My dog can't walk.

[Rottie Lover]

Hi, I have a 4 year old 160 lb Rottie. He is not overweight, but has been starting to have a bit of a hard time getting up. Yesterday, he couldn't walk. He would try but wobble and fall down. I rushed him to the vet and he doesn't know what is wrong. Gave him an injection for anti-inflammatory and some Meloxicam. Said to see a specialist which is over 4 hours away. Has anyone else experienced this all of a sudden. He also hasnt gone to the bathroom since 2pm yesterday, no bowel movements. He doesn't seem to be in any pain.

[jessi76]

so your vet didn't know what was wrong, but prescribed meds anyways? bizarre. I'd head into another vet for a 2nd opinion, and I'd do it quickly.

[LavenderRott]

The breed standard says that Rottweilers should be between 22" and 27" and carry a weigh proportionate to the height. My Chase was 28" and fat at 130 pounds.

If your dog is not fat, then he is grossly out of standard and I would have to question his breeding. (This is NOT meant as an insult to you or your dog.) If your vet did not at least ask about x-raying hips, IMHO, he/she was neglegent. A dog of this size, with this issue, has a very good chance of having hip dysplasia.

No. Your dog will not let you know he is in pain. When I lost my Chase - she had bone cancer. To the point where her shoulder had calcified and was collapsing in upon itself. Two days before her diagnosis, she was running all over my living room playing with my other dog.

Please - find another vet. One who is willing to do what it takes to diagnose your dog, not just medicate it.

[Sylvie]

Hi there

Does he try to go to the bathroom???

I agree, you should get a second opinion !!

[SnowDancer]

You mention the specialist being 4 hours away. Would that be Guelph's Small Animal Clinic? I live in Toronto and unfortunately have been on the road at 10:00 p.m. for 1:00 a.m. surgery with a neuro for 2 of my dogs. Your profile does not state where in Ontario you live, but if you are in Toronto there are the specialists that work from the clinic on McMurrich Street. I am very surprised that your vet did not keep the dog at her clinic while arranging for transport to the specialist if you did in fact agree to seeing the specialist - actually even if you did not. Stating that he/she did not know what was wrong could well be true - but were X-Rays taken? They should have been. I would absolutely not hesitate - but be on the phone to Guelph immediately. Since it is now Good Friday you would not have the benefit of your vet's referral. If you are near Toronto I would call the McMurrich St. clinic.

[Elizabeth Ann]

Back in my younger years and when I was still living at home my family bred Old English Sheepdogs.

We too had a dog that just lost the use of his back legs. My dad ended up taking Topper to the U of G that day and it turned out it was cancer. Topper was put down within 24 hours. It was a very sad day.

But with larger breeds there is always a change of hip problems. My family always took our dogs to the clinic in Guelph for hip X-Rays.

[Purpledomino]

Originally Posted by LavenderRott

The breed standard says that Rottweilers should be between 22" and 27" and carry a weigh proportionate to the height. My Chase was 28" and fat at 130 pounds.

If your dog is not fat, then he is grossly out of standard and I would have to question his breeding. (This is NOT meant as an insult to you or your dog.) If your vet did not at least ask about x-raying hips, IMHO, he/she was neglegent. A dog of this size, with this issue, has a very good chance of having hip dysplasia.

No. Your dog will not let you know he is in pain. When I lost my Chase - she had bone cancer. To the point where her shoulder had calcified and was collapsing in upon itself. Two days before her diagnosis, she was running all over my living room playing with my other dog.

Please - find another vet. One who is willing to do what it takes to diagnose your dog, not just medicate it.

I agree. My bullmastiff isn't even 160 lbs and he's a BIG dog. If your Rottie is indeed the weight you state, sounds to me like he is packing on a few more pounds than he should, which could be detrimental to his health. I too am surprised that your vet didn't do xrays....that's pretty standard and definately should have been done, no question.

Did your vet do any bloodwork or other tests? IMO he should have done more before prescribing meds, especially if he doesn't know what is wrong with your dog. Good luck.