strange paws!!!!

[maisie]

Hello,

I am a newbie to this forum, but have been lurking for a bit!

I have 2 dogs, a Brittany cross, 2yrs called Jed, and Maisie, 4mth BC pup.

I've noticed that often Maisie will stand, (or sit)with, like her toes tucked under (does that make sense? if not will try to get a photo and post it) She does it with all 4 from time to time. Have examined and felt her paws and legs all over, doesn't seem to be a prob, her gait seems fine to, she runs and plays like a normal 4mth old puppy really.

Is this something I should be concerned about?

[PSmitty]

I can't picture it...maybe a photo would help.

[Joellen]

I am not a vet, bu if you are describing what I think you are, knuckling under can mean there is a neurological problem. I would have the pup examined by your vet, and perhaps a specialist, just to be sure.

Best of luck and please keep us updated,

Joellen and the gang

 

Hello,

I am a newbie to this forum, but have been lurking for a bit!

I have 2 dogs, a Brittany cross, 2yrs called Jed, and Maisie, 4mth BC pup.

I've noticed that often Maisie will stand, (or sit)with, like her toes tucked under (does that make sense? if not will try to get a photo and post it) She does it with all 4 from time to time. Have examined and felt her paws and legs all over, doesn't seem to be a prob, her gait seems fine to, she runs and plays like a normal 4mth old puppy really.

Is this something I should be concerned about?

[Gloria Atwater]

I think you should post a photo, if you can, so folks can see just what you're talking about. Otherwise we're just guessing and you might end up with a dozen different ideas, none of them right.

Cheers ~

 

Gloria

[maisie]

Thanks for the replies, It is hard I guess to imagine!Its hard enough to explain!

Finally managed to get a photo this morning, (easier said than done!!)In the photo she is sniffing, and when she moves forwards it's almost as if she forgets to move a l of her legs.

Will also visit the vet, I think, but would like opinions etc.Have also attached 1 of The Gang!

Thanks

 

[maisie]

Thanks for the replies, It is hard I guess to imagine!Its hard enough to explain!

Finally managed to get a photo this morning, (easier said than done!!)In the photo she is sniffing, and when she moves forwards it's almost as if she forgets to move a l of her legs.

Will also visit the vet, I think, but would like opinions etc. Sorry have managed to make a bit of a mess posting photos, techno idiot here!

Thanks

[WildFlower]

Hi there... Welcome to the boards.

 

I do not have any experience with anything of this nature but would also suggest a vet visit after looking at the picture.

 

She certainly is a cutie! Keep us posted if you can.

[PSmitty]

Ah, I see now. I'm sorry I have no experience with something like that, so I also think it'd be best to see your vet about it. Hope it turns out to be no biggie!

[gcv-border]

I agree with consulting a vet and/or an ortho vet (ortho vet is a better choice if you have access to one in your area). Since Maisie seems normal in every other way, it may just be laziness, immaturity or something else benign. Regardless, visit a vet to put your mind at ease.

 

Jovi

[aljones]

I agree with the members who have recommended a vet visit. My dog Spirit does this, too, but in his case we know the cause is some shrapnel he's carrying near his spine (from his days as a stray).

 

Each time he has a physical, though, my vet notes that it's not normal for Spirit to leave his foot in that position--there is a name for the specific reflex that should cause a dog to "uncurl" his or her foot immediately when placed in that position. Unfortunately, I cannot remember its name. However, I believe curling a dog's foot under like that and watching its response is a fairly common initial neurological diagnostic test, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Hoping you get good news at your vet visit.

[maisie]

Hi all,

Thanks very much for your replies..... Will take her for a visit to the vets, I think.

Hopefully is nothing, but immaturity or laziness ( a lazy border collie!!!!!!!! Surely not!)

Will let you know,how it goes.

If in the mean time anyone else has any ideas, let me know.

Thanks

Steph

[juliepoudrier]

However, I believe curling a dog's foot under like that and watching its response is a fairly common initial neurological diagnostic test, but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes, it's one of the first things my vet checked when we thought my dog had hurt her back jumping through a barn window.

 

J.

[Joellen]

If it were my pup, I would get it to the vet ASAP, it's not an emergency, but not something that should be put off. It's not normal for a dog, especially a 4 month old pup, to knuckle under and not right itself immediately, or at least within a second or two.

Hope all goes well.

[MyTDogs]

Does she do this with all four feet? or just the rear? or just one foot?

 

The others are right....she has proprioceptive deficits. Her is what PetPlace says:

 

Loss of proprioception is a nonspecific indication of neurologic disease. Proprioceptive deficits may have little to no impact on the affected individual; however, its presence may represent severe or life-threatening illness, and therefore, should not be ignored and should be addressed if it persists or worsens.

 

General Causes

- Cerebral (brain) diseases

- Disorders of the brain-stem, which is the stalk-like structure of the base of the brain that attaches to the spinal cord

- Disorders of the spinal-cord

- Disorders of the peripheral nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord

 

So a trip to the vet is in order-sooner rather than later. Hopefully she will be one with little to no impact.

 

My Grandmother's Akita puppy (yes I did say Akita puppy & grandmother's in the same sentence! ) had similar signs & Xrays revealed a malformation of the back bone (vertebrae at the TL junction). Unfortunately there was no cure and she had to be put down before her first birthday. Turns out the pup was bought from a BYB & the father was noted to have a "club foot"- stellar breeding dog I am sure- don't get me started on the story.

[denice]

If I remember correctly the reflex is called conscious proprioception ( not sure of the spelling)Basically it is an automatic reflex for a dog to 'right' his foot the correct way. Sort of like he knows where his feet are without looking. To check for nerve problems you support the dog then turn its paw like that and they should fix it right away. I have not seen this in a pup but I have seen it in older dogs and dogs with vestibular problems. So somewhere there is a sort circuit that is not telling the brain the foot is in the wrong position. This could be something simple if it is one foot like a pinched nerve. I would see your vet but he may indeed refer you to a specialist. I would limit jumping, tugging, rough play ect until you have it checked out. Wouldn't want something more serious to develop. Dogs are amazing and can adjust to just about anything but I don't believe this is going to go away on its own. With prolonged nerve damage there is muscle atrophy as well.

 

Hope that helps,

 

Denice

[maisie]

Hi everyone,

Again thanks for all the replies, now the update.... Just got back from the vets visit with Maisie, firstly our regular vet did some reflex tests and examined Maisie and he also got a good look at her when she does this standing on her toes thing, he has agreed that it could be a neurological disorder but also said it could just be general weakness, and to keep an eye on her for the next 2 weeks.

After that I then went on to agility with my other dog, I then told my agility trainer about Maisie's problems (It was her male, who sired Maisie) she then rang her vet, after explaining Maisie's problems (on the phone)we were then told that it could be symptons of a virus, maybe connected with distemper? Anyway, whilst we were there talking about it a girl arrived, she has one of the sisters of Maisie, (who seems fine) but said that a friend, took another one of the pups, and this pup is also showing the same signs as ours. My trainer immediately rang her vet back, and told the vet this new piece of info.Anyway they are now thinking it could be a virus passed on by the mother? I know the mum was working on goats while still feeding the litter.

Anyway am now waiting for an appointment with this other vet, for blood tests etc.

Have to say now that I am very confused and obviously very worried.

My trainer is now going to speak to the owners of the mum, (they kept 3 of the pups)

I will also add here that my pup, and the other which is manifesting the same signs, we both live in the same area.... so could be from something they've picked up here? Now I guess there is nothing to do but wait for the next vets appointment, and hope!!!!!!

[maisie]

Hi everyone,

Again thanks for all the replies, now the update.... Just got back from the vets visit with Maisie, firstly our regular vet did some reflex tests and examined Maisie and he also got a good look at her when she does this standing on her toes thing, he has agreed that it could be a neurological disorder but also said it could just be general weakness, and to keep an eye on her for the next 2 weeks.

After that I then went on to agility with my other dog, I then told my agility trainer about Maisie's problems (It was her male, who sired Maisie) she then rang her vet, after explaining Maisie's problems (on the phone)we were then told that it could be symptons of a virus, maybe connected with distemper? Anyway, whilst we were there talking about it a girl arrived, she has one of the sisters of Maisie, (who seems fine) but said that a friend, took another one of the pups, and this pup is also showing the same signs as ours. My trainer immediately rang her vet back, and told the vet this new piece of info.Anyway they are now thinking it could be a virus passed on by the mother? I know the mum was working on goats while still feeding the litter.

Anyway am now waiting for an appointment with this other vet, for blood tests etc.

Have to say now that I am very confused and obviously very worried.

My trainer is now going to speak to the owners of the mum, (they kept 3 of the pups)

I will also add here that my pup, and the other which is manifesting the same signs, we both live in the same area.... so could be from something they've picked up here? Now I guess there is nothing to do but wait for the next vets appointment, and hope!!!!!!

[MyTDogs]

Maisie,

 

I will keep you guys in my thoughts & send good vibes for your pup & the siblings. I did not realize you were in Italy. What kind of virus did the vet mention it could be?

[WildFlower]

Thanks for keeping us updated. I too am sending you guys some good energy.

 

Take care.

[aljones]

Yes, thank you for taking the time to update us. I'm sorry things have gotten more confusing, not less, but I hope you are able to get some answers soon!

[Joellen]

Thanks for the update. Hope all the pups are OK.

Healing thoughts to you and Masie,

 

Hi everyone,

Again thanks for all the replies, now the update.... Just got back from the vets visit with Maisie, firstly our regular vet did some reflex tests and examined Maisie and he also got a good look at her when she does this standing on her toes thing, he has agreed that it could be a neurological disorder but also said it could just be general weakness, and to keep an eye on her for the next 2 weeks.

After that I then went on to agility with my other dog, I then told my agility trainer about Maisie's problems (It was her male, who sired Maisie) she then rang her vet, after explaining Maisie's problems (on the phone)we were then told that it could be symptons of a virus, maybe connected with distemper? Anyway, whilst we were there talking about it a girl arrived, she has one of the sisters of Maisie, (who seems fine) but said that a friend, took another one of the pups, and this pup is also showing the same signs as ours. My trainer immediately rang her vet back, and told the vet this new piece of info.Anyway they are now thinking it could be a virus passed on by the mother? I know the mum was working on goats while still feeding the litter.

Anyway am now waiting for an appointment with this other vet, for blood tests etc.

Have to say now that I am very confused and obviously very worried.

My trainer is now going to speak to the owners of the mum, (they kept 3 of the pups)

I will also add here that my pup, and the other which is manifesting the same signs, we both live in the same area.... so could be from something they've picked up here? Now I guess there is nothing to do but wait for the next vets appointment, and hope!!!!!!

[maisie]

another update, met up with the owners of the other pup today, as they had also been to see a vet, down in the town at the bottom of our valley, (I live in the Alps), they also knew by this point that my pup was suffering from the same thing, told the vet that 2 of the pups have this problem, it seems they think it could be a genetic problem. Where as the vet we spoke to thinks it may be something transmitted by th mother.

Anyway, tomorrow or tue, we will take the pups down for blood tests.... hopefully the cause will show up on those, if not it will have to be an analysis of spinal fluid.

Anyway thanks for your thoughts,

Steph