Quote Originally Posted by Phred
"The 'quick test' most Vets do is to stand the dog on all fours and then
gently fold the suspected lazy paw back and under, so the dog is now
standing on the "knuckles" of that paw.
A DM dog won't notice or feel the paw is out of position and will calmly
stand on the folded back paw.
A dog NOT suffering from DM will either resist the turning under of the
paw or IMMEDIATELY pick it up an 'flip' the paw into it's proper position
as soon as the paw is released."
Quote Originally Posted by Emeraldgreen View Post

This test was not done on Muddy at the vet clinic.
I tried it this evening and he 'righted' his lazy foot each time
but there did seem to be a bit of a delay.
But I was hopeful because he did fix it himself.
I was surprised though when I turned his left front paw under and he stood there on his knuckles for a few seconds. He then fixed it.
Bowser had just begun to 'show signs' of DM when Doc Mike gave him the
first of many 'fold-the-paw-under' tests ... at first he reacted with a
'slightly delayed' return of the paw to it's proper position. But the time
required for him to 'notice' it was turned under and act to correct it's
placement kept increasing as the weeks wore on. I'd test him at home
every few days - and noted his response time was always increasing.

Another sign I couldn't ignore was that the toenails on the Bum Paw were
being worn down to nubbins from dragging on the pavement. Dear Glacier
sent Bowz a package of Sled Dog Booties from Kan-a-Da ... Bowz only
wore ONE at a time, on the left-rear paw, during our hikes in the BigLake Parks.
The Bootie greatly reduced the wear on the top of his paw and
allowed his nails to grow back out. He was "supposed to" walk only in the
grass beside the road - but he liked to 'follow Dad' so closely he'd be
bumping into the back of my heels. I learned to listen to the rhythmic
"swish" of his bootie on the road - then reach out with the leash to steer
him back onto the grass. If I heard the "scrape" sound of his nails -
Time to backtrack and find where his boot had pulled off.

I have to give Bowz a LOT of credit - he NEVER gave up! We struggled
*together* with his DM ... we slowed down a bit, and ended a few walks
before Cinder & Smokey were ready to call it quits, but ole Bowz hung in
there with the BigKids till he 'retired' to the Bridge.
He never really let the DM get the best of him.

Here's the PT thread that started in November of 2006 >>>
Bowser needs Prayers ... Old Age is catching up ...
http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=116267

The Prayer Pups will keep Muddy in their prayers!

/s/ Phred (aka New Dad)