Semi-sudden loss of hind legs or back end weakness

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Hello-sorry, this is long, but I thought I'd put more details in to see if I could get a list going-we have a vet appointment at 4pm today.

I am referring to my 11.5 yo GSD Nina.

She's on thyroid pills, tramadol for arthritis, a very low dose of elavil, plus supplements like a senior vitamin from vetriscience, synovi g3, hyaluronic acid, stuff like that. I am going to up her DMG, and she was getting coconut oil but has had diarrhea (the 3 am in the bed kind) so I have cut that out for now. Plus she gets Invigor by Honest Kitchen.

She's been having the diarrhea issue on and off and I've been doing the whole routine (fast, bland) with that. She was on a short course of flagyl for that.

She has a history of these weird things happening-she has flareups of terribly deep pyoderma that is controlled by months of strong antiobiotics. (Baytril)

The last time she had this hind limb weakness/loss of use, she developed a monster sized abcess.

I had her in to the vet about a month ago, because as odd as it sounds, I start to sense when she is getting to a weird health issue coming on-but nothing was apparent at that point. In fact, she looked great in every way. But I had that feeling.

She was in last Wednesday and again, nothing apparent.

On Friday I called and asked if I could start her Baytril as she was having trouble going up and down the stairs. However, sometimes Nina forgets things and has a hard time getting her muscle, or any other kind of memory, back. She IS the product of a mother-son mistake litter but is the sweetest dog in the world and one I would do anything for because she asks for nothing. The stairs tend to be one of those things that give her problems-like they are new to her.

But this morning she couldn't get up out of her bed. She has an indoor kennel type thing, so I can go in and help her up. When I got her up, she collapsed. Hind end just folded. She looked like that Andrew Wyeth painting http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/r/image...ristina.lg.jpg

I got her down the stairs (that Ruffwear harness-took it off poor Kramer and on her-a second one is coming tomorrow so they can both have one on) and she collapsed again, then got up and walked around the yard. She was able to do pee and poop which made me

I carried her up the stairs-didn't even want to make her try-and she's in her bed. Since starting the Baytril on Friday her appetite has improved. I thought she was doing better. Then this!

So-any thoughts (I am sure her vet will go to DM because of breed-but it seems odd) of what this could be? Or what type of specialist you would see about this? Would an ultrasound help? I am trying not to tie this with that last episode, but at the same time it seems very similar.

Thanks in advance for any ideas. Appt. is at 4pm est.

[WiscTiger]

Oh Jean. Not Nina.

Can she get up now by herself or does she need help?

Val

[marksteven]

Have you tried the test to determine possible DM. (with dog standing, bring the hind leg back until the toenails touch the ground. if there is DM, the dog will hold the leg in this position) i know this because my 11.5 yr old buck was lost due to this. he was also on tramadol. he had nothing left as far as muscle mass in his hind areas. one day he got up and dropped right to the ground like he was drunk. this condition started 7months prior but rapidly deteriorated.he was unable to jump up in my bed or even climb in the car.this was a large GSD that was used to walking a mile and a half twice a day. in his last days, he had trouble walking 100ft. have you noticed the dragging or scrapping noise of the rear toenails when your dog walks?

[ThreeDogs]

No advice

Just prayers and

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I know. I haven't tried to get her up since-she eats her breakfast laying down-but after her quiet time is over I'll get her up again and let you know.

I haven't tried the knuckling test with her yet. We did it that last time (December) and she did test "positive" and then when she recovered from the abcess, was fine. But I will check it again. I hope not. I am sorry about Buck.

[marksteven]

Thanks, i hope everything turns out o.k

[dd]

I don't have a lot of experience with DM - just one dog - but it was NOT a sudden onset. It was a slow, ugly deterioration over many months. Here's hoping Nina is better soon.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Thank you-thoughts and prayers help, I believe as does all this information-I appreciate it. This is so weird. Nina is sitting quietly in her bed, all cozy, and is a little miffed that I ruined her morning Synovi with DMG and that DHA stuff for pregnant women.

I just don't know what this could be. Maybe a fever?

[Avamom]

I'm so sorry about Nina....how are her gums, is she nice and pink or pale....

[daniella5574]

Jean you will both be in my thoughts and prayers. This sounds so much like what I just went through with my Chance... it came on sudden and with same symptoms. I will be sending tons of positive thoughts your way!!!