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Original poster

Dog - wobbly back legs

25 replies

pigsinmud · 06/06/2010 15:05

My dog is 18 months old and the last few days she has got wobbly back legs during exercise. I know it has been hot so we've gone out early morning and evening. I've taken water with me and made her rest.

Today I took her for a slightly longer walk than I had intended, but we had rests and she had water. We were in shady woodland when she went wobbly and was forced to lie down. Is this just the warm weather doing this or something more sinister?

She does tear around like a complete nutter so I put her back on the lead every now and then just for her to calm down. When her legs wobble I sit down next to her for about 10 minutes to let her recover.

Any advice?

OP posts:

differentID · 06/06/2010 15:06

What breed is she?

Original poster

pigsinmud · 06/06/2010 15:10

She's a mix. Mum is a springer and dad is a lab/collie/staffie mix.

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differentID · 06/06/2010 15:15

I was wondering if she may have hip problems, due to the breeds in the mix being more likely to hip problems. Would definitely take her to the vet and get it checked out, especially as she is such a young dog.

elmofan · 06/06/2010 15:16

We are due to pick up our new springer pup next week & have been advised not to walk him on concrete ground for too long as it can effect their legs , not sure if thats the cause of your dogs legs wobbling but maybe take her to your vet for a check up just to be on the safe side .

Original poster

pigsinmud · 06/06/2010 16:02

Oh was so hoping you'd all say it's a heat thing.

She doesn't do much walking on pavements as we have access to fields and woodland. Having said that we spent a few days at my mum's this week so had more pavement walking.

Are those breeds known for hip problems then?

OP posts:

OhExpletive · 06/06/2010 16:49

She should be examined by a vet. It's not common for dogs to simply go weak just because they run a lot or the weather is hot unless in truly exceptional circumstances. Please make an appointment tomorrow.

Original poster

pigsinmud · 06/06/2010 17:28

I'll get her to the vet tomorrow. One thing I've just remembered is that when she had near check-up and booster a couple of months ago, the vet mentioned a possible heart murmur. She said it was difficult to tell if it was a murmur or just our dog being rather nervous - she gets rather in a state at the vets.

Could a heart murmur be a cause of wobbly legs, combined with heat and exercise?

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kid · 06/06/2010 17:35

I'm glad you have noticed the problem and can seek help or advice on it. Hopefully it will turn out just fine, but what a worry.
I hope the vet can see you quickly and solve the problem. Let us know how you get on.

WoodRose · 06/06/2010 20:28

I don't know about the other "ingredients" in your dog's mix, but border collies are definately prone to hip problems. Responsible breeders of border collies always screen for hip problems. Hope everything goes well for you at the vets.

Original poster

pigsinmud · 07/06/2010 08:30

Did a bit of searching last night and discovered Exercise Induced Collapse which can happen in labs and collies, both of which she has in her. The description of it fits exactly. It is more likely when the weather is hot. All episodes of her legs giving out have been after strenuous exercise. First few times after retrieving the ball a lot in the park - she really charges after the ball. yesterday she had been tearing around in the undergrowth in a very excited state.

We are going to have gentle walks for a few days to see what happens and then take her to the vet to get her checked out.

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OhExpletive · 07/06/2010 14:20

schilke, I am a vet and while it is indeed a good idea not to overdo it with her until you know what's going on, she really should see a vet. The internet is no substitute for a clinical examination, and there's a long list of conditions which may cause these signs. The condition you mention is very uncommon and it would be much better to at least have her examined before coming to any conclusions. I hope you're not offended but in the case of a dog with a query over its heart already I think you need to be more proactive.

Original poster

pigsinmud · 07/06/2010 15:28

I'm not offended at all. I suppose the problem is that the vet we see has a tendency to fly straight in. We spent nearly £500 last summer when she was limping and it seemed a course of anti-inflammatories solved the problem ..... After blood tests, x-rays etc...

I probably need to change vets. Can you give me any idea as to what a normal first investigative step would be?
many thanks. I will phone to vet and make an appointment for tomorrow morning. It was impossible for me to get her there today as no car today.

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Original poster

pigsinmud · 07/06/2010 15:44

I have an appointment for tomorrow am. I'm really worried now. She's our first dog and we all adore her.

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kid · 07/06/2010 16:09

Good luck at the vets schilke, I really hope they can put your mind at rest.
Make a list of what's happened and when it's happened, just incase your mind goes blank when you get there.

OhExpletive · 07/06/2010 21:29

I'm sorry if I've worried you - but it's better if you can have her checked out. I think investigative steps will depend a lot on what's found when she's examined. But I'd imagine a blood profile and chest x-rays or a scan will be the sort of thing that might be required. If cost is an issue for you then don't be afraid to make that clear to your vet. Vets are used to working within financial limitations, and it's always better to know the budget than to land some poor client with a bill much greater than they can cope with.

Original poster

pigsinmud · 07/06/2010 22:30

Thanks ohexpletive. We do have pet insurance so we're ok. We made several claims last year with the x-rays (I do understand that the vet was worried she'broken her leg) and then d&v which went on for a while. I always feel bad putting in a claim - I don't know why!

I'll let you know how she gets on.

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Original poster

pigsinmud · 08/06/2010 12:06

Been to the vet. She checked her spine, hips and neck. Couldn't find anything wrong. She wanted to hold back on x-rays and bloods. She suggested taking her for a long walk and then bringing her in so they can see her wobble, but I didn't think we'd have time to get there as she has recovered in 5 - 10 minutes. So I'm going to try and video it and then take that in.

Hope that sounds a good plan of action. Dog was a trembling heap as usual!

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fruitshootsandheaves · 08/06/2010 12:11

don't want to scare you but has your vet considered this?
My springer x cross had it but it took quite a while to come up with the diagnosis.

Original poster

pigsinmud · 08/06/2010 12:19

Not sure what the vet is considering as she didn't really say. She seemed to think that if she could actually see how her legs go that she'd have a much better idea, which makes sense to me.

Did your dog live with it for long?

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fruitshootsandheaves · 08/06/2010 12:26

unfortunately not. But he had the megaesophagus bit first which meant he couldn't swallow his food so he had lost alot of weight before they found that it was this condition that was causing the whole thing.
He could have made a full recovery if we had been able to get him to take the tablets but he had had enough by then.
It is rare but quite a curable condition.

MrsSawdust · 08/06/2010 12:36

This is purely anecdotal so please don't panic...

My 10 yr old dog started showing very similar symptoms to yours - after running fast her back end would just give out and she would be incapacitated for a few mins and then right as rain again.

Like you, I thought it was due to the heat.

Then it happened just outside the vets surgery after we'd been in for her booster jabs and health check. I took her straight back in and the vet examined her while she was still having her episode. Apparently her heartbeat had slowed down to an abnormally slow rate.
(Bear in mind that we had 5 mins earlier had her health check, the vet had listened to her heart and it sounded fine.)

So we had lots of further investigations and it turned out she had a heart condition - the vet said she had probably had an underlying murmur her whole life but so low key as to not have been picked up or caused any difficulties before.

But by now she was getting worse through age and wear, and her heart was enlarged. Her condition was managed on medication for several months but unfortunately she went downhill quickly after that and she was put to sleep about 9 months after diagnosis.

She was almost 12 years old when she died - she was an old dog and far less capable of coping with her condition than a young dog.

I truly do not want to upset or panic you. It could well be something different in your case - also your dog is young and strong and if she has a heart condition she could live with it quite happily for a long time. But I do think you should push to get her heart properly examined, so that it can be either ruled out as the cause of her symptoms, or she can be started on the appropriate course of treatment.

Just one more point - my dog's treatment cost our insurers thousands over those few months - please get some pet insurance NOW, before you get a diagnosis (insurance will not cover pre existing diagnosed conditions). It is so worth the monthly premium.

Wishing you and your dog all the best xxx

Original poster

pigsinmud · 08/06/2010 12:46

Sorry to hear about your dog MrsSawdust.

We do have pet insurance and have had it since we got her at 8 weeks. After not having it for our cat and racking up huge vet bills as she went on to develop kidney problems, we didn't hesitate to get it this time.

I'm going to take her out this afternoon and video what happens ....if it happens.

OP posts:

MrsSawdust · 08/06/2010 17:43

Sorry, I assumed you didn't have insurance because you had stated you spent over £500 last summer on her limp.

My mistake.

Original poster

pigsinmud · 08/06/2010 19:40

I feel guilty claiming that's all MrsSawdust - I've no idea why! We've never claimed on any other insurance, so it's a bit mad of me to feel guilty. I have heard that the vet we see has a tendency to jump in and do every test going when they know you have insurance. However today they were conservative so perhaps it's an unfair reputation.

Took her out this afternoon and ran her ragged with video camera in hand, but no wobbly legs, which is a good thing I suppose.

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Chowy · 09/06/2018 14:25

Hi, we got a border collie from a rescue centre 8 years ago, he was approx 2/3. He started having little fainting spells when he was out especially when it was warm and he had been charging around. We took him to the vet who told us he had an enlarged heart and referred us to a heart specialist. After a whole load of tests, the specialist told us that collies hearts are larger than normal due to the “work” they are bred to do, and the short sharp runs they make. His resting heart rate was normal but they did detect a slight murmur. The specialist felt there wasn’t enough oxygen intake, especially in the warmer months so he was given tablets and we controlled his level of exercise for a couple of years. As he has got older he has learnt to control this himself and will often have a rest or take a breather when out, no longer on tablets and is now approx 12. Don’t know how much collie is in yours but there is something we found on the internet, recognised in the States, called border collie collapse.

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