Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 8/20/2008

Question
My mom let her feist out to do his "business". She heard him crying. When she went outside he was laying in the yard and could not move. We took him to the vet, there's no broken bones nor any visual injury. His left front paw seems to be paralyzed. He now just lies in the same position constantly urinating on himself. We are cleaning him with baby wipes everytime he urinates. We're trying to keep him clean & dry. He is on Prednisone & Methocarbamol. We attempt to walk him to try to get his leg functioning again. It takes 2 people to do this as he is over weight. We are puzzled as to what happened. Can you help? Please!

Answer
Lori -

Sorry but because I am unable to examine your pet, I cannot give you a list of possible diagnoses. Considering the medicine you listed, it seems as though your dog is having an episode involving intervertebral disc disease.   If this is the problem, be patient and continue to give  him the attention he needs and continue to give him help as he needs it.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM