Is Logan walking properly?? Help!!!!!!

Hello everyone, sorry i've not been on for ages. Been busy with Xmas..and of course..Logan!
Well he is now 6 1/2 months old and i took him to his 1st puppy class yesterday (we've only had him 5 weeks) and the trainer has got me extremely worried that Logan isn't walking properly. I have noticed it but thought he just had big front paws and needed to 'grow-up' a little bit. However, the trainer has said that he kick's his front paws up when he's walking and this isnt 'right'. I know she has a personal grievence with the breeder we got him from, but i am still extremely worried about Logan and his health. I was in tears last night! The trainer said 'that when you have a dog as bad as Logan you need to do something about it'. I dont think he is bad at walking and he has improved since we brought him home. I am taking to the Vets this aftenoon to get him checked out. (I did get him checked when i brought him home too for my own peace of mind that he was healthy and the vet confirmed this)
The trainer also started takling about legal action against the breeder. I told her to hang on as i need to get him checked out first. Being a 1st time Staffy owner i'd love to know if anyone has had problems with their puppies. The trainer mentioned Wobblers Syndrome too. I know this can affect larger dogs. I need some advice/reassurance please people! Logan is small for his age, but he's healthy, walks & runs, barks when he wants. Hes not mental all the time and the trainer did mention this might be a problem. How can it be a problem? Got him booked in at 1330 today so i can have him checked! Thanks in advance.

Don't suppose you can upload a video?

Looking at your avatar, he looks like he has huge feet & that may be why it looks like he's kicking them up! But they grow into them!

Does this sound like Logan? From what you've said, it doesn't to me......

Clinical Signs

At the point of greatest cord compression, the damaged ascending sensory neurons (those nerve cell carrying electrical impulses to the brain) begin to die. Their myelin sheaths deteriorate, and confusing impulses cross over from one axon to another, in effect making the brain and cord “think” they are coming from someplace else, and thus the return messages to contract certain muscle fibers may be sent to some of the wrong places. This gives rise to much of the missteps and poor movement. Many of the axons (main conductors) also die, and loss of sensation results.
Simultaneously, descending motor neurons are affected the same way, so fewer of them function from that part back to the muscles. Therefore, the dog may seem not to know where its limbs are, drags its toes in a manner similar to those with GSD myelopathy or stands on the top surface of one of its rear paws, has poor coordination especially in the pelvic limbs, may stand wide and, if the thoracic limbs are affected, may have a prancing gait. In severe cases, the dog falls down easily and has a hard time getting up on its feet. The syndrome affects both sides of the body equally.

By all means get him checked, that's never a bad thing, but it sounds like your trainer has a grudge and is using you to vent it! If you're happy with her training, I'd ignore her & get on with the work, if you don't think she's that good as a trainer then I'd find somewhere else. What she has been saying isn't at all nice.

Thanks for the quick reply Caryll. I really appreciate it. He does 'prance' around sometimes. When i forst got him home he was very wobbly on his back feet but the vet said this could be due to him not moving around as much as he should of been. He has improved massivley and walks fine. He shows no signs of pain (but they're very hardy!) He does stande wide on his front paws, but this could be because he has a massive chest! He doesnt drag his toes (only when he's stretching, laid out on the floor) I'll try and upload a video at lunch. I have taken a few of him to show the vet. I really hope the vet says he's ok. If he is ok i'll be letting the trainer know how annoyed i am with her. She told me at the start of the session yesterday so that was all i could of! I dont think it helped he was being submissive to a spaniel(she must think all staffs are going to be dominant!) My husband is telling me not to worry and he'll be fine, and i'm sure he will. He's my little puppy and i couldnt bear it if anything was making him ill. I'll let you know how we get on this afternoon and what the vet says. erm....how do i upload a video of him to here? lol Thanks again Caryll! I really appreiciate it!

Was he very young when you first got him? Often a large (wide) pup will wobble on his back legs till they're about 4 or 5 months old, so I wouldn't read too much into that. If he's standing wide, that isn't a problem, it's better than him standing with his feet touching! If he has a wide chest (and it looks like he does) then you'd expect him to stand wide, it's a matter of physical necessity!

What makes you think he's small for his age? Is that against other staffs?

You can upload a video on to photobucket the same way you'd upload photos & then post the link here. It's done in exactly the same way.

He was 5 months old when we got him. and hes no where as near as wobbly as he used to be! I remember his brother and sister from the same litter we got him form and he was smaller than the brother but a little bigger than the bitch. The only thing i did compare him to was another Staffy pup on my estate, but i have since found out he was crossed with a lab. I have a guy in my building (at work)who has a 5 month old Staffy bitch so am trying to T up some play sessions so Logan can have some Staffy interaction. I'll deffo give the video upload a try at lunch time, but my OH is better at computers than me so may have to wait until this evening! I have some of me and Logan walking up and down here at work and a brilliant one of him barking at his reflection in the oven door! So cute! I'll also update my Avatar pic to a recent one of him so you can see his chest. I think it is quite wide and i also think he just needs to grow into his own skin! Caryll, you are a wealth of advice! Im sure i'm not the only person on the forum to thank you for it!!

You're welcome! 54 years of common sense & 5 different breeds!!

If he was kenneled before you got him then he probably hadn't had the chance to strengthen his muscles & tendons, which is why he's improved since then. I'm n ot saying that's a definite, but it's a possibility.

huuu typical you gettin all the praise again caryll well from now on there no more emails from you asking for all the advice your given gettin answered from me im sick of being your orical of noledge lol >

Lol @ bigwazza!! She must be quick firing you those emails!!

bigwazza wrote:huuu typical you gettin all the praise again caryll well from now on there no more emails from you asking for all the advice your given gettin answered from me im sick of being your orical of noledge lol >

Shhhhh! You said you wouldn't tell anyone!

im no good with secrets

Well i'm not long back form the vets with Logan. The vet said she could find no signs of a neurological problem with him. She put his paws on a piece of paper, 'rubbed' his paws against the table and did some other little tests to see his reaction.She also felt along his spine for signs of pain and found none. He was a little slow on the right side the 1 st time but was fine after that. So Logan walks a little funny and isnt as bouncy as other Staffs, I dont see that as a problem tho! The vet did say if i am concenered to keep an eye on him. I knew he walked a bit funny (goose-stepping) but i dont see it as a problem. I think he just need to 'grow' into his paws! Hes a happy little Staffy who is asleep on his bed right now!

Thats good to hear! All Staffords differ and as long as your happy and the vets happy then don't worry and enjoy

Thanks Janey. Planning a trip to Scotland to meet up with fellow Staffy lovers/friends! Logan will be playing their Staff (Shay) on the beach very soon!!

So glad to hear that!

good to here hes fine i bet we would walk funny if you put a set of clown shoes on he will soom grow into his feet

Awww its always the same tho enit, you notice something and tell yourself its ok i'l just keep an eye on it .. then when someone else notices it, it makes you more paranoid! having a vet check and her clear him of problems must be a sigh of relief for you

Well, i took Logan back to the Vets today as he has the runs, and the vet did all the same checks on his legs as she did last week. Except this week they decide his right hind leg has got worse! I am know in bits thinking the worst. We are getting a referal to a spine vet next week so he can have a xray or something - myleograph maybe! i wasnt listening!
Does any one have any experience with anything like this to ease my mind!! the vet seems to think it may be a degenerative disc condition, but he's happy and still puppies around so she said thats the main thing, and he's not in any pain! I am still in shock a puppy can have a degenerative disc condition at such a young age. I am gonna wait until his x-ray thing has been done and then i'll decide what to do. do i have any come back on the breeder? i have been told if there is something wrong i can quote the 'sale of goods act' to the breeder. Any info would really help me out!!!!(and maybe stop me panicking!!)

Hayley, I'm gutted for you, but please don't panic until you have all the results.

I'm afraid I wouldn't have clue re the breeder bit. I hope all ends up ok and let us know.

I will let you know when he's had the referral Janey. Im gutted too!!

So sorry to hear Logan's poorly! Let's hope the tests come back in a positive way.

As to the breeder, I think you would only have recourse if the breeder knowingly sold you a sick dog, ie one that has known health problems that should have been tested for in the parents, or if they knew that there was already a problem with the pup when you bought him.

The problem with the 'sale of goods act' is that the breeder could just take him back off you & offer a refund of monies paid. Would you really want to give him up now?

Are you insured?

of course i dont want to give him up! He's my boy!! i wouldnt give him up ever!! lol. Yeah we are insured with Petplan on a covered for life policy. When the vet mentioned to keep an eye on his legs i took it out straight away! Didnt have time to shop around, just wanted the best cover for him.

He doesnt seem poorly tho! Hes still walking and running and being Logan! Thats why its hard for me to undersdtand.

Anyway, we got some stuff to sort him pooh problem out! and some Royal Canin for sensitive tummies until hes better!

Oh im sorry to hear this about logan, its easy to say but try not to worry most dont really know how a stafford moves correctly so its easy to preach about that!!!! From your avitar pic he looks lovely and the wide front and slightly turned out feet are correct to the breed . Vets are a buisness( I know I preach on about it ) but its true and if your insured they do lots of unessasary tests (my freind is a vet). Best of luck with him I hope the test comes back okay for you!!!!!

The only thing I would say is, if you need to claim off the insurance make sure that the vet doesn't put the date he first mentioned the legs - it could be classed as a pre-existing condition. Make sure the vet just puts dates down for this round of examination & treatment!

Thanks Gem, hopefully the tests will be ok, and even if not i hope we can make him better!
Caryll, a work collegue metioned this too as her Belgian Shepard needed treatment and the vets did that for her no problems.

I tell you what tho, me alone at lunch time with a potentially ill puppy and google is not a good mix!! I need to stay away from Google until we've had his tests done!! Hopefully i'll hear back from the vets today and he'll be booked in next week. My husband and i will both be taking the day off to go with him (as i will probably cry a lot). I know its silly to say but he's our baby!!( and yes i do know he is a dog!) lol

I know exactly what you mean!

Hayley109 wrote:Hopefully i'll hear back from the vets today and he'll be booked in next week. My husband and i will both be taking the day off to go with him (as i will probably cry a lot). I know its silly to say but he's our baby!!( and yes i do know he is a dog!) lol

Thinking of you, and for a positive outcome

Aww poor Logan
I'm sure he doesn't care and if you've got insurance there will be loads they can do for him! Is this hip displacia then or something completely different?

The vet thinks it's a degenerative vertebrae, I think.

Thats sad, I'm sure with insurance to cover your bills though the vet will be able to sort him out. As long as he's happy, eating well and loved I'm sure he won't notice for a good while anythings different. So stop worrying Hayley and enjoy him while he's a puppy, panicking isn't going to solve anything and Logan will wonder why your sad.
My girls both send him big sloppy kisses, get well soon Logan.

And you never know, the tests might come back totally clear! Don't think the worst yet!

Im really trying to stay positive, but it's so hard!! Thank u allll for saying nice things! U can all be positive for me! He's just sat on my lap waiting for my hubby to come home!! I love him so much and he is happy!!

Hayley109 wrote: I love him so much and he is happy!!

That's the important thing!

Sorry to hear about logan ,hope all goes well with the tests x

Well the vet rang me today and we have an appt on Wednesday at Croft Vets in Northumberland.Bout an hour and 30 mins away! The receptionist said it will cost between £1000-£1200 for the myleogram (i think thats whats hes having) but maybe more depending on the results.
How does the insurance side of things work? they said they normally take full payment and then we claim it back. i thought it we would give them our policy details and they would take care of it.
(I have the money upfront but just wondering,not being tight!)

And i went on Google again and read loads of bad things about the Vet Hospital hes been reffered too!!

Well its the first scan so please don't worry too much until you get the results, you can't change anything by putting yourself through hell. I'm not too sure on the payment, I too thought it would claimed through the insurance but maybe some places are different. I haven't had to claim. Try and positive, we are being it for you and Logan though.

Gonna google the hospital too, how long will he be there for or will he be in and out after the scan?

thanks Janey! Not sure how long we'll be there but me and my husband are both going! I'm hoping it will be just for the scan, unless they find anything seriously wrong. but i cant imagine they will, Logans busy playing right now and is just generally staffying around! He's just starting to pant like a big dog too which is good to see!

Logan sounds happy enough, everythings crossed for you all and praying that its something and nothing x

Thanks Janey!

I know my friend at work claimed on her insurance when her staffy ate something he shouldnt and she had to pay upfront i think it depends on the vets and it could be because it isnt your usual vet too

Hope Logan is ok in the end!! Sounds like he's fine in himself and happy enough though so fingers crossed!

My sister in law claimed on her insurance as her dog had bruised its spinal colum it was a tempory problem and they ran loads of tests but she told them she didnt have the money and the insurance paid them direct £3700.
Ring your insurance before you go and check they are covering first and ask them the proceedure for payement. Thats the way I would go and if your not happy with the appointment cancel and ask your vet to arrange another one at a different place .

Hey, Hayley, ask your vets if they will make a direct claim. They may make a small charge to do so & you'll have to pay any excess up front.

My vet's policy is "the client pays up front & claims the money from the insurers". BUT, I asked & they agreed to do a direct claim subject to me paying the £75 excess up front plus a small admin charge of £20. I also had to give them my debit card details in case the claim was refused, but that was obviously never a problem & as soon as they got the money they confirmed that my card details had been shredded.

You have a well known insurer, so there shouldn't be a problem.

Well, Logan has been busy puppying about! His new bean bag arrived today from greatbeanbag.com and he loves it! Its a bit bigger than i thought and its only a medium. And me and hubby both have time off to take him for his scan thingy on Wednesday! I really dont know what to expect as he's been jumping around and playing tug. He's had a busy weekend. He came to Fleetwood with us on Sat to visit family and was playing with a westie all day, and then yesterday he was showing off in puppy class. He's the only one there that will walk on a loose lead! And i didnt even have to tell him too. Clever staffy!!

Clever Logan! Just try and keep an open mind Hayley, there is nothing you can do until the results come back. Easier said than done but he sounds a happy chap, so positive thoughts

FINGERS CROSSED FOR YOU AND LOGANXXXX

Thanjs janey and gem! I'll post the results as soon as we know!

How long did they say the results would take, or will you be told at the time?

Im not sure Caryll. I'm hoping they will tell us there and then. Obviously if its bad they will need to do something quickly. But as soon as i know i'll post.

Fingers crossed, & Dempsey sends his love!

well Logan is being kept in overnight as the vets are going to run lots of tests on him. (blood tests,x-ray,ct scan etc)
The vet thinks its definatley neurological but cant tell us more until the results are known! Poor Logan.
The tests alone are going to cost £2500.
I am devastated as i've just found out that the insurance (Petplan) might not cover him as he started showing clinical signs during the 2 week window where hes not covered for illness.
I am lucky i have some money set aside to cover the tests but am now panicing like mad that if he needs any more treatment we have no money to pay! My husband was telling me not to panic until the results are known but i was crying all the way home thinking the worst!
i am so upset i don tknow what to do!!!!The vet wasnt very helpful or sympathetic. I am quite angry at the vet as its the same vet the breeder took him for his check ups and vacc's too. So why didnt they notice he was walking funny? I have now got all afternoon to stew on my own as hubby has gone back to work.
I keep thinking we will have to PTS!!!