Oh I'm sorry I can't offer any advice I just wanted to say that I think you are wonderful for caring and loving for this little happy chap so much xx Even replacing all your flooring to suit him . I hope you find the diagnosis and suitable treatment for him so he can lead a long happy life with you for many years to come.

I once knew an Akita pup with neurological problems, poor soul was only a few weeks old, I think he had been drowned. I agree with Claire, perhaps a neurologist specialist may be able to help next? x

[QUOTE=akitagirl;2219736]Oh I'm sorry I can't offer any advice I just wanted to say that I think you are wonderful for caring and loving for this little happy chap so much xx Even replacing all your flooring to suit him . I hope you find the diagnosis and suitable treatment for him so he can lead a long happy life with you for many years to come.

Aikitagirl put into words what I wanted to say. Good luck. xx and big hugs to pup.

Thanks akitagirl for the kind words. I know a neurological specialist must be the next step.... having already had 3 anesthetics.. numerous vet visits not to mention 4 hours travelling to and from hospital in a month I wanted him to have break from it all..start going for walks which were never allowed.. enjoy life as a puppy should. Do you know what the outcome for the akita puppy you mentioned was?...

Hi there,
Well done for taking on this pup, I have a bc pup now 9 mths old, Maisie, who has a major neurological problem, she has a sensory and motor neuropathy, like your pup , she walks / runs with her hind legs crossed over, with little bunny hops,
Maisie walks on the knuckles of all 4 paws, (her paws actualy curl over) and she has no feeling from her tips of her paws to the wrist and hocks.
It sounds like your next move really should be to visit a neurologist, who will do a full neurological exam on your pup,
and speak to your vet about another form of pain management, if he's in pain from his hips.
but really before doing other expensive scans, see the neurologist first, ( I know how it can all add up!)
Does your pup walk or knuckle over on his paws?
Good luck,
Steph

Aikitagirl put into words what I wanted to say. Good luck. xx and big hugs to pup.[/QUOTE]

Thanks this really means a lot to me as when his trouble started within a week or so of getting him most people said I should take him back before I get attached to him. Well, I was attached to him from the second I lifted him up. Non doggy friends and my mother still says I should get rid..... I obviously inherited my love of dogs from my late dad!!! I have learnt to ignore these remarks as I get upset enough over him without having to fight my corner too.. Its lovely to be called wonderful instead of stupid for a change

Steph.. so sorry you are going through this too...no my boy doesn't walk with knuckled paws.. feet are quite normal... (except where he places them) if you place him on his knuckle he corrects
them..... I am sure you will be as obsessed as I am watching every step they take non stop,,hoping to see an improvement..dreading to see it worsening.... How was your little girl diagnosed..did she have a scan? I am sure mine is through a heavy blow so keep hoping it may not get any worse.... damage is done and will stay the same.. that's what I like to believe anyway because he is coping.

My heart goes out to you and your little chap, I believe that we come into contact with people and animals for a reason. Toby came into my life because the condition of him and his sibblings needed to be reported which i did.
And your little chap came into your life because he needed some one special to take good care of him, love him and give him the best possible life.
I havent got any advice to offer because it is not something i have dealt with myself, but i will say this, there are people here who know what your going through and if you are not receiving support at home from family there is plenty of support for you here

I believe you are right..I live alone.. I lost my two dogs suddenly last summer only weeks apart and after 51years of not being without one I said never again... I was lonely and depressed without them when I as offered this one eyed pup who needed a special home. I owe him big time because he lifted my spirits .. we found each other for a reason..hence I named him Fluke.

Yes..people are wonderful on here... the response and support I have recieved today has made me feel tons better.. just to have people to talk to that understand means so much

I know what you mean about him needing a break, he does, our lad underwent a 6 month intense chemo treatment plan last year and i felt so guilty and so bad for him back and forth like that, you wonder if they understand why you're doing this to them and you hope they know you're doing it because it's the best thing for them .

I'm sorry but the outcome for the pup wasn't good, jake was in a far worse way than your lad though, he never learnt to run, he could barely walk, he never smiled and was so confused, severly brain damaged.. my friend took him home for his last days and then made the decision to have him pts, he was no more than 10 weeks old.

But your lad will get through this, you saved him in time xxx

did the vet say how bad his hips are?

I know neurological is suspected, but my mind went straight back to a GSD puppy I once knew (but unfortunately lost touch with his owner when he was 3 years old).

I first met him when he was 8 weeks and the leg movements were very similar to what you have described. I was so convinced this guy had problems I advised a thorough vet exam and it was HD.

To cut a long story short, he had both hips operated on separately and 8 months apart, with the first one at 11 months as he could wait no longer, and his movement was so very much improved. The last time I saw him he was three and doing very, very well.

Unfortunately, the dog wasn't insured and it took a great toll on his owner to pay for the ops, but she never regretted it.

It may be different for your guy, of course, and his hips may not be as bad as the GSD, but thought I'd mention it.

If the problem is neurological more than joints, it may be a case of adjusting and managing to give him the best life you can. There's no real way of telling how neurological problems will develop, sometimes symptoms worsen as the dog gets older, but sometimes they lessen as the dog learns to cope better with the limitations they bring.

I can imagine the type of comments you are getting, but, truly, there are more that admire your efforts for providing for this little man that there are those who think you are stupid. Well done for trying your very best for him and making his life as comfortable and easy as you possibly can. If every dog had such caring owners, the dog world would be in a much better state than it is now