A while back I wrote an entry on rear-end weakness and paralysis in dogs. I did a little research while writing that and, based on some rudimentary statistics, estimated that at least 1 in 30 dogs will suffer from hind end paralysis by age 10 if vaccinated for rabies every year. I figured the numbers of dogs who would develop hind-end weakness would be even higher. This seemed to fit my observation of dogs I know, and I suspected may not be too far off the mark.
Well, I may be more accurate than I realize. In the stats package that come with this website, I am able to see what search terms people use to find my blog. Since I posted that entry – on Feb 22, 2008 – every single day, I get multiple hits from people looking for information on why their dogs are losing their hind ends. For example, here’s the list of search entries used today:
“my old dog died from rabies shot”
“shadow handling agility”
“dog’s growth patterns”
“rear paralysis dog”
“hind end weakness, dogs”
“shaping ladder in dog training”
“dogs that die from paralysis”
“inherited vaccinosis dogs”
“protein for dog growth”
Considering that most of my posts are about training, I am amazed that the majority of the hits I get are on the few health related entries I’ve made. This is sad, but at the same time makes me glad that I am writing about these issues. I have struggled with my dogs’ health (and my own) for years, have suffered and lost, but I have also won. I have learned a ton and, while all I can provide is my anecdotal experience and the results of a decade of research, trial and error, I am glad to know that perhaps what I have gone through may help someone else. I often feel like a broken record, preaching raw food, homeopathy, positive training and minimal vaccines, but this is what has worked for me and my crew. If my experiences can help even one other person or dog, I guess I had better keep yammering away.
sharon hagerty said:
i am a foster mother for a German Shepherd with hind end paralysis due to some neurological problem of spondiliosis bone fused, and pressing on back nerves. what are the other options for treating this medical condition in a 14 year old service dog? staggering was the first symptom. twitching was the second symptom while asleep with bottom eye lid rolled out showing pink part of eye. his front legs work, and he has no problem with his blood. he has lost weight. would not eat or drink water. cannot pee or poop without being expressed. in dr’s care. it is either anti inflammatory/steroid shot and wait to see if it works, refer to neurologist or euthanasia. can i ask for medical records to be sent to nerve dr. and get a second opinion? i thought maybe this could be poisoning the type undetectable. my dobie had twitching due to rat poison that lead to DCM. any comments would be appreciated.
Rita Yeatts said:
My 12 year old mixed breed, Amerian staffordshire/ bulldog type, was vaccinated and boostered at vet, heartworm med and comfortis, symptoms gradual but total paralysis after 6 wks now, exact description you have given. Vets office refused to agknowledge any bad effects from vaccines , said it was arthritis and gave me Previcox, gave him one dose and he is worse than ever. I am afraid to take him back to the vet. This dog was active healthy and running before this visit . I only wonder if a course of steroids would help. I hate that people are not able to accept that there are adverse reactions that can occurr from meds or vaccinations
Simone said:
This might be correct for some dogs, but my labrador has not been vaccinated in 12 years and she has been suffering from this problem for about four months. Our vet said it was the onset of arthritis. We carefully pick her up around the stomach and let her legs hang down as we pick her up and her hips seem to unlock and then she can walk. I have since spoken to another vet and have been told it is hip dysplasia which after reading up on hundreds of articles is the explanation I am happy to accept. This is something we as humans can also suffer from which usually results in the need of a hip replacement as we get older.
sarah said:
Im heart broken took my Dalmatian to vet as had innocent lump on her back she hasn’t had her jabs in maybe 4 years no rules for jabs in UK just guidelines – 3 weeks later I had to go back to vet because she had a (what the vet thinks) is a bite that has caused a link and swelling around her jaw so I got £ together to have her jabs done at same time this was yesterday this morning she wouldn’t get out of bed and just responded to us by whining when we spoke to her – I eventually got her up and her back legs looked really weak so I immediately took her for a walk to loosen her up we came back she went straight into bed a couple of hours later I coaxed her into getting up again and went for another walk same thing straight in and back to bed @ 9 pm I took her for another walk – in my mind I’ve got to keep her moving but I am so afraid when I wake tomorrow she going to have no mobility in her hind end at all – do dogs ever recover from this