Tom with the spondylosis (he was psychotic; not sure of his place in our pack; seizures; all *wrong*), but Pal was diagnosed fairly quickly (as you know). I just sent you a PM. for you and Legs.

[Rickiesmom]

FWIW, and this is quite different from Legs' symptoms:

 

Several years ago my whippet Rickie suddenly started to scream any time he went up a step; nothing else bothered him; we saw several specialists, including, finally, a neurologist who had a lot of experience and who had owned Salukis. We did an MRI which showned nothing. She said she had once encountered something similar that turned out to be a ligament injury. So while she couldn't pinpoint Rickie's problem, she opted to recommend a plan based on symptoms - similar to your vet - leash walks, no stairs, give it time. It's long enough ago that I can't recall how long it took, but indeed the problem cleared up and has not returned.

 

is there any sign of flinching anywhere when Legs air-snaps? I had a hound do this when she had some tight muscles - you could induce it if you ran your hands down her in a certain way - massage and extremely gentle chiropractic cleared it up.

 

Again, this may be tangential to what you are encountering with Legs.

 

We have all fingers and paws crossed here that someone will find the answer, and it will be simple.

 

 

[EllenEveBaz]

Just adding our

[jenn8]

Man, this could be so many different things. Are you sure his previous owner is telling you everything? It just seems kind of odd that his symptoms just appeared yet point to conditions that would have existed before you even got him. Do you think it would be worth talking to her again? Something just doesn't sound right.

 

Jenn

[greysandmollie]

Lucy...You are awesome! You are taking such good care of Legs. I hope you see some improvement with more bed rest.

[Guest Javasmom]

Lucy, hang in there. He's such a sweet boy, he's worth it! Give him hugs for me please. I am sorry this is so frustrating.

[ShantisMom]

I agree with Jenn. I suspect the old owner might have known something was not right.

 

I am sorry for all the frustration of the unknown. I wish it was easier.

[RileysLegacy]

I sent my vet 2 new videos of Legs, and she wants him to get a CT scan. She is now thinking neurological or something wrong with his brain. Thankfully, he is still the happiest, friendliest, cuddliest greyhound I've ever met, so at least I don't think he is in too much pain. He is now on pain meds also.

 

I agree it is very suspicious that his old owner didn't know anything was wrong, but I am not going to get any more info from her, so it is what it is. At least I have him now.