bulldog drags himself around

[waiting4beer]

I'm looking for some advice regarding our 6 month old bulldog (Muttley). When indoors, on our wooden floors, he scoots himself around not using his rear legs (please see video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cux1l670CLU


Its not the butt scoot for worms and he seems fine in himself. When he is up on his feet he walks fine and on walks out he walks\runs fine. Also, you don't get any squeals if you move\feel the legs. Is he just being lazy or is their more to this?

 

[oscarmayer]

IMO, Mutley is exhibiting signs of profound hip dysplasia. My guess is that it is painful for him to get up and it's easier for him to scoot around short distances. Once up, however, the pain is bearable and he can move about OK. This will only get worse as he ages. I would have a competent Orhto Vet give a thorough exam and take X-rays to confirm.
Correction by FHO or THR may be in your future.
I'm hoping that I'm WRONG and that it's just him being lazy...which would be a first.

 

[2BullyMama]

I'm looking for some advice regarding our 6 month old bulldog (Muttley). When indoors, on our wooden floors, he scoots himself around not using his rear legs (please see video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cux1l670CLU


Its not the butt scoot for worms and he seems fine in himself. When he is up on his feet he walks fine and on walks out he walks\runs fine. Also, you don't get any squeals if you move\feel the legs. Is he just being lazy or is their more to this?

IMO, Mutley is exhibiting signs of profound hip dysplasia. My guess is that it is painful for him to get up and it's easier for him to scoot around short distances. Once up, however, the pain is bearable and he can move about OK. This will only get worse as he ages. I would have a competent Orhto Vet give a thorough exam and take X-rays to confirm.
Correction by FHO or THR may be in your future.
I'm hoping that I'm WRONG and that it's just him being lazy...which would be a first.

Totally agree with Chip go see an orthopedic vet for an evaluation....

Welcome to EBN

 

[waiting4beer]

Thank you both for your feed back. Will get him looked at.

 

[oscarmayer]

Please report back and again, I'm hoping/praying it's not his hips.

Good luck Muttley!

 

[waiting4beer]

Our local vet doesnt think its bone related, they manipulated the variouse joints, got normal reflex responses from it. They have given him pain killers and asked us to monitor him for a few days. If there is no improvment they are thinking they would refer him for an MIR scan.

 

[2BullyMama]

Our local vet doesnt think its bone related, they manipulated the variouse joints, got normal reflex responses from it. They have given him pain killers and asked us to monitor him for a few days. If there is no improvment they are thinking they would refer him for an MIR scan.

Sending some prayers to you baby.... please keep us posted on how things progress.

 

[oscarmayer]

Our local vet...got normal reflex responses...given him pain killers

If your local vet got normal responses, why is he prescribing pain meds. This makes little sense to me unless he thinks it's neurological. If that's the case you need to see a specialist anyway. Did the vet tell you how much an MRI costs? It's very unusual to recommend an MRI before doing an X-Ray...given how cheap the X-Ray is compared to MRI. An MRI will run over $2000 and would require your bully to undergo general anesthesia for as much as an hour. I would never consider letting a "non-specialist" Vet make that call. That is a HUGE risk that may not be necessary.
Please consider these concerns before making a decision.

Is he incontinent of bowel or bladder??

 

[waiting4beer]

If your local vet got normal responses, why is he prescribing pain meds. This makes little sense to me unless he thinks it's neurological. If that's the case you need to see a specialist anyway. Did the vet tell you how much an MRI costs? It's very unusual to recommend an MRI before doing an X-Ray...given how cheap the X-Ray is compared to MRI. An MRI will run over $2000 and would require your bully to undergo general anesthesia for as much as an hour. I would never consider letting a "non-specialist" Vet make that call. That is a HUGE risk that may not be necessary.
Please consider these concerns before making a decision.

Is he incontinent of bowel or bladder??

No, no blader problems. The vets suspicion was neurological. Ill find out if the referal is direct for an MRI or to a specilist who has the equipment to undertakean an MRI if needed.

 

[oscarmayer]

Okay...please report back. I'm concerned about Muttley.

 

[My Otis]

Please keep us informed about Precious Muttley. I Pray he will be ok. He is a Handsome Guy.

 

[1Chumly]

I do hope everything turns out well for your boy, He is a handsome lad for sure. I dont know where you are in the UK but our neighbour took a couple of his dogs to Dick White Referrals (it's near Newmarket). We lived in Lincs. You have to be referred by your vet. I will copy below what he had to say about it. Fingers crossed for you.

"They are certainly expensive, but our insurance company didn't quibble at all so I assume they are recognised as being experts. One dog went there and was very well treated. Tarot, unfortunately was too late to be saved. The people there are very professional, well qualified and (the ones we dealt with) had a good manner with us".

https://www.dickwhitereferrals.com/services/

 

[2BullyMama]

No, no blader problems. The vets suspicion was neurological. Ill find out if the referal is direct for an MRI or to a specilist who has the equipment to undertakean an MRI if needed.

Any update on your boy?