[Katherine Fraser]

Chilly is a 3yo Border Collie spayed bitch.

She becomes stiff esp. hindquarters when exercising, esp when excited. It used to happen only when very hyped, eg throwing a ball or training agility. She would become hyperthermic(T42) and ataxic.

In the past year she has become much worse as she now becomes stiff-legged after normal exercise, without becoming hyperthermic. A year ago she would run 10km+ with me with no problems. Now she can only manage about 6km before becoming stiff-legged and wobbly.

The stiffness doesn't seem to worry her when she's not hyperthermic as she jumps well and runs around quite happily. However I do think her condition is heat-related, as she is much worse in summer. Also the condition does not appear at all if she can jump into water while exercising.

I have x-rayed her hips,spine and neck. All normal. I have done post-exercise blood tests for electrolytes, and muscle enzymes. Also bile acids, all normal.

She has had 3 episodes while training agility at our club, where she was stiff-legged, struggled to jump, and seemed to "switch off", and wandered off the course, and seemed vague and unresponsive to my voice.

In every other respect she is a lively, healthy, happy dog.

Any ideas?

[BobSD]

just wondering if you are a vet, or a vet tech.? You stated X-raying the dog and doing blood test yourself?? Anyways you may be pushing the dog too much to the limits, try giving a vacation and lets the dog exercise at his or hers own pace. See if this makes things different. Sounds like you have this dog for competition, may just want to retire and enjoy the green grass! Hope you will be ready to except the fact if so?

[Katherine Fraser]

Thanx for your input. In reply to your questions, I am a Veterinary Nurse.

I have spoken to the vets I work for and every other vet I know socially. I have also taken her to a Veterinary medical specialist, and spoken to a vet surgical specialist about her problems, but nobody has any answers for me. One specialist suggested an EMG to test for abnormal muscle activity, and a few other blood tests.

I don't feel I overwork her. Her exercise consists mostly of daily forest walks, where she runs free, and agility training 3 times a week. In summer I walk up the mountain about 3 times a week with her, where she also runs free. Some mornings I do some obedience training with her.
She has always tired quicker than other dogs and I am very careful with her exercise, although the onset of the condition is almost unavoidable at times. She can become stiff after 5 minutes of exercise if very excited.
She has no muscle cramps or nerve pinches, and we can't find any pain. I've been told that fits usually happen at rest.

I was told by a vet specialist to exercise normally and that if there in some kind of myopathy it will become apparent by the time she turns 4.

She is first and foremost a companion dog and I would not hesitate to retire her if necessary for her well-being. But as yet nobody can give me any advice regarding exercise and treatment.

I would love somebody to take her on as a case study and try to get to the bottom of this, as I am very worried about her.