Legs Limping/crying

[RileysLegacy]

My heart is in my throat right now In the last month there have been a few times when Legs has cried out. I thought it was one of his front legs but couldn't pinpoint anything. Then 2 days ago he was inside playing with a toy when he yelped and briefly held up his right front leg. Moments later he was racing around the yard like nothing had happened so I was hoping it he just landed wrong or something. But just now I was petting him & he screamed. I gently felt around & he screamed again when I squeezed his right shoulder. This is exactly the same thing Riley did right before he was dxed with osteo. I know I'm probably projecting & extra sensitive, but what else could be wrong? Should I get him xrays? I definitely will get him to the vet if it continues but I'm guessing she won't suggest xrays at this point b/c he's not even limping. His 7th birthday is next week...please please please tell me I'm overreacting.

Edited April 19, 2012 by RileysLegacy

[Hawthorn]

but what else could be wrong?

 

Could be a trapped nerve in the neck. Sunny showed very similar symptoms to Legs: yelping and holding one of his front legs up for a few seconds after running or playing and then acting as if nothing had happened. The other symptom he had was pain when pressed on the neck between the shoulder blades. I was scared witless too, thinking it was osteo, as I had just lost my last one to osteo at the age of 6, but our vet could find nothing wrong. Eventually we took Sunny to a greyhound vet, who diagnosed the trapped nerve in a matter of minutes. It causes pressure on the nerve than runs down the leg, hence the pain and lifting of the leg. We went to see a chiropractor, who sorted Sunny out in a few months, although we still go for occasional treatments.

 

Probably is a good idea to have xrays, but just be aware that xrays may not show a trapped nerve. If your vet cannot find anything, I'd consider a second opinion from a greyhound vet and/or a chiropractor. Sometimes rest and anti-inflammatories and/or muscle relaxants cure these things, but not in our case.

 

Good luck and try not to worry too much until you have to - easier said than done I know.

Edited April 17, 2012 by Hawthorn

[JohnF]

My heart is in my throat right now In the last month there have been a few times when Legs has cried out. I thought it was one of his front legs but couldn't pinpoint anything. Then 2 days ago he was inside playing with a toy when he yelped and briefly held up his right front leg. Moments later he was racing around the yard like nothing had happened so I was hoping it he just landed wrong or something. But just now I was petting him & he screamed. I gently felt around & he screamed again when I squeezed his right shoulder. This is exactly the same thing Riley did right before he was dxed with osteo. I know I'm probably projecting & extra sensitive, but what else could be wrong? Should I get him xrays? I definitely will get him to the vet if it continues but I'm guessing she won't suggest xrays at this point b/c he's not even limping. His 7th birthday is next week...please please please tell me I'm overreacting.

 

I think that would scare any of us. However my last dog, Angel, had a shoulder problem from before I adopted her. An X-Ray we had done showed a little fracture at the back of the joint that had healed too roughly. There was no treatment other than anti imflammatories and pain relief from Metacam. She lived 10 happy years with us and, as you can see, refused to be an invalid.

She would very occasionally scream if getting up awkwardly and also if you touched her ear wrongly.

 

So it doesn't have to be Osteo. It needs to be ruled out though because within 3 months of dx there is a risk of fracture and spreading. Here's hoping it is a benign form of Arthritis that can be treated simply.

[4My2Greys]

No Lucy, I don't think your overreacting. When you've lost a hound to osteo it is always going to be your first fear, but that doesn't mean that THIS is osteo. I'm praying that it is something like Hawthorn or JohnF has mentioned or numerous other things it could be. For your own peace of mind though I would insist on an x-ray.

[tbhounds]

Radiographs would be a greyt idea- if for no other reason than for piece of mind. It could very well be a neck problem -they will often limp as the radial nerve runs right down the leg. Fingers crossed

[Batmom]

Fingers crossed here, too.

[Charlies_Dad]

I hope it's not anything serious for Legs. I agree about getting x-rays just to be sure. We'll be sending along good thoughts for you both.

[msjpk]

Start with x-ray, if trapped nerve- chiropractor treatment- My Lou has been treated for years for this. Good luck.

[Tracey]

Lucy, if you can afford the xrays I'd insist on them. Better to know what you're looking at - or not looking at - sooner rather than later. For what it's worth, with Cosmo's osteo, which was in her right shoulder, she never made a peep. I realize each dog is different, but it was her limp that gave it away and nothing else. She never once cried out in pain. My thoughts are with you and Legs no matter what you find.

[racindog]

Based on my experience I would be very concerned about disc/spinal issues. That is the behavior many of mine that had back spinal issues exhibited and I have come to learn through experience disc/spinal issues are far from unusual with greyhounds. I would be restricting activity for sure until I knew more. If it is a disc issue it could frankly spell the end unless activity is restricted-spinal issues for us have been a very slippery slope. I do understand however that some do recover with treatment and restricted activity for several several weeks. It could also just be a muscle/soft tissue thing. I've been through that some too. If thats what it is it should be better in a couple of weeks with restricted activity and supportive therapy. For legs: Prayers going up from KY.

[Guest BrianRke]

I would have xrays done asap just for my own POM. Think positive, it could be something simple.

[Guest IHeartDogs]

I hope it is nothing serious... Sending tons of positive thoughts and prayers

All fingers and paws crossed

[sabrina]

Well you have already got some good advice so I am going for good wishes & that nothing is seriously wrong

[Rustyroo]

I am going to second the x-ray. At least you will know one way or the other.

[carronstar]

Any of us who has gone through Osteo goes right to that place -- panic. Try not to. My first girl Scarlett did the scream thing and limp thing at one point, I couldn't find anything wrong so off we went to the vet. It took him 30 minutes of probing before he found a knotted muscle very deep in her left shoulder. Medication worked really well.

 

I think everyone is right and that getting x-rays will hopefully rule things out and give you some peace of mind.

 

Holding very good thoughts and prayers for Legs.

[Remolacha]

There are many other things it could be, but of course, your mind goes to the bad place! I would have x-rays done, even if he isn;t limping, for your own peace of mind. Fletcher doesn't limp, but holds his paw up, and occasionally whimpers (he is very stoic) from arthritis in his shoulder.

 

[RileysLegacy]

Ok, you guys have made me feel a lot better! I didn't realize disc or spinal issues could manifest in shoulder pain. Legs has had some mysterious back end/spinal issues since I adopted him. Hes had xrays & a million tests but nobody could definitively diagnose a problem. In hot weather his back end gets very weak & collapses. So maybe this is related to that. He did have an "episode" last week where he could hardly walk when we were at the park, but at this point that is not all that unusual for him. The crying out is new though. Hopefully it's all related... I hate seeing him in any kind of pain but we can manage a disc or spine problem.

 

Thanks again! I will keep you guys posted.

[3greys2cats]

Just sending hugs and paryers that it is nothing serious, it is horrble when they cry, it rips a whole in your heart

[krissn333]

Lucy, for me, anytime a dog has pain like that, my first step is xray. Rule out the super scary stuff first, then move on. Osteo is possible, but, pinched nerve or something similar is more likely. Muscle relaxer, maybe Chiro or acupuncture.

 

Ace's muscles were locking up on her-she was low on potassium. Dr. Recommended mashing a banana up in canned food (or just giving her the banana if she wouldn't eat it-Ace wouldn't) once a day. Don't want to overdo potassium as too much is very bad, but, a banana a day helped Ace's muscles

 

Carrie has had a stroke (2 years ago)...I notice when she gets panting really hard, she seems to lose herself in the hind end-like it's caused by the hyperventilation. Maybe Legs is having similar episodes?

 

First step is to breathe, then get some answers from an xray. Whatever comes after that, you'll deal with when you get there. One step at a time

[RileysLegacy]

Thanks. I just called a different vet that does digital xrays to ask about pricing since my regular vet does not have digital. They did not feel xrays are needed because he is not constantly limping. But I guess they will do it if I insist?

 

I'm going to add video of Legs having an "episode" last week at the park. 95% of the time he is fine. We walk a few miles every morning and he plays fetch in my yard every evening. Sometimes I even take him jogging, though I won't be doing that anymore now that it's getting hotter. This day he did not do anything strenuous, no other dogs were at the park so he just leisurely sniffed & peed for about 10 mins, then I noticed him biting at his back, his legs collapsing & acting way overheated even though it was only about 75 degrees. I took him right home, he rested, and has shown no symptoms since. Do you think it could be related to his shoulder pain? Like I mentioned earlier, every single test & xray was done on him about a year ago except an MRI, & the best that anyone could do is say he's extra sensitive to heat.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbwJs64JyCs

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4_O2Sq5iwM

Edited April 18, 2012 by RileysLegacy

[4My2Greys]

Lucy there seems to be something bothering his back. His whole back end seems very weak. I wonder if a pinched nerve could be the cause or lumbrosacral stenosis.

Definately show these videos to the vet they will be invaluable in showing what is going on.

[RileysLegacy]

Lucy there seems to be something bothering his back. His whole back end seems very weak. I wonder if a pinched nerve could be the cause or lumbrosacral stenosis.

Definately show these videos to the vet they will be invaluable in showing what is going on.

She's seen similar videos, and also had a couple specialists look at them & examine him. No cause was found, they just told me to keep him inside when it's hot. I'm not really worried about it because most of the time he's fine, I take precautions, and he's such a happy boy with a great quality of life. But I am worried about his shoulder, it seems like something new, but maybe it's all related. I don't know :(

Edited April 18, 2012 by RileysLegacy

[Hawthorn]

He look so uncomfortable in those videos. If your vet can't find anything wrong, I think I'd try to find either a vet who is very experienced with racing greyhounds, or a chiropractor. IME, chiropractors can often find things that are missed by vets, and some things don't show on xrays. If something's been going on with his back for some time, and he's been compensating for that, it's possible it's had a knock-on effect on his neck/shoulder.

[GeorgeofNE]

I'd insist on x-rays myself--simple films. If they show anything suspicious, then you can go somewhere and get digital ones. If it's clean as a whistle, you're not out a lot of $$ but you can relax a LOT.

[racindog]

Well I am not a vet but I'll be happy to chime in my 2 cent opinion based on my past experiences. It looks to me like he is clearly bothered by the heat-look how big his tongue is. Goldie was also over sensitive to heat his whole life-80 degrees briefly could send him to heat exhaustion/stroke and did one time-before I knew of his sensitivity shortly after I got him. His temp got as high as 107.4 QUICKLY and it is my understanding that 108 causes cellular damage and is irrecoverable. By God's grace he survived with no problems but no cause was ever found for his sensitivity. I just made sure he ALWAYS had ac available.

However the thing that concerns me-now that I see the video-is well I , because of what happenned to my beloved soulmate Slim, I would be concerned about possible bloat/stomach issues. I say this because the FIRST sign that Slim exhibited was hind end weakness. There was NO abdomen swelling etc., only hind end weakness. I actually thought he was having a minor case of heat exhaustion and only needed some fluids etc. His hind end swayed twice- and I scooped him up and immediately rushed him to evet- like I said thinking it was minor heat exhaustion. Turns out it was bloat/GDV nad he later crossed over after surgery and 2 resusitation efforts due to complications. But you know horses when they colic sometimes do just like Legs- they turn around and look at their belly, maybe nip at it-I notice thats what he was doing turning around and looking at his belly.....after seeing the video I now believe it is more like to be a stomach/abdomen problem. When he moves everythiing looked good to me as far as neurological. I would be looking more at possible stomach issues after seeing the video. I remember so vividly thinking no body ever said hind end weakness was a sign of bloat but it sure is.

Another thing you could do is get a qualitfied animal communicator to ask him what hurts or does he know why it is happenning. Many people have found their answers using this path.

Leggs is in my prayers. I know with a wonderful Mom like you you will get to the bottom of it. Please let us know what you find out! For Legs: