Shiba Inu walking issue

[danjbright]

Question:

I have a 7 1/2 month old Shiba Inu named Akira. He appears to be healthy, attentive, playful and well on his way to becoming a very balanced, obedient and responsive dog.

My one concern at this point in his development is that when walking him--before or after having a bowel movement--he will often times halt or pull up on our walk to make a glancing pass at his tail and/or his hind quarters, and then promptly sit down. I give him a moment and then say "okay" and we may proceed for a few yards before he does the same thing again. He might spend only a fraction of a second actually biting his fur or hind leg, seeming rather to be happy just to sit. Then there are times when he seems quite content to stroll along and take in the day.

He does not appear to limp or show signs of pain when playing, taking stairs, entering or exiting the car. His coat is healthy; I have had him on a diet of Innova dog food as well as raw veggies, rice, oatmeal, some fruit and Nutrish (though I am currently phasing him into Innova "Evo" over the next week or so).

I have checked for fleas and flea dung in his coat and have come up with nothing that would indicate that is a problem. He doesn't seem to have an anal gland or duct issue and his stools seem normal and uneventful.

I have researched about hip dysplasia in pups and Akira doesn't seem to be showing signs of that--although just today I noticed he seemed a tad irritated a few times when I was gently massaging his hind quarters.

Could it be he might have strained a muscle and is on the mend or could this be the symptom of something more severe?

Looking forward to hearing from anyone with experience and suggestions to this issue. Much thanks!

Sincerely,

Dan B.

[KOPsarah]

hi danjbright, and thanks for your post
There are a huge variety of possible reasons for your dogs behavior. I would suggest taking your dog to the vet for a full check up. You vet may check for a variety of problems including worms, constipation, or muscular/skeletal problems.

[danjbright]

Thank you KOPsarah for the response. I have since taken Akira to the vet and in the course of having him nuetered we are also looking at various possible causes and solutions to this concern. Much appreciated! I'll post what we come up with as it may be helpful to future readers.

[pazdedios1@yahoo.com]

People get hemmorhoids, how about dogs? They are really painful and

often overlooked. Maybe if you are still having the problem, the doctor might

suggest suppositories. Worth doing, seeing that they have already checked the

anal gland. Thanks for being such a concerned pet owner. Wish everyone

was so good to their pet. D ruckert

[danjbright]

Shiba Inu Update
Akira, 8 mos. old, 20 lbs

My vet did a drawer test on Akira 4 weeks ago and found some movement in his right knee. The severity of the injury could not be made. He prescribed and I have since been using Conservative Management practices including rest, limited activity, continued proper nutrition with Innova Evo kibble, supplements including Ligaplex I and Ligaplex II, Tuna Omega-3, Cosequin, and Traumeel (a homeopathic anti-inflammatory). I will begin using Dasuquin MSM in about a week.

Akira has never displayed any limping or observable favoring of his leg. It was only after observing Akira stop and nibble at his right leg during walks over about a 2 week period that prompted me to check with the vet.

We are 4 weeks into the healing process and things seem to be going well. He sits squarely on his haunches, stands on his back legs without hesitation and on those occasions he gets a "wild hair" and begins racing around on the carpet before we quickly calm him down, he doesn't show any signs of discomfort or irritation. His only "irritaion" seems to be that we have caused him to cool his jets!

He is not "protective" of his knee when massaging or brushing the area. On the short walks we have taken in the past couple of days he has not displayed the "fussing" with his right hind quarter that he did before we started the treatment.

I would greatly appreciate any comments, success stories, considerations, tips in regards to helping a young pup back to full or nearly full throttle following a positive "drawer test."

Thanks for your thoughts.

Dan Bright