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I have been seeing a 2 year old toy poodle with persistent right hock chewing. He is not from my area so I have only seen him on 4 occasions.
It started over a year ago, always at the same time of day (early evening) and he could be easily distracted from it so the owners thought it behavioural.
He is a high energy dog, very straight in the hind end, and extremely bouncy. There were no signs of any functional problems, and the only finding was some tenderness of the sacrotuberous ligaments bilaterally, but mostly on the right.
Since then he has had some increase in the chewing - starts earlier, lasts longer, less easily distracted from it. There is a persistent discomfort along the sciatic nerve distribution, with the worst area being at the medial hamstring insertion. He has never exhibited any back pain or tenderness and has no difficulty jumping, and jumping, and jumping!
He has shown no improvement in the chewing with sciatic nerve stretches, ultrasound, restricted activity (the owner feels this makes him worse), and the symptoms were exacerbated by a light friction massage.
He is frustrating due to the apparently normal function. He has been seen by a specialist, but there is no specific diagnosis as yet.
Any ideas of how to proceed would be very welcome,
Thanks

Lynn

Not sure if it would help but if it is a neurological issue trying him on a round of Gabapentin may be helpful as a rule out? If that makes no difference in his issue then with the tenderness in the ligaments perhaps some gentle extended stretching. warming area up prior to then extending and holding for 30 seconds then release, massage, repeat for 5 reps. Stretches over a physio ball, exercises that focus on the area that is restricted.
Following to see what you find out. Wishing you well.

In my head, sounds like he would benefit from mobilizations to the sacroiliac joint in conjunction with glute-specific strengthening. Unfortunately, the majority of vets, including (and maybe especially) the specialists won't be able to diagnose this.

I'd do generic SIJ mobs if you're not able to see/find the dysfunction. However, if the sacrotuberous ligament is tender, then I'd put money on a dysfunction being present. (The toys are sometimes hard to see minor dysfunctions.) If you're not familiar / trained in these, then find a physical therapist with canine rehab training, a vet with advance manual therapy training or chiro training, or a chiro with canine chiropractic training to help.

Best of luck!

Laurie

Thanks both for your input.
There was no appreciable difference with the meds(sorry, forgot to mention that), but I will definitely try the different stretch approach and the SI joint mobs. Part of the problem is that the dog lives 3 hours away, so consistent treatment is not an option. Once the deep freeze eases up ( minus 30 this am) the owner will travel again.

Thanks again for the suggestions

Lynn