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Weakness in Remaining Rear Leg
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Member Since:
15 August 2021
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1
12 October 2022 - 12:13 pm
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My (just turned) 15 year old dog,  Tess is having weakness and trouble staying "up"on her remaining leg. Several things are going on, and I need some suggestions, or hope. I am not sure there is any. 

She started a couple weekends ago suddenly waking up in a puddle of pee. She was diagnosed with kidney problems (elevated BUN and SDMA), and probable bladder infection. (Bladder was rechecked today, as the former sample was free catch, and may have been contaminated... but there was a lot of bacteria, and she has had some response to the Baytril. I won't have new results for a couple days. ) Since then, she is also having more trouble walking, almost to the point today of dragging her rear end. With the kidney issues, she was also switched off her J/D joint food to k/d, and her Galliprant was decreased a short time ago, as she has lost weight since her amputation in Sept. 2021. So, I am sure that doesn't help. 

Tess was in rehab until May for water therapy. Our rehab person is also a vet tech at our clinic, and suggested we get her in water therapy again. I would like to, as I know bladder issues can also be compounded by mobility issues. My husband doesn't see how it would be helpful with her age and kidney issues. (The vet hasn't yet been clear on what stage she is with kidney disease...the recent tests will hopefully show more.)

Any thoughts, suggestions? 

Thank you. She had been doing so well with her leg, and had still been fairly active. 

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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12 October 2022 - 2:29 pm
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Hi,

My Pug Maggie lost a rear leg to cancer, a few years later she developed kidney failure.  There was a lot going on with her at the time but I don't remember that it affected her mobility.

How it started for us was that she became suddenly incontinent- she actually peed while sitting on my lap! Did testing at the vet to determine the cause and discovered the kidney issues.  I had noticed that she was slowly losing weight over the past few months but I chocked it up to aging.  As it turned out she was walking away from her food dish without finishing and her little sister was finishing the food.  Coincidentally little Sis Tani was gaining weight... funny how you only put that stuff together in hindsight!  Dogs with kidney issues often won't eat or won't eat as much and consequently lose weight.

I won't lie- dealing with kidney failure is rough- Maggie would often refuse to eat and I ended up feeding her blended food from a syringe. The incontinence got to be too much to deal with- she would wake up wet almost every morning so we added a medication to help with that.  I think it was called Proin.  I know there was some concern about side effects but I don't remember what they were, Mag never had a problem with the meds and she was much more comfortable.  I actually tried doggie diapers before I agreed to the meds but they wouldn't stay on her with only one rear leg.  Now they make a type of suspenders to keep diapers on if you are interested in going that route.

I could see how a bladder infection or UTI would make her not feel good and maybe make her not want to walk.  I would think though that reducing the Galliprant might be having an impact.  Is she on any other joint supplements?  I've had good luck with adequan injections for my last two aging Pugs.  Maggie never had it- you would have to check with your vet what meds and supplements are OK with kidney issues.  And I would definitely try therapy again if Tess is up for it, that way you would know if leg weakness is the main issue.

I will add that my current rear amp Tripawd, Elly, hurt her one back leg and is also dealing with impacted anal glands.  There was a noticeable improvement in her mobility once the glands were drained. It didn't fix the injury but it really did help so maybe if there is an infection and it gets under control Tess will get around better.  It doesn't take much for a Tripawd to sustain an injury, even a younger and fit Tri like Elly is susceptible.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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12 October 2022 - 2:54 pm
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First of all  CONGRATULATIONS to you for giving sweet Tess sich exquisite  care! She has celebrated  her one year ampuversary plus as a "mature" girl and that is spectacular!👏😎   

We love hearing about a senior doing so well.  Refresh my me oryhat was the reason for her amputation  back then?

Yes, bacterial infections can be an issue if she's been kind of draggin  her rump.

I know it's hard to wait for the tests results, but I think that will help you determine best path forward, physio, meds, etc.    And depending  on what the Vet says, there may be an antiinflmmatory  you can use even with the kidney issue, depending  on the stage.  He may, or may not, reco the water therapy quite yet as he may want to clear up the bladder infection  if that's  what's  going on.

In the meantime, maybe give gentle massage  up and down her spine, her neck, her shoulder area, etc.  See if she shows any sign of tenseness  in any of these areas.  Is there any activity  she may have done recently  to pull a muscle or hurt a joint?

Perhaps there may be a cruciate  ligament tear, but usually  that's accompanied  with some pain.  The Vet can check that out.

So "otherwise", eating. drinking, pottying okay (even if "accidents, that's  ok)?

Ha g in there, okay?  Let's us know what the Vet says.  May just be a muscle issue that rest and meds can help

Sending  lots of healing pawsitivty to your be.oved trooper Tess♥️

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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12 October 2022 - 2:56 pm
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As usual, the whole time I'm doing my slow paced typos, Karen has already chimed in with her sage advice👍

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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