Muscle Cramps

[Shmee]

As of late, my year and a half old female jack russell has been sufferring infrequently from terrible muscle cramps in her hind quarters. She was fixed at 6months and has had no problems whatsoever save for this. You can actually see a ball of muscle gather up in her rear right leg and it literally doubles her over so painfully that she attempts a scream, but nothing comes out. I try to rub and massage the spot to ease the pain, but it seems like it does little good. It usually lasts the good part of a day and then the next day she is right as rain with no residual effects from the painful cramps. She is otherwise extremely active, playful and has a wonderful disposition (and for a Jack Russell, this is kind of hard to find).
I have read that this isn't an uncommon occurrence in this breed of dog. I also have a male jack, 3 and half years old, from the same father, with no trace of this condition. Does anyone have a confident source to refer to for matters such as this? It's like watching one of your children suffering and there's nothing you can really do about it but suffer with her, making her as comfortable as one possibly can.

Any help or comments on this would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks.
-Shmee

[dogs4life]

That sounds like muscle spasms and from what you describe sounds really painful and severe.

Have you had a vet check your dog for this condition yet? It could be something simple like a calcium-potassium-magnesium imbalance but could also be more serious like a thyroid, kidney or neurological issue.

In the mean time, I'd look at what your feeding and keep stretching the muscles and doing massage. Hope you can see a vet soon.

[Shmee]

As far as diet is concerned, I alternate my Jack Russells every other month with Merrick's Campfire Trout Feast and Blue Buffalo's chicken and brown and rice recipe(both dry kibble versions). I'm hoping that I'm covering all nutritional requirements with these foods (Especially for what you pay for them). They also get a fair share of whatever the family's eating as well (I know, I know, but I can't resist the sad puppy eye face and both my dogs are masters in the art of this).
Anyhow, the cramps will average about once a month and last for the good part of the day. The next day it's like magic and *POOF* they're gone. I do agree that I need to take her to the vet, but at the sametime, I feel like i'll be that guy that takes his car to the mechanic and trys to show that the car is making a constant noise, but when the mechanic checks the car out, it runs perfectly. That's kind of how my female is.

in a quandry,

-Shmee

[dogs4life]

Maybe they don't need to see the spasm at all, a good chiropractor might be able the tell by just examining her and checking spinal alignment. Maybe it's worth calling around and asking. An all day cramp/spam/knot in a muscle seems really painful, poor girl.

AVCA Doctors Search - for your horse, dog, cat or exotic - United States Chiropractors and Veterinarians qualified to adjust animals.
AHVMA - Home
If there is no one in your area, you can take your dog into the regular Chiropractor, many will treat animals.

About diet, maybe non-seasoned meats instead of regular table scraps or less seasoned and healthier table scraps would help. I feed my dog real food so you you won't get scolding from me about feeding from the table Since dry kibbles are highly processed and are so dry, maybe soaking the kibbles before you feed will help keep her hydrated if you don't want to switch foods. If your interested in other foods maybe something less processed would help, there are dehydrated foods like Honest Kitchen (there are full diets and mix-ins for meats), home-cooking for your dogs and raw diets. It may be worth looking into.

A good Chiropractor well versed in nutrition can help fine-tune her diet and/or recommend supplements.

[calgal]

I home cook for my dogs. Been home cooking for 48 years. It's the safest and best way to go and not as expensive or difficult as one may think.

[Shmee]

Thank's for the quick reply's guys. It is most appreciated. I have cooked for my pooches in the past and they do love it most. (Who doesn't love a home-cooked meal?). My lifestyle doesn't always allow me to make time to do this however, so I try to give them what's best aside from having their own personal chef. We've gone about 4 days since the last bout of cramp-age so the issue was pushed towards the back of my, "Things to do" list. Rest assured, it is something we are addressing.
I dont think i've ever considered a chiropractor for my dogs, I suppose it's yet another option. My male goes in for his yearly shots next week and I will talk to my vet about my little girl while i'm there. Meanwhile, here's a pic of my well behaved child where she actually stood still long enough to capture a permanent image...

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...dog/Kaytee.jpg

Thanks all!
-Shmee