The American Beagler Forum

I have a two year old bitch that has trouble walking all of a sudden. I thought it was tick paralysis, I dipped her and gave her penicillin and massaged her. I also had her x-rayed by the vet to see if she had a back injury. The x-ray was negative. That was five days ago and she still has trouble walking. She has good appetite. What could the problem be?

Your dog didn't happen to jump off the back of the tailgate or off the roof of her house or even hit a good size hole while she was running. Sometimes a hard jolt will do that.

Have her kidney functions checked. "Down in the hips" is a symptom of kidney failure, but they usually lose their appetites. Also, a sprain or hard blow to the tail can sometimes do that and not show up on x-ray. Had a bitch whack her tail going under a fence and she walked pretty stiffly for a few days and wouldn't raise her tail more than a couple of inches. Cortisone, Rimadyl and rest put her right within two weeks. How is she holding her tail? Good luck with her, and let us know how she fares.

She wags her tail. She still has very good appetite. She doesn't appear to able to walk at all now. I had to put her food right under her this evening. She's in good spirit. The vet initially thought it might be tick paralysis but I think we've ruled that out. Could it be anything in her blood chemistry?

There is an affliction called "coon dog paralysis" that can cause paralysis for no apparent reason. A friend of mine had a lab that came down with this. I don't know a whole lot about it, but I think it comes from rapid growth in young dogs and it usually clears up in several days. Your hound should be old enough to be past this, but I would ask the vet anyway. Most country vets will know about coon dog paralysis.

Sounds like a bugger. Not enough info unfortunately to even make a guess, but "normal" x-rays do not rule out a bulging/herniated disk in the back.

Went up to feed the hounds yesterday and the ol fat buddy wouldnt come off his platform. I told my son to go get the thermometer and temp was 103.6. Took him into the vets and they did Lyme, heartworm test and that was negative. Which I figured. Last year he had some of the same symptoms same time of the year. Vet sent me home with Rimadyl and Amoxicillan. Been almost 24 hrs. They think it might be a slipped disk. He is gonna be eight this year. He is tucking his rear leg up and seems to be in pain. Almost like having contractions sometimes. No eating, but is drinking. Turned his nose up to bologna. Im going on a trip tomorrow and when I come back if he is not a spring chicken again the hubby and I are going to have "the" talk...Gotta think of the quality of life not the quantity. Cross your fingers. Thanks for listening to me ramble.

Hey Samlyn, before you have "the talk" I'd try some prednisone.
I take it for a pesky autoimmune disease, but it could help your ouchy pooch. I don't even get HEADACHES on the stuff!
Anyway, if there is some inflammation sometimes a corticosteroid injection (hit em' hard) followed by a SLOW taper and lots of rest can help.
I know lots of folks shy away from steroid use, because of the NASTY side effects (possibility of developing diabetes, muscle WASTING *including heart muscle* increased urination and HUNGER - like a beagle doesn't do that enough!) and for me, well, it makes me mean, gives me insomnia and fat. Again, I don't think the last few side effects affect beagles too much...
Just a thought, if he is an old fart it might just be his time. We let them live out there lives and die at home, UNLESS they are in pain. Then, pink juice is the answer, at least for us. We are always with them when they go.

Mose, is your dog on steroids?