The American Beagler Forum

Has anyone had experiences with this problem? I have had a couple over the years to loose the use of their hind legs. I was told by the vet that nothing could be done. I tried to keep one of them around to see if she improved. In a few days she started chewing on one of her hind feet.

I have a male that was having problems yesterday but could stand and wobble around some. Today he can't stand. His rear legs are limp. I haven't taken him to the vet because they have been closed and also because in the past nothing could be done.

Is there anything other than disc or back problems that could cause this? I would like to hear some experiences. Thanks

Blue , I had the same problem with a male about a year or so ago. Took him to the vet on Easter Sunday $$$$.The cartilage had deteriated between three disc , didn't even need an xray, she showed me by feeling the gap between good & bad disc. They said they could do surgery for about 3 grand with no gaurantees . Neddless to say we had him put down, that was a tuff one for us cause he took a ninth at the 04 world hunt. Good luck, I feel for you. Dave H.

Thanks, I think I am about to finally realize what may have caused the problem if there was a cause. I think the door on his house is too low. I usually build them 12" tall. My thinking was that the smaller the door the less wind would enter. He has been in that same kennel most of his 7 years. He's full of energy and runs in and out alot. Since he's almost 15" tall he would have to squat to get through the door. I have been building my own dog houses for over 40 years. I guess we're never too old to learn. One of my best friends is a veterinarian (retired and sickly now). My former spouse was a licensed animal health technician. I have spent years in vet clinics helping with all kinds of surgeries etc.. I should have known better a long time ago it looks like.

I don't think you did anything wrong, don't beat yourself up over it.
I have classmates that have had back, hip and knee go out... genetics, food quality and exercise make you what you are.

The doors on our box start about 4" from the floor(helps keep some bedding inside) and have a 12"tX10"w opening.
Most dogs if given a free choice would rather crawl into their dens...

About 3 years ago I found one of my females dragging her back legs. Her legs were streched backwards and she couldn't stand at all. I took her to the vet and he gave her a shot and bottle of pills. I put her in a small cage and in about a week she was able to stand. In another 4 months she was close to normal. During the last 2 years she can stay with the pack but I can still tell something isn't right with her rearend. I don't remember what the vet charged but it wasn't outragious. I'm glad to have her.

Your door opening are exactly the same as mine, 10" wide by 12" tall. I also have 3-4" at the bottom to keep the bedding in. Without the strip across the bottom bedding won't last long at all with active dogs. Thanks

DarkCorner,
My male seems to be in a similar situation as your female. He went down over a 3 day period. I plan to take him to the vet tomorrow. He is a linebred greatgrandson of Hank's Jo Jo Blue and redtick. He lost an eye as a puppy so I don't run him. I spend alot of money and keep alot of dogs to keep the bloodline going. This dog is over 35% Hank's Jo Jo Blue blood and he's been dead about 20 years. There's no way to replace him. I really need him. Your experience gives me some hope anyway. Thanks

I've seen dogs drag their back legs due to ticks this time of year.
Look like they are paralyzed.

Treat the dog for ticks real good and give it a big B6 shot and seen several be back on their feet in 3-5 days.

Our dogs when its hot have dug holes in the dirt under the dog houses and crawl under to spend most of the day under there.

Good Call AGAIN John
May or may not be but it is worth a look See!!!!!
At this point i would be looking for anything!!!!!!!!!
http://www.petalia.com.au/templates/sto ... o=56#ct-10

http://www.petshed.com/articles/all-abo ... lysis.html

TC

You're so smart to appreciate my advice.LOL

Always good to see what you post on different subjects. I follow you closely too.

I first saw this in the early 50's.
I say this as when you are old, folks think you know more than you do!!

Had a young female beagle dragging her back legs and got three uncles that all had beagles to rush over for the emergency.
She had messed all over her legs and bottom and didn't seem to notice it.
They all gathered at the pen and aked me to call her out of the dog house which I did. she came out playful but still dragging.
One looked in the hair right above her tail and found a tick that was very small and pulled it off. All three nodded approval.
They all agreed that was the one and they found several more big full ones on her ears, back and neck.
Don't know if it was true or not, but next day she was walking and run again in four days.
Seen it several times since then.
Never seen a dog with a hurt disc, but A friend of mine from Tennessee Ted Peercy had one hurt its back jumping off the tailgate and lifts his off now, so it can happen. Must be rare though.

I just got back from the vet clinic with the dog. He has disc problems. They did x-rays etc. to be sure. He got injections of steroids. l have to give him prednisone twice daily. If he's not improving in a couple of days it's over. That is what I expected from past experiences. At least he is getting a chance to improve. It only cost $59 for everything. The vets that we use are very reasonable. There are 4 of them and they stay swamped. It's a mixed practice which is the only type clinic that I will use. I am in a rural area where there are also large animals. If I were in a big city it might be different. There is a small animal clinic in the area that charged me $325 for a c section about 5 years ago. I only went there because it was closer. The clinic I use charges about $125 if everything is normal. I just thought I would throw this in. It's good to get information from different areas. Thanks

I've seen some jojo, some long bodied. A fat hound is hard on a long weak back. Hows his weight?
Hope he heals up for you and taking weight off him has to help...
Best of luck.

His weight is average. He is built very well, muscular. He is not a bit better today. The vet told me to put him down tomorrow, Thursday. I am ging to give him a few more days even knowing there's no use. When I stand him up urine just runs out. He can't stand with me holding him. I know what happens from here. He may start chewing a foot like the female that I had and hated to put down.

I had a bitch years ago and one of my current blueticks both had intervertebral disc disease. It starts out with a hardly noticable limp, usually in the rear legs. Occasionally the limp will worsen gradually, and rarely you'll notice what seems to be stiffness in the front legs as well. But most times, the dog goes down within 24hrs - from what seems to be a sprained leg to almost complete hind end paralysis Your Vet may have mentioned that if not treated the paralysis can be permanent ... Its a very, very serious condition where the disc actually ruptures. In serious cases, it can require surgery, steroids always did the trick for my hounds, thankfully.
Moderate exercize and keeping the dog very slim seem to help greatly. My first bitch with this condition was overweight & had the paralysis from her disc problems come on at least once a year for the last 3 yrs of her life. My bluetick is kept very lean & will be 7 this month. He's only had one occurrence a few years back. Glucosamine/chondroitin is very helpful to dogs with disc problems - I give him raw beef trachea, turkey necks, and other raw bones several times weekly which has been the best preventative of another episode. They are full of natural joint building nutrients ...

2 cents worth even though you have already been to the vet. It is more of a question I guess. Years ago I used to have Dobermans. We had one male that was phenomenal at age of for he started to have problems with his hips and back legs. After taking him to the vet we were told he had Wobbles ( I have forgotten the scientific name for it). But I was wondering do Beagles get wobbles? Not something I saw when I was researching beagles before I got into this.

Sorry to hear he is not getting better.