X-Rays For Limp?

[tra708]

Hi, I haven't been on the forum for a while; I'm sorry for my lack of involvement! When Jackie developed a sudden limp last week, I was very worried....took her to the vet, and she's been on anti-inflamatories for a week. If it hasn't gotten any better, is the only next step to get some x-rays? Sometimes her limp is very pronounced, other times it just looks like she's walking very slowly. She still enjoys eating, chewing, affection, and seems quite comfortable at rest. She's always been a very slow-moving, lumbering sort of dog, so it's hard to know how uncomfortable she is. Is it right to put her through the x-rays, just for my own peace of mind? I've read that often they are inconclusive....and then what do you do?

Also, she is 10 and it's her front leg. Any thoughts you could share would be very helpful.

tracy

[a_daerr]

X-rays. Anytime there's lameness in a greyhound, there is always the possibility of bone cancer. It's a VERY painful form of cancer, and they can go downhill fast. It's definitely NOT something you want to take a wait-and-see approach with. If the films are inconclusive, I'd recommend doing a consult with Dr. Couto. He's the leading expert in greyhound osteosarcoma.

 

http://www.coutovetconsultants.com/

[MachosMom]

Agreed. X-ray. As soon as we have a limp, we x-ray. We lost Macho to bone cancer, and luckily our vet knew enough to x-ray as soon as the limp pronounced. You could barely detect anything, and two months later Macho was gone. Bone cancer is so nasty.

 

I second the Dr. Cuoto consult! We just consulted with him a few months back with Keiva, because her x-ray was inconclusive. Dr. Cuoto just knows, and he is so kind and helpful and patient, and knowledgeable. He sees things other vets don't. He ruled out osteo on Keiva immediately. He consulted for us with Macho, and unfortunately that was an immediate confirmation that although our vet wasn't sure, Dr Cuoto said there was no mistaking it.

 

So get the x-rays!

 

Wishing you the best!

[tra708]

Oh I forgot to mention too, she IS scheduled for the xrays tomorrow morning.

[45MPHK9]

Get X-rays ASAP. Thinking good thoughts for Jackie.

[NeylasMom]

X-rays. Anytime there's lameness in a greyhound, there is always the possibility of bone cancer. It's a VERY painful form of cancer, and they can go downhill fast. It's definitely NOT something you want to take a wait-and-see approach with. If the films are inconclusive, I'd recommend doing a consult with Dr. Couto. He's the leading expert in greyhound osteosarcoma.

 

http://www.coutovetconsultants.com/

 

X-rays shouldn't be traumatic for her. A good specialist (or even a good regular vet) should be able to get x-rays without anesthesia and without stressing your dog. If they can't, get them somewhere else. Ask beforehand if their equipment is HD and if they will be able to provide you with digital copies. That will ensure you're getting the best quality images, which will lessen the chance of results being inconclusive and it will allow you to easily send the images to Dr. Couto for a consult if needed.

[XTRAWLD]

At 10 years old, X-Rays.

 

Ryder at 3 had a limp, in fact has a recurring limp, and when he was in for a dental at around 4, I got x-rays done and they didn't show anything, so I was cleared to use a chiropractor. The chiro has done incredible wonders for Ryder, so I would suggest, if the x-rays turn out to be clear - you could start going to a chiro to seek some relief. I wouldn't have believed how successful it can be if I never seen it with my own eyes. Alternatively, or combined really, consider using some joint supplements. They helped both my boys when they started receiving it regularly. Those are my thoughts and I wish you all the best.

 

Good luck Jackie!

Edited July 23, 2014 by XTRAWLD

[tra708]

Thanks, I will see what happens tomorrow. Believe me, I went into a panic when she first started limping....my vet wanted to see if Deramaxx would help, first. She's seeing their specialist tomorrow. Keeping fingers crossed.

[NeylasMom]

Moot at this point, but for an older dog, I'm not a fan of the "see if ____ pain med" works. That's the whole point of using a pain medication, to relieve pain. So you use it and the dog's pain improves, what information have you gained? None. And if the dog has osteo, you've potentially delayed time sensitive treatment. Even if you will only choose palliative care, knowing what you are dealing with will affect your pain medication choices (adding something like Gabapentin, which you wouldn't use for a muscular injury for instance, or increasing doses with less concern for long terms side effects, etc.).

 

Sorry, that's a bit of a rant from having followed this stuff on here for years, not directed at your specifically. I hope you get good news from the x-rays.

[Charlies_Dad]

I agree with others, x-rays hopefully will provide a diagnosis. Hoping it's nothing serious.

[tra708]

Just an update: Jackie had x-rays today. The vet saw nothing that "jumped out", but there was a slight area of concern around the wrist. He said if it was his dog, he would get a consult with a radiologist. So, that's what I plan to do. Meanwhile, Jackie is cuddled on the bed, sound asleep. She's the sweetest girl.

[galgrey]

[NeylasMom]

Any updates?

[spottydog]

Best wishes for your girl. We have osteo in the house and it's a terrible thing...

[tra708]

Hello again....the update is FRUSTRATION. Like I mentioned, my vet was concerned, so I sent the xrays to Dr. Cuoto to have a look. He didn't see anything, which felt like a relief!! But meanwhile, her limp just gets worse and worse. Really bad. I had been giving her deramaxx, but last friday, she was limping so badly that I took a ride up to my vet to talk to someone and hopefully get something stronger for Jackie to take. It was like pulling teeth to get anyone to talk to me, which then made me really not be thrilled with my vet anymore.

 

I'm not a pushy person, but the lame-o at the front desk told me nobody was there. But I heard a male voice in the back, so I just marched right past her, and got the vet to talk to me. I think my vet is very good, competence-wise. Very experienced. I just get a feeling that everyone there is jaded.

 

When I got him to go back and look at Jackie's chart and the dr.'s comments from the xrays, he snapped to attention, and was worried as well. The notes at my vet from the xray said they thought they saw a lesion. So, here we are: My vet saw something, Dr Cuoto saw nothing, Jackie's limping terribly, and I left there with some Tramadol. Gave her a dose of that, so then she was limping AND dopey!!

 

Let me just repeat, she does not wince or cry when you touch and squeeze her foot, wrist, arm, shoulder, back, any part of her body. Her right wrist is definitely enlarged, visibly. She seems very comfortable, as long as she's lying down, loves her food, etc. She still gets excited when asked if she wants a walk, until she actually tries to walk. Know what I mean?

Every time I see her get up and limp, I have to hold back my tears. I just have a really bad feeling about this. She is the sweetest dog ever, not much spunk, but ALL sweetness and affection. I will probably get new xrays, and maybe another opinion. And of course keep her very comfortable. That's the most important thing, no matter what the diagnosis. Please chime in if you think i'm missing something....

Sorry this is so long, but that's the update!! Arrrrgggghh.

[Guest itsallgreyt]

In case these haven't been considered:

 

1) Check for tick borne disease (lyme, etc)

2) Check for corns. Amazing how painful those can be!

[forevergrey]

Hi Tra708, I know every greyhound and situation is different but I had a similar experience with my greyhound. Turns out that he had a tiny accessory carpal fracture, he was limping terribly, his wrist was swollen but it took two sets of x-rays to see it. The first vet I went to just said it's an injury of some sort but no fracture, my boy was still very lame, so I went in for a second opinion with an orthopedic vet and he took another set of x-rays and saw the fracture. It was very small and difficult to see, there was a tiny bone chip and it was causing lots of lameness for my poor guy. There was no surgery just rest (no walks, only short potty breaks) for 8 weeks, then 8 more weeks of very short walks, eventually the fracture healed and by boy is doing just fine, no lameness at all. He was on pain meds the entire time. It took over 4 months for everything to get back to normal.

 

And as someone already mentioned test for tick borne diseases there are several of them out there; babesia, ehrlichia, rocky mt. spotted fever, lyme. The thing is that often the dog will not show any symptoms for a long time until the disease has progressed considerably. Lameness is one of the more common symptoms of tick borne diseases.

[tra708]

Hi, thank you for sharing your advice, i appreciate it! i always like to read about a limping problem that was not cancer. glad your pup is better! going back to the vet today to repeat xray.

[a_daerr]

Her right wrist is definitely enlarged, visibly.

 

Is the swollen part hot to the touch? Henry had a really bad spider bite on his wrist once, and the pain was just unbearable. It became deeply infected down into the joint. I've seen several other cases of spider bites on this board, and it's always the wrist.

[tbhounds]

She may have thrown a clot (unlikely knowing it's her front limb and a notable swelling but just a random thought)--contact Dr Couto again and fill him in. I know he would not hesitate to respond.

Edited August 4, 2014 by tbhounds

[tra708]

I just took Jackie to a new vet, who is great, and whom I feel very comfortable with. She immediately noticed how much larger Jackie's wrist got since the first xray just 11 days ago. New xrays tomorrow morning. It's not looking good but I'm remaining hopeful. Trying to keep it together.

tracy

[45MPHK9]

[ramonaghan]

Sending good thoughts to you and Jackie.

[PrairieProf]

Sending good thoughts.

[galgrey]

I'm hoping for the best of news.