Limping when tired
Discussion
Not me, Louis 4.5 y/o terrier cross.
He's been plagued by problems since a pup. After visits to different vets, different ideas/theories it seems one rear leg is shorter and less developed than the other. Not a lot to be done (not been as far as supervet though)
It means that he has a slightly awkward gait when walking. On a trot often lifting the short leg, galloping all legs come into play, but I don't think he's putting much weight on it.
He'll use it for pulling, jumping mainly using the good leg for takeoff.
The vets advice is suppliments to help prevent arthritis developing, and keeping exercise consistent. Exercise is 1-1.5 hrs off lead walk, often a swim in a local brook, plus playing fetch in the garden.
All good, seems to cope well generally. Sometimes in the evening he looks stiff like a tired muscle, hobbles to the back door but after a few meters, in the garden walking ok. A bit like when I'm not "match fit"
10 days ago I think he must have wrenched it, took to his basket for the evening, and then subdued for 48hrs. We limited his exercise, just a bit of on lead stuff for a couple of days. Since then we've done a few "full walks" copes ok, but a couple of occasions suffering more than usual later in the day.
Anyone had anything similar? Any advice? We'll discuss with the vet, we're going soon for his jabs. But the vet only sees him during the day, when he's walking okay.
He's been plagued by problems since a pup. After visits to different vets, different ideas/theories it seems one rear leg is shorter and less developed than the other. Not a lot to be done (not been as far as supervet though)
It means that he has a slightly awkward gait when walking. On a trot often lifting the short leg, galloping all legs come into play, but I don't think he's putting much weight on it.
He'll use it for pulling, jumping mainly using the good leg for takeoff.
The vets advice is suppliments to help prevent arthritis developing, and keeping exercise consistent. Exercise is 1-1.5 hrs off lead walk, often a swim in a local brook, plus playing fetch in the garden.
All good, seems to cope well generally. Sometimes in the evening he looks stiff like a tired muscle, hobbles to the back door but after a few meters, in the garden walking ok. A bit like when I'm not "match fit"
10 days ago I think he must have wrenched it, took to his basket for the evening, and then subdued for 48hrs. We limited his exercise, just a bit of on lead stuff for a couple of days. Since then we've done a few "full walks" copes ok, but a couple of occasions suffering more than usual later in the day.
Anyone had anything similar? Any advice? We'll discuss with the vet, we're going soon for his jabs. But the vet only sees him during the day, when he's walking okay.
FiF said:
Maybe not relevant but our Golden developed a limp over a year ago. Basically he likes to lie on the cold floor areas, and if he'd had a good sleep when getting up he would limp for a few steps, front leg, and then he'd be ok.
Thought he'd pulled something when running in the forest and slipped as he was showing off some fast cornering technique to some walkers.
So limited exercise, just on lead. No going up and down stairs, no jumping a in and out of back of car, got him a ramp. Course of cartrophen and eventually he got better.
Could be, I'm paying more attention now to make sure he doesn't overdo it. Thought he'd pulled something when running in the forest and slipped as he was showing off some fast cornering technique to some walkers.
So limited exercise, just on lead. No going up and down stairs, no jumping a in and out of back of car, got him a ramp. Course of cartrophen and eventually he got better.
Edited by FiF on Tuesday 14th March 18:38
Antony Moxey said:
Our collie's got the same thing. Usually right as rain until he goes for a long walk and is allowed to run to his heart's content off the lead. Gets home then within a couple of hours can hardly walk on his front left leg - the vet has X-rayed him *cough £750 please* and said he has torn ligaments so for the next month at least it's 20 minute lead walks, no chasing toys in the house, no chasing cats in the garden (he has to go for a wee on his lead to stop him charging out the back door!) and no jumping into the boot of the car, he has to sit in the front footwell instead.
He's got some anti inflammatory medicine to take and he's right cheesed off that he can't go to the beach at the moment but hopefully he'll get there before too long and back to normal. He's five next month by the way.
Sounds similar, front legs take a lot of weight. Hope he get's better soon, a month is going to seem like ages!He's got some anti inflammatory medicine to take and he's right cheesed off that he can't go to the beach at the moment but hopefully he'll get there before too long and back to normal. He's five next month by the way.
Louis, doing better for limiting exercise. We're doing a couple of short park walks per day. Rather than the usual 4-6 miles of chasing sticks, squirrels & rabbits, with the inevitable jumping in streams!
Vet time next week. ):
The last couple of days on limited exercise fine, pestering me for more in the evenings.
So slightly longer this morning, but no streams or stick chasing, lunch time he was wandering around like a poor old man.
Dog training this afternoon, considering canceling but it's not too arduous so went anyway.
Jumped out of car right as rain, had a good session, enjoyed himself.
Now we're home he's taken to his bed, stiff and reluctant to move.
The last couple of days on limited exercise fine, pestering me for more in the evenings.
So slightly longer this morning, but no streams or stick chasing, lunch time he was wandering around like a poor old man.
Dog training this afternoon, considering canceling but it's not too arduous so went anyway.
Jumped out of car right as rain, had a good session, enjoyed himself.
Now we're home he's taken to his bed, stiff and reluctant to move.
bexVN said:
PositronicRay said:
bexVN said:
PositronicRay said:
1st dose of Metacam last night and vomited this morning. 
Not sure if it's a coincidence or not.
Hmm. I would speak to your vet before giving another dose. Did it go in food yesterday? Not sure if it's a coincidence or not.
I'll call vet this morning.
ETA. He actually had quite a cocktail yesterday! Rabies, and annual boosters as well as the Metacam.
Edited by PositronicRay on Wednesday 22 March 08:38
I'm hoping this is it @ he's okay to take Metacam, vet calling me back later.
On the plus side, he's a lot brighter. Just been out for 1/2 hr and seems more like his old self. For now we're going to keep to 2 x small walks per day rather than the 1.5 - 2hr high energy treks we've been doing.
On the plus side, he's a lot brighter. Just been out for 1/2 hr and seems more like his old self. For now we're going to keep to 2 x small walks per day rather than the 1.5 - 2hr high energy treks we've been doing.
bexVN said:
PositronicRay said:
Had meds 3 times, vomited twice.
Both times it's the following morning, about 12hrs after his dinner/metacam.
Stools ok, energy high, Vets advised to reduce dose to 5kg (he's 16kg and was on a 15kg dose)
OK, though I have to wonder if that dose is going to do much to help. Personally I'd be wanting to try a different nsaid. Both times it's the following morning, about 12hrs after his dinner/metacam.
Stools ok, energy high, Vets advised to reduce dose to 5kg (he's 16kg and was on a 15kg dose)
Does he vomit after or before breakfast? It could be that feeling hungry on top of the Metacam is causing the Vomiting so feeding him earlier in the morning may help?
bexVN said:
PositronicRay said:
bexVN said:
PositronicRay said:
Had meds 3 times, vomited twice.
Both times it's the following morning, about 12hrs after his dinner/metacam.
Stools ok, energy high, Vets advised to reduce dose to 5kg (he's 16kg and was on a 15kg dose)
OK, though I have to wonder if that dose is going to do much to help. Personally I'd be wanting to try a different nsaid. Both times it's the following morning, about 12hrs after his dinner/metacam.
Stools ok, energy high, Vets advised to reduce dose to 5kg (he's 16kg and was on a 15kg dose)
Does he vomit after or before breakfast? It could be that feeling hungry on top of the Metacam is causing the Vomiting so feeding him earlier in the morning may help?
It might be worth giving a small snack last thing at night so stomach isn't empty at 6am.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff