Chocolate Lab with "The Shakes"

lfaber · 09-19-2006, 09:52 AM

We have a 9 month old chocolate lab. Since she was young she has episodes where her front and/or rear legs begin to shake. She is not cold. The vet cannot identify what is wrong. She also does not really want to go for walks some days. So we are assuming that she has pain and the 'shakes' are related to the source of the pain. We also noted that when she plays with other dogs she is the slowest one out there - as if movement pains her. But she never cries. I have been told that Labs are very stoic.

Any thoughts / ideas out there?

luv4gsds · 09-19-2006, 10:15 AM

I'm assuming you've had her x-rayed. And if you did what was the out come of the readings? To me it sounds to be either hips, elbows or maybe spinal problem. I think I would find another vet.

lfaber · 09-19-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv4gsds

I'm assuming you've had her x-rayed. And if you did what was the out come of the readings? To me it sounds to be either hips, elbows or maybe spinal problem. I think I would find another vet.

Thanks for your response. We did have her X-Rayed when she was spayed. They saw nothing. She has also been tested for dysplasia and her elbows have been checked. We had not thought about her spine. To me it appears 'mechanical' - leg movement. The silly thing never shows any discomfort. When she does not want to go for a walk, she just lies there like a bug in a rug!

alundy · 09-19-2006, 01:12 PM

This may seem silly, but could it be that she is scared as opposed to a health problem? My mom's chihuahua shakes all the time when rain is coming on, other dogs are around, firecrackers, etc. However this is more of a full body shudder, not sure if it's the same type of thing.

ninikins · 09-20-2006, 07:24 PM

Have you checked out CECS? It's very rare but can occur in labs. It's canine epileptiod cramping syndrome and I only know about it since my frenchie might be suffering from it. It sounds very similar to what you described. It's cramps in the stomach that show themselves often in the back legs. They come in episodes but can last from 5 minutes to 2 weeks. The dog can get disorientated and will shake a lot. I'd definitely read in to it and check the symptoms. It's not dangerous by the way...a change of diet usually solves it within a couple of weeks.

It really sounds almost identical to what my dog is going through....