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  1. #1
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    Question about Sarah

    I have already called the vet and have an appointment for her this afternoon, but wanted to run by what is happening with you all to see if anyone knows what is going on with her.

    She went down off the deck steps last week and both of her back legs were swinging out to the side as she was walking forward. I did go over to the vet office and asked that they tell her doctor when that happened. Her vet did call back and ask if she circled after or was disoriented, fearing stroke. Thankfully there were no signs of that she was fine just trying to get her rearend to catch up with the front.

    I think it might be a pinched nerve or something along that line. While she is laying on the floor, bed or couch her leg will kick out two or three times. If she goes to scratch her chin, she will only get about two scratches then the leg will kick out. It is happening when she walks on occasion one of her legs will just kick out or back. She is also starting to have issues with her anal glands not getting cleared with BM. I had to take her in a couple weeks ago before the deck step thing happened and now when I call will be making an appointment for that too. She is on pumpkin and her vet told me to put her on Metamucil powder when I had her in to clear her anal glands, which isn't helping, she is fishy smelling again.

    Sarah is also showing signs of LP her voice is hoarse, and I am pretty sure the cause of her rear end weakness. Any thoughts or suggestions are most appreciated. She is on joint supplements and derramaxx
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  2. #2
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    The onset of the kicking out happening after the episode on the steps would make me wonder if something happened then on top of whatever back end issues come with LP. I hope it can be resolved easily.

    As for using pumpkin to increase the amount of fiber in her diet, I read this article recently, written by one of the vets on the Clinical Nutrition service at Tuft's Veterinary hospital. If she needs more fiber, the Metamucil or another type of fiber might work better. I don't know how much Metamucil you're giving. Any type of fiber has the issue of being either effective in slowing things down and bulking up the stools or too being much of a good thing and causing loose or too soft stools. 403 Forbidden

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  4. #3
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    No clue...and I had no idea that hind end weakness was part of LP.

    Good thoughts headed to the vet with you...let us know what he/she says.

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SunDance View Post
    No clue...and I had no idea that hind end weakness was part of LP.
    The syndrome is referred to as GOLPP: How is multifaceted but treatable - Veterinary Practice News

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  8. #5
    Senior Dog Berna's Avatar
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    If she has LP that would explain the back end weakness, but I am not sure about the kicking. Maybe your vet could refer you to a neurologist?

    Anyway good thoughts for Sarah, I hope you figure it out.
    Cookie Black Snowflake
    July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.

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  10. #6
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
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    Sending mojo please let us know what the vet thinks.

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  12. #7
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    Well we are back from the vet, she really isn't sure what is going on without xrays and/or MRI on her back, but she said it could be Degenerative Myelopathy. I read the paperwork she gave me and she has several of the symptoms mentioned going on.

    The vet did the test where you put the toes under and wait for them to put the foot back where is should be, while she did fine with her left foot she was slow to put her right foot back. Her doctor believes she isn't in any pain just a twitch muscle kicking out with her foot that might be related to the spinal column and the message getting from the brain to the foot. We just have to keep an eye on her and the knuckling especially going down the two deck steps so she doesn't fall and hurt herself. If we notice any more knuckling or her going down we are to bring her back, unfortunately there isn't anything medically they can do for her to cure DM.

    I learned about the rear end weakness with LP here, while Tootsie never showed signs of rear end weakness with her LP I noticed this with Sarah.
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  14. #8
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
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    Would a ramp maybe help her . I am so sorry I hope it does not get worse.

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  16. #9
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    One of my neighbor's had a Lab with DM, but then again Jolie had hind-end problems with LP and presented a lot like your girl. But spinal arthritis could be compressing nerves and potentially causing the same symptoms. The problem is that with an elderly dog, there isn't much to be done for any of those things other than comfort measures. Sorry she has been having trouble. Hopefully it won't progress but you may want to make sure she has a spotter on stairs or other uneven ground just in case she gets wobbly.
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

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    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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  18. #10
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    We have been talking about maybe putting in a ramp - that will be a spring project when it warms up a bit more. We had our deck steps built wide so that Coleman could get his whole body on one step then move to the next step as he had HD and bad knees. It has made a difference for all our pups but with Sarah the ramp might be better as her rear end is so weak at times even getting her body up on one step is sometimes too much.
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    Coleman - CGC blk lab 6/02/97-2/25/08 adopted
    Tootsie - choc lab 10/19/99-8/03/13 adopted
    Bailey - CGC newf/fc 7/12/00-07/15/14 rescued
    Ginger - BT 11/16/05 - 10/14/19 rescued
    Sarah - blk lab 6/22/06 - 12/30/19 rescued
    rescued felines - AJ - 8/00 - 1/11, Merlin - 5/20/05-8/23/21
    Tucker - 8/3/10, Penny - 7/7/13, Toby - 6/14/21

 



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