Hind legs

[Cynhag2319]

My recently (4 mos) rescued cocker mix is not using his back legs as of this morning. When found out in the desert he and smaller female were completely covered in scabs from their serious mange.  (The one that people can contract) when I got them they were cured of their mange and had shots. They have been a pleasure to be with since I don't go out much because of arthritis. They both have a loving temperament and even now he wants to have hugs.
I felt all of his spine and no bulges etc.  Hips feel fine, and both rear legs feel right. He showed no pain or sensitivity during my exam of him. Not a professional by any means. I noticed  he seemed to have 2 large grape size things right at his anus. I have never really checked that before so I don't know if that was there before. Any ideas? Cyn

[Misfits4Me]

I always forget about "Tick Paralysis"....Thanks for the reminder, Ghilly...

If you don't find a tick, I'd lean more towards a herniated/ruptured Disk in the spine.....IVDD (Intervertabral Disc Disease).....

There doesn't have to be any trauma......It can blow at any time, doing nothing....

There are many treatments available that DO work.....Don't let him do anything crazy uintil you can see your Vet...He should be restricted to a crate and carried out to potty, then back in.....The Anal sacs need to be checked at your same visit......They sound infected and will rupture if care is not taken......Good luck & please let us know....Karla

[Ghilly]

The grape-sized lumps sound like they could be impacted anal glands.  Your vet can express these and show you how to do it so that you can do it at home, although it's not the nicest job a dog owner can do, so it might be best to just pay for a vet visit every so often and let the doctor do it.  The dog's bowel movements SHOULD express the anal glands naturally as the feces pass through the rectum and anus during defecation, however sometimes that doesn't work as well as it should and the glands don't get emptied out like they should and have to be done by hand.

As far as your dog not using his hind legs, have you checked him for ticks?  Tick paralysis could cause the symptoms you are describing.  Watch him carefully for a few days because if he does have a tick that is causing the paralysis it will spread and other parts of his body will become affected.  It's important to find the tick(s) and remove it or them because it CAN, if it is being caused by a tick, interfere with the movement of the diaphragm and eventually become a concern with regard to breathing.  If it IS being caused by a tick and you do find the offending beastie on your dog, he should start to return to normal within hours of removing the tick and should be back to his old self in short order.  If the paralysis is due to an injury, naturally the results may take longer, if there can BE results without surgical intervention.

Please let us know how he does and keep us updated on his condition.

Ghilly

[ginger899]

He still could have a disk problem, so I would make sure he doesn't move about too much until you can get him to the vet.

[Cynhag2319]

Thank you Ginger,  no jumps or falls.  He has me worried, his extremely sweet personality is still going strong. I have him coddled and comfy for the night. I am pretty much useless because of arthritis when it comes to taking him in, but my husband will be back from out of town tomorrow evening.  I will treat him like a king till then, but the second he shows pain I will find a way. He moved both legs with tickle pad trick. Thank you again,  Cyn

[ginger899]

P.S. To be extremely safe, if/when you take him to a vet, try not to let his body move to much in transit. If you can travel-crate him, that would be okay. Or if he is quite immobile, get someone to help you and slip a board under his body to carry him.
Just in case there is any spinal cord bruising. Lifting/carrying/trying to get him to walk could make it worse.

[ginger899]

The lumps at his anus sound like they might be anal glands which have swollen up and maybe need to be drained.
But I am unsure that would cause him to go completely off his legs.
Is he able to poop and pee of his own volition? Or has he become incontinent?

No pain is good because it means he's not suffering. But it can be ominous as it can mean he has no feeling in his lower body.
When you tickle his feet, between his toes, on the pads, does he flinch or move his leg?
If not he may need specialist care right now.

Has he recently had any kind of accident, or leaped down from a height?

My advice would be to take him to be professionally checked over.

Please do post back with an update if and when you can. I hope he will be okay.