[MWRyland]

We have a 10 yr old min pin.She has developed a problem with her hind legs.The vet has done x-rays and everything is normal in the legs and spine. He suggests that we take her a neurologist but that is something I just can't afford. 3 vet at the service looked at her and can't figure out the problem. When she walks she put all her weight on her front legs and her hind legs look almost robotic. They say that they have seen where the tentinds in the inner thigh get so tight that they can't straighten the leg, but it only usually happens in 1 leg. They never see it happen in both. Every morning I stretch her hind legs in hopes that if that is the problem it will stretch them out but it's not getting any better. In fact I think it's getting worse. They put her anti-inflamitories but that is making no difference. She also has lost almost all of her muscle mass in the rear and now I'm seeing muscle loss around her head. Any thoughts?

[joypulv]

I would suggest a warm tub of water big enough to dog paddle in, as a palliative measure. Warm water feels so good on anyone, dog or human, when aging. My dog used to hate baths and now loves them, the warmer the better. Warmth all the time, including a low wattage dog heating pad. And a super soft bed slightly off the floor (in winter), maybe a water bed.

I have no clue about a diagnosis, although I know as someone with collapsing vertebrae myself how much it affects my legs. So the neurologist sounds like a reasonable suggestion. Not that a vertical human is a comparison for a horizontal dog, but I see no reason why the nerves off the back of the dog's spine, that go to the legs, can't be pinched in similar ways.
What does loss of mass around her head look like? Did the vet notice and remark on that, or is that since your dog was examined? If that is evident, it could be something rare that might take a lot of tests and specialists, more than xrays.

My sister had a lab whose rear legs stopped working at a young age. She spent thousands on vet after vet. The dog eventually was able to walk. I would hesitate to even ask her what the final diagnosis was. It just doesn't really sound the same.

I take ibuprofin as an anti-inflammatory. If money is tight, ask the vet if you can use human ibuprofin in a broken tab sized for your dog.

[tickle]

Ibuprofen is poison to dogs and cats.

Tendons can't be stretched out.; will only retract. They are supposed to be taut. Would suggest massage therapy. If the tendons are not working properly, it is a muscle problem. Mention this to the vet, it may give them a new outlook.

[Alty]

I agree with Joy about the warm bath, I'd add espom salts to it, let her relax in the warm water, it will loosen her up some.

I cannot suggest the ibuprofin, it's not recommended for dogs. If anything baby aspirin is okay, but even then I'd discuss it with the vet first, and it wouldn't help with inflammation, only pain.

She's an older dog, this could be as simple as arthritis, in which case the warm baths (daily) with epsom salts, should help.

Wish there was more we could suggest, but sadly it really is up to vet care, and I totally understand not being able to afford going to a specialist, especially because it's not a guarantee that you'll get an answer or help with what's going on.

I wish you and your pup the best of luck.

[Lucky098]

Sometimes in older dogs, the disks in the spinal cord compress down on the nerves that give the dogs sensation. I'm curious as to what tests the vets did? Did they check her reflexes? Did they check her proprioception on those back legs? Did they check her for sensation in her legs?

Sometimes dogs will also get a neuropathy in the rear that is within the pelvis. Some dogs are painful, others are not. Its inoperable and cannot be fixed. MRI/CT scan is the only way of diagnosing.

Another issue that could be happening is a tumor/cyst causing neuropathy in the rear.

I think you should just keep your dog comfortable. Without advanced imaging, there is no way of saying what is causing this... but there are plenty of medications available to give your poor pup some good quality of life for however long she needs it.

You could look into canine rehab and see if there any types of exercises or movements that you could do with your dog to help her out. Continuing activity is vital to keep the animal moving. Letting them just lay around will only cause deterioration of the muscles.

Did the vet give her steroids? Those are the most powerful of the anti-inflammatories, but doesn't do much for pain. If you think she is in pain, contact your vet. If your dog is on steroids DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE give any TYPE of NSAID (IBprofen, etc)... that will cause a very bad reaction for the steroids.

Due to the excessive weightloss.. I would think maybe cancer, also :( When was the last time your vet did bloodwork?? Could be kidney/liver disease or even diabetes.