He's Only 4.5 And Limping

[XTRAWLD]

So I'm not sure the cause of it this time, but Ryder is now limping on his left front, prominent when getting up from lying down and at the beginnings of a walk. The more he walks, the more his muscles heat up and it's less noticable. Other than visible limping, he's just fine - properly eating, no yelping, etc. He has been carefully treading around the house though (laminate floors with rugs here and there) - not sure if he fell when we weren't home or not.... The leg or joints are not warm/hot to the touch, his pads are fine.

 

He's had a little limp in his back hind for a year or so which I have been treating with Green Lipped Mussel added to his food, which has actually gotten rid of that limp, but it took forever. It's supposed to work on joints....I figure he should be recovering from this front leg limp any day now, but it's been about a week and only mild improvement.

 

What could this be in a dog not even 5 years old? Arthritis? His annual checkup is next month. If it's not better by then, I will talk to the vet, but I'm really not sure what they will suggest either. Thoughts?

[vjgrey]

I would NOT ever wait a month to address a limp. If it's been going on for a week with little improvement, he needs to see the vet, in my opinion. Especially if there's no visible cause (e.g. corn, cuts on his pads, etc...).

Edited April 12, 2012 by vjgrey

[GeorgeofNE]

A few x-rays of the limb won't be expensive and you will have one less thing to worry about if you confirm he doesn't have anything going on with the bones. I would not wait a month with a limping greyhound either.

 

Neutraceuticals are thought to help lubricate the joints; if there is something like a bone spur causing pain, they won't really do anything at all.

[sabrina]

Ryder I have my paws crossed for you & mom I wouldnt wait a month to take him to the vet about his limps

[XTRAWLD]

Thanks folks. No speculation on what it could be though?

[Guest zombrie]

It could be multiple things, only a vet visit can tell you what is going on. From what you described, it sounds very much like what happens to my dogs when they get Lyme disease. I wouldn't wait a month to go to the vet for a limp.

[EnzaFerrari]

How long has it been going on? If it's only a day or so and not getting worse, I'd pause for another day. If longer, then I'd go to the vet.

 

I've been dealing with the intermittent limp with Enza for about a year now. It would come and go and change legs. No one could figure it out and it was attributed to a soft tissue injury or sore joints. I finally went to the specialist last week and it turns out she very likely has compression in her spine which is sending signals of a "dead leg" to her brain.

[XTRAWLD]

This compression in the spine is interesting. Ryder has always walked with an arched back, like a spring that's loaded and ready to go off. We thought it was normal for him, he's very small and compact.....

 

I have put an inquiry into a local chiropractor. I put off consultation after his hind leg limp disappeared, but because it's recurring now in another leg, I think Ryder has now given me another sign.

Edited April 12, 2012 by XTRAWLD

[3greys2cats]

Just sending positive prayers for Rider!

[Remolacha]

I would definitely get him checked out, it could be many things, but arthritis is a possibility, Fletcher's started when he was about 5

[Guest Roadtripper]

This probably isn't likely, unless your grey spent time in the Southwest, like Arizona, but thought I'd mention it just in case. Valley Fever can make dogs limp. I adopted my grey mix in Tucson, AZ, and about 1 1/2 years later, after I had moved to Utah, he started limping. X-rays showed a fuzzy mass in his shoulder, & the vet had to call a practice in Phoenix to help him diagnose bc he hadn't ever seen VF before. It's a fungal infection very, very common in dogs in the SW. Luckily the infection hadn't spread into my dog's lungs. He had to go on an anti-fungal medication for several months, and then the VF flared up again a year after that & had to repeat.

 

Like I said, it's probably not likely for your pup, but wanted to chime in just in case others read this thread bc their dog is limping. Looking back, I'm pretty sure VF may have killed my first dog & the vets never diagnosed it (just told me it was kennel cough, though she had a limp too). I'll always regret not knowing then about VF & trusting the vets too much to not push for more tests. BTW, my first dog was less than 2 years old, and my current dog was only around 4 at the time.

 

I agree you should have a vet check it out ASAP.

Good luck!

Amy

[racindog]

It could be oodles of things. For instance Goldie had a bone chip which caused intermitten lameness/pain. A couple of my hounds exhibited lameness from spinal/disc issues. And never overlook the feet. With horses over 80% of the lamenesses are due to feet issues and greyhounds have to be pretty close to that too based on my experience. The big thing though and the best thing is that the overwhelming number of times it is something minor and/or temporary when compared with other issues they could have. JMO.

[XTRAWLD]

He's got a half hour chiropractor appt set for Saturday afternoon for assessment and treatment. I will update with any findings/results.

 

He here is on our Easter Weekend Road Trip!

 

[NeylasMom]

Is your chiropractor also a vet? I have no issues whatsoever with chiropractic treatments, had them done on Neyla, but I would not start with one for an undiagnosed limp. I would go to your regular vet and get x-rays and discuss possible issues. Depending on results, you may need to see a specialist. Then you can determine whether to treat with chiropractic, acupuncture, medication, supplements, PT, etc.

 

As others have said it could be any number of things, but it could also be osteo. I don't want to concern you too much because it likely is NOT osteo, but I have seen dogs on GT as young as 4 years old get it so I think you should be aware it's a less likely possibility. Another reason to just get the x-rays imo. Arthritis should show up on x-ray btw.

[tbhounds]

Is your chiropractor also a vet? I have no issues whatsoever with chiropractic treatments, had them done on Neyla, but I would not start with one for an undiagnosed limp. I would go to your regular vet and get x-rays and discuss possible issues. Depending on results, you may need to see a specialist. Then you can determine whether to treat with chiropractic, acupuncture, medication, supplements, PT, etc.

 

As others have said it could be any number of things, but it could also be osteo. I don't want to concern you too much because it likely is NOT osteo, but I have seen dogs on GT as young as 4 years old get it so I think you should be aware it's a less likely possibility. Another reason to just get the x-rays imo. Arthritis should show up on x-ray btw.

Couldn't agree more! Please have your hound examined by a vet first- heaven forbid there is some badness lurking about-an adjustment would've very very bad .

[vjgrey]

Is your chiropractor also a vet? I have no issues whatsoever with chiropractic treatments, had them done on Neyla, but I would not start with one for an undiagnosed limp. I would go to your regular vet and get x-rays and discuss possible issues. Depending on results, you may need to see a specialist. Then you can determine whether to treat with chiropractic, acupuncture, medication, supplements, PT, etc.

 

As others have said it could be any number of things, but it could also be osteo. I don't want to concern you too much because it likely is NOT osteo, but I have seen dogs on GT as young as 4 years old get it so I think you should be aware it's a less likely possibility. Another reason to just get the x-rays imo. Arthritis should show up on x-ray btw.

 

I agree with all of this, 100%.

[Guest BrianRke]

Sending good thoughts to Ryder. I too, would get him to a vet atleast to have xrays done and hopefully rule out the "elephant in the room"

[mychip1]

Sending good thoughts....

[XTRAWLD]

Thanks folks. It's not all doom and gloom. We will get this fixed. Thanks for all your thoughts and input.

[BatterseaBrindl]

The odds are that it is nothing really serious, given his young age.

However, I do agree that if this has been going on for more than a few days and is not responding to meds, he should be seen by a Vet.

[lotsoffreetime]

sending good thoughts to Ryder....please keep us posted!

[winnie]

Celeste had an intermittent limp that started shortly after we got her. She has a compressed disc in her neck. You should consider switching your collar to a harness if that is what it is.

[Guest peacehound]

Peace limped intermittently for three years while I tried to get a diagnosis...xrays, numerous vet trips and then finally took her to OSU..she has an old injury that acts up and arthritis..she is on adequan injections and has not limped since she began these in august..don't give up hope!

she is ten an a half now, I adopted her as a bounce at six and lived with the limp quite a while before she was put on adequan..getting xrays every six months was an expensive piece of mind! good luck

[cleptogrey]

It could be multiple things, only a vet visit can tell you what is going on. From what you described, it sounds very much like what happens to my dogs when they get Lyme disease. I wouldn't wait a month to go to the vet for a limp.

YUP! get him on doxy a.s.a.p.

[LadyGrey]

Prayers up for Ryder. My Angel had arthritis at age 6 which was seen through X-Rays. My Bella goes in Monday morning for X-Rays as I have notice her limping for a few days now and she favors the leg. Keep us posted please.

 

Ryder is such a handsome boy!