Dog having problems walking - Need Advice

[Zevo]

11 is not that old for a lab or border collie. Our border/lab cross lived to 14. I would definitely get a second opinion. As Fozzie mentioned, there are good vets and inexperienced(or bad) vets. IF you can get a recommendation to another vet, or check out the one Fozzie mentioned, that's what I would do.

70-80 lbs seems like it would be on the heavy side for a female border collie\lab cross. That's almost on the large size for a male lab and a female border collie should weigh no more than 30- 40 lbs.

[Flash Walken]

our dog had something similar happen at 11 or 12.

Just collapsed one day on the floor, conscious but wouldn't/couldn't move.

Turns out it was a kidney problem and anemia. Chicken livers with kibble and she lived another 7 years.

Get a couple of of opinions from vets.

[Shaggin Wagon]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I saw an episode of Dog Whisperer where a dog just needed some massage. Could that help?

My cat has issues with her back. They seemed like leg problems. X-rays showed nothing. We started messaging her back and she has gotten better. She tends to stiffen up when she doesn't get massages. I really hope your dog's problems are something that can be fix with something simple like this. Wishing you (and your pup) all the best.

[DuffMan]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

our dog had something similar happen at 11 or 12.

Just collapsed one day on the floor, conscious but wouldn't/couldn't move.

Turns out it was a kidney problem and anemia. Chicken livers with kibble and she lived another 7 years.

Get a couple of of opinions from vets.

crap. now I feel bad about doing my own diagnosis.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by Zevo

11 is not that old for a lab or border collie. Our border/lab cross lived to 14. I would definitely get a second opinion. As Fozzie mentioned, there are good vets and inexperienced(or bad) vets. IF you can get a recommendation to another vet, or check out the one Fozzie mentioned, that's what I would do.

70-80 lbs seems like it would be on the heavy side for a female border collie\lab cross. That's almost on the large size for a male lab and a female border collie should weigh no more than 30- 40 lbs.

She is 66lbs and the vet said that was not at all over weight, she feels more like 80lbs trying to carry her at 3am though

[HartAttack]

I emailed your OP to my wife, who works at a vet clinic and is friends with a few vets. She let her vet read the OP and suggests that the problem is likely with your dog's back, not its hips. She suggested that you get a second opinion from another vet than the one you're seeing.

Not a lot to go on there, but I hope it helps.

[puckedoff]

Whatever decision you make, remember its better to use more gun than not enough.

[shane_c]

About 2 years ago one of our dogs spent a few hours curled up outside in an Adirondack chair. About an hour later her back legs gave out on her and she fell. She got up, started walking again but as she tried to climb the stairs to come in they gave out again and was basically dragging herself by her front legs. It was very scary to see. We took her to the vet, they gave us some metacam (anti-inflamatory) and that seemed to clear it up. They suspect she pinched a nerve from laying in the Adirondack. Needless to say she's not allowed on them anymore.

[flamesfever]

Originally Posted by ken0042

I saw an episode of Dog Whisperer where a dog just needed some massage. Could that help?

When I was a kid, there was an old man in his 90's, living behind us, whose young dog became completely paralyzed. I phoned the vet and he said the only thing that could possibly save it was months and months of physical therapy. Taking direction from the vet, I got the old man to massage the dog numerous times a day. Luckily he had lots of time on his hands. After a few weeks the dog could lift his head high enough to get his face in his food bowel. He gradually improved until at 6 months he was running with a slight limp.

Now this was a young dog, a year or two old, and I don't know whether it would apply to an old dog. However, it sure wouldn't hurt to try.

[Raekwon]

I was picking up diapers for her at pet planet and the girl there gave me the number for an animal chiropractor who seems to specialize in this type of condition. I called and decided to give it a shot so Friday we will see what happens. She seems to be in good spirits anyway.

[Raekwon]

I have an appointment today with another vet as she hasn't pee'd for 36 hours but I put a heating pad on her this morning and rub her thighs and back and she seems to have regained a little bit of her back legs and is peeing a bunch now so I'm optimistic about the chiro tomorrow.

Edit: peeing in her diaper not normal peeing.

[Raekwon]

After a very thorough exam at another vet we came to the decision to let her go. That was the hardest thing I have had to do. She was actually 13 not 11 she lived a good life there was no point her spending her days doing tests and surgeries for a possible outcome.

[Old Yeller]

Ugh... hardest decision you'll make and knowing it's the final act of love/kindness doesn't make it any easier.

You're a good dog owner, sorry for your loss.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

So sorry to hear that. It will get better with time.

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by HartAttack

I emailed your OP to my wife, who works at a vet clinic and is friends with a few vets. She let her vet read the OP and suggests that the problem is likely with your dog's back, not its hips. She suggested that you get a second opinion from another vet than the one you're seeing.

Not a lot to go on there, but I hope it helps.

Yes, sounds like our guy - he had a disc problem and the first time, recovered but it happened again and then things moved like wildfire and he was paralyzed, so we had him put down. Vet told us we could take him to Saskatoon for surgery that was over $3000, with no guarantee that it was going to prevent it from happening again.

I'm very sorry for the loss of your dog. Hardest decision ever.

[FLAME ENVY]

Raekwon, my sincerest condolences on your loss. I truly know how devastating and tough it is. We just lost our second Japanese Chin in 5 months on March 7th, he was 12. He passed sitting on my wife's lap in our vehicle about 2 KM's from the clinic, almost like he knew. He had been having difficulty breathing and we suspect congestive heart failure. We lost our 14 year old Chin on October 10th. Cherish all the memories, joy and unconditional love over the many years spent together.

[Zevo]

What Old Yeller said. So sorry for your loss.

It can be the hardest thing, being a dog owner knowing that day will come, but I like to think they bring 1000 times more joy while we have them then the sorrow we have when they pass.

[longsuffering]

Really very sorry that you had to let your dog go. My Newf turns 9 this year and although he's in good health now, 9 is pretty old for a big breed like him. I will cry like a baby when his time comes.

[cancer man]

My dog at 7 years had the same symptoms.(Renal Failure so they said) we increased her sodium intake so she would drink more water.Urine was dark orange but no blood.(And before you dog lovers freak out it's 2 tbl spoons of heinz ketchup)
It turned out she had stones.

[Hessen]

Sorry to hear about your friend.