What could be wrong with my dog's legs??? (walk, problems, test)

[Mattie]

I have an 11 yr old Golden Retriever, and her back legs give out pretty regularly on the wood floors in the house. I find it helps to keep her nails short, and trim all the hair between her pads. We also have a series of rugs on the kitchen floor that make a path for her to the back door. It won't win any decorating awards, but she sticks to the rugs, so I think it makes her feel more secure.

[scamperwillow]

Is there an update on this dog? My 12 year old Maltese is having similar symptoms. My vet was also stumped and I'm seeing a neurologist on Monday. His right front and back legs are collapsing.

[foxywench]

have hip and shoulders checked/xrayed, everyone thinks knees and fail to check the hips and shoulders....

[kayanne]

Originally Posted by scamperwillow

Is there an update on this dog? My 12 year old Maltese is having similar symptoms. My vet was also stumped and I'm seeing a neurologist on Monday. His right front and back legs are collapsing.

Here's my update on Lily. I started this thread back in Sept '13. Since that time, she has had surgery for luxating patella on her other back knee. (that was in Nov '13, so it's been a while). We moved to a different state in spring of 2014, so of course found a new vet. Despite healing well from both surgeries, and being told by both the old and new vets that her kneecaps are firmly in place, she was still walking funny a lot.

So the new vet put her on Dasaquin (chondroitin + glucosamine + MSM), which seems to have helped a LOT. For almost a year, she rarely limped, although just this week I noticed it happening again. So I have increased her dosage of Dasaquin to see if she improves.

I am sorry to hear about your lil guy. Keep us posted as to what the neuro says.

[scamperwillow]

Thanks for replying after so long! My Bogey is 12 and full of pep and energy. Lately he has been walking funny and it is getting worse. His right front and right back legs are unstable and collapse sometimes. Anti-inflammatories seem to be helping a tiny bit but we see the neurologist tomorrow morning. My regular vet said it could be so many things and seeing the neuro is probably the quickest route to decide how to proceed. I'm worried….

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by kayanne

Here's my update on Lily. I started this thread back in Sept '13. Since that time, she has had surgery for luxating patella on her other back knee. (that was in Nov '13, so it's been a while). We moved to a different state in spring of 2014, so of course found a new vet. Despite healing well from both surgeries, and being told by both the old and new vets that her kneecaps are firmly in place, she was still walking funny a lot.

So the new vet put her on Dasaquin (chondroitin + glucosamine + MSM), which seems to have helped a LOT. For almost a year, she rarely limped, although just this week I noticed it happening again. So I have increased her dosage of Dasaquin to see if she improves.

I am sorry to hear about your lil guy. Keep us posted as to what the neuro says.

Menisci might have gotten stressed during the period of abnormal gait due to the patella problems. Dasaquin is a good idea.

[scamperwillow]

I've now been to a neurologist. It is something in his neck - either disc disease or a tumor. They want $3500 for an MRI and then if surgery is indicated on the disc, a total of $6,000 to $8,000! Going to a holistic vet today to see what he recommends.

[kayanne]

Originally Posted by scamperwillow

I've now been to a neurologist. It is something in his neck - either disc disease or a tumor. They want $3500 for an MRI and then if surgery is indicated on the disc, a total of $6,000 to $8,000! Going to a holistic vet today to see what he recommends.

Oh nooo, that's awful....the possible diagnosis as well as the cost. I hope the holistic vet has better news for you.

[Rowan123]

Originally Posted by Hopes

Then it's not degenerative myelopathy.

Did the vet do blood work?

I've had dogs that have passed the "flip test" that were in the early stages of degenerative myelopathy. The first indication for me of DM is that their back legs start slipping out from under them when they run around a corner.

[scamperwillow]

Saw the Holistic vet yesterday and started Bogey on a course of Chinese and homeopathic treatments. Myelopathy is the suspect since he has had neck issues in the past. Wish us luck!! Rowan, what kind of outcomes did you see with your dogs with that?