Audrey's symptoms were: stopped running, loss of strength in hind legs; something in her gait that would be just a bit off and I would think she might have stepped on something.
It came on slowly over a period of a year - then I heard her dragging her paws and nails on the concrete street. During the past year, she was chewing on her toes and the vet thought it was allergy. But anithistamines didn't help it. Steriods did. Now I think she chewed on her toes because she was dragging them on the ground and hitting the tops of her knuckles at times. Of course, it might also just be arthritis in her toes, since she turned out to be older than they originally told me.
When it became very obvious something was wrong and she was seen and diagnosed with Wobbler's, at this point she had a sudden 'flare up' which might have been brought on by the collar being pulled...who knows? She usu doesn't pull on the collar but she is reactive to dogs so if that occurs, I pull. Anyway, when it suddenly got much worse, she didn't 'sit' but plopped down into a sit. Twice she has just been standing there and her legs collapsed under her! But then she was able to walk again.
I have carpet and runners all over the house. She will slip and her legs will go out if there isn't enough traction. Walking straight ahead is fine. But going around a corner fast is not fine. She can still do stairs well but isn't comfortable getting into a car. I have used the RuffWear Webmaster Harness when I need to get her in the car, to assist her.
I started a thread in the Health section because I wanted write about the symptoms and progression in our case and so others might benefit by being aware that some of these symptoms could possibly be an indication of early Wobbler's..or late Wobbler's. Altho it may sound like my gal is doing horribly, she is doing all right as long as I restrict and modify. She is relatively comfortable i the house but I think she may feel more vulnerable when outside. But she spends alot of time on her cushion - always has.
Anyway, I hope Shadow is doing all right. Sometimes a round of prednisone and painkillers and modifying what your lifestyle is with your dog will go a long ways.
