He is a 5 year old, 18 lb, fixed-male rat terrier. He appears uncomfortable and walks slow, especially when he first wakes up. When he stands still, he hunches and unhunches his back/rear area- almost like humping, but less pronounced- and he appears so uncomfortable. However, he is fine on walks. He eats, tinkles and has regular bowel movements. In the past he has pulled a muscle in his leg and neck for which the vet advised bed rest and doggie anti-inflamatories. We are on vacation and hesitant to take him to a unknown vet. We have a call in to his own vet.
2006-12-08 01:37:42 · 8 answers · asked by Julee 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He has his anal glands cleaned monthly and has had no previous issues with them. Thank Goodness!
2006-12-08 01:51:03 · update #1
Minootoo wrote:
"You know the exact reason. May need an operation. If he is not complaining, crying then he is just finding a good position for himself."
Operation on what? His back? Did you read that he goes on walks, eats and potties with no problems? He has a luxating patella (knee that pops out of joint), but the vet said it is not painful or debilitating and advised against surgery.
2006-12-08 01:56:10 · update #2
We took him to a vet. He prescribed an anti-inflamatory and bedrest. Cross your fingers for us.
. . . Our doggie wants it in the record that his anal glands are fine. ; ]
2006-12-08 09:53:44 · update #3
It could me something as minor as a muscle strain...or as serious as a slipped disk. If I were you, I'd follow up the call into your vet...and look for a vet in the area. Ask someone that you see that has a dog for their vet and whether or not they'd recommend them. After all, this vet will be able to tell whether or not the injury is life threatening and if you don't "trust" them you can always get a second opinion. There may be a quick-fix for your little guy that will make it easier for all of you to enjoy your vacation.
I hope he gets better, and that you vacation goes a little smoother.
2006-12-08 01:51:52 · answer #1 · answered by Heather 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest that you have the dog seen by a vet as soon as you can but be careful, it could be a ruptured disk. We had a 5 year old Shih Tzu that began doing the exact same thing. He was looking strange for just a couple of days, then he began hunching his back and looking very uncomfortable. I was worried that he was constipated. I took him to a vet that did a traumatic enema without my permission. A few hours later the dog did a minor movement and ruptured a disk in his back. He was paralyzed within minutes. We took him back to the vet, we spent over $2,000, and if we had chosen to have an operation that would not guarantee his ever walking again it would have been another $5,000. My husband made the decision to have him put to sleep. It was very sad. If I had known ahead of time, I would not have had the vet do an enema, I would have had them check his spine first. I wish you the best of luck.
2006-12-08 02:11:02 · answer #2 · answered by Chijoy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if you have the anal glands emptied monthly by a groomer, he still may have developed an infection in them. This sounds most likely. For that, he will need to be seen by a vet. He may also be developing arthritis, which a vet can advise you on how best to deal with it. Good luck.
2006-12-08 02:44:16 · answer #3 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could it be arthritis? I know my hubby is more uncomfortable in the mornings, before he gets up and warms up. Maybe a heated pad on the doggie bed could help your terrier. Since you're traveleing, a hot water bottle perhaps? Or a microwaveable hot pack, with a towel around it?
I did know one rat terrier, who was attacked by a larger dog when she was young. She was very badly hurt, but recovered. As she got older, her rear leg seemed to pain her again. She'd even lift it up when she ran. Sort of like an "old war wound" flaring up. Maybe the previous injury is just bugging him.
2006-12-08 02:08:52 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle F. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Glad to hear you called your regular vet - if you don't hear back from them soon, call again and again! You really need to see a vet. There could be something seriously wrong with your lil guy and even though it may be a strange vet to you, it's still a better choice than waiting. Hope you hear from your vet soon!
2006-12-08 01:57:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be blocked or infected anal glands. I would take him to a vet as soon as you can. If for no other reason than you don't want him to be uncomfortable.
2006-12-08 01:41:26 · answer #6 · answered by radiokacy 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You know the exact reason. May need an operation.
If he is not complaining, crying then he is just finding a good position for himself.
2006-12-08 01:44:44 · answer #7 · answered by minootoo 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
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Scout might be constipated.
2016-04-04 08:28:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋