Comments | bunn: Bob Settles In

bunn

Bob Settles In - With Video!

Dec 19, 2010 22:16

Friday, Bob's legs were very bad. He finally managed to stand up after 3/4 hour of crawling (during which he could not pee, so obviously he was getting quite desperate!). That was after taking his metacam. Finally, I decided the only thing to do was bite the bullet and lift him. This clearly hurt him, but it did the trick, he managed to get onto ( Read more... )

foster, dogs, oldies club

Comments 12

lil_shepherd December 19 2010, 22:35:58 UTC

Blimey, that is a puzzle. He is plainly a lovely dog, with an excellent temperament.

Is it a habit he's got into to get sympathy? Is he arthritic? Is there something wrong with his back so that he can't get up but lifting him takes him through the pain barrier?

Is stumped.

bunn December 20 2010, 01:06:20 UTC

The vet reckons there are no obvious signs of arthritis - and as you can see, he can lift his paws right up and even jump up, so I don't think it's the back. It seems like it's specifically to do with moving the leg so it's straight under the body that is the painful action, but nobody I've found so far has seen anything like it!

It's *very* odd.

parrot_knight December 19 2010, 22:37:00 UTC

Looks like you need to wear your best canine psychologist hat with this one. He is a remarkable dog, but seems convinced that walking about on his elbows most of the time is the best way to get through life, or possibly hide from it.

bunn December 20 2010, 01:07:42 UTC

I *think* it's at least partly physical - though am pretty sure that there is a sizeable dollop of 'OMG I CAN'T DOOOO THIS!' as well. Lurchers are often a bit that way inclined!

parrot_knight December 20 2010, 01:15:28 UTC

Do you think he has joint or muscle pain of some kind, then?

I can definitely see the collie in him - he looks like he might consider herding sheep.

bunn December 20 2010, 08:58:18 UTC

I was surprised he's only 1/4 collie - and the 1/4 bearded collie I would never have guessed. He doesn't look like half a greyhound does he!

Yes, I do think he is suffering some pain - he screams when he tries to stand, though he does manage it eventually.

inzilbeth_liz December 20 2010, 08:06:45 UTC

Gosh that is extraordinary. I've no experience at all of a dog not being able to rise on the front end. Back end, yes, a plenty with almost every aging Samoyed, but not the front.

He looks a lovely dog but what a mystery.

bunn December 20 2010, 08:59:21 UTC

He managed to get up quite quickly this morning with only a minute or so of crawling, so am hopeful...

chainmailmaiden December 22 2010, 17:39:52 UTC

He looks lovely :-) I've never seen anything like that crawling though, it's really strange. Did he live in a tiny house built for pixies so he couldn't stand up fully? Hope you manage to convince him walking properly is better!

bunn December 23 2010, 09:52:18 UTC

A number of people have suggested that maybe he was kept in a crate that was too small, but there's definitely some physical problem that means straightening the legs to stand on them is painful if he has been lying down for a while.

louis_soul December 23 2010, 04:18:17 UTC

It looks as if he could be used to going through dog tunnels, or could be some kind of trick he was taught early on. Also if he was with older people,or used as a wheelchair dog, many of those dogs keep the same kneeling posture for hours when they have to remain unobtrusive.

bunn December 23 2010, 09:50:52 UTC

No, it is definitely a medical issue. He screams when he finally stands up, if he has been lying down beforehand - it seems that he gets stiff and then struggles to move his legs into a standing position.

Last night I had to hold him for about two minutes while he screamed and struggled before he was able to walk outside in the snow and go for a pee. He's also getting sores on his elbows from crawling.