Dog Community

Neuropathy

Cita

Posted : 4/20/2007 3:16:42 PM

My boyfriend's family's boxer is 10 years old and recently had surgery for a torn ACL. It didn't seem to be healing appropriately, so they brought her back to the vet, who diagnosed her with "neuropathy." Apparently her nerves are just deteriorating, and the vet doesn't think there's much if anything they can do except hope it will stop of its own accord.

The boxer is obviously old, but other than the nerve/leg issues (she doesn't have good control of her rear legs) is happy and healthy. She can still walk and run.

Does anyone have experience with this condition? Is there anything we could do to help her?

janet_rose

Posted : 4/20/2007 8:16:17 PM

With nerve problems you can also expect muscle atrophy problems. Both of these amino acids are helpful for that:
L-Carnitine:
[link>http://b-naturals.com/product_info.php?products_id=28]http://b-naturals.com/product_info.php?products_id=28[/link][/size]
L-Glutamine:
[linkhttp://b-naturals.com/product_info.php?products_id=145][color=#000000]http://b-naturals.com/product_info.php?products_id=145[/link]

[size=3]Try acupuncture and TCVM (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine) - [linkhttp://www.tcvm.com][color=#000000]www.tcvm.com[/link] (doctor finder on left). This would be in conjunction with your vet - not in place of your vet.[/color][/size][/color]

Cita

Posted : 4/20/2007 10:10:18 PM

Thanks Janet, I'll look into getting some of those!

pam mitchell

Posted : 4/25/2007 10:33:37 PM

my cat used to have neuropathy due to diabetes. I have used Methyl-B12. It is brilliant. It must be the Methyl-B12 rather than the normal B12 (that for some reason doesnt work).

Good luck, I do know that neurpthapy is reversable!

Cita

Posted : 4/26/2007 9:35:05 AM

Thank you so much! That is very encouraging news. I'm guessing if her muscles don't improve, they'll probably have to put the boxer down within a year because her quality of life will have decreased so much. If we can get her walking normally again, though, I bet she'll keep kicking for a good long while yet!

janet_rose

Posted : 4/26/2007 10:53:27 AM

[font=verdana]I'm guessing if her muscles don't improve, they'll probably have to put the boxer down within a year because her quality of life will have decreased so much.

[/font]
Have they tried aqua-therapy (exercise in a pool of water)?

There are lots of products that will help a disabled dog have a good life:
[linkhttp://www.handicappedpets.com/]http://www.handicappedpets.com/[/link]

You might be surprised how well dogs can do with wheelchairs:
[linkhttp://www.dogkarts.com/]http://www.dogkarts.com/[/link]
[linkhttp://www.animalrehab.on.ca/]http://www.animalrehab.on.ca/[/link]
[linkhttp://www.eddieswheels.com/]http://www.eddieswheels.com/[/link]

janet_rose

Posted : 4/26/2007 11:03:47 AM

Apparently her nerves are just deteriorating, and the vet doesn't think there's much if anything they can do except hope it will stop of its own accord.

Is there a vet school near you? Those are great places to go for a second opinion.

janet_rose

Posted : 4/26/2007 12:38:57 PM

Yahoo group:
orthodogs - Discussion of canine orthopedic issues
[linkhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs/[/link]

[color=#000000][size=3]Braces:
[linkhttp://www.woundwear.com/home.cfm]http://www.woundwear.com/home.cfm[/link]
[linkhttp://www.caninebrace.com/caninebrace.html]http://www.caninebrace.com/caninebrace.html[/link]
[linkhttp://k-9orthotics.com/products.html]http://k-9orthotics.com/products.html[/link][/size][/color]