Limping dog

Leard91

Looking for some advice from anyone whose dog has experienced something similar.

Just before Christmas, we noticed our dog developing a limp. It would come and go, so we took him to the vet. They suspected arthritis (despite him only being four) and recommended an x-ray, which cost us £700. They said an x-ray would detect arthritis 99% of the time.

The results came back completely clear. The vet prescribed Metacam for a couple of weeks and suggested physiotherapy, but the medication didn’t seem to make any difference.

He still limps... sometimes. It’s usually worst when he gets up after lying down for a long time, but once he gets moving, it disappears. He can run around like crazy on walks without any sign of a limp.

It’s strange. We’ve been told it’s not arthritis or an injury, and the painkillers had no effect. It doesn’t seem to bother him, but the fact that it hasn’t gone away is a bit concerning.

I don’t want to keep spending money on vet visits when they’ve basically admitted they don’t know the cause. Do some dogs just develop occasional limps and carry on as normal?

Baldytyke88

Vets like to make a good living, so recommend various things. My dog has always been less able than others, in recent times I hear her joints crack when she gets on the sofa.

Its difficult to diagnose these things, unlike people, they rarely get new joints.

Leard91

I mean the x-ray should have diagnosed it, but his bones are completely fine. If it's not related to his bones, then it's his muscle which surely should have healed by now. We're at a complete loss what to do.

MikeJXE

Dogs are not stupid he could be playing you.

What extra attention does he get when he limps ? 

Doonhamer

Our dog had a mild spinal stroke that only impacted one back leg. It wouldn't show on an X-Ray. But the symptoms were more like a reduced feeling in the ankle joint, more like a paralysis than a limp. And it gradually improved rather than came and went like in your case.

lisyloo

Do you not have insurance?

My dog developed a limp and it was much worse after he'd been lying around for a while.

It turned out to be some mineralisation/calcification (hard stuff) that was digging into his supraspinatus tendon and possibly bicep tendon.
He had an arthoscopy (camera) and then the calcification removed at the same time.
The material was sent off for analysis but was benign.
He had post-op physio therapy including massage, laser treatment.
We then did therapuetic ultrasound at home with a rented machine.
He also had a steroid injection into the joint which was effective for a few months.
He then had hydro therapy which was very effective at building his muscle back up post op.

There isn't a lot of research into these kind of things.
They said probably degenerative even though he was about 5.

He got 5* treatment as he was insured.
Without insurance it would all be v.expensive.

You could try Jointsure which is a very similar supplement to Yumove but cheaper.

So I'm afraid not many conclusive answers and you could spend a lot of money.
Steroid injections can make a real difference but may need repeating.

sheramber

You don’t say what breed of dog.

My dog’s intermittent limp was found to be caused by a tear in her cruciate ligament. Ligaments don’t show up on an X-ray.

She did not show the classic symptoms because it was not torn completely.

My vet could not be sure so referred her to an orthopaedic specialist who  was able to confirm cruciate  problem. 

She was still doing agility until  then   and was able to eventually return to it after surgery. 

Did your vet check out her hips and spine , both of which could  cause leg pain.