Hypertonicity of hind legs after head trauma

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I saw a 7 year old FS Boston Terrier today who ran into another Boston head

first about 3 weeks ago. She was fine that day but was unable to walk the next

day. She had an MRI that did not reveal anything but some edema. She was put on

Pred, Robaxin and Gabapentin and is now able to walk but she has Severe

hypertonicity of her hind legs. They are basically stuck in abduction. She

cannot sit but just lays down like a frog and she walks with her hind legs like

that. The front legs are normal. I cannot adduct them at all unless I massage

them for a while. It is also difficult to fully extend her stifles and flex her

hips. I showed the owner how to massage her and do some PROM at the same time.

He will also do some moist heat and try to get her to swim in warm water in the

bathtub. I remember reading somewhere about some techniques to help with

extensor rigidity or hypertonicity like tapping on the muscles??? I did laser

today but not sure if owner can come back for it more than once a week.... Any

suggestions???

Thanks so much,

Felicity Talbot, DVM