Amy.
Alpha Buck
Hi all!
Leo is now 9 years old. 2 months ago I noticed he would occasionally sit with his right hind leg sticking out slightly, taking the weight off it - he would still use it normally when moving. This has progressed to the point where he now has the leg almost fully extended forward pretty much all the time when he is at rest. He has got quite wobbly when hopping and sometimes seems to almost trip over his legs if he 'pivots' or turns tightly. He sometimes falls over if he is spooked and turns to run quickly
I went to the vets a month ago and the vet diagnosed arthritis after examination (no x ray) and he is on Loxicom 2x a day. Clearly this hasn't stopped him sticking the leg out. She also noted he has little muscle on his back end.
I have been reading old threads on here tonight to see what else I could do (or if it's time to call it a day) and came across several posts where E. cuniculi has been mentioned. Does this seem like it could be a contributing factor here given Leo's symptoms? He has no head tilt or other clear E.c symptoms, but the unilateral nature of his problems has made me wonder (I don't doubt the vets diagnosis of arthritis given his age and general stiffness of movement). Does E. c seem like a possibility, or does arthritis plus muscle loss cover it?
Thanks all - will discuss with vet also, just thought it might be worth asking here as I've only come across this possibility tonight. It's also getting to the point where I wonder whether he's doing more damage by sitting in such an unnatural position, and perhaps it would be kinder to let him go before this gets worse.
Leo is now 9 years old. 2 months ago I noticed he would occasionally sit with his right hind leg sticking out slightly, taking the weight off it - he would still use it normally when moving. This has progressed to the point where he now has the leg almost fully extended forward pretty much all the time when he is at rest. He has got quite wobbly when hopping and sometimes seems to almost trip over his legs if he 'pivots' or turns tightly. He sometimes falls over if he is spooked and turns to run quickly
I went to the vets a month ago and the vet diagnosed arthritis after examination (no x ray) and he is on Loxicom 2x a day. Clearly this hasn't stopped him sticking the leg out. She also noted he has little muscle on his back end.I have been reading old threads on here tonight to see what else I could do (or if it's time to call it a day) and came across several posts where E. cuniculi has been mentioned. Does this seem like it could be a contributing factor here given Leo's symptoms? He has no head tilt or other clear E.c symptoms, but the unilateral nature of his problems has made me wonder (I don't doubt the vets diagnosis of arthritis given his age and general stiffness of movement). Does E. c seem like a possibility, or does arthritis plus muscle loss cover it?
Thanks all - will discuss with vet also, just thought it might be worth asking here as I've only come across this possibility tonight. It's also getting to the point where I wonder whether he's doing more damage by sitting in such an unnatural position, and perhaps it would be kinder to let him go before this gets worse.
