You are here:

Ask the Veterinarian/Sudden leg twitch response in my 4yr old Corgi

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/10/2011


Question
I have a 4yr old spayed female Pembroke Corgi who is in excellent health. She is up to date on all of her vaccinations and is happy and energetic.

Within the last week, she has developed a rather extreme version of the classic "twitchy leg" that some dogs get when you scratch their saddle region. We have had her for two years and she has never been sensitive in these areas. Now, suddenly, she twitches violently when we scratch anywhere on her lower belly or lower back.

She doesn't seem to mind it, but all that tells me is that it's not painful - this is a very snuggly, please-pet-me-at-all-times sort of dog.

She has been on the same food and in the same environment for the past two years, with very little variation. We also haven't been able to spot anything unusual about her skin.

I know that this sort of twitch reaction can be normal, but our concern is that it only just now cropped up and the "target" area is very widespread over her back and belly. Would we be seeing this reaction as part of a skin irritation like an allergy? Or is it possible this is spine/nerve related? Many thanks for your advice.

Answer
She might have just gotten more sensitive with age, or she is itchy all over and that spot just sets her off more. I have seen dogs get like this.

I would do a very careful search for fleas however. Since it her lower back and belly (prime flea hangouts) she very well could have them.

My uncle was just here with his dog who he swore didn't have a flea on her but her lower back above her tail was red and raw, another give away for flea allergies, and the dog was full of fleas once I looked her over!!

So that would be the first step here. After that if she isn't red, doesn't have fleas and is normal in every other way, then I wouldn't be too concerned.

Otherwise, have her vet look her over...

Ask the Veterinarian

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

Organizations
Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.