Shanti's Limp Is Getting Worse

[ShantisMom]

Shanti has been diagnosed with arthritis in her right front ankle. She is only 3. I have had several sets of xrays done and you can see the arthritic changes.

 

Now her limp is getting worse. The Previcox is not cutting it on full dose. We are heading back into the vets on Thursday. I know we will do more xrays. Limping scares me to death, but I don't think Osteo, she has had this way too long. TBD? I will have them run full bloodwork when they check kidney and liver functions. No sign of any corns, and we have all looked thoroughly. What else could it be? I just don't want to write this off to arthritis if we are missing something.

 

I feel so bad for her and I am so frustrated. I can't even tell you how many things I have tried hoping to stop the limping and get her off the Previcox. I have had no luck!

 

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!!

[Burpdog]

See if the vet will try doxy at 5mg per # of body weight and see if the limp gets dramatically better or goes away. You will know in a week.

 

Also, has a specialist read the xrays?

[ShantisMom]

See if the vet will try doxy at 5mg per # of body weight and see if the limp gets dramatically better or goes away. You will know in a week.

 

Also, has a specialist read the xrays?

 

That would be for a TBD right?

 

No specialist outside their office. I will have new sets run and ask for a copy of them. Should OSU look at them when they are done?

[Guest argolola]

Lola had a mystery limp for a long time, and we finally think we figured it out. It's walking on asphalt that does it, or any type of rough yard or pavement. I think TheraPaws booties would help. We just don't let her walk on those surfaces and she's 100% better.

 

Prayers for sweet Shanti. She's just a baby, and it breaks my heart that she is hurting. Hugs for you too, Mom.

[turbotaina]

In addition to Diane's advice, note that, as with humans, not all NSAIDs work for all dogs. It might just be a matter of changing meds, or perhaps adding Tramadol (under the vet's supervision, of course).

[Guest MnMDogs]

I would also wonder if it was something related to the pad. Mork has arthritis in his right front shoulder (also diagnosed fairly young). For a while I attributed his limp to the arthritis, and the missing middle toe on that foot. It took me a while to discover that he also had a corn on that foot which definitely causes a more pronounced limp on hard surfaces vs. soft grass and carpeting. I don't know what we would do without TheraPaws in this case.

 

Have you noticed that it's worse on harder surfaces?

[grey14me]

See if the vet will try doxy at 5mg per # of body weight and see if the limp gets dramatically better or goes away. You will know in a week.

 

Also, has a specialist read the xrays?

 

That would be for a TBD right?

 

No specialist outside their office. I will have new sets run and ask for a copy of them. Should OSU look at them when they are done?

 

I think I would have someone else look at the xrays. In general, for a front leg, osteo will show in a shoulder or ankle...so I would definitely have it checked by a specialist

[turbotaina]

I would also wonder if it was something related to the pad. Mork has arthritis in his right front shoulder (also diagnosed fairly young). For a while I attributed his limp to the arthritis, and the missing middle toe on that foot. It took me a while to discover that he also had a corn on that foot which definitely causes a more pronounced limp on hard surfaces vs. soft grass and carpeting. I don't know what we would do without TheraPaws in this case.

 

Have you noticed that it's worse on harder surfaces?

 

This is a good point, too. Just because you can't see the corn, doesn't mean there's not one forming somewhere deep in the pad. You can try squeezing each of the toes by either side of the pad and see if you get a reaction. If you do get a reaction, see if your vet will do a nerve block on the affected toe to confirm.

 

Finally, autoimmune disorders may also cause limps so you may want to have an Coombs/ANA run.

Edited November 5, 2007 by turbotaina

[ShantisMom]

Lola had a mystery limp for a long time, and we finally think we figured it out. It's walking on asphalt that does it, or any type of rough yard or pavement. I think TheraPaws booties would help. We just don't let her walk on those surfaces and she's 100% better.

 

Prayers for sweet Shanti. She's just a baby, and it breaks my heart that she is hurting. Hugs for you too, Mom.

 

Thanks Lene! I remember Lola doing this around the time Shanti started this whole thing. Shanti limps on all surfaces. Tried that. I was hoping maybe it would be hard ground/sensative feet. Nope. Our weather is changing a bit, which could be causing the increase in limping. But for how long does it cause it?

 

I asked the vet about adding Tramadol, which I have here. They said I could give it only once. They want to re-evaluate her. We go in Thursday. That way my kids are in school and I can focus on what is going on at the vets. And it gives me more time for xrays and what ever else they need to do.

 

I would also wonder if it was something related to the pad. Mork has arthritis in his right front shoulder (also diagnosed fairly young). For a while I attributed his limp to the arthritis, and the missing middle toe on that foot. It took me a while to discover that he also had a corn on that foot which definitely causes a more pronounced limp on hard surfaces vs. soft grass and carpeting. I don't know what we would do without TheraPaws in this case.

 

Have you noticed that it's worse on harder surfaces?

 

This is a good point, too. Just because you can't see the corn, doesn't mean there's not one forming somewhere deep in the pad. You can try squeezing each of the toes by either side of the pad and see if you get a reaction. If you do get a reaction, see if your vet will do a nerve block on the affected toe to confirm.

 

Finally, autoimmune disorders may also cause limps so you may want to have an Coombs/ANA run.

 

 

I wondered about nerve blocking. My mom and I were talking about that. We use to do it in horses. Good to know they can do it in dogs too.

 

She came off a Phoenix track and finally Caliente. Only one race I could find, which said "much trouble, muzzle off". I keep wondering if it is an old injury I am missing.

[turbotaina]

I wondered about nerve blocking. My mom and I were talking about that. We use to do it in horses. Good to know they can do it in dogs too.

 

They can, but most small animal vets don't think to do it (at least that was my experience with 5 vets before I finally got a corn DX from Dr. Radcliffe who did the nerve block). Be sure to bring it up as an option to your vet.

 

Good luck!