I started a thread a while back about Rascal limping. The limp went away and all was well for a while.

Well, for the last 2 months he's been limping on and off. I felt his leg, no swelling, he doesn't mind it being touched, but he still limped.

Finally, after a lot of debate with my husband, we went to the vet. A few hundred dollars later, x-rays, and other things, the vet said all is fine, she doesn't know why he's limping.

So now what?

It's on and off. Every day he limps for at least a little while, it's always the front right paw. He runs, he plays, and for most of the day he doesn't limp at all. Then suddenly he'll start again. He doesn't yelp when you touch the paw, and I do it often because I'm trying to find why he's limping. His paw pads are also fine, nothing cracked or stuck.

My husband thought it may be growing pains. He did grow awfully fast, went from small enough to walk under our beagle, to 3 times the size of our beagle within months. He is on puppy food, a food the vet agrees with. He does get walked, although less so in the last few months because I'm worried about the limp and making it worse.

Any suggestions? We've done all the tests, we've gone to the vet, but this limp is worrying me, and there's no answer for why it's happening.

Just to add. He is a 9 month, almost 10 month old puppy. He's very clumsy. He is constantly falling up the stairs, or slipping when he's running. But if this were an injury due to being clumsy, would it always be the same paw?

I haven't gotten answers from the vet. I'm now asking all of you for opinions. :)

It's not always the same leg?

What happens when he begins limping? What do the humans around him do?

Have you considered that it may be muscle cramps?

What Are the Causes of Leg Cramps in Dogs? | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/list_7548393_causes-leg-cramps-dogs.html)

It's not always the same leg?

WG;


it's always the front right paw


What happens when he begins limping? What do the humans around him do?

We limit activity. I have wrapped the leg. We go to the vet only to be told nothing is wrong, even though they can see he's limping.

What about elbow dyslasia? Are you sure it's his paw and not a joint or his shoulder?

Have you considered that it may be muscle cramps?

What Are the Causes of Leg Cramps in Dogs? | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/list_7548393_causes-leg-cramps-dogs.html)

I did consider leg cramps. But during the last few months he has had limping that lasted for days, not just a few hours. The limping has just now slowed down to once a day for an hour or so. But before that it was all day every day for weeks, which is why we went to the vet.

Just to add, there are still times when he'll limp for a few days, not just an hour or so a day.

To me that would discount the cramping. Cramping usually only lasts a while, not days.

But thanks for the suggestion. :)

What about elbow dyslasia? Are you sure it's his paw and not a joint or his shoulder?

When we had the x-ray done she did x-ray the entire leg, including the joints. She said that there was nothing to warrant concern.

Of course this is the same vet that sent Jasper home with pain meds telling me he'll be fine, only to have him put to sleep a few days later. :(

I would get a second opinion, but this vet clinic is my last resort. I've been to pretty much every vet clinic in our area, and hated all of them (I could tell you stories that would shock you). This is the best clinic I've been to, and despite what happened with Jasper, I do still trust them. Besides, they did the x-ray and found nothing. I'd hope that they'd at least be qualified to read an x-ray, they are vets after all. ;)

Should I ask for different tests?

Do they send him home on pain meds?

Do they send him home on pain meds?

No. The vet said there was no reason to. There's nothing wrong. She recommended to just take it easy, not walk him, let him recover.

But we've been doing that for months now! I told her that this started two months ago. She still didn't think he needed pain meds.

She did say that if he continued limping to bring him back. But for what? More tests, another $500 I can't afford, only to be told that there's nothing wrong?

I'm really at the end of my rope with this Lucky. I did what I was supposed to do, I took him to the vet, I spent money I don't have to get to the bottom of this, and all they want is for me to spend more money, when they don't figure out what's going on.

Obviously something is going on. He's limping! :(

Sorry, I'm just so frustrated. I don't know what to do next.

Soft tissue problems won't show up on x-rays. It's like he has a carpal tunnel problem. Has he been sleeping in a certain position and then begins limping? Or performs some behavior before the limping begins?

Soft tissue problems won't show up on x-rays. It's like he has a carpal tunnel problem. Has he been sleeping in a certain position and then begins limping? or performs some behavior before the limping begins?

He's a puppy. He zooms around like a mad man most of the time, and then sleeps it off.

One thing I did consider as a possible cause. He's crate trained. His crate is getting too small. He can stand. He can turn. He can't stretch out. I thought for a while that he may be limping because of this.

The thing is, he spends only nights in his crate. Most of the time the limping is most evident at night. So I ruled out the crate.

Also, the crate will be replaced soon. I would replace it now, but I just spent $500, before Christmas, on vet bills that didn't tell me anything. :(

Sorry, frustrated and a bit bitter.

Did they do any bloodwork? It would help rule out some of the things that can be going on.

Did they do any bloodwork? It would help rule out some of the things that can be going on.

Truth told, after the hundreds just to walk in the door, and the x-rays, I wouldn't have been able to afford blood work. Neither did the vet suggest it.

I'd look for a pattern and keep a journal of what he was doing before limping, with dates, even times, etc. There has to be a cause.

Bloodwork just looks at organ function. So if the dog is limping, why would you need to look at organ function?

Keeping a journal wouldn't do much either other than tell the vet that is happens often.

What should happen, is the vet should prescribe some pain meds to rule out pain. If the dog is normal after pain meds, then everyone needs to look deeper.. If the dog is the same with pain meds, then its obviously not a painful thing.

I still think you need to find a specialist. Since the dog is not screaming in agonizing pain, you can wait until after the holidays and put some money away. If you're going to spend the money to solve this mystery, put the money where it counts.. consult the experts that see weird things like this on a daily basis. I know of a great orthopedics specialist in Colorado springs ;) lol

LOL! I'd love to come to Colorado and have him checked there. Not only would I get to meet you, but I've heard that vet care in the US is a lot cheaper than it is here. I'd kill two birds with one stone.

I guess it's time to look for a specialist. I'll save and get it checked after Christmas, if it keeps up.

My husband still thinks it's growing pains, but I don't agree, and I'm worried about this. I love this little poo head. :)

LOL! I'd love to come to Colorado and have him checked there. Not only would I get to meet you, but I've heard that vet care in the US is a lot cheaper than it is here. I'd kill two birds with one stone.

I guess it's time to look for a specialist. I'll save and get it checked after Christmas, if it keeps up.

My husband still thinks it's growing pains, but I don't agree, and I'm worried about this. I love this little poo head. :)

A vet specialist visit in CA was $150, rather than the $35 to walk in the door at our Vet. Expensive, but necessary. :(

A vet specialist visit in CA was $150, rather than the $35 to walk in the door at our Vet. Expensive, but necessary. :(

TJ, Canadian (well, not Canadian, but I live in Canada) girl here. Is CA California?

$35 to walk in the door? It's $100 here. The x-ray cost almost $200! Then she poked at his leg, his paw, and that was almost another $200! By the time we left the bill, with GST was almost $500, and we left no better off than when we went in, because we still had a limping puppy, and no advice or diagnosis on what to do next.

My daughter used to want to be a doctor, but I talked her out of it. She loves animals, and frankly, if she wants to be rich in Canada, become a vet, or a dentist. Sigh.

Specialty hospitals are by no means cheaper.. they're actually more expensive... But the likeliness of getting a diagnosis and some answers are way up there.

Just for an example, a client brings their dog in with major skin problems.. She is almost bald. They are going from vet clinic to vet clinic with no results. The doctor I work for finally mentioned that they should go to the pet dermatologist. The client was amazed there was such thing. They probably won't go because they were drippy owners to begin with... but if they did.. they would probably be saving money in the long run by taking the pet to the specialist who does nothing but look at skin.

If your daughter wants to become a doctor, have her move to the states.. Human doctors make so much money they can build homes with built in aquariums that have a sump (filter) tank in the basement... Geez...

As for vets.. well... very few people say they became a vet or a tech for the money.

Bloodwork just looks at organ function. So if the dog is limping, why would you need to look at organ function?


Its more then just organ function. CBC blood test can show many things if something is out of the ordinary.

What is the CBC?

The CBC test actually takes a count of both the red and white blood cells in your pet''s blood. With the help of the CBC test, which requires taking a blood sample and performing what is called a "blood smear," the vet can check for signs of illness. Having a low red blood count, for example, could be a sign that your pet is suffering from anemia. A high white blood count, on the other hand, is a sign of infection. Odd blood counts can also indicate inflammation as well as an immune system disease.


http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Understanding+Your+Pet%27s+CBC+Blood+Test-a01073892484

Alty when they Xrayed Owen they told me before he is 2 years old it is hard to see displesia. Their bones are softer (if I remember right) and that is why most X-rays are done after they are 2. Maybe one of the experts can explain it properly but that is what I was told. My vet put Owen under anesthesia and took X-rays and was able to see something on the X-ray and she said added to that his symptoms the diagnosis was the Elbow Displesia.
I wish you were closer I would take you to our vet. She is so good to the animals and discusses all tests, costs and if it is necessary or that you can think on it based on the costs.
For us to walk in the door it is 79 bucks plus change. Then the tests, medications, needles etc are on top of it.

I have to ask at this point. I know in the U.S. they have and oofer pet health insurance. Do they not have that in Canada too?

Example:

https://www.petfirst.com/pet-insurance-plans/pet-accident-and-illness-insurance?utm_source=bingads&utm_medium=cpc

Mogrann... the reason you wait until the dog is 2 is so that all the joint spaces are closed. Just like human babies, puppies have lots of space in-between their joints.

Califdadof3, of course a CBC will show white blood cells and too many is due to inflammation... but the thing is.. is the dog is limping and has been for awhile. Its not like he is limping badly today and never did before which is why I don't understand why this vet won't prescribe pain meds. If the dog is truly in pain, pain meds would help make a diagnosis that there is something brewing inside that leg.

X-rays would show a lot of what's going on and unfortunately I have seen x-rays that are not diagnostic in dogs with severe hip dysplasia.

Pet insurance would be a good option, except you still need the money up front to treat the pet. I'm not sure if Canada accepts this, but care credit would work great with pet insurance. Maybe that's an option for you Alty?

We do have pet insurance available. It's more costly than it's worth. It only really pays for emergency visits. This visit would not have fallen under that category.

"My daughter used to want to be a doctor, but I talked her out of it. She loves animals, and frankly, if she wants to be rich in Canada, become a vet, or a dentist. Sigh."

Oh lord no. Sorry to go away from the subject, but trust me. Vets are far from rich. At least in Canada. Those who make decent money are the exception, not the rule. Recent grads make less than Registered Nurses.
(it's a sore spot unfortunately haha, as being a Vet Tech I make even less and get to listen to people complain because they think I make $30+ an hour doing what I do.. )

Pet insurance would be a good option, except you still need the money up front to treat the pet. I'm not sure if Canada accepts this, but care credit would work great with pet insurance. Maybe thats an option for you Alty?

And also except it is a known issue now and insurance companies will not cover it.

I unfortunately think that it is time to try and find a place for a second opinion. It's been going on for a while - barring it is not getting worse, maybe start saving up for a different clinic/specialist?

Was your pup sedated for x-rays? Often times you can't really properly palpate a joint when a dog is awake, especially if painful. When they are sedated/anesthetized, you can often feel abnormalities in the way they move or feel.
Does he act painful when he limps? Did you see if anything caused the initial limp?
As mentioned before, things like ligament issues are pretty darned hard to diagnose on x-rays - it is not meant for this. Honestly the best thing would be an MRI to look at muscles and tendons/ligaments.
The only other thing I can figure would be panosteitis. It's usually in the front leg, and happens in young dogs. It comes and goes, and recurs often. Eventually it just disappears usually. You CAN diagnose it with an x-ray, but sometimes it can be difficult and it is always nice to have a few eyes see it.

Also, I sent you a PM.

I unfortunately think that it is time to try and find a place for a second opinion. It's been going on for a while - barring it is not getting worse, maybe start saving up for a different clinic/specialist?

Was your pup sedated for xrays? Often times you can't really properly palpate a joint when a dog is awake, especially if painful. When they are sedated/anesthetized, you can often feel abnormalities in the way they move or feel.
Does he act painful when he limps? Did you see if anything caused the initial limp?
As mentioned before, things like ligament issues are pretty darned hard to diagnose on xrays - it is not meant for this. Honestly the best thing would be an MRI to look at muscles and tendons/ligaments.
The only other thing I can figure would be panosteitis. It's usually in the front leg, and happens in young dogs. It comes and goes, and recurs often. Eventually it just disappears usually. You CAN diagnose it with an x-ray, but sometimes it can be difficult and it is always nice to have a few eyes see it.

Also, I sent you a PM.


Thank you for answering Sariss.

No, he wasn't sedated for the x-rays, I couldn't afford the extra cost. But the vet said he cooperated very well during the x-rays.

Shazzy mentioned panosteitis to me on Facebook. After reading the literature on it, that sounds like what's going on. He doesn't seem to be in pain. I can touch his foot, leg, and shoulder, and he doesn't yelp or mind.

He only limps when he walks, and not all the time. Even when he's having a bad day, when he's limping, he still runs around like the 9 month old puppy he is, and it doesn't seem to bother him at all. That's what's so confusing. He doesn't seem to be in pain, but then, if he wasn't, why the limp?

I answered the PM. :)

No, he wasn't sedated for the xrays, I couldn't afford the extra cost. But the vet said he cooperated very well during the xrays.

The sedation is more for the idea that they won't tense up at all. Even in an animal that is calm and collected, you have a hard time feeling things like laxity in a joint unless they are sedated. (This is usually more relevant for things like cruciate injuries, which obviously wouldn't happen in a front leg).

I agree on the pano. Honestly I would call your vet up and request pain medication. An anti-inflammatory like Metacam, Rimadyl or Deramaxx would probably do well - our equine vet's labrador had pano and he did well on an NSAID.