My dog's front legs shake and give out after a few steps. Help!

Question

Tessa has had xrays, MRI, blood work, and to no avail the doctors do not know why both front legs give out after 5-10 STEPS. She will hold one paw up n it's like parkensons then the other and collapses frequently. Its sad to watch. Vets have her on steroids n 400mg of gabapentin for 5 days with no improvement. Any help would be great. I can't stand to see my best friend like this :(. Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 5 years and 10 months old | 74 lbs

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

I am so sorry that Tessa is having this issue. It sounds like she has had all the diagnostics that we would recommend. I am assuming she has seen a specialist? Have you considered taking her to Virginia Tech's vet school to see if one of their specialists can determine what is going on? I know it. is. few hours drive from you but it may be worth it. They usually have the most up to date testing modalities and if there are any clinical trials of medications or studies they may be able to help her. I am sorry but over the internet without having access to her records or exam findings or seeing her I don't think we can be of much use in this situation. It sounds like either a disease of the nervous system or the musculoskeletal system. Possible rule outs: * fibrocartilagenous emboli (when clots in the bloodstream damage the spinal cord) * intervertebral disk disease ("slipped disk" in the neck or back) * degenerative myelopathy (degeneration of the spinal cord) * myasthenia gravis (defective conduction from the nerves to the muscles) * cancer (nerve root tumor) My best guess based on your description would be nerve root tumor even if the MRI did not show anything. I would get all her records, including blood results and MRi images and take them to the vet school at Virginia Tech for a second opinion. Sorry that I can be more helpful. I truly with you and Tessa all the best.

My dog's front legs shake and give out after a few steps. Help!

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