KathF Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Chilly is a 3yo Border Collie spayed bitch. She becomes stiff esp. hindquarters when exercising, esp when excited. It used to happen only when very hyped, eg throwing a ball or training agility. She would become hyperthermic(T42) and ataxic. In the past year she has become much worse as she now becomes stiff-legged after normal exercise, without becoming hyperthermic. A year ago she would run 10km+ with me with no problems. Now she can only manage about 6km before becoming stiff-legged and wobbly. The stiffness doesn't seem to worry her when she's not hyperthermic as she jumps well and runs around quite happily. However I do think her condition is heat-related, as she is much worse in summer. Also the condition does not appear at all if she can jump into water while exercising. I have x-rayed her hips,spine and neck. All normal. I have done post-exercise blood tests for electrolytes, and muscle enzymes. Also bile acids, all normal. She has had 3 episodes while training agility at our club, where she was stiff-legged, struggled to jump, and seemed to "switch off", and wandered off the course, and seemed vague and unresponsive to my voice. In every other respect she is a lively, healthy, happy dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WoobiesMom Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Gosh, I just saw an episode of E-vets on Animal Planet that had a similar situation. They had to get the dog really exercised and wobbly in order to test for MS. They could only test for the chemical or something when the dog was exhausted. I didn't know dogs got that, but that's what they were ruling out. Turned out the dog didn't have it and seemed completely healthy in all other respects so they told the owner to just run within the dog's limits. Do dogs get diabetes? I don't know what the symptoms would be, just came to mind as I read her symptoms. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TheRuffMuttGang Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Hope you figure this one out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailrider Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 With the tests, have the liver and adrenals been thoroughly tested? It does sound like a metabolism problem. Even a test for thyroid would be useful. Antibodies, T3 and T4, not just TSH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathF Posted August 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Hi Everyone, thanks so much for your thoughts, Chilly is actually a friends dogs and I shall definitely post your replies to her. Hear is a reply she wrote to some suggestions I got from another forum. Will be in contact soon. Kath Thanx for your input. In reply to your questions, I am a Veterinary Nurse. I have spoken to the vets I work for and every other vet I know socially. I have also taken her to a Veterinary medical specialist, and spoken to a vet surgical specialist about her problems, but nobody has any answers for me. One specialist suggested an EMG to test for abnormal muscle activity, and a few other blood tests. I don't feel I overwork her. Her exercise consists mostly of daily forest walks, where she runs free, and agility training 3 times a week. In summer I walk up the mountain about 3 times a week with her, where she also runs free. Some mornings I do some obedience training with her. She has always tired quicker than other dogs and I am very careful with her exercise, although the onset of the condition is almost unavoidable at times. She can become stiff after 5 minutes of exercise if very excited. She has no muscle cramps or nerve pinches, and we can't find any pain. I've been told that fits usually happen at rest. I was told by a vet specialist to exercise normally and that if there in some kind of myopathy it will become apparent by the time she turns 4. She is first and foremost a companion dog and I would not hesitate to retire her if necessary for her well-being. But as yet nobody can give me any advice regarding exercise and treatment. I would love somebody to take her on as a case study and try to get to the bottom of this, as I am very worried about her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 If you are anywhere close to a veterinary school, give them a call or email and see if they would see the dog. Might need a referral from her regular vet, but that's what I'd be doing. Good luck, this sounds like a tough one. Ruth n the BC3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Hi Actually, they were testing for Myasthenia Gravis, not Muscular Dystrophy. Julie Gosh, I just saw an episode of E-vets on Animal Planet that had a similar situation. They had to get the dog really exercised and wobbly in order to test for MS. They could only test for the chemical or something when the dog was exhausted. I didn't know dogs got that, but that's what they were ruling out. Turned out the dog didn't have it and seemed completely healthy in all other respects so they told the owner to just run within the dog's limits. Do dogs get diabetes? I don't know what the symptoms would be, just came to mind as I read her symptoms. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Just a small point, but MS is multiple sclerosis. Out of curiosity are dogs actually affected by issues like muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis? If so, I'd think we'd be studying them to see if there is anything we can learn that would help human victims. Sorry, that was totally off topic, but I'm still curious. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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