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Our dachshund is having intermittent walking troubles like ...
Sent to Pet Experts August 03 09:41 PM

Our dachshund is having intermittent walking troubles like her legs are weak. She seems to be running a fever now. This has gone on and off for a couple days, then she feels fine and runs around. Any suggestions?

 

Optional Information:
Age: 5; Female; Breed: Dachshund

Already Tried:
rest and close monitoring - hard to gauge since comes and goes

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Info Request
August 3 9:47 PM (5 minutes and 41 seconds later)
         
REPLIED to Info RequestCheck Mark

Why do you think she is running a fever?

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Honest_Vet -- Veterinarian100% Positive Feedback on 28 Pet Accepts
B.S., DVM (vet); over 6 years both clinical and pharmaceutical experience
Reply
August 3 9:48 PM (1 minute and 5 seconds later)
         
Reply to Honest_Vet's Post: Because her ears and head are really hot and her nose is dry.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 3 9:53 PM (5 minutes and 23 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

At first, when you said trouble walking, I assumed "back problem" since it was a Dachshund.

Now it sounds like your dog is spiking a fever, which would explain "episodic" weakness that would cause trouble walking.

Did she have vaccines or any medications recently?

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Honest_Vet -- Veterinarian100% Positive Feedback on 28 Pet Accepts
B.S., DVM (vet); over 6 years both clinical and pharmaceutical experience
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August 3 9:58 PM (4 minutes and 47 seconds later)
         
Reply to Honest_Vet's Post: no she has not had any vaccines, or shots, medications or anything. We wondered about backs as well since we are familiar with their sensitivities.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 3 10:02 PM (4 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

So far, the Dachs I have seen with back problems have a pretty consistent pain.

In other words, it does not get better and then worse over a few days, it just gets progressively worse.

And this "fever" (only way to document is with a rectal temp) does not fit back trouble, unless there is an infection, in which case, it would not wax and wane.

Something else that comes to mind is tick-borne disease... any chance of this?



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Honest_Vet -- Veterinarian100% Positive Feedback on 28 Pet Accepts
B.S., DVM (vet); over 6 years both clinical and pharmaceutical experience
Reply
August 3 10:06 PM (3 minutes and 45 seconds later)
         
Reply to Honest_Vet's Post: We live in Denver, Colorado. I've not ever since ticks here in our yard or area. We've inspected her pretty closely and don't see anything. Here is a side note however. She had the bottom of her ears swelling a little and they were a little scabby. We treated them and it seems to be drying up just fine and it doesn't hurt her. We know that Dachys are also susceptible to skin conditions and didn't think anything of it. Could this be a side effect of anything? (Thanks so much so far!)
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 3 10:09 PM (3 minutes and 26 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Ear margin dermatosis is common in Dachs and if you are only using topical meds, I would not think a thing of it....

The only thing I can think of is... if she has a mild back problem – she moves a certain way, it flares up, she tenses up and then gets hot…. then after a while it calms down…. and then she runs around again until it pinches again….

The first remedy for back problems is strict rest, especially no running or jumping.

Pain management should only be done under advisement of a vet that has examined your dog. Do NOT attempt over-the counter human meds, as these can cause serious problems.

If you dog is still acting strange, please have her evaluated by a vet. It could be something completely different that I cannot evaluate without examining her.

Best wishes,

Dr. T



I am a veterinarian that wants to give you an honest answer. If I helped you or your pet, please ACCEPT my answer. Thank you!
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Honest_Vet -- Veterinarian100% Positive Feedback on 28 Pet Accepts
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