Posted - 06/01/2009 :  09:31:10  
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I have an 8 1/2 yr old gsd male, yesterday morning he was unable to use his back legs, one worse than the other. Until yesterday he has been fine, we took him to the vets yesterday evening (1st appt we could get) and he was given steroid inj and antibiotics inj, said to take him back today. Vet checked all down his spine and toes etc with pincers and said he had feeling in his back and feet. Said next thing to do was to do x rays ets, of the 3/4 things she thought it might be, none (having trawled the internet) come on overnight as this has, Today he is worse although does not seem to be in such pain, (possibly due to the steroid injection) he has not had a wee since yesterday morning we have carried his back end for him, but he is obviously unwell, also yesterday morning he was tilting his head to one side, like his ear was bothering him, i put some drops in it and he hasn't done it since. any help would be much apprecited.

If he hasn't had a wee for so long, this is a serious emergency; get him to the vet to be catheterised asap. The longer it goes on, the more chance of irreparable kidney damage and/or a ruptured bladder.

Hi, he has just had a big wee, thank heavens

Have you got a vet chiropracter anywhere near you? had an older xbreed some years ago who went virtually off his back legs in 2 days, vet = jab tabs etc, 3 days later, dog no better, chiro = dog trotted out and jumped into back of car before I could lift him.
Chris

thanks tatty ead will check that out.

Make sure you go to a McTimoney chirpractor as they are animals ones (as well as people!)  http://www.mctimoney-chiropractic.org/

Sorry to hear your boy is unwell. Whilst I don't want to worry you it worries me about his head tilt when combind with the paralysis. I suggest you speak to your vet as to whether it could be inflammatory CNS disease. If it is it needs to be treated a s a p. I hope it isn't & I know I'm too keenly tuned into this condition, but just to be on the safe side. !

Make sure you go to a McTimoney chirpractor

To JayneA
Thanks for adding that, I forgot as I am so used to making a double appt and getting a dog done then getting me done, Guy is also qual homeopath so added bonus :-)
Chris

X-rays will only show mechanical issues and even then, it's what most likely is causing the problem.

Slipped/excluded/protruded disc for example, will not show on X-ray. 

I take it from your post that he has been in pain as you say today he is worse although does not seem to be in such pain. 

I don't want to worry you too but if it's mechanical, i.e. something pressing on the spinal cord (soft tissue will not show on X-ray), and the longer the nerves are compressed, the less likely they will recover.  And if it's what Peanut has suggested, it needs treatment ASAP.

Personally I would not want to delay and would be going for a referral, an MRI and spinal tap ASAP. 

This definitely sounds like it is disc related, x-rays will not show this and further investigation is definitely needed. If your vet is not an orthopaedic specialist, I would ask for an urgent referal, like tomorrow!! If the problem is disc related, for any chance of recovery, then it is important that he receives the correct treatment without delay. Do you have a crate by any chance, if so I would definitely crate him until the morning when you can speak to your vet, as any sudden movement could cause irrepairable damage. Keep movements to an absolute minimum and it is essential he does not try to climb on furniture or stairs. When he needs to go out to relieve himself, I would keep him on lead and use a towel under his stomach to support him. Good luck and I hope he is OK.

I am so sorry to hear your news about your boy, I cant offer any advise as the posts you have had have all given good advise.  I am just sending my best wishes to you and him and hope it all goes ok for you.  Best of luck xx

You need to get MRI been there with my Dax.I wish you luck as I am also a GSD owner MRI will show more than a normal X ray but is expensive.I paid £1.500

Please please do not go to a chiropractor just yet. You obviously need to consult your vet and they will put you on the right track but spinal manipulation is the last thing you should be doing until it has been fully assessed. I work in animal rehab, we fix it when it goes wrong! We see this so frequently in GSD's now. See your vet who can advise.

Thankyou all for your concern, have had him to the vets again today and he has a slipped disc, is on large pain killers and has had a jab of the stuff to get him started,  will see how he goes and take it from there.  Have no idea how he can have done such a thing overnight laid on a carpet.

Sounds like it could be vestibular syndrome, because of the head tilt. Check to see if his eyes are darting back and forth. They can make a good recovery from this after a couple of weeks.

>have had him to the vets again today and he has a slipped disc

This appears to be becoming more and more common in GSD's. :-(

>Have no idea how he can have done such a thing overnight laid on a carpet

Your dog may have a spinal condition such as degenerative disc disease resulting in a degeneration of the outer part of the disc and disc rupture.  Sometimes discs can become calcified or dehydrated with age changes. 

I imagine your vet would have advised prolonged strict cage rest for 6 weeks min.  His hind leg function may improve once the inflammation has gone down and then it can be determined how much motor movement is affected.  It's positive that he still has pain sensation in his back and paws.

However, the deeper the compression goes into the cord, the more motor movement is affected and the longer the cord is compressed, the less likely nerve function will return. 

One of mine had a spinal op for this; he went off his back legs too but made a full recovery post op.

Hi, head tilt was due to a dirty ear, this has now been sorted, his eyes and everything else are fine, just from his middle back, is not good.

Aaaaaaaaw Iam so sorry- I do hope he is feeling better soon :-) ((hugs))