Quote: Tammy Moore

When her foot knuckles under, does she lift it back up or is she walking on the top of her foot?

Good question. I would definitely do as the others said, with the antibiotics and the bloodwork. I hope you find answers soon. We're rooting for you and your poor babe.

I'm so sorry to hear about Sierra. I need to second (or third) the run of doxy suggestion. It sounds to me like she might be having possible brain or nerve involvement. Like Sonya said, rickettsial diseases can express themselves in a number of ways, and doxy is a fairly benign drug to try. Also, most of the tick borne diseases show huge improvement within three days on the drug. My shepherd, Tess, had a brain stem lesion from Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. Often, if the disease is at the stage it would be at to cause the signs you're seeing in Sierra, the vets will give doxy and a short term steroid (prednisone generally).

The knuckling over really suggests brain or nerve, not just something in the joints. One way to test is to stand her up, flip her affected paw over onto the knuckle, and see if she is able to adjust her stance to the proper position (weight on the pad). A healthy dog will flip the paw to correct position almost immediately. A dog with something amiss will not realize that they are standing on their knuckle.

If you see this, it might be a good idea to get her to a university vet hospital or a place that does more advanced diagnosis. A course of doxy couldn't hurt, and steroid or something else might be in order to reduce nerve swelling and help out with the pain as well, even if not for a tick illness. Titers are often inconclusive. Often the best way to make a diagnosis is to treat and see if the dog improves.

I am by no means suggesting you pursue this course without seeing a vet, however.

All the best to you both. I hope you can figure out what is wrong and make her more comfortable.

Connie and others, what are your thoughts on Adequain (sp) injections for this.
Also, if the dog is knuckling over because of nerve damage there "usually" is no pain from this.

 Quote: bob scott

if the dog is knuckling over because of nerve damage there "usually" is no pain from this.

I am thinking more of DS, Discospondolytis{SP}. I meet with a group for pet therapy. One of the members has a Dane, 3 years old at the time, exact symptoms, original dx was HD. I know he was on a long course of antibiotics, not sure about prednisone.

You are describing neurological symptoms, not arthritis. Chewing the foot is neuro, hallmark, classic.
Is there ANY chance your dog got hit by a car, or experienced some trauma, when you were not with her?
I'd like her to have IV 4-10 mg. dexamethasone and 100mg oral doxycycline. Hip dysplasia just doesn't fit perfectly the signs you describe--I mean she sure could have bad hips, but hip dysplasia doesn't get worse and worse while a young dog is lying around resting IME. The picture I get from your post makes me think of - trauma /tick disease/spinal compression (trauma? disc?
tumor?) even rabies, if she has progressive paralysis. Tammy's idea of DS sounds much more likely to me than HD.
I really feel for you, I bet you are worried sick. I hope you can find help for her.






Edited by Betty Landercasp (10/24/2010 09:51 PM)
Edit reason: (Remembered DS!)

I am so sorry you two are going through this. I do hope you both find the solution soon.

(I agree with the tick borne illness - been there, done that. My Dobe was diagnosed with erhliciosis, we never found a tick, but the vet thought there was a chance he contracted it from fleas that a pair of rescue BCs brought in since they both had erhliciosis and were covered in fleas but no ticks).

Best wishes to you and Sierra!!!

<<hugs>>

Dr. Zbarsky has gotten us into the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph on an emergency status. It's an hours drive and that's where I'm headed right now.

WONDERFUL!!!!

What a good/hopeful step!!!!!

Will keep all paws crossed. Best of luck and keep us posted!!