Dog Community

Can't Figure out What's Wrong...

Posted : 11/22/2007 8:17:42 PM

My lab/retriever mix is about 4 years old, so he's relatively young. Lately he's been acting very strange and very timid. He also seems to have leg or back pain and yelps whenever he jumps on/off of something, goes up/down steps, etc. However, he seems fine if he just walks normally. He also seems very afraid to move lately, standing in one spot for longer than a minute and just seeming like he's trying to limit his movement as much as possible. He was whining all night last night and wouldn't lie down. We figure it's something in his back legs/lower back, and if you feel his back hips he feels like he is quivering.

He's going to the vet tommorow, but I just wanted to see if anyone here has had this with their pet or if they have any suggestions.

Thanks.

Benedict

Posted : 11/22/2007 8:22:15 PM

Labs are a breed very prone to hip dysplasia, and reluctance to jump on or off something, or obvious pain when doing so, is one sign of it. I'd ask your vet about that, if they don't mention it, and to rule it out or diagnose it definitively I'd have hip x-rays done. There are treatments available and surgeries for severe cases, so it can be helped if that is the problem.

calliecritturs

Posted : 11/23/2007 3:01:59 PM

I just replied to Pheryn's post about arthritis -- most of what you do for arthritis helps manage the pain of dysplasia.

you MUST get this diagnosed -- and then there are lots of things that can help. If it's an injury then acupuncture can be super to *help heal*. I'm not saying to leave your regular vet but ADDING a vet who does acupuncture can be awesome to help healing take place faster and to manage pain both.

http://www.tcvm.com -- The Chi Institute is a qualifying agency for acupuncture vets and they have a good locator on the left hand side that can help you find a vet who does it.

janet_rose

Posted : 12/6/2007 11:34:12 PM

What did your vet have to say?

KarissaKS

Posted : 12/7/2007 8:48:04 AM

When Luke started having problems with his hind end a month ago I took him to the vet and had x-rays done -- they found nothing. There was nothing structure-wise that they could see that would be causing his pain.

I found a canine chiropractor in the area and have taken him the last three weeks. My dog was MESSED UP! We have seen so much improvement over the last few weeks. He is just a happier dog in general and feels so much better. We'll take a little break from the chiropractor now -- probably go back in four to five weeks; after the holidays have passed.

I've also got Luke on a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement as well as MSM. Every little bit helps.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/7/2007 11:32:05 AM

Chiro can really help -- particularly a dog who can't say "I hurt RIGHT ***THERE***"

I'm glad it's helping!!!