Lyla - hind leg weakness

[k9diabetes]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

A lot of dogs aren't very tolerant of them but booties with rubber soles can really help them maneuver on their own and also to get up on their own. Plus protect their paws from being scraped up if she is dragging them.

Natalie

[PugDogJosieWales]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

Chiming in a little late, but my pug was having a hard time walking and using his hind legs right before he was diagnosed. After about 10 days, he was back to normal, six weeks later and I swear 5 years have been taken off his life, he is actually jumping up onto the couch!

[jrcsales]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

That's awesome to hear!! Helps keep me motivated!!!! I've not heard of the rubber booty idea. Very interesting!!

[nikki712]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

I'm giving B12 (cobalamin) injections weekly, and the vet OK'd me to give oral B12 methyl daily. She said that whatever isn't used by the body is excreted through urine, but I asked her just in case. Try this one http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Factor...rds=b12+methyl, which was recommended to me here on the forum. I bought some B12 methyl from the drug store, but it had artificial flavors and sweeteners in it, and Baxter's BG shot up afterward. I can't be sure that it was the B12, but it scared me enough not to give him anything else with artificial flavors, sweetners, etc.

[sibhus]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

When my husky was initially diagnosed, her neuropathy was pretty bad and i was worried as she just couldnt get up to use the bathroom. After getting her insulin dosage right and giving her b12 pills and switching to a partial raw diet, i saw a significant increase in her rear leg usage after 2 weeks, and some of her muscle mass has come back now after 3 weeks. As others have noted, you really have to nail the insulin dosage and the methyl based B12 helps as well.

[Rubytuesday]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

Here's some more info on B-12

From a published Japanese study:
New evidence suggests that oral B12 works as well as injections, according to a study published in the journal Blood. This verifies reports from Sweden dating from the 1970s that pernicious anemia, a disease of B12 deficiency, can be controlled with oral B12. (people with pernicious anemia lack the intrinsic factor).
But another form, methylcobalamin, may be the best of all. Research shows that this active form of B12 has the unique ability to provoke the regeneration of nerves without adverse side effects.

And this from another study, Division of Neurology, KingKhalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
We studied the clinical and neurophysiological effects of methylcobalamin on patients with diabetic neuropathy. In a double-blind study, the active group showed statistical improvement in the somatic and autonomic symptoms with regression of signs of diabetic neuropathy.
Methylcobalamin,which is the neurologically active form of B12.This B12 facilitates methylation, the process that creates and maintains nerves and brain chemicals.


The clinical study concerning B12/folate lowering BS is from the European Journal of Endrocrinology:
CONCLUSIONS: Folate and vitamin B12 treatment improved insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction, along with decreasing homocysteine levels, in patients with metabolic syndrome.
http://www.eje-online.org/content/151/4/483.abstract

Hope it helps, Tara

[jrcsales]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

Thanks guys! The last two days have been rough with the neuropathy. Seems she is getting worse. I did her curve test yesterday and it wasn't all that bad. Actually my vet was surprised by her numbers today. I just hope she doesn't have anything else going on. I can't get over how bad her breathing is and doesn't seem to be getting better. I'm going to continue giving her the B-12 methyl and he also gave me gabapentin for the pain. Praying for a change.

[momofdecker]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

There is a yahoo group for LP. I did some research when my boy struggled with rear leg weakness. He didn't end up having LP but in my reading I came across recommendations of trying benadryl. I know it's safe to give to dogs because my non-diabetic gets it for allergies (the regular benadryl). Might be worth asking your vet if they've heard of using it for LP and what the dosage might be?

If you are up for posting the curve there are lots of folks on here who might be able to give you some recommendations to help on the diabetes end of things too.

Sending prayers for you and your girl.

[amydunn19]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

Sorry that things are not better -hope everything improves soon! Maybe the gabapentin will help her feel better.

[maggiesmom]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work! MAGGIES STORY IS LIKE YOURS...SHARE

HI...I am not sure what you are saying was the big help with your pup? The B12 - or the booties or correct insulin dose?

I have a used to be very active BLIND DIABETIC English Setter girl...maggiemay. She never let her blindness stop her, it is from diabetic cataracs....

In Sept this past year, 2013, she suffered something????? IT SEEMED TO BE NEUROLOGICAL...her whole body was out of wack from her mid back to rump....legs dangling, crossed...I THOUGHT IT WAS DM...but that is not it I have been told...she has improved some!! A thought was a combo of SamE and TRAMADOL...one pill.....( not always a good mix for every dog ????)) I would say Hypo event but it lasted 5 days and her BGS were ok during that time so what was it...?

She has had weakness in her left rear leg for many years...many. And then Lyme Disease took its toll on her joints for almost 2 years of treatment.

But she seemed to rally.

Then Labor Day Weekend 2013 she crashed? She was not able to walk on her own without 3 different harness contraptions and my strong husbands help....on December 25, 2013 she CAME UP THE DECK STEPS WITH HIS HELP.....well he practically carried her but she was WITH US. She has improved slowley...still quivers and is unsteady...but at times walks strong and tall........

From onset of D diagnosis in 2011 she weighed 87lbs which is HORRENDOUS for this breed (((( She now weighs in at about 70-72 which is still high for an ES...(55-60 for bitches)...but she looks thin to me )))

She no longer gets up on the sofa, needs TREMENDOUS help on our staris just to go in and out to relieve herself....24 in total ...4xs a day ((( but she she is not in pain ....MY HUSBAND IS THO and so am I....

I AM VERY INTERESTED IN THIS B12 INFO....my one vet is almost too proactive the other is great but very conservative. I like to research my ideas before I bring them up to them )))

My ES usually live to 14....my vet told me 3 yrs ago that maggie never would. WE ARE GOING TO PROVE HER WRONG I HOPE ...

PLEASE SHARE WHAT INFO ANY AND ALL ON THIS B12...I AM SO INTERESTED.

I ONLY use drugs when absolutely needed....I do herbal, homeopathy or vitamin therapy so this is right up my alley......

THANKS ALL...
bobbi in baltimore...WoodlandSetters...maggiemay 10- blind diabetic, and willie...8...recooping from a cervical neck injury

Chiming in a little late, but my pug was having a hard time walking and using his hind legs right before he was diagnosed. After about 10 days, he was back to normal, six weeks later and I swear 5 years have been taken off his life, he is actually jumping up onto the couch!

[parje1]

Re: Newly diagnosed, hind legs won't work!

My Lab has both diabetes and LP. We've had trouble with back leg weakness from the get go. She struggles with stairs now but she can usually go down them just not back up. We have had great success with acupuncture helping when nerve issues pop up. She has had times where her back legs would cross on her, her hind end seemed really stiff, or her gait was just way off. The acupuncture always helps get things firing correctly again.

Jen

[jrcsales]

Low sugar!!!

Help!! We've gone from high sugar to 63 tonight!! Pointers to bring it up? I've given her two dog biscuits. Now doesn't want to eat only drink.

[sibhus]

Re: Low sugar!!!

karo syrup is best for bringing a dogs sugar level up, maybe a teaspoon. A dog treat will help but doesnt act as fast.

[jrcsales]

Re: Low sugar!!!

Thank you!! I've given her honey. I found a website that said that should help. Do you know about how long it takes to kick in? She retested at 56 about 30 minutes after treats.

[jesse girl]

Re: Low sugar!!!

usually liquid sugar like karo or honey usually should have an immediate affect on blood sugar for my jesse the affect will last usually about a half hour and up to an hour . if blood sugar is dropping hard don't hesitate to give another spoonful

a carby type food highly digestible can be helpful but if they dont want to eat continue with the liquid sugar until numbers get above a 100 points .

depending when the nadir (lowest blood sugar) is may determine the length and the amount of the intervention . now with little understanding i dont think being conservative with sugar is prudent your goal is just to raise sugar to a comfortable level out of that lower range . you do want to make a note of what was done and where sugar ended up for possible future situations if they occur.

so you do have to think how you approach the next dose this can be an odd ball event but in any situation a dose reduction maybe prudent .