Expert: Delores Beck - 6/3/2010

Question
We have a small cocker, she is 12  years old.  She has been having problems with her hind legs not working.  It happened a few times, then last week we took her to the groomer.  I know they were very careful with her (I trust them).  Within a few days, she was crying and couldn't move.  I picked up her hind end, and she was able to walk.  But whenever she is resting, she cannot walk when she gets up.  It is really hard as we have wood floors.  I have been giving her a baby asprin in the morning, and it only helps a tiny bit.  Any ideas what could be going on?

Answer
your girl really needs to see your vet and probably needs an x-ray to see what's really happening.  At 12, it could be arthritis or she could have a vertebrea problem.  And there's better pain relief available like Metacam (avoid Rimadyl).  It'll help too if you can put a bit of carpet down where she sleeps to give her a bit of traction.
Wish I could help more but she needs a vet visit.
Delores