Can a dog be retarded?

Doglover1988 · 11-12-2006, 06:29 PM

I'm just wondering this because my dog Zoe has never acted quite normal. She usually doesn't walk normally but kind of crawls sideways on the ground (about 25 percent of the time). I can't really describe the way she acts but maybe it's because she is retarded (this is what my parents think) or because she was abused in her past home. I will trying to get a video of what i'm talking about. Also she has a ribcage deformity. The vet says it was a birth defect her sternum is 1/2 the size that it should be and some ribs are missing and the rest are twisted and deformed. If she lays in the wrong position she has a hard time breathing and if I feel down there I can actually feel what is either her heart or lungs moving.

***Cassiepeia*** · 11-12-2006, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Can a dog be retarded?

Yes, a dog can have problems with it's brain that effect the way it acts or moves. It's best to consult a vet about the problem if you're concerned. If she does have a problem with her brain there may be drugs or some kind of therapy that can help her.

Cass.

Doglover1988 · 11-12-2006, 06:48 PM

Thank you. She has acted this way for the 6 years that we have had her. We have mentioned it to the vet and she said it was nothing to worry about. She said the same thing about her birth defect.

linnie · 11-12-2006, 07:27 PM

If you have had her 6 years and she is happy then I wouldnt worry about it.
In answer to your question, yes some dogs can be born with a form of retardation but many live happy lives just the same

Sugardog · 11-12-2006, 07:31 PM

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it either as long as she's happy.

You said she was abused, she could have been hit in just the right way to cause enough brain damage that it messed up her ability to move properly.

Shadowkins · 11-13-2006, 06:21 AM

As long as she is happy and loved I would imagine that is all she cares about. Yes, dogs can be affected with mental disabilities just like the rest of us but as long as they can function on a normal basis I wouldn't be too concerned.

Doglover1988 · 11-13-2006, 08:00 PM

Thank you guys for the info. She does lead a very productive life and actually learns tricks pretty fast.
I took pics today of her "birth defect" you can see how the ribs are formed. The place where my finger is, is actually an open space in the ribs.

Doglover1988 · 11-16-2006, 03:44 PM

Just wondering if anyone saw the pics? Has anyone seen anything like this? The vet cringed when he touched her and couldn't believe she hasn't had any problems. He said though if she has lived 7 years with it she should be fine.

***Cassiepeia*** · 11-16-2006, 04:25 PM

I've never seen anything like that before. My Jesse has ribs that feel a little deformed but I'm not sure if that's because maybe he broke them before I adopted him and they didn't heal properly or he was born like that. They're nothing even close to Zoe's ribs though.

Anyway, if she's ok I wouldn't be too worried. It is odd though.

Cass.

IceyBlueSibes · 11-16-2006, 04:33 PM

It almost looks like her rib cage is shifted to that one side. Instead of it being in the middle, it's over to the one side. It is weird though. I've never seen anything like it.

12weimgirl · 11-16-2006, 05:32 PM

I say she should be fine if shes 7 and she is still ok

Lauren

11-12-2006, 06:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Doglover1988 3 mutts 1 boston terrier Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dallas, Georgia Posts: 2,319 Rep Power: 109	Can a dog be retarded? I'm just wondering this because my dog Zoe has never acted quite normal. She usually doesn't walk normally but kind of crawls sideways on the ground (about 25 percent of the time). I can't really describe the way she acts but maybe it's because she is retarded (this is what my parents think) or because she was abused in her past home. I will trying to get a video of what i'm talking about. Also she has a ribcage deformity. The vet says it was a birth defect her sternum is 1/2 the size that it should be and some ribs are missing and the rest are twisted and deformed. If she lays in the wrong position she has a hard time breathing and if I feel down there I can actually feel what is either her heart or lungs moving.
	__________________ And-2 cats -1 cockatiel -6 Zebra finches -1 syrian hamster -2 mice -1 rabbit -3 bettas "If you want the best seat in the house ... move the dog"-- Unknown Lindsey

11-12-2006, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Doglover1988 3 mutts 1 boston terrier Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dallas, Georgia Posts: 2,319 Rep Power: 109	Thank you. She has acted this way for the 6 years that we have had her. We have mentioned it to the vet and she said it was nothing to worry about. She said the same thing about her birth defect.
	__________________ And-2 cats -1 cockatiel -6 Zebra finches -1 syrian hamster -2 mice -1 rabbit -3 bettas "If you want the best seat in the house ... move the dog"-- Unknown Lindsey

11-12-2006, 07:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
linnie tibbie girl Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 3,051 Rep Power: 169	If you have had her 6 years and she is happy then I wouldnt worry about it. In answer to your question, yes some dogs can be born with a form of retardation but many live happy lives just the same
	__________________ Caution...Dogs can leave footprints on your heart

11-12-2006, 07:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sugardog Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 266 Rep Power: 50	Yeah, I wouldn't worry about it either as long as she's happy. You said she was abused, she could have been hit in just the right way to cause enough brain damage that it messed up her ability to move properly.
Sugardog Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 266 Rep Power: 50

11-13-2006, 06:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
Shadowkins Shadowkins Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 2,726 Rep Power: 126	As long as she is happy and loved I would imagine that is all she cares about. Yes, dogs can be affected with mental disabilities just like the rest of us but as long as they can function on a normal basis I wouldn't be too concerned.
	__________________

11-13-2006, 08:00 PM	#7 (permalink)
Doglover1988 3 mutts 1 boston terrier Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dallas, Georgia Posts: 2,319 Rep Power: 109	Thank you guys for the info. She does lead a very productive life and actually learns tricks pretty fast. I took pics today of her "birth defect" you can see how the ribs are formed. The place where my finger is, is actually an open space in the ribs.
	__________________ And-2 cats -1 cockatiel -6 Zebra finches -1 syrian hamster -2 mice -1 rabbit -3 bettas "If you want the best seat in the house ... move the dog"-- Unknown Lindsey

11-16-2006, 03:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
Doglover1988 3 mutts 1 boston terrier Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Dallas, Georgia Posts: 2,319 Rep Power: 109	Just wondering if anyone saw the pics? Has anyone seen anything like this? The vet cringed when he touched her and couldn't believe she hasn't had any problems. He said though if she has lived 7 years with it she should be fine.
	__________________ And-2 cats -1 cockatiel -6 Zebra finches -1 syrian hamster -2 mice -1 rabbit -3 bettas "If you want the best seat in the house ... move the dog"-- Unknown Lindsey

11-16-2006, 04:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,253 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 281	I've never seen anything like that before. My Jesse has ribs that feel a little deformed but I'm not sure if that's because maybe he broke them before I adopted him and they didn't heal properly or he was born like that. They're nothing even close to Zoe's ribs though. Anyway, if she's ok I wouldn't be too worried. It is odd though. Cass.
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11-16-2006, 04:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,664 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 268	It almost looks like her rib cage is shifted to that one side. Instead of it being in the middle, it's over to the one side. It is weird though. I've never seen anything like it.
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

11-16-2006, 05:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
12weimgirl Join Date: May 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 539 Rep Power: 55	I say she should be fine if shes 7 and she is still ok Lauren
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