Limping Doggy

[postelf]

Hello all,
We need your advice. My year and half old Shiba Inu started limping favoring her back leg after playing with another dog. Two days later we went to our vet. The vet said it is no big deal and the limping should go away in a week giving a lot of rest. It did get better and then it got worth. I called the doctor, but she was away and I ended up talking to a nurse. The nurse said the most they can do is to give my dog some pain medication.
My dog is only limping when she gets up or walks very slow. The limping is not obvious during a normal pace. At home, however she is having a hard time standing on all four and often lifts the back leg.
While pain med may relieve the discomfort, it will not help the cause. I fear that by favoring one of her legs my dog would compromise it even further. At the same time, I am also worried that by using that leg the situation may get worse.
The doctor will be back in two days and hopefully can offer more then the pain meds. I asked about an x-ray, however was told it is a complicated procedure and avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Any information on this subject is appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by postelf

While pain med may relieve the discomfort, it will not help the cause.
I totally agree


I fear that by favoring one of her legs my dog would compromise it even further.

On the contrary , as long as she's not using her injured leg , she's "resting" her bad leg , it's all good. If she pulled a muscle , it could take a few days / weeks before she recovers , these things sometimes take time.

But if you're feeling uneasy about this , I would suggest getting your dog to another vet ? To get a second opinion.

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by postelf

I asked about an x-ray, however was told it is a complicated procedure and avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Complicated procedure? Hmm.....

At any rate, on the topic of pain medication not helping the cause. It is both a yes and no answer. If the pain medication is an anti-inflammatory, like an NSAID such as metacam/rimadyl/previcox/etc..., and the underlying cause is inflammatory such as bruise/muscle pull/sprain; then the medication can not only help with pain but also facilitate healing. If there is bone disease such as infection, fracture, etc... or any other disease requiring specific treatments such as surgery; then yes I absolutely agree the pain medication does not solve the problem.

How do we know which category it is in? Therapeutic trial of medication, which is being done. And after that, then the next step would be radiographs (X-Rays).

[Sabine]

I would definitely get a second opinion as this vet doesn't sound as if he/she is an expert on orthopedics. A muscle tear/soft tissue injury would not show up on an x-ray, but I would have an x-ray taken anyways to rule out any bone damage. There's also the (very costly) alternative of an MRI if no cause can be found.

[rainbow]

I would have your vet check her for a CCL injury.

http://www.vetsportsmedicine.com/res...n_cranial.html

[postelf]

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your replies. I spoke with my vet today. The vet said I have two choices, first is to get the pain medicine (with anti-inflammatory function) and wait few more weeks or to get a re-check. We will be going back to the hospital this Saturday.
Meanwhile my doggy is still struggling. Her symptoms are similar to ones described in the article about CCL injury suggested by Rainbow, but no swelling.
I will ask the doctor to check for the ligament rapture or anything else that the symptoms suggest. I will post the update after new doctor visit.
All your help is appreciated. Thank you!

[Frenchy]

I'm hoping for good test results for your dog !

[Kahne9Lover]

My yellow lab Maya was first diagnosed with arthritis in her right leg, (strange since she was only 1 at the time) but when a month or so later, it became progressivly worse, I insisted on another vet and she was diagnosed with CCL. Her surgery was expensive (1500.00 US) but unfortunately, since it wasn't diagnosed and treated as quickly as it should have been, all the weight she put on her other leg, has caused that one to tear as well. We are doing water therapy to keep strengthening the first leg and hopefully, within the next month surgery on the second will be done. Maya was a fast grower, and her weight was almost 100. Her allergies are now food controlled, but it was trial and error for a while, hence the weight issue. Following the surgery, the swimming has helped lower her weight, which may have contributed to the cause in the first place. We tend to forget about the other issues that overweight pets can have, such as excessive strain on their joints and ligaments. Good luck and hope your dog has a great recovery.