occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned?

• 11-05-2009 3:20 PM

  jstrawbri Joined on 10-21-2007 Elizabethtown, PA Posts 57 Points 270

  occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact   Snickers my GSP is 4 and for almost as long as I can remember when we take him on walks he will always, at least once, drag his rear paw.  I hear the nails scrape, and then I'll watch him walk for a while and then it almost seems like his right hip drops ever so slightly and the paw will drag as he moves it forward.  I was wondering if this is a symptom of some genetic condition I should be worried about or am I just being overly concerned?  Maybe he's just dragging his foot because "it happens"...or maybe his toenails are a little too long that day...  Food for thought. Jessica S.

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• 11-05-2009 3:50 PM

  In reply to jstrawbri

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,726 Points 1,020

  Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact  Has he ever been evaluated for hip dysplasia or other conditions that could lead to occasional pain? Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 11-05-2009 3:55 PM

  In reply to spiritdogs

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,874 Points 3,330	Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact NOT something that should "just happen". Honestly this is the kind of thing you want to find out BEFORE it blows up into something bad -- vet visit.
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• 11-05-2009 8:48 PM

  In reply to jstrawbri

  sl2crmeg Joined on 10-08-2006 New Smyrna Beach, FL Posts 4,096 Points 405	Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact I would ask the vet for sure - my elderly Tiki does something similar due to luxating patella.
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• 11-05-2009 9:20 PM

  In reply to sl2crmeg

  BEVOLASVEGAS Joined on 07-11-2006 Texas Posts 7,944 Points 940	Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact Needs to be seen by a vet.  It may be a neurological issue. Amanda
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• 11-05-2009 10:02 PM

  In reply to BEVOLASVEGAS

  calliecritturs Joined on 09-10-2007 Central Florida Posts 10,874 Points 3,330	Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact BEVOLASVEGAS: Needs to be seen by a vet.  It may be a neurological issue. Listen to this lady -- she's got a dog with Wobbler's.  It was the FIRST THING I thot of -- "I hope Bevo's mom posts!"
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• 11-10-2009 10:13 AM

  In reply to jstrawbri

  jstrawbri Joined on 10-21-2007 Elizabethtown, PA Posts 57 Points 270

  Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact I've been thinking I should mention it to the vet but I didn't want to seem like I was over-reacting..."crazy dog-mom"!  It's really like just the one foot I hear the toe nails scrape...I don't actually "see" the foot drag but it just seemed odd to me because I've owned 2 other dogs in the past and Snickers' half-brother Jeter...never noticed it with any of them.  So I take it from your posts that I should address this with the vet. Jessica S.

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• 11-10-2009 10:20 AM

  In reply to jstrawbri

  BEVOLASVEGAS Joined on 07-11-2006 Texas Posts 7,944 Points 940

  Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact You should definitely mention it to the vet!!!  This may be nothing, but it also could be something serious.  If it is something serious, the sooner that you catch it, the better. An easy way to get an idea about how much he is actually dragging his toes is to check wear on his rear nails.  If they are worn funny or abnormally, then it if probably happening more frequently than you realize.  Amanda

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• 11-10-2009 3:04 PM

  In reply to BEVOLASVEGAS

  jstrawbri Joined on 10-21-2007 Elizabethtown, PA Posts 57 Points 270	Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact Thanks...it actually never occurred to me to see if that foot seemed to have the nails worn down more or differently than the other one.  I hindsight it seems like a no-brainer!! Jessica S.
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• 11-10-2009 3:31 PM

  In reply to jstrawbri

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 18,380 Points 2,300	Re: occassional paw dragging; should I be concerned? Reply Contact yes and you can even PAINT the nails to see more clearly how much more wear is occuring...and what exactly the pattern is...because that might be important...which toes for ex.... "I'm not looking for absolution, forgiveness for the things I do.."-Walking In My Shoes, Depeche Mode My blog: ryngwrayth.blogspot.com/
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