Playing got a little rough, not fractured, not dislocated...neurological?

[Eli's Mama]

Last night around 2am, my 5 year old, Eli, was playing with my boyfriend's year and a half year old lab. They hadn't gotten too rough before, and the lab's always been good about being careful with Eli. I didn't see what happened, but the lab had been trying to get Eli to play with her, and kept putting her paws up and down, throwing her butt in the air. All of a sudden Eli started yelping the worst sound I've ever heard come from him.

His back right leg was almost like a dead leg. He couldn't use it at all and it sort of was dragging on the ground when he tried to walk. We took him to the emergency vet and they took x-rays. They couldn't see a fracture or a dislocation at all, and the vet didn't know what was wrong. He suggested that if it started to affect the other leg, that it might be neurological. The x-ray did show two of the vertebrae towards his shoulders were slightly closer together than the others. They gave him some anti-inflammatory, and I'm supposed to give him one a day for 5 days.

As soon as we got home from the vet, he was able to use the leg and was sort of able to walk some with it. He's been going back and forth between using it and not, and sometimes when he uses it, his knuckles are curled downward like a monkey and he sort of drags the leg a little. Sometimes it's like he can't use it at all and he just plops down, sitting normally except for the leg. Then he'll be sitting on the leg, not even noticing. It looks painful but he doesn't seem to notice. His tail's been down a lot though and he was shaking a little today when we rode home this afternoon in the car.

Has anybody had anything like this happen? I read the dead leg post, but I think Eli's problem might be something that happened because of the lab. The vet told me about the stroke condition that pugs sometimes have, but I don't think he would've yelped like that.

I'm going to watch him for improvements over the next few days, and pray it heals itself. I've been trying to do some reiki on him, I figure it couldn't hurt. I have no idea how much a neurologist is going to cost. I'm already 300 into it just from last night. I'm so scared that it's going to be something serious.

Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks for reading.

[Wally 'n' Leto]

If the other leg became paralysed, it would be because of a spinal cord or other central nervous system lesion. I wonder if he hasn't pinched the nerve as it comes out between the vertebrae to go to the leg. That would account for lameness on just 1 leg, and the pain, and dragging it knuckle down (can't feel where his foot is, would be my guess). A neurologist would be the person to see.

I wouldn't wait -- if the nerve is pinched, it can start to die if it isn't relieved. Once nerves are dead, they're dead. Regrowth is not usual, and if there is regrowth, there can be problems like painful sensations in the limb. Muscles also atrophy (shrink) as they aren't used. If the foot drage, there is a risk of skin injury and infection. Pinched nerves are also incredibly painful.

If it's a matter of manipulating the back into place, waiting wouldn't make that process any easier, and might be detrimental to Eli in the long run.

Good luck.

[Pinkles]

My little yorkie got run over years ago after escaping from the house and he was dragging his leg around like a bit of rag, he had no fracture or any problems in his legs but he had a compacted spine. He was kept in traction for some time at the vets then sent home basically lame, they said there was nothing more they could do (this was 25+ years ago). It took months of gentle exercise and therapy + plenty of rest and support for him to eventually be able to use that leg again. I would say it took the best part of 6 months before he started to use the leg at any kind of purposeful level.

I would want more investigation, as Heather says, don't leave it for any lenght of time as it could exacerbate the problem. Hope everything is ok, let us know.

[Tinker's mom]

It does sound like something in his spine because of the toe curl.Crate for rest and protection and see ortho or neuro vet.

[Pat's Crew]

sure sounds like a spinal cord infarction..sp? you can do a research for this on the net.
my boston had one years ago and lived to be 19...although she felt the effect of the leg for a long time..with always a slight limp.
they can do surgery for it but it is not very successful and very expensive

I would keep the dog very quiet and make another vet appointment for a recheck as soon as possible..

[Daisy'sdad]

I didn't read your post before this sounds similar to Daisy. She does curl the foot some.

[shaynapug]

Find a good animal chiropractor!!! If you PM me...I'll give you mine and she might be able to put you in touch with one in your area!

[GotPugs]

Hi,

I hope your little one is ok....Got see Dr Seigler in Redmond he is wonderful.

Dr. Larry Siegler. Animal Healing Center. Redmond, WA.