Sudden Hind Leg Lameness?

Hey Kelly…    Hope all is well with you.  My 7 year old German Shepherd, Race Girl has just recently (last 7 days) lost control of her hind legs. I first thought she was just sore from too much fun but then I could see her drag her hind paws and start to act off balance & wobbly. I took her to my regular vet and then to a specialist.  They did xrays & blood work which was all good. All the vet knows at this point is that there is something causing a problem for her in her mid to lower back, making her lose control and feeling in her hind legs. She has been on prednisone and rest for the last 6 days…no improvement, in fact she is worse.  She is very bad when she first wakes up from resting.  The thought was the prednisone would make any swelling on her spine go down & relieve any pressure. She now criss crosses her legs when she walks & falls.

The next step is a MRI in Rochester. I have contacted a holistic vet for an appointment (for acupuncture) and also a vet that is new to me, just recommended who does gentle chiropractic work. My dilemma, as I’m sure everyone’s is in a situation like this, is am I doing all I can, seeing the right vets and in the correct order! I feel I should do the MRI before attempting any chiropractic work on her, no matter how gentle…but it is a good option before surgery. I think acupuncture would probably be okay at this point though. So…just thought I would run it all by you to see if you have encountered anything like this before. My biggest fear is that she may have degenerative myelopathy. I am worried since we have not seen any improvement. Thanks for listening! Corky

Hey Corky… Thanks for reaching out and I’m always here to listen no matter what the situation.    I can imagine how you are feeling as many of “us” have been through some serious and scary health crisis with our pets.  And, to make matters worse, our pets can’t tell us what symptoms they are experiencing!  It’s never easy to go through and hard not to be stressed…so I won’t even go there.  Just remember to stay as calm as possible around your dog(s) as they pick up on all/any of our stress or anxiety…Bachs Rescue Remedy might be a good idea for ALL of you right now.  Just know that you have so many friends who are already rallying around you and Race Girl. 

I would definitely have the MRI done as soon as you can so you can begin ruling certain things out that may be causing the loss of control in the hind legs and you’ll be able to figure out your next steps.  There are several things that can cause spinal cord dysfunction, including tumors and protruding/herniated discs.  Again, don’t start assuming the worst…wait until you get some solid information.  We are all guilty of self diagnosing after searching the Internet, but try to resist this urge!

Fortunately, I don’t have any personal experience with Degenerative Myelopathy.  However, I have known a few people whose dogs were diagnosed with DM…each one having differing experiences and progression of the disease.  As you know, DM is a serious and usually, progressive disease, but every dog is different.  One of the dogs lived three more years after diagnosis at the age 8.5.  And, if I recall the parents of that dog eventually used the belly slings to support and assist the dog to walk.  Another parent purchased the two wheeled cart to support their dog’s back end.  I believe that dog was 8 years at diagnosis and lived 3.5 more years after the DM diagnosis.  I know I’d be using the cart if Gus couldn’t walk.  Actually, I already used a bike buggy for Gus so he could go on an 18 mile bike ride with us back in June as he can’t handle the long jogs anymore!

All three of the above-mentioned dogs participated in Swimming Rehabilitation Therapy at the Canine Rehabilitation Pool formerly in Amherst, NY.  All of the dogs benefited from the swim therapy, so I would absolutely consider this activity no matter what Race Girl’s diagnosis is.  There is another swimming center for dogs located in Buffalo, but I’m not sure if they have a rehabilitation specialist on staff… check it out:  http://caninesplash.com/.  And, if I recall, you have an awesome property with lots of goats and other farm animals…and perhaps a nice pond!

Gus’ Acupuncture Treatment

ACUPUNCTURE…I would absolutely go for treatments as soon as you can and feel that this will only help Race Girl, no matter what her diagnosis is.  I have been utilizing acupuncture for all of my pets (four cats and one dog) for over 11 years with great results treating MANY different conditions and diseases.  You may need to go fairly regularly, but it’s worth it.  I recall a 65 pound, 11 year old Labrador Mix, “Charley,” who had some serious hind end weakness and pain who had noticeable improvements after just three treatments.  My holistic veterinarian, Dr. Alisa Koenig, located in East Aurora also worked with Charley…and many other pets.

Gus’ Gentle Spinal Manipulation…

CHIROPRACTIC… Gus had two gentle chiropractic adjustments following his bout with Lyme Disease back in 2008-2009 as I wanted to make sure his front leg lameness wasn’t related to his spine.  I have utilized Dr. Pat Tersigny’s services as he is a veterinarian who specializes in spinal manipulations.  I can recall at least seven different dogs (Bassett Hound, Maltese, Dachsund, Labrador Mix, Beagle, German Shorthair Pointer, and Chesapeake Bay Retriever) over the past five years who all made incredible improvements after having spinal adjustments with Dr. Pat.  All of the dogs had similar symptoms…came up lame in the hind end and starting dragging their back leg(s).  However, they are all very unique breeds of dogs that are built quite differently (long back, miniature, large breeds, etc.).  And, some of the dogs were very athletic, while others were not as physically active.

Each of the above-mentioned dogs made full recoveries after several treatments and were able to walk normally again.  Due to financial reasons I don’t think any of the dogs had MRI’s done.  Although, if you can afford to have the MRI done it is advisable and I would do so too.  I think it’s safe to assume that the dogs that improved after spinal manipulation more than likely had a bulging or herniated disc(s) in their backs.  And, maybe…just maybe…Race Girl “through her back out” after lots of great exercise and “zoomies!”

On a related note…I have/had two herniated discs in my cervical spine following an accident in 2010.  I was experiencing very painful muscle spasms in my neck, along with excruciating headaches and eventually numbness and muscle weakness in my arm and hand from nerve compression.  For about one year following the accident, I did go to my chiropractor (several times) and massage therapist (once) which did help quite a bit.  I also did three months of physical therapy and traction with limited improvements.  One of the herniated discs was pressing on my spinal cord and, unfortunately my symptoms kept getting worse.  I had ACDF surgery in February and feel that it has helped many of my symptoms, but I still have a ways to go with the healing and strengthening in my neck…

If Race Girl has herniated disc(s) I would certainly consider all of the same approaches… physical therapy, traction, massage, and spinal manipulation as many people and animals can have complete recoveries and improvement of symptoms through these therapies.

One last thing…I remember another friend with a large five year old female German Shepherd having some “idiopathic” hind end weakness issues.  This dog went for Laser Light Therapy and my friend felt that her dog did benefit and improve from these treatments.  I don’t know a great deal about Laser Light Therapy, but I do know that it’s supposed to help reduce inflammation which increases blood flow to the injured area which, in turn, encourages healing.  It also reduces pain and enhances the body’s immune system … just another option to consider for Race Girl.

To summarize…In my opinion, I would take Race Girl for acupuncture treatments right away.  I would get the MRI done and see what the results indicate… If you are dealing with some lumbar disc issues…I would absolutely go for the chiropractic adjustments.  And, no matter what diagnosis is presented, utilize some of the other therapies to keep muscles from atrophying and to keep good blood flow in the hind end.  Good luck and Super Big Hugs and Slobbers.  Gus and I will be thinking all positive thoughts for you and Race Girl.