RE: Stifle braces; Rear limb shaking

[Guest guest]

Find references for Terrier Tremors or Shakes, I see this condition frequently in Irish Wolfhounds as well as Airedales and Welsh and wirehair Fox Terriers. It doesn't seem to cause any additional problems and seems to be a mismatch or loss of cerebellar inhibitory function. They improve with any exercise or therapy that integrates stabilizers, through use or intention to direct the limbs into proper weight bearing and placement. Judith M. Shoemaker, DVMAlways Helpful Veterinary Services305 Nottingham RoadNottingham, PA 19362ph fax info@... www.judithshoemaker.com

To: VetRehab From: kathleen@...Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 18:08:45 +0000Subject: Stifle braces; Rear limb shaking

Hi group! Hoping I can get some input on a couple of things..I started treating an 11 yr old Irish Wolfhound mix that had left TPLOsurgery one year ago. The dog did not have any rehab and the stifle isvery unstable. The dog also has bilateral rear limb shaking thatstarted 6 years ago, and it only occurs in standing. Radiographs ofthe spine and hips only showed mild arthritis. The shaking has notprogressed over the years but the rear limb weakness has. Thereferring vet has been performing chiropractic treatment andacupuncture. None of the vets who have seen this dog can explain therear limb shaking. I've treated the dog 3 times, addressing the spine as well as the rearlimbs, performing joint mobs, tractioning and tail pulls, and workingon stability exercises, weight shifts and gait training. The ownerstated her dog was doing better until he slipped outside on wet tile afew days ago. The referring vet and I noticed that the shaking issignificantly less, but the rear limbs are significantly weaker and hehas had several falls when toileting. His reflexes are normal and hehas not displayed any signs of pain. The only thing new was his leftpectineus and adductors were in spasm since the fall. My questions are: 1) Has anyone used the A-TracC dynamic brace from Woundwear, Inc, orany other stifle brace for CCL instability. From reading the posts, Iknow there is differing opinions/research studies regarding bracing,but I really feel this dog needs a brace since he is so unsteady. 2) Has anyone seen a dog with rear limb shaking only while standing?He does not have an ataxic gait. It started when he was 4 yrs oldI appreciate any input. Kathie Touhey, PT, CCRT pending Windows Live™: Keep your life in sync. Check it out.

[Guest guest]

From my understanding post TPLOs are always unstable,that is to say

there is always going to be a drawer sign since the ACL was not repaired.

Shaking is also a form of muscle weakness, right? So wouldn't some

strengthening and confidence building exercises be beneficial? I am

sure you are already doing those but maybe some more time is needed.

>

>

> Find references for Terrier Tremors or Shakes, I see this condition

frequently in Irish Wolfhounds as well as Airedales and Welsh and

wirehair Fox Terriers. It doesn't seem to cause any additional

problems and seems to be a mismatch or loss of cerebellar inhibitory

function. They improve with any exercise or therapy that integrates

stabilizers, through use or intention to direct the limbs into proper

weight bearing and placement. Judith M. Shoemaker, DVMAlways Helpful

Veterinary Services305 Nottingham RoadNottingham, PA 19362ph

fax info@... www.judithshoemaker.com

>

> To: VetRehab@...: kathleen@...: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 18:08:45

+0000Subject: Stifle braces; Rear limb shaking

>

>

>

> Hi group! Hoping I can get some input on a couple of things..I

started treating an 11 yr old Irish Wolfhound mix that had left

TPLOsurgery one year ago. The dog did not have any rehab and the

stifle isvery unstable. The dog also has bilateral rear limb shaking

thatstarted 6 years ago, and it only occurs in standing. Radiographs

ofthe spine and hips only showed mild arthritis. The shaking has

notprogressed over the years but the rear limb weakness has.

Thereferring vet has been performing chiropractic treatment

andacupuncture. None of the vets who have seen this dog can explain

therear limb shaking. I've treated the dog 3 times, addressing the

spine as well as the rearlimbs, performing joint mobs, tractioning and

tail pulls, and workingon stability exercises, weight shifts and gait

training. The ownerstated her dog was doing better until he slipped

outside on wet tile afew days ago. The referring vet and I noticed

that the shaking issignificantly less, but the rear limbs are

significantly weaker and hehas had several falls when toileting. His

reflexes are normal and hehas not displayed any signs of pain. The

only thing new was his leftpectineus and adductors were in spasm since

the fall. My questions are: 1) Has anyone used the A-TracC dynamic

brace from Woundwear, Inc, orany other stifle brace for CCL

instability. From reading the posts, Iknow there is differing

opinions/research studies regarding bracing,but I really feel this dog

needs a brace since he is so unsteady. 2) Has anyone seen a dog with

rear limb shaking only while standing?He does not have an ataxic gait.

It started when he was 4 yrs oldI appreciate any input. Kathie Touhey,

PT, CCRT pending

>

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>