Lori

[tigertoy]

I came home tonight and found my 13.5 year old malamute unable or unwilling to walk.  She won't put weight on her hind legs.  She seems to be able to move them a little.  She was fine (well, a little stiff and shaky, but normal for her old self) this morning.  I managed to get her onto a board and into the house, but I really can't move her by myself without manhandling her much more than I want to, and it's the middle of the night and the beginning of the weekend, and I really don't know what to do next.  Short of rousting a neighbor out of bed, I don't think I can get her into the car, even if the vet, if I can find one, wants her right away.  Of course, my reliable vet (the one I could call in the middle of the night in an emergency) retired a couple of years ago, and I haven't formed a real relationship with another one.

I will try to update when I know more.

Comments

[bedlamhouse]

If she isn't in pain, you can just make her comfortable and take her in the morning.

Our old dog scared us badly recently because he suddenly couldn't stand up on any kind of non-carpeted surface. We were afraid something was seriously wrong. When we took him to the vet (named Melissa - are all vets named Melissa?) she told us he had a pinched nerve or inflammation that was causing him to lose all feeling and activity on his left side. She gave us some prednisone and within a week he was standing and walking and trying to be a puppy again.

He has since gone downhill a bit as we tailed the dosage off, so the vet is having us put him on one pill a day again.

The important thing here is that it might not be the worst thing you can think of, and the concern should be whether she is in pain as opposed to being worn out from trying to stand or just frustrated for now.

[catalana.livejournal.com]

Oh dear - I hope she's okay. Definitely keep us posted! *sending good thoughts her way*

[msminlr.livejournal.com]

She's a pretty Old Lady, for a dog that size; stiff-or-paintul joints kind of come with the territory. DO let us know how she's doing, once you get some info from the vet.

[musicmutt.livejournal.com]

Oh, the poor thing! Here's hoping.