Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2011 11:34 am Post subject: Buddy's Hind Legs Appeared To be Paralyzed - Update p. 2
Can I run something by you please. I never witnessed the incident as I was in bed, but my husband was concerned enough to wake me from my Saturday morning slumber.
First let me explain that Buddy's toileting habits have taken a steep nose dive over the last several weeks. I have mentioned in previous threads that we have had ongoing issues with Buds pooing in his crate and then in the kitchen at random times even after being let out. More recently, he is doinq wees and poos especially overnight despite being let out at any point up to midnight and toileting in the garden before going to bed.
My hubby is an early riser (5.30 - 6am) and at 20 months of age after successful house training as a pup, this is very frustrating! Anyway... long story short... I am seeking advice from a behaviourist who has given me a questionnaire to complete and asked for a full vet check.
Yesterday morning, hubby was in his study and heard a strange scuffling commotion down stairs. Went to investigate and found Buddy laying on the kitchen tiled floor with hind legs splayed out either side unable to get up. He said it looked like a very unnatural position for the dog and when he called to him, Buddy did not get up which is odd because he gags for his breakfast in the morning and practically jumps into his food bowl (he is a lab after all ).
Hubby even tried to help Buddy up by gently pulling on his collar and Buds couldn't get up. My husband is a human doctor and so from this perspective he said it all looked very unnatural and odd and was immediately concered about his spine, especially with Buddy's ongoing incontinence issues. Hubby was so concerned that he came to wake me up urgently, however as I came downstairs Buddy got up and went to the sink area to be fed with his tail wagging furiously . To all intents and purposes he has been fine since and his normal self.
Talking it over with hubby... was the scuffle a fit? Did he slip on the tiles? Is there a deeper health issue perhaps related to incontinence? He is booked in to see the vet on Monday. Seriously since then he is his normal loving self. Any ideas? I am trying to gather as much info as possible.
Last edited by Budmeister on Mon Dec 12, 2011 5:43 pm; edited 1 time in total
First let me explain that Buddy's toileting habits have taken a steep nose dive over the last several weeks.
How old is he now? Many young dogs get a relapse during toilet training.
Quote:
Talking it over with hubby... was the scuffle a fit? Did he slip on the tiles?
It could be almost anything. About all you can do is maintain a watching brief. What you describe does not really sound like epilepsy, although that could explain the incontinence. Only time will tell I'm afraid.
Thanks John. I mentioned his age in my first post because at 20 months he should not be doing this on such a regular basis. He came from his breeder pretty much house trained at 12 weeks with very occasional accidents.
This is why the behaviourist has asked for a vet health check, to rule out a physical problem although to all intents and purposes he appears to be a very healthy dog.
How worrying for you, has Buddy been neutered, not that I think it could be a reason for the collapse, but wondering if it could be connected to the wee'ing and pooping.
I hope the collapse is just one off and he is soon his normal self.
We had an anxious time when Mischa was only 4 months old where her back end was collapsing for no reason, each incident only lasted a few seconds so were unable to catch it on video, when she got to 7 months it stopped and has'nt happened again 2 1/2 years on.
The vet was puzzled and did various tests all ok, and since then I have spoken to another vet in the same practice as she had read her notes, she seemed to think it could have been a drop in her heart rate and blood was not getting to brain, as she had come up against something similar she recognised the symptons [there was a name for it but can't remember what it was].
Do you see Buddy having these accidents in the house? In other words, is he conscious and adopting the correct body posture to pee and poo? My last lab was epileptic and frequently the only sign of a seizure in the night was finding pee or poo in her room or crate the next day. If you catch them just after a seizure, they can be splay-legged and ataxic for a few minutes and look quite neurological but it wears off quickly. A video recording overnight would be great to see what he is really up to.
Great idea there - have you got a webcam that could be an easy way of doing the recording then you can take it with you to the Vet to show them what's going on.
I know this is probably not it but when Coco got Parvo her back legs kept collapsing and she could not walk. When she did manage to walk she was falling all over the place. Just something to consider if it did happen to your dogs.
____________ Sarah and her Labs.. Charlie(04/09/11), Marley(11/04/10) and Coco(21/02/09).
Is Buddy chocolate? I seem to remember he is?? or am I dreaming it ?
Consider CNM (centronneuclear myopathy) when expressing your concerns to the vet. I would certainly be going to the vet. Poor boy. Hope it turns out to be nothing serious
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).
. To all intents and purposes he has been fine since and his normal self.
I blame these glasses.
