Undiagnosed Rear Leg Problems - Advice Needed

[Guest snowmo18]

Hi Everyone!

 

This is my first post on greytalk, but I am really seeking some advice or if anyone has had similar issues. Our 5 year old grey boy, Apollo has had issues for about a month now. Here is the timeline

 

-Would lie down and frequently yelp out when repositioning himself around, so we took him to the vet and they determined that his anal glands were slightly infected and very full, so they were expressed and he was put on a pain reliever for a few days.

 

- During his time after his anal gland expression, he tried licking his bum, but instead got his tail and I came home to a large (2 inch by 3 inch spot on his tail that was oozing and had no hair whatsover..it progressed into a raw open wound. We took him back to the vet, they shaved the area, we put him on antibiotics for a week and he had a cone on his head, so the wound could heal.

 

- During this time of his tail healing, he begam to shreak out in pain everytime he laid down or tried to get up...the most awful sound I have ever heard..this went on for a few days until we realized it was not the tail, because it was healing over nicely...and bruising was starting to disappear.we would go on short walks and I noticed that his back right leg would get tired and his gait would change.

 

- we took him back to the vet, she rubbed him down...he didnt yelp or indicate that anything was tender to the touch. She ended up flipping his right back paw upside down and he was very slow in reacting to get it back to the proper position, so we took xrays and nothing showed up. The bones looked all very clean, spine looked good, knee was good, she even tested the ligaments. The only small thing we could see was a slightly larger spacing in the right legs hip joint compared to the left leg and a very small chip at the top of the "c" shape in the socket, but unsure if that was a new or old injury.

**Here is the odd thing...as soon as we got home from the vet (after sedation wore off and even before I started the medicine regime) he had no pain, and was fine laying down and getting up, but he refuses to put hardly any pressure on that leg. We have him on pain meds and anti-inflammatories for a week (almost end of the week) and he is very wobbly on that leg and has taken a few diggers when making corners or even going up/down stairs.

 

His knee bends fine and doesnt act like that is painful, he is just unsteady on that leg because of the lack of weight he wants to put on it and doesnt lift it, so at times his foot drags. When this whole episode started he was very depressed, not his usual self, but now his personality is back, he has always had good appetite throughout the whole thing, he wants to go on walks, but I have him on bed rest

 

 

Sorry this is so long, but has anyone else experienced something like this...or have any advice as to what this could be?

Edited May 17, 2011 by snowmo18

[Batmom]

That is a tough one. I might be inclined to ask for a referral to an orthopedist or a neurologist, but I honestly don't know which one to start with. Might ask your vet since she's examined him?

[tbhounds]

Welcome!! Sorry your pup hurts. Sounds like you might need to make a trip to a neurologist.

[Guest KennelMom]

That is a tough one. I might be inclined to ask for a referral to an orthopedist or a neurologist, but I honestly don't know which one to start with. Might ask your vet since she's examined him?

 

 

yeah...I agree. I'd also run a full blood panel if you haven't already just to see if anything pops up there. Tick disease can have really weird/wanky symptoms sometimes.

[GeorgeofNE]

Sounds like your vet gave a good exam, but if he were mine, I'd go see an orthopedic specialist.

[Charlies_Dad]

I'm sorry to read about your pups problems. It sounds like your vet did a fairly thorough exam with all the x-rays. I was going to suggest his back may be an issue however you took x-rays of that. I agree with others, a full blood work-up just to see if there is anything there and a specialist however I am with Batmom, which one do you start with? Again sorry you are going through this as it's obvious there is something wrong. Do you have any history on Apollo in regards to track injuries as perhaps something is flaring up??? Okay, decision time, have your vet refer you to a neurologist first and do the bloodwork. If nothing is found that is good and bad.

 

Please keep us updated.

[Guest snowmo18]

Thanks everyone! I have a second opinion with another vet this afternoon...just to get a pair of fresh eyes on the case and I will request a full blood panel at the time too. I also have an appointment scheduled with an ortho specialist tomorrow and a neurologist on Monday, and a greyhound savvy vet that now does animal rehab on Tuesday. Believe me....all of our basis will be covered by next week, we just really really want a diagnosis so we can start treating him properly.

 

He had nothing in his past as far as injuries and is a very healthy guy otherwise...it just seems that everything snowballed, but our guy is sure being a good trooper through all of this.

[Batmom]

Best luck to you! Let us know how things turn out, OK?

[Guest bridgeweaver]

Sorry to hear the trouble your pal is having. My Strider went through something very similar with Cauda Equina Syndrome. He used to lick his feet incessantly (a symptom of the tingling and burning of neuropathy--which might be why your guy licked his tail so much), lean when standing, and occasionally shriek when repositioning himself while lying down. We didn't realize that the licking and leaning were symptoms of nerve problems, and the occasional pains always seemed passing with no further problems. Strider is now 13 and is getting quite lame and wobbly in the rear end. He has difficulty walking and managing steps. I have to lift his rear into the car and often have to help him get up on and get positioned in a comfortable position on the sofa (his legs get all tangled up in the spaces between the cushions). He is beginning to fall down when trying to potty, as that posture is really hard on him and he basically just balances on his front legs. He doesn't seem to have pain anymore in the rear, though his shoulders now seem a little painful. We built him a crate big enough to stretch out in so he doesn't have to curl up, and we walk him now with a towel under his belly for support. We covered the slick bare floors with lots of rubber-backed rugs (the slick floor at the vet is the worst--the towel really gives stability). We elevated his food and water bowls, though occasionally he prefers to just lie down and eat. His biggest issue now is that he has so compensated with his front legs that he seems to have some pain in the front end--from muscle strain or possibly arthritis. I can only guess from his stiffness. He's on Rimadyl right now, but I can't tell that it helps the stiffness. He is still happy, lovable, and alert most of the time, though he is reluctant to move around at times. However, he still follows me around the house--even after I have just gotten him settled nice and comfy somewhere when he really seems to want a rest! His symptoms began before he was 4 and progressed slowly. I think that seeing a neurologist is a super good idea and I wish you all the best. If your dog has something similar, I trust that dealing with it earlier will yield better results.

[Guest snowmo18]

We found out that Apollo had 3 cancer tumors growing around his spinal cord. It was so aggresive, that he went from a limp to unable to walk at all and loss of bladder control overnight. The tumors were unoperable and we had to sadly put our boy to sleep on May 20th. We are still so upset about how fast this unfolded and that we lost our loving boy at the age of 4. He was our first greyhound and really showed us the meaning of unconditional love. Our hearts ache and our home is quiet.

[Batmom]

What a heartache for you. I'm so sorry.

 

Godspeed, Apollo.

[dante2zoe]

How tragic. I am so very sorry.

[45MPHK9]

I am so sorry to read your sad news. Sending many hugs at this sad time.

[robinw]

Oh no! I'm so sorry

[Yamaha_gurl]

I'm so sorry to hear about your boy...4 years old is way too young

[sweetdogs]

Oh I'm so sorry.

[FountainLady]

He was so young, I am so sorry. We just lost our Doc on May 11th to cancer, I understand how you are feeling right now.

 

I hope the pain you are feeling now will soon be replaced with warm and happy memories of the time you had together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest RichardUK]

I'm so sorry!

[Charlies_Dad]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your boy Apollo. He is gone far too soon. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time and we all are grieving with you.

[TheFullHouse]

Oh no! I'm so very sorry for your loss. Your boy was so young.

[greyhead]

Hon, I could not be more shocked and sorry.