Another mystery!

[Little Freddie]

Here's a different mystery; walking with BACK legs stretched out, along with stretching up the neck.

Freddie has done this twice within the past 2 months. When this is happening, it is clear that he is bothered by it, although he is quiet, (no sound at all), he acts uncomfortable and it shows in his face.
<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0> What he does is, he keeps extending and stretching his BACK legs while walking. He also stretches his neck upwards. Now, this does NOT last long, AND seems to happen ONLY after he's risen out of bed. Then BOOM, it's gone, just like that, and he's back to his normal self, running and playing.
I'm thinking maybe it's a turned muscle or bone out of place, or a pinched nerve?? Has any other dachsie here experienced this?

I know some people are weary of this, but I've taken him to my Chiropractor, which he notices RIGHT AWAY that Freddie is a little bit "tightened up". According to my Chiropractor, it's nothing serious (right now anyway) and just like with humans, needs a little adjusting.
All he does is, taps Freddie's back with a little instrument, and it HELPS! After that Freddie's back is much looser and he walks better. I've had this done to Freddie twice now. At first I was VERY apprehensive about it, but my Chiropractor assures me that this in NO WAY can hurt his back. He works on a few other of his Patient's dogs as well.
More research is coming out suggesting that dogs can benefit from Chiropractic adjustments, although of course VETS will say they are against it, and that is because it takes AWAY business from them. I don't know, have you guys heard anything about this?
Freddie's Breeder said that none of her dachsies had back problems. I hope she's honest! Anyway, other than that, Freddie is fine. He will be 3 yrs. in May. I know that typically back problems will show up by the age of 5.
I'm STRICT about Freddie jumping off of furniture (although he has a few times, you just can't avoid it totally!).
Any thoughts on this?

Susanhttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Owen's Mom]

You could always have him X-Ray'd to see if he has any calcification at this point and that would give you an idea of whether or not to be overly concerned. I wouldn't continue to have him adjusted without knowing that first. Other than that, I don't see any problem with a little Chiropratic care.

Is he doing the stretch first thing in the morning, where he actually drags his legs behind him and streches his neck at the same time? I think most all dachsies do that, at least Owen does, and he usually gives a giant yawn with it http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif My friend, Maria's, dogs lay around the house like that, as do most long haired dachsies. He's just stretching out his back after a good sleep <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm30.gif" border=0>



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~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!!
www.dachshundrescue.org

[Mark]

Hi Susan,

I agree with Amy . . . find out for sure before continuing the Chiropractic care. With a Dachsie's predisposition for IDD it could do a lot of harm if there is calcification.

If all clear . . . Chiropractic can be beneficial!

Take care and keep us posted,

Mark

[Little Freddie]

Thanks guys, I think I'll do that.
Amy, Freddie also does the "dachsie stretch" along with a big yawnhttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif. This other is different, not normal in my opinion.

Susanhttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[OwnedByChaucer]

Both my dachsie's do the "morning stretch" thing after we get them up from naps, and right before they pee. They are 8mo. and not quite 5 mo. old, so it would be pretty young for it to be a sign of back trouble. (not to mention it would be unlikely that both would have back trouble so young). I've seen both of them do it from a very young age--I think both have always pretty much done it.

[wireweiners]

Check his tummy and chest for itchy spots. Rita and her great grandma Liza both suffer from allergies. They will pull themselves along the carpet like you described to scratch their tummies. We call it the Watermelon Crawl.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm1.gif" border=0>
OBC, the stretch before they pee is common among males that don't lift their legs. They stretch out so nothing splashes on them.<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm1.gif" border=0>

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by wireweiners on November 07, 2000 at 01:16 PM</font>