Dog Community

Seizures or Hip problem???

Posted : 9/28/2006 8:36:20 AM

My pure bread yellow lab named Molly (9 years old) has been puzzeling me for a while. Lately I would notice her twitch or show other signs of a possible seizure (relatively short and small) though I've been told that seizures or signs like that of which she has been showing are normal for pure breads (I'm not sure if that's totally true). Just last night she came into my room and I could hear her sort of stumbling, but she made it onto my bed to sleep with me. That morning when I went to let her out to go to the bathroom, she walked down the hallway using the wall for support. Then when she went outside she sort of ran sideways. Now she seems to be doing better, but could this be the start of a terrible road for diagnosis and treatment? She hasn't shown any other signs that I have researched as far as seizures, but I am pretty unclear with this whole topic and really ignorant when it comes to deciphering the problem. Could it be her hip? I don't recall her having a great fall or anything of the sort, though she may have when I wasn't around and there have been times when she's tried to jump in the bed of my truck that I could see her struggle a little bit. Can anyone help me??

Jeremiah

pip52

Posted : 9/28/2006 8:51:43 AM

It may be arthritis. My 9 yr old Shih Tzu has arthritis in her hips and lower spine. Some mornings when she gets up she holds her right leg off the floor, after her pain meds she starts walking better. She has sort of a side ways walk when she gets up also.

dasher

Posted : 9/28/2006 9:40:18 AM

My Dalmatian had facial twitching, which eventually turned to paralysis, he was 10.(Not saying this is what your dog has, just sharing my previous experience). We ran a ton of tests to look for tumors, cancer, hip issues etc. Couldn't find anything. The only thing I did not do was a spinal tap, I couldn't bear the thought of putting him through something like that at his age. It was determined that Reese had a degenerative spinal disease. It was very slow in evolving, it didn't really completely

aralysis him until year 3. He passed about 2 years ago. Our Lab,(Lille) who is 12 does not have facial twitching, but has neurological symptoms in her back end. We recently had all her blood work, etc done, just to make sure we weren't missing anything, but everything looked great. Our vet said besides her hind end, she is the best looking 12 year old lab her has ever seen. Now I will say she does have arthritis in her hips, she is on meds which helps any discomfort, but the twitching is not arthritis, it is neurological (at least it is in our case).

I am happy to give you any information, feel free to PM me.

georgie4682

Posted : 9/28/2006 10:08:05 AM

My dog has had this similar problem. It started out where he would just be in pain and then hang his head low when he walked. Then he had trouble sitting, laying down, and getting up. I too thought it was arthritis, but then he had a sort of twitching moment, just as you described. I would hear him struggling to stand and when I saw him it was as if his back legs stopped working. After multiple visits to the vet she finally found the problem, he has a slipped disc in his neck. This was so painful for him. After a few days of medicine he was just fine and he still is ok, but he isn't allowed to play rough with other dogs or have too much exercise, anything can set off the pain. I would definitely suggest a visit to the vet. Expolain to him exactly what you observed and he'll be able to tell you how to handle it. Good luck.

Jeremiah

Posted : 9/28/2006 10:22:55 AM

I took her for a short walk this morning and noticed her left leg was twitching a little bit. Then I realized how it stuck out (to the side a bit also). My guess is that she is supporting the weight on her left hip? Could I be right? She is going to the vet, but not until this afternoon as that is the soonest the vet could get her in. I really don't want to give her just meds such as a cortizone shot or something similar as I think it will just come back. Could her hip be dislocated? Thank you again all for your help and suggestions. I really do appreciate it.