my dog suddenly can't walk!

[luckyjazz]

I took my sweet three-legged dog Jazz into the Vet Friday because I couldn't get rid of his fleas (frontline wasn't working) which was causing him to constantly to scratch and get red marks on his body (from the licking and biting himself).  I took him to the vet friday and they put him on steroids (prednisone --5mg/1 tab 2x's a day) and a hydroxyzine (25mg) and omega 3's.  

Suddenly I came home today and he can't walk.  He is missing his right front paw since he was 1 year old.  He tries to walk but then collapses.  I called the vet and I plan to take him in first thing tomorrow.  

Any thoughts?  He doesn't seem to be in pain.   Arthritis??  Help...

best--
susana, jazz's mama

[Kimberly Coyner, D.V.M., DACVD]

I'm so sorry to hear about Jazz; in looking at the package insert for Comfortis, there is no mention of weakness as a side effect of the drug in either the clinical studies on normal dogs, or the toxicity studies on laboratory dogs (the most common side effect was stomach upset in about 5-10%). Prednisone can cause muscle weakness with prolonged use, but not usually after just a couple of days, and it can't be beat in its ability to quickly stop a dog from chewing and causing damage to itself from flea allergy, but I think it would be prudent to reduce the prednisone to once a day and stop the hydroxyzine antihistamine temporarily, since antihistamines can cause drowsiness in some pets (I prescribe hydroxyzine all the time and have never seen weakness as a side effect) . Ideally, I would recommend taking your dog to a veterinarian tonight, to ensure there is no internal or neurologic problem causing his weakness (although if he is acting and eating/drinking normally, and does not seem painful, those are good signs). Arthritis is a possibility, but usually steroids help arthritis in the short term due to their anti-inflammatory effects, so I think this is less likely.
Good luck,
Kimberly Coyner, DVM

[Kimberly Coyner, D.V.M., DACVD]

I'm so glad to hear your dog is feeling better; with such odd symptoms and with his age, I would recommend being safe and checking in with your veterinarian to let them know what is going on; they may suggest checking some senior bloodwork (if they haven't already done so at your last yearly check up) to make sure he is okay and to catch any problems before they progress.

[luckyjazz]

Thank you Kimberly for your response.  I sweet miracle for us.  Late last night jazz just perked up and started walking again!  He started slow but then perked up as if nothing happen.  He didn't walk for 2 hours total. Strange, yes?  

[luckyjazz]

also---I forgot to mention the vet gave Jazz Comfortis for the fleas.