My dog is not using her right hind leg

Question
My dog suddenly stopped using her right hind leg. She's not whining or crying but her whole body is slightly trembling with the additional twitching of her leg. Before I noticed that her leg was hurt she was outside, but when she came in she was fine. I was praising her and petting her. She went to sit in her bed and when she got up I noticed she was holding her leg up. Her muscle is twitching, I feel it pulsating when I touch her. It is swollen, but the only reason I can tell that she's in pain is because the look on her face and her watery eyes. She's been fine all day. I would really like to know any possible ways this could've happened and what could be wrong with her.
She also just had 4 healthy babies a few weeks ago and everything has been okay. She's a Chihuahua and shes about 11 months.

Answer
My guess would be it is a luxating patella that has gotten stuck outside the knee slide. Try gently massaging the leg above and below the knee. There are, of course many other possible causes (disc rupture, torn cruciate ligament, dislocation of hip or ankle. From what you said it could be any part of the leg. since she is lactating, she may not be getting enough calcium, so her bones, tendons and ligaments could be weakened. She is very young to have her first litter, so at higher risk for problems.

For pain relief, try Reiki (see below), prayers and prayer chains, Rescue Remedy if any stores are open there. Of course, if she is still lame tomorrow - off to an integrative clinic (see Find a Healer, below) where there will be many different options.

with puppies (who can be injured or have problems) it is important to have Rescue Remedy around. For her now, put one drop in a separate water bowl. Put 4 drops in an ounce of water in a jar and give a few drops in every meal and every few hours or even every 15 mins if it helps relax her, in between. You cannot use it too often. It is totally safe. It is great for people too - for anxiety, stress, shock, grief and more.

FIND A HEALER
I strongly recommend finding an integrative veterinarian with whom to work. This is a person trained in many different approaches, including using conventional drugs only when absolutely needed. Working with one can increase the chance that your cherished companion can live a long and healthy life after recovering from this current problem. Also, you will not be forced to do unnecessary vaccines with the puppies and can get them off to a great start. There are good ones and great ones, and a few homeopathic veterinarians will consult by phone or email. Read my comments at the end on working with and selecting a holistic veterinarian.
You can go to the web sites for each type of holistic practice and use their referral list to find one near to you:
1. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine: www.IVAS.org, www.avaa.org & www.TCVM.com
2. Homeopathic veterinarians (these can often help you by phone if no other holistic practitioners are nearby that you like): www.theAVH.org and www.DrPitcairn.com.
3. Chiropractor - www.animalchiropractic.org
4. Wide range of other treatments: www.AHVMA.org, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and www.civtedu.org.   


REIKI:
Personally, I think every person who lives with or works with animals must know at least Level I Reiki. The practitioner offers this energy and the animal comes over to get it (or places her hands upon the animal), or it can be done from a distance, even around the world with the intent for healing to occur. The energy flows through the healer into the animal. This is based on directly applying Chi (energy) to rebalance the energy field so it no longer needs to produce the physical symptoms. It is a very good adjunct to any healing modality, especially to relieve pain and inflammation. I have seen cats who began to eat again when their food was treated with Reiki. It also "takes the bad out of" things. By doing Reiki on smelly water in restaurants I have been able to drink sweet tasting and smelling water. Use Reiki anytime that you must give injections, vaccines, drugs, flea or heartworm drugs, or other substances with potential toxicity. Reiki is great to calm animals, relieve discomfort, and can deeply heal some problems in some animals.  

1. http://www.reiki.org  . http://www.ReikiTails.com  is a great practitioner in Maryland who knows a lot about cats.
2. Get a free treatment for yourself at www.interdimensionalhealing.com.
3. Great information on Reiki - http://www.reikicourse.org. Kathleen Prasad is a wonderful teacher and works with my favorite sanctuary and holistic education center, BrightHaven www.brighthaven.org. Kathleen leads a free monthly telechat for anyone trained in Reiki and using it with animals.
4. http://www.animalreikisource.com/. If you cannot find a Reiki Class near you (same class for people and animals as it connects you through an "attunement" to the healing energy of the universe, making you a channel of healing), three groups offer long distance, free, attunements.
5. www.AnimalReikiAlliance.com has articles and Maryland holistic practitioners listed.
6. http://theholisticcare.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13,
7. http://freereikiattunement.com/
8. www.ReikiBlessings.com offers free Reiki attunements, classes and training on-line    and animal classes, too
9. Long distance healing and training is at www.animalhealers.homestead.com/  
10. Christine at cbearse@earthlink.net, www.awakeningrainbows.com. To receive free distance Reiki send her your first name only, city and state, and whether or not you have had any Reiki training.  She invites you to include your pets as well.  She uses a teddy bear and does a full body Reiki distance treatment for one hour each Sunday evening from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. EST.

Another wonderful healer, Deena Spears works long distance with Sound Tuning. www.Singingwoods.com. I have seen many animals and the people in a home be healed by her work.

And a team of over 100 healers will send free healing energy until you say not to. Email Barbara at nancelot01@aol.com with your healing request, name of animal, species, color & age. In the subject say request through Dr. Chambreau


A web site of people who are committed to improving health in breeding dogs is www.aunaturelk9s.com.