Group ___
Rationale for Pertinence of Facts

The facts all appear to be non-critical. Nothing appears to be life threatening or 
in need of urgent care.

8.5 years old - is beyond middle age but not yet geriatric. Degenerative problems 
are likely to appear at this age (Why). Neoplasia is likely. 

Labradors - have a tendency to get hip problems (why).

Trouble getting around - vague but does indicate some ability ie dog not paralyzed 
or major broken bones. Thinking weakness, pain, instability, arthritis type 
problem.

Diet supplemented by scraps - suggestive of laxity in management? 

Metabolic issues? Dietary issues? Deficiencies? Toxicities?

73 lbs - not overweight for a lab.

Back legs - main propulsion unit, generalized weakness starts here, bilateral 
joint problems in the hips, stifles and hocks; muscle problems; ligament problems; 
neurological problems. Bilateral problem may indicate lesion is at or above spine 
/ alternate is a failure on one side that precipitates the other side to fail.

Outside dog - active, hardy, working dog, not pampered, exposed to trauma / 
infections / other animals (carriers).

1st down in 1 leg then 3 days later the other - could be central lesion getting 
worse (brain or spinal cord / degenerative / neoplasia) or could be a weakness in 
bone / ligament / muscle / tendon / joint etc. where one side fails first then the 
other goes.

No improvement in 3 weeks - unlikely to be a reversible problem like bruising, 
sprain etc. No change in 3 weeks would decrease the likelihood of infections or an 
acute situation which usually improves or worsens in the short term.

Bilateral hyperflexion hocks - failure of the support structures joint, bone, 
ligaments, muscles, tendons. The extensor mechanism must have failed.

Flaccid gastrocnemius - failed nerve supply / integrity of bone/muscle/tendon/bone 
unit / muscle problem, conduction, electrolytes, protein = contraction problem

Gaps in achilles tendons - missing tendon from infection, neoplasia, resorbed, 
pulled back, cut