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.
If he wrenched it he could have partially damaged the cruciate. Video would be useful and I'm afraid probably a trip to the vets fairly soon as that can be very uncomfortable for them.
Just as a note for chronic joint issues it may be worth investing some money in Hills J/D diet. It actually has studies to back up that it reduces inflammation and protects the joints, more than glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
Just as a note for chronic joint issues it may be worth investing some money in Hills J/D diet. It actually has studies to back up that it reduces inflammation and protects the joints, more than glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
If he wrenched it he could have partially damaged the cruciate. Video would be useful and I'm afraid probably a trip to the vets fairly soon as that can be very uncomfortable for them.
Just as a note for chronic joint issues it may be worth investing some money in Hills J/D diet. It actually has studies to back up that it reduces inflammation and protects the joints, more than glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
Just as a note for chronic joint issues it may be worth investing some money in Hills J/D diet. It actually has studies to back up that it reduces inflammation and protects the joints, more than glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 14th March 16:51
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.
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
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
PositronicRay said:
Thanks Bex.
We only went out for 3/4 hr this morning, mostly on lead. He's pinging about the garden like a goodun.
I'm going to limit his exercise for a few days, conscious that with only one good back leg it's vulnerable.
Sensible course of action. Just bear in mind if he does have vulnerable joints he may not recover as effectively as others might and develop more chronic wear and tear! We only went out for 3/4 hr this morning, mostly on lead. He's pinging about the garden like a goodun.
I'm going to limit his exercise for a few days, conscious that with only one good back leg it's vulnerable.
Good to hear he is doing better but dogs do not rest themselves well so no pinging about gardens either for a few days
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.
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.
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.
PositronicRay said:
Vets confirmed it's his cruciate ligament 
So limited exercise and Metacam, then re-assess.
Options then are
Injections
Laser treatment
Operation, Vet would be reluctant to do this however because his other rear leg is so weak and underdeveloped.
Physio and hydrotherapy has been missed off and probably the best treatment of all (laser is debatable lots of hype not so many studies) So limited exercise and Metacam, then re-assess.
Options then are
Injections
Laser treatment
Operation, Vet would be reluctant to do this however because his other rear leg is so weak and underdeveloped.
Find a good rehab centre in your area like this one I've linked and this will definitely be an area to investigate
http://www.chapelfarmrehab.com/home/
(and hills j/D has to be worth a try the studies are there to back up how it can help joint issues)
Eta-this - small dogs that aren't overweight can sometimes cope without surgery better than big dogs but I guess it will depend on how he recovers over the following weeks.
Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 21st March 12:05
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.
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