Guest SusanP Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 (edited) My gut is telling me something is wrong with Dr. Doug, 10 1/2. The vet wasn't concerned that he seems a bit more inclined to beg for food and that he isn't lifting his hind legs as high as he should on walks (his rear toenails are getting very worn down). But gradually, we're also seeing more and more a sort of jaw spasm. Now, Doug has always chattered when he's excited, and this often happens when something interests or excites him, but it's different--stronger and slightly less regular, not quite as quick, mouth open a shade wider. And a number of times he's yelped in pain--at the time we thought he'd bit his tongue somehow (since we didn't see it happen, only saw him licking and moving his mouth after), but today he got mildly excited thinking I was about to leave (and give him a biscuit) and he crouched right in front of me, and his jaw started going, and he yelped once. Then his jaw kept going a couple of seconds more. I'm guessing our vet will brush this off, so I want to know what this sounds like to you before I take him in. My fear would be a neurological problem--and we've lost 2 hounds to different mystery neuro problems in the last 3 years. I can't believe the odds if something like this is happening to Doug now. What are your thoughts? ETA he is on thyroid meds, and his levels were just checked within the month. Edited October 21, 2010 by SusanP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Actually my 15 yr old Onyx just started that about a month ago. She's going to the vets tonight. (mainly because she vomited early this morning, but I'm mentioning the jaw chatter as well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SusanP Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Can you let me know what you find out? I'll be out of town for several days, but I'll check when I get back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 Sounds like a bit of hind end weakness - probably LS, but could be arthritis setting in, or a number of other things. As far as the chattering, I think you're right about him biting his tongue when chattering. If he's getting a bit uncoordinated and loosing muscle tone as he ages, then that could be what's happening. Good luck. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted October 21, 2010 Share Posted October 21, 2010 I'd get his teeth checked ASAP. 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...
jenn8 Posted October 22, 2010 Share Posted October 22, 2010 (edited) Bullet started doing the jaw spasms when his heart condition was getting worse. Just a guess but it doesn't seem like it would indicate a particular disease, rather just a sign that something not too good may be going on inside. Jenn Edited October 22, 2010 by jenn8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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