My dog snarls and 2 back legs suddenly numb...
 

Dear friends at Petfinders,
Hi! I need your advice. Sweetie developed this habit of snarling and baring her teeth lately when friends came to my house. She will snarl and bare her teeth when my friends come close to Sweetie to say hello. Sweetie was adopted by me since Feb 2009 as her owner went to another country due to job posting.

Today, she snarled at my brother's girlfriend. She never used to snarl or bare her teeth though her previous owner did tell me that we can't take her bone/ food away and there's risk of Sweetie snarl or bite.

Last night, she did not have control over her 2 back legs. It's as if her 2 back legs were numb. Cannot move at all. She moved around using her 2 front legs only. She was in her usual sleeping position and she she got up, it's as if she lost control over her 2 back legs. It was like that for a few minutes and then she walk around like normal. Back to normal.

Then, it happened again tonight..she lied at her usual position and when she got up, she was like paralysed on her 2 back legs..after a few minutes, she's ok back to normal.

Please advise if this is normal, ie. like us human sometimes we sit too long and our legs got numb and cannot move for a few minutes.

Kindly advise. Thank you.

Re: My dog snarls and 2 back legs suddenly numb...
 

Sounds like she's developing seizures/fits due to epilepsy. Bring her to a vet for checkup. They might prescribe phenobarbital, valium or potassium bromide.

Re: My dog snarls and 2 back legs suddenly numb...
 

anytime your pet displays unusual behavior, you should take him/her to the vet for a checkup immediately..

i hope all is well.

Re: My dog snarls and 2 back legs suddenly numb...
 

Thanks, Nivek and lynielime for your kind advice. It's much appreciated. I was very concerned this morning and wanted to bring Sweetie to a vet. My mother however said to observe today before going to the vet. Sweetie's ok today so far. No signs of snarling and numbness in her back legs today.

My mother said could be because I introduced Sweetie new diet on Saturday, that is minced lamb cooked in a bit of canola oil. I stopped giving her the new food from today onwards. If she's showing any of unusual signs today or anytime, Sweetie will have to go to vet for a checkup. Her well-being is important.

Thanks for your advice. I truly appreciate it.