Rear End Sinking And Dragging The Rear Paws

[3greytjoys]

Therapaw boots fit Greyhound paws well, and may be better than no protection when your Greyhound goes outside. http://www.therapaw.com/thera-pawboots.aspx

 

Therapaws standard boots are great, but also wanted to mention that Therapaws makes a dorsi-flex assist to help keep paws in an upright position. (I'd run this design by the dog's vet to ensure it's appropriate for a dog's current medical condition): http://www.therapaw.com/dorsi-flexassist-1.aspx

Edited November 27, 2014 by 3greytjoys

[silverfish]

Anybody know if there are any dogs in particular whose names are linked to degerative myelopathy? That's what the specialist vet says is likely Jeffie's problem. He says the spinal cord is not being pinched, there is no significant disc protrustion, there are no cysts, no visible damage etc. So he's thinking DM rather than lumbo-sacral disease. Waiting on a genetic test now to see if he has the faulty gene. With either the homozygous or monozygous form, they'll assume that's what it is. If he doesn't have any form of the mutated gene at all, they'll be willing to try the depo-medrol shots, even though it doesn't look as if he has LS.

 

There are so many dogs with failing rear ends, with or without faecal incontinence, and Head Honcho - Jeff's grandsire - was such a prolific dog that I just wonder ...

[duncan41]

Nick, don't know where you live, but it might be worth it to look at I-Therm. I have used it regularly on several dogs fora number of different conditions and find it beneficial. Acupuncture can be a greyt help, too.

Should you decide that it's time for one of the Nsaids, please, please, please ask about meds to protect his stomach. Nsaids can be very hard on the stomach and the last thing you want is a dog who can't/won't eat.

Print the article about LS on greythealth.com and take it with you to Lincoln's next appt. Sending hugs to you and prayers for your handsome boy.

[tbhounds]

Anybody know if there are any dogs in particular whose names are linked to degerative myelopathy? That's what the specialist vet says is likely Jeffie's problem. He says the spinal cord is not being pinched, there is no significant disc protrustion, there are no cysts, no visible damage etc. So he's thinking DM rather than lumbo-sacral disease. Waiting on a genetic test now to see if he has the faulty gene. With either the homozygous or monozygous form, they'll assume that's what it is. If he doesn't have any form of the mutated gene at all, they'll be willing to try the depo-medrol shots, even though it doesn't look as if he has LS.

 

There are so many dogs with failing rear ends, with or without faecal incontinence, and Head Honcho - Jeff's grandsire - was such a prolific dog that I just wonder ...

It's my understanding that DM in GH's is extremely rare. It's also my understanding that while clinical signs help to diagnose the condition the only way to truly determine if your hound has LS is via a CT Scan. Radiographs can be completely misleading.

[silverfish]

Tracy - He's been down to the vet school hospital and had radiographs, MRIs and a full neurological work-up. We're waiting on that genetic blood test result at the moment but they're fairly sure. The neuro said that DM was first thought to be confined to certain breeds like GSDs but they've since found it plus the genetic markers in Pembroke Corgis and Bernese Mountain Dogs and in each cases the markers are specific to the breed. They are still researching it.

[Guest Nick]

Nick, don't know where you live, but it might be worth it to look at I-Therm. I have used it regularly on several dogs fora number of different conditions and find it beneficial. Acupuncture can be a greyt help, too.

Should you decide that it's time for one of the Nsaids, please, please, please ask about meds to protect his stomach. Nsaids can be very hard on the stomach and the last thing you want is a dog who can't/won't eat.

Print the article about LS on greythealth.com and take it with you to Lincoln's next appt. Sending hugs to you and prayers for your handsome boy.

 

Thanks Duncan41. I'll look into it. We tried gabapentin, but it didn't appear to make a difference in his sinking rear end. I've started to think he's not in pain. He's not doing anything to indicate he is. I suspect the sinking rear end is simply a matter of weakness. Anyway, I'm watching him closely for signs of pain and I appreciate the suggestions.

[silverfish]

If it's any help, the neurologist told us that Jeffie appears not to be in pain. Agree about the NSAIDs. When our Jack was on them, we used to give him natural yoghurt every night, but he still ended up on acid reducers.

[DocsDoctor]

Anybody know if there are any dogs in particular whose names are linked to degerative myelopathy? That's what the specialist vet says is likely Jeffie's problem. He says the spinal cord is not being pinched, there is no significant disc protrustion, there are no cysts, no visible damage etc. So he's thinking DM rather than lumbo-sacral disease. Waiting on a genetic test now to see if he has the faulty gene. With either the homozygous or monozygous form, they'll assume that's what it is. If he doesn't have any form of the mutated gene at all, they'll be willing to try the depo-medrol shots, even though it doesn't look as if he has LS.

 

There are so many dogs with failing rear ends, with or without faecal incontinence, and Head Honcho - Jeff's grandsire - was such a prolific dog that I just wonder ...

That's interesting - I'll look forward to hearing what the test shows - maybe the genetics question deserves a thread of its own?

 

There is a link to Doc's pedigree below, but his sinking rear end is I am pretty confident 'just' LS. We know from x-rays that he has a couple of compressed discs in the lumbar region of his spine, and as he is weaker on his right hind leg it seems likely that a nerve on that side is getting pinched, but as he's an old boy (13 back in August) Ie've not wanted to put him through further tests.

 

On an anecdotal level, I remember the manager of our greyhound rescue saying that sinking rear end seems especially common in older male greyhounds. I had assumed that, as with humans, there is some difference in the pelvic bones between the sexes (isn't that how archaeologists ID skeletons?) and that this could be a contributory factor for developing LS. But if DM and a genetic element are involved, I suppose that sex might again come into it - aren't there quite a few human diseases where one sex is more likely to be a carrier than a sufferer?

 

PS what has been working well for Doc since the summer is a combination of tramadol and gabapentin, and also one tablet of prednoleucotropin each day. No more NSAIDs. I was a bit dubious about putting him on steroids permanently, but actually he tolerates them well and is definitely still a very happy dog - eating and digesting well, taking 3 short walks a day, and romping between times with his Ted. My vet practice had no experience of the depo-medrol shot, and would only have done it under general anaesthetic so we didn't take that route!

[Guest Allyson]

I am very curious about the walking. Our dog was recently diagnosed with IVDD or LSS or possibly a spinal tumor. He is 11 and we did not want to do an MRI. He's been on a combo of pred, gabapentin and tramadol, and we were told by the neurologist that he should be on strict rest for 2-3 weeks. The start of week 2 was this past Friday. His thigh muscles are definitely diminished. And, although he had one incident a couple of nights ago where he fell a bit backwards while pooping, he is standing straighter and his butt is not sinking as much. We did get the Help me up harness, but he's getting up on his own and doing OK going outside on leash to the back yard. We are having something else checked tomorrow (what I believe is a soft lump on his front leg up high), so my biggest concerns are that he be safe and as happy as possible. I know that's it's hard for him to see us take the other two on a walk, and leave him behind. Consequently, they've been getting less exercise and that's not good for them.

 

Thanks:) I am so sorry that so many Greys are suffering with such difficult things.

[Guest Nick]

I don't have enough experience to offer suggestions one way or the other about walking. I don't talk Lincoln out on walks anymore. He just walks around in the backyard a bit. I know he would like to go out, but given that he drags his back paws and stumbles easily, it doesn't seem like a good idea. I've tried booties, but they fit like giant house slippers and just make walking all the more precarious.

 

Perhaps others here have some ideas.

[Guest Allyson]

I don't have enough experience to offer suggestions one way or the other about walking. I don't talk Lincoln out on walks anymore. He just walks around in the backyard a bit. I know he would like to go out, but given that he drags his back paws and stumbles easily, it doesn't seem like a good idea. I've tried booties, but they fit like giant house slippers and just make walking all the more precarious.

 

Perhaps others here have some ideas.

I know what you mean about booties. They just seem to affect our kids in a way that they don't want to move at all. I wish they'd wear them, because when a dog doesn't feel well, taking them out in the snow just to do their business is so hard on their feet, and then they just want to be back inside. Gilby probably won't be doing too much more walking either. I guess it's just wishful thinking on my part.

[Burpdog]

Nick: where do you live? Chiropractic and acupuncture will help Fresh Factors is very good for all the things you are mentioning also.

[Guest Nick]

I live in Washington, D.C. I'll check out Fresh Factors. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Burpdog]

This vet has great reviews and is certified by AVCA and CHI

 

Leanne Lipton DVM Washington DC

202-821-3893

 

[Guest Nick]

Thank you, Burpdog.

[brandimom]

we had a gh with LS and she dragged a foot. We put a bootie on the foot so it would not hurt her dragging her food. She walked fine on the walks but we did not go far and yest she did better when she was moving than when she was standing still. We would like her rest when we stopped at a bench and then we held her up with our knee while we were sitting to take the pressur off the back legs. Her tummy would rest on our knee.