Help, my dogs back legs don't work anymore.

F

famous seamus

Forums Enthusiast
Hi everyone, as you remember my boy Seamus was diagnosed with end stage liver disease nine months ago. Still doing so well it makes my head spin. However, ever since prednisone that he was on for hepatitis which started the disease, his legs have grown progressively worse. I carry him up and down stairs, he has good days but cannot stand at all on his own.

After reading about Sadie and what Ontario Shelties Mom went through, I wonder if my boy had a stroke or disk slip?? The vet said that nothing shows on the xray. I know that prednisone can compromise the legs, but it had such a wonderful outcome for Sadie I wonder if he should be back on it as well.

At this point I am confused. He is not in pain, he just has 90 per cent loss of his back legs. I don't know why his legs are this way. When he had his ultra sound for his liver, they also said there was nothing wrong that they could see with his back legs. Just like Ontario Shelties, we cannot afford another ultra sound.

Best,
Kate
 
I'm sorry to hear about Seamus....how old is he?

My senior boy Indy had progressive weakness of his legs related to his arthritis and other health issues. No spinal stroke or slipped disc....just general debility due to CHF, thyroid, and arthritis.

Spinal stroke would present as a sudden and catastrophic loss of leg strength and possibly bowel and bladder control as well (depending on which level of the spine the event impacted). A herniated disc would also likely occur rapidly. If the leg weakness progressed slowly over time, I would suspect general decline in muscle power associated with the other health issues.

Lets see what our members who are vets have to say.
 
weak sheltie legs

Thanks Granite I appreciate the help.

He just got progressively weaker in his hind legs the longer he was on prednisone. The vet attributed it to the prednisone at first, but now well we just don't know.

He has been off prednisone for months now and as I said, he is thriving despite his liver failure diagnosis 8 mos. ago. They gave him three weeks, but he said No!

He is alert, healthy appetite, hobbles best as he can outside and tries to run. His eliminations are fine, no problems there he holds his own. His muscle tone is shot, I exercise him and when he is scratched in his "spot" his legs still do react as if he is scratching. He just falls down and looses his balance. We carry him outside, and up and down the outside stairs. We have laid rugs for him in the house for his mobility.

Best,
Kate
 
This happened with our beloved Collie Lassie. Age took its toll. We decided never to let her know she couldn't walk, and sent her to Rainbow Bridge when it looked as if the next day she would be unable to rise.
 
So sorry to hear about Shamus's demise, I can only imagine what you must be going through.

Granite is right, a spinal stroke happens quickly, not slowly over time. A slipped disk is generally very painful and happens suddenly as well, so I doubt that is what happened.

I'm sorry I can't offer any advice, except to say that you're in my thoughts.
 
Ontario Sheltie Melissa

But you have helped wonderfully. Your movies of Sadie have given my husband and myself the incentive we needed to work our boy out as well.

Tonight he pumped his legs while we took turns doing his "belly scratch spot". It keeps his legs going. We will start going to the lake for aquatic therapy and start slowly.

Best,
Kate
 
If I recall, Ontario Sheltie used water therapy to help her pup as well to improve mobility. I expect the mobility is unrelated to the liver disease however. Arthritis in Shelties is fairly common and can be alleviated with Glucosamine.

You may want to consider both these.

Liver disease is a big topic for me, because I have a 3 year old with a yet undiagnosed liver condition - elevated ALT/ALS with no symptoms. We are treating it with diet and so far, so good.
 
famous seamus said:
But you have helped wonderfully. Your movies of Sadie have given my husband and myself the incentive we needed to work our boy out as well.

Tonight he pumped his legs while we took turns doing his "belly scratch spot". It keeps his legs going. We will start going to the lake for aquatic therapy and start slowly.

Best,
Kate
Click to expand...

I'm glad that the thread about Sadie's paralysis and her videos were helpful to you, it just goes to show that they can still lead happy lives.

I have some exercises that you could try to if you like, just PM me your email address and I'll email them to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top