Intermittent Limping

[niqnet]

Hi all,

Troy who is 8 in Dec has had this problem with his front left leg on and off for a couple of years.  The first time he started limping we rested him and did lead walks only and he was absolutely fine bounding around off the lead after 2 weeks.  He then had no problems for a year and then this last year he has had issues now and again.  Limping only starts after rest after long off the lead walks and when running on uneven ground.  Once he is limping he is usually back to normal after a couple of days and the limp always goes away after he strectches and warms up.  Also, he is much better after long period of rest like overnight and in the morning the limp is usually gone ( although this could be due to him being excited for breakfast so using leg straight away and warming it up without noticing). 

Anyway, as the problem has begun to happend more frequently we had him at the vets tonight where he was checked over throughly and vet couldn't find any signs of soreness etc and of course limping stopped as soon as Troy got there.
We've been sent away to carry on as normal and to bring him back as soon as it begins again for more prodding before moving to xray.

Has anyone else had anything similar? Any advice on postive steps we can take? Supplements etc? He's currently fed on Skinners Field and Trial in Am and Barf in PM (if this makes any difference as I've noticed Skinners include Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

Thanks for reading. N

[JaspersMum]

Get another opinion - vets do not always pick up muscular issues (and xrays won't either)

http://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/index.asp

There are many excellent supplements but it sounds like you need to know what you are dealing with.  Appointments are generally about £35 for at least an hours assessment.  There will be more therapists (just taking their final assessments) joing the list soon 

[vixen]

Could it be arthritis?
Marley started limping off and on and I thought maybe a torn cruciate ligament.
The vets also thought this but after xrays, arthritis was diagnosed which had been there for a long time judging by the degeneration in her joints  . She is only 5.
Instead of a very invasive operation, I have opted for more natural help - a magnetic collar, Yumove supplement, fish oil and hydrotherapy once a week which is really helping her.
Now that I am aware of her condition, I control her weight/exercise and make sure she doesn't stay damp and keep her warm.
I hope that Troy is not suffering but if he is, there is a lot you can do to help him.  

[Max X 2]

Is he worse at this time of the year - when it's cold & damp?

[niqnet]

Get another opinion - vets do not always pick up muscular issues (and xrays won't either)

http://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/index.asp

There are many excellent supplements but it sounds like you need to know what you are dealing with.  Appointments are generally about £35 for at least an hours assessment.  There will be more therapists (just taking their final assessments) joing the list soon 

Yes, agree we need to know what we are dealing with before going down supplement route and going for a 2nd opinion may be a good option for us.

Vixen- It could be arthritis and it is comforting to know that there are things we can do to help if it turns out to be that.

Is he worse at this time of the year - when it's cold & damp?

No- he's actually better from Christmas until summer and then it seems to flare up. Almost as if it less hard exercise over winter gives it chance to heal it some way.  Cold and damp does not seem to be an issue and he doesn't seem in pain or different in any way apart form lameness.

[archieboy7]

Please believe I really do not wish to scare you but my 4 year old red cocker had the same problem, taken to vets and they said he probably twisted it but no broken bones or fractures.  we rested and gave pain relief as needed, but like you one minute he had the limp next he didn't.  Three weeks ago his limp was really bad, so decided to take him to vets for proper examination.  I phoned vets at 9am and got a appointment for 3.30pm.  My hubby phoned me at work about 1.30pm and said he was not putting Charlie in the crate as he was limping really badly.  I came home at 2 and took him straight up to vet.  That was the worst day of my life as he was in heart failure, which i did not know about and sadly had to have him PTS as he was filled with fluid.  I asked the vet about the limp and apparently it is a sign of heart problems, like it is with humans when they have problems with their left arm.  I really do not wish to scare you but perhaps it might be a good idea to have your dog checked out.  like everybody else I assumed I had a healthy 4 year old dog who loved life so assumed it was a twisted leg or arthritis.  I seriously hope what happened to my beloved Charlie is NOT the case with your doggy xxx