I'm really frightened

[ardeagold]

You can feed Nutro Natural Choice Adult Lamb and Rice or Chicken and Rice, which should be east for you to get, and people on this site do use it.

It sounds as though his anal glands might still be bothering him a bit, that's why he's spinning back towards his rear end like something's biting him...or maybe something IS biting him?? My father's dog actually got an infection in his anal glands, so keep an eye out.

 

[luvxl k 9]

Hi, I just bumped up again one of my first posts that I did when Apache first started having problems with his front legs. Please go to Bowed Front Legs. Do you have PetSmarts in england? If you do get him on Nutro Choice Lite 14% protein for a period of 1 month then after a month switch him to Nutro Choice 21% protein Adult Maintenance Dog Food. Right now you have to drastically slow down his growth and ease his pain. Some puppies fed Large Breed puppy foods even from the same litter may be affected while others won't be. It is because some puppies have the 'genetic predisposition' and some don't. It is genetic and both UC Davis and Michigan State are now doing research on Genetic problems, and are including Apache's successful diet and therapy programs in their research!!

 

[Varmint]

To have anal glands blocked at such a young age is usually suggestive that the food is not what he should be eating. I agree with everyone on here, change the food. Adult formula, no puppy. I would also talk to the vet about his anal glands, make sure they are not infected.

 

[Piratebears]

Hi all.We have been to the pet store this morning and switched him to a cheap adult food with the lowest protein level we could find ( 18 % ).Lets hope this works !
Zoe x

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

I wouldn't wait to get him xrayed. I had a puppy that at about the same age was exhibiting similiar symptoms. He would whine or cry getting up, refused to get sometimes and when we would go for a walk or working heeling or handling he would sit and not move or nip at our ankles. When we xrayed him he had severe bilateral hip dyplasia. He was in pain because he had no hip sockets what so ever. And yes my puppy was on adult proplan at the time.

 

[Piratebears]

Merlin has no pain what so ever in any of his joints ~ that is the strange thing.
We have had the vet feel him all over ~ and squeeze all the joints and all up and down his legs and he shows no signs of pain at all.
The vet moved all his legs up and down and to the sides and said that they were OK but we can X ray anyway just to clarify.
When he gets up he dosent whine at all , or when he runs.
The only time he whines is when he is trying to sleep.He moans and groans.
He seems a bit better today.
I have also noticed that his Bum seems to be very swollen so Im crossing my fingers that it might be something to do with his anal glands being infected.
Mind you when he was playing on the grass he was walking better,but when he runs he does tend to pull most of his weight with his fromt legs,and his back legs buckle under him so he seems to "crawl" ?
I wondered if it might be a knee problem ?
I dont know,so many possibilities.
X rays will clear it all up.
In the mean time I have switched his food because I want to give him the best possible chance.
I will still give him his supplements of Glucosamine and Chondroitin and MSM

 

[Jenn]

It sounds a bit like what one of my adopters GSD had with the beginning symptoms. Perianal fistulas. I would think 4 months would be way too early for it though. Just figure I would mention it.

I hope he feels better real soon. I know what it's like to wish you knew the answers to what was making them not feel well.

 

[Piratebears]

Can you tell me more about Perianal fistulas ?

 

[Piratebears]

I've just been feeling Merlin all over and he seems very skinny.All we can feel is bone and no muscle.Especially in his thigh muscles.
We had been feeding what we should and he is now 18 weeks Wednesday and weighs 29 kilo's so i dont think he is under weight.

 

[sarnewfie]

http://www.dermvet.com/perianalfistulas.htm
do a search
i found this and several other sites

 

[sarnewfie]

PS
i would worry if he has not muscle on the rear legs
he needs that, xrays and telling the vet your concerns if he doesnt find anything.
is he lethargic?
is he drooling excessivly?
you also might want to just read up on myasenthia Gravis
it is a disorder that the rear end and walking abilities go out from under them.
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/70202.htm
you can search for any affliction here att his site to.
i realize i could be reaching with the MG but first go to your vet.
research what symptoms your pet has, question your vet about all of the possiblility
remember Severe hip displaycia as joan mentioned her dog had, can also cause loss of muscle
muscle is their support

[ 02-27-2005, 12:40 PM: Message edited by: sarnewfie ]

 

[Piratebears]

I hate to say it,but it looks to me like its his hips.
He wont move his legs independantly if he can help it.
He uses his front legs to take all the weight, he wont even attempt to go up a step with his back legs no matter how tempted.He will just sit and watch.
It dosent look good.
I cant believe my poor baby is so ill and so young

 

[sarnewfie]

Zoe
please keep us posted, when was he going in?
maybe they can get you in sooner?

 

[Piratebears]

I will keep you all posted as to how he is.
I cant beleive its happening,you take all the precautions you can think of .. but still its just the hand of fate i guess.
I guess i just never expected he could get something like this so young.
Thats what is so trajic.He should be running and playing but he dosent want to get off his bum.

 

[Piratebears]

The really weird thing is that he seems to have gotten drastically worse all of a sudden.
He is now 100% worse than yesterday and really wont put any weight on his back end.When he actually does get up he walks OK..he just seems like he cant get up.
Surely Hip Dysplacia would not get THIS much worse in a matter of hours ???

 

[Annie Milliron]

Newfs can be very stoic, and never show any signs that they are in pain. At this point, I think it's crucial that you get an X-ray ASAP. It could be Hip Dysplasia, or it could be something else. No matter what it is, you need answers... and to figure out how to help your puppy. Sending you prayers and good thoughts....

 

[Giddyuppy]

Oh, poor MERLIN!!!! I'd be at my vets door before it got unlocked in the morning, if there is no emergency facility.

 

[bo'smom]

I agree with Giddy. If things are deteriorating that quickly, it's time to get some answers ASAP!If you can't get in to your regular vet, try to locate an emergency clinic that can see him now. Hang in there & please let us know how he's doing. My thoughts & prayers are with you & Merlin.

 

[KS Newf]

So sorry Merlin's having problems. I agree with the immediate vet idea (again,I know you've been there already) Merlin is lucky to have you! Sending prayers for all.

 

[newf4u]

Zoe, my heart goes out to you and Merlin...I know only too well how hard it is to watch your baby hurt. Our 4 year old Newf showed signs of backend problems from a young age, about 14 months...upon x-rays we found that he had hip dysplasia in both hips but especially bad in his right side. I strongly agree with everyone about the x-rays, you absolutely need to know what is going on with Merlin, so you can treat him accordingly. Ben had extreme trouble with getting up from sitting or laying...and quite often he would drag his back end. When running he would put most of his weight on the front and would bunny hop with his back legs. But let's hope that Merlin is just uncomfortable from his gland problem...and with his new food, hopefully you will see signs of improvement. Best wishes to you both,
Jennifer