bitch going off her legs

[johntywino]

Hi. My Daughter has a ten year old Jack Russel terrier,which is a bit of a pain really as it's always jumping up for attention,and once it is patted it tears around the house at flat out speed like a demented Jack Russel! Anyway, the problem is that the last couple of weeks it cannot stand on its back legs..they keep letting her down, but she STILL tears around the house! She is not in any pain,and we have taken her to the vet who thinks it COULD be arthritis (rubbish, as she would be in pain and act differently) . I think she could have had a bit of a stroke, and that her mind doesn't tell her that her legs are not working properly.... Has anyone had a similar problem with their pet,and know what to do about it?

[karenmac60]

I know GSDs have genetic problems with their hips. My granny's dog had this and ended up having to be put to sleep because of it - but he never seemed to be in any pain and still ran about like a mad thing. It was usually on corners that his back end would give out and he would fall over, but he'd just get back up and carry on as if nothing had happened.

[lankeela]

Sorry but that is a very sweeping statement to make. Hip problems are not purely confined to GSD's, are not proven to be genetic and in most cases do not result in the dogs falling over. There is a condition called CDRM (or more commonly these days DM) which can cause rear end problems, again in many breeds. You can only tell if a dog has hip displaysia is you have them x-rayed. A dog with hip displaysia would be in pain and would not be falling over and then getting up again as though nothing has happened. Smaller breed like Jack Russells can suffer from patella luxation, where the knee joint is not stable (often called the Jack Russell 'Hop') but again is evident in many breeds. A stroke would not affect just the hind legs, it would more likely affect the balance and the head and neck area, with lack of co-ordination much like in a human. Dogs with arthritis do not necessarily show pain, in fact many dogs don't show pain in any circumstances. Try getting her a Bioflow collar, which can help ease the joints and give her a supplement such as Denes Greenleaf tablets, or Glucosamine and Chondtroitin, and either of these will ease the symptoms of joint pain and stiffness.

[johntywino]

Thanks very much to the two of you, I'll pass it on to my Daughter..Thanks again, John.