pacing, stumbling, and wandering into corners... help!

Poor Ripley.  What kind of dog is she?  My first thought was cognitive dysfunction as well.  And, if she is a larger breed dog...12 years old is getting up there. 

My Buddy who is a very large Labrador (will be 11 in January) was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 6 months ago.  We are still trying to regulate it.   His supplement also started helping him be more alert and helped his appetite pretty quickly.

Ripley may have a couple of things going on.  I'd talk to your vet about what can be done for her cognitive functions....if it is age related; which is what it sounds like to me when you say she is losing her footing, wandering and just standing there acting confused.

Good luck, and please keep us posted.

 Hi, Ripley is a Border collie mix.  (mixed with aussie, maybe)  She's about 60lbs. 

The vet said she could try some meds for CD but again, she doesn't seem THAT confused.  Just as though something is compelling her to go stand in a random corner.  If I call her name, she looks at me with the same bright intellegence she's always had.  Like "hey, what's up mom?"

So did Buddy do any pacing or anything?? 

No, Buddy displayed lack of appetite, sluggishness; and weight gain with his hypothyroidism.  He gets his next blood draw in a couple of weeks; I'm hopeful that his levels have improved.  We had to increase his supplement after his first 3 month draw showed little improvement.  After his increase, we started seeing a great deal of attitude adjustment.  He actually wanted to play again; he wanted to be in the midst of Houligan play and was much more alert and bright eyed.  I'm anxious to see what his weight is...as I feel it has decreased....fingers crossed.

Best for Ripley, too!

When you re-check the thyroid you might want to send it to Dr. Jean Dodds at Hemopet.org or even Michigan State (Dr. Dodd's bloodwork IS more comprehensive but both do breed-specific testing which helps a TON).

But what you're describing is something I'd take to a good holistic vet who does TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) and acupuncture or at least a vet who does chiropractic.

This sounds SO MUCH like my Kee Shu.  Much of her problem comes from some arthritis in the low back that causes sciatica in BOTH rear legs (humans rarely have it in two legs, dogs OFTEN do in both back legs).  That pulls those legs hard which then makes it hard for them to stand upright (it can actually kinda pull the back feet together and ultimately scissor them) -- that also puts a HUGE HUGE HUGE stress on the neck so they often will wander into a corner to literally try to keep themselves standing up.

There is a TON you can do for this, but this is truly *not* something a regular vet is going to see nor know what to do with.  They'd just give pain meds -- and that's not going to ultimately help -- but acupuncture and the right kind of relaxant herbs and massage can do WONDERS.

Ms. Kee is close to 19 best as we can figure -- this has been going on with her for THREE years and she's still chugging along.  We'll get "close" and then Dr. D will figure that the neck has somehow gotten whacked out badly again and we'll do a couple of days of valium (yep, for neck pain she will go all the way to valium for a few days to let the muscles heal).

Sit on the floor and just pet for a while.  Then while massaging the back legs, feel UNDER thru the groin area -- I betcha you will feel a tendon that goes from the groin area down close to the knee that is strung as tight as piano wire.  Not a big tendon either -- but that's hooked up ultimately to a nerve that is somehow pinched a bit. 

If you have ever known a human with sciatica you will understand what I'm talking about and it's not at all uncommon in dogs.

Pet massage (which you can do yourself) is an awesome help as well -- but getting this all back 'together' and getting that inflammation down is a big deal.

But what you're describing about wobbling around even while standing still and heading into corners -- that's SO typical.

It's also painful -- painful to the point of distraction so they completely appear "out of it".  But altho there is likely definitely some cognitive dysfunction there, I've seen this MANY times.  Foxy the MOstlie sheltie had it as well.

*I* have sciatica -- so I'm sympathetic.  But for anyone who isn't familiar -- sciatica -- altho it starts in the low spine -- FEELS like it's down your leg usually.  In fact, it can be like an electrical jolt and suddenly you pick that foot up because it HURTS suddenly and yep -- even as a human I can fall over.

You can try the Chi Institute http://www.tcvm.com -- there is a locator on the left.  If you want to email me I can help you sort out which vet to choose.

There is also a holistic vet locator.   Chiros are actually hard to find -- but most TCVM vets know tui na which is sort of the Chinese equivalent to massage/chiro -- very helpful.  But mostly their whole exam is SO different. 

It's not just putting a pain med bandaid on it either.  This kind of stuff can be minimized and maintained. 

 Thanks for you're good thoughts... I hope Buddy has many years left.  I don't know why we give ourselves to these critters... it's so hard when the go.  I know, the love they give us is well worth it. 

I know I should wait for the 2nd blood test, but, like now.. she's going from inside, out the dog door....stands looks around, sniffs, wobbles a bit, goes down the steps wanders in a circle/oval/ figure eight for 10 min.  Comes inside.  wanders to food, comes to me for a pat, walkes around the kitchen island... and so on.  I just know it isn't right.  I wish she could just look up at me and say "Hey, I've got an earache."  Or  "If the lights where brighter I wouldn't trip so much"

She's a mutt and has always been really heathy

*sigh*
 

Your crew is beautiful BTW.  Is that a Tervuren? 

 calliecritturs,

Oh Wow!!! You'll never believe this but I'm a LMT. I’ve been massaging people for 10 + years and I have and do massage Ripley. I tend to get frustrated when every vet just said "well, she's IS 12" So?

I will look for the tendon, would it be the same as the pariformis or maybe an adductor tendon in humans?? In humans sciatica can be caused by the pariformis pressing onto the nerve. Do you know of a good site that shows the musculoskeletal system for dogs?

I thought about a low back problem-- she refuses to use the steps we have for the bed and just jumps off!! Sometimes landing in a crumpled heap!! I've done some mild traction with her on her back and gently taking her pelvis and pulling/ holding of 30 sec or so. Not that I know what I'm doing, I'm just applying what I know. I’ve also thought it could be a meridian issue, but I have no clue where to find info for dogs. For all I know, there could be doggie reflexology…

I work for a chiro, and he has adjusted his own dogs… I guess I could have him come look at Ripley.

Wow, If this is a soft tissue problem I missed it, I’m going to be really mad at myself! I can’t believe I didn’t think of it. Thank you so much for the post.. when you say “send it to Dr. Jean Dodds at Hemopet.org” you mean have my vet take the blood and send it to him??

 hi there : )

I know this is an old post but we're having the same trouble with our beloved Bella and I was wondering if Ripley recovered and if so what you did, what worked, etc. 

I'm desperate and distraught and hoping you might be able to help me. 

 Thanks!

 jaymee (aka Bella's mom) : ) 

teamfoster

I know this is an old post but we're having the same trouble with our beloved Bella and I was wondering if Ripley recovered and if so what you did, what worked, etc. 

I'm desperate and distraught and hoping you might be able to help me. 

I'd be having the vet do a tick test as well --

If this is an older dog, and particularly if they are walking in circles it can be an inner ear problem typical in oldler dogs (and they surely CAN recover from it)

What has your vet done?