Limping Concern

I have to say that if it were me, I'd be going back to the vet and asking for x-rays.  A month seems long enough for any sprain or strain to have healed.  Unless she's in obvious pain, I'd try to avoid the pain relievers.  There's just been too much controversy over potential problems with the NSAIDS.  The only way to really know if there's something more serious going on, is to get some x-rays.  I hope you find that it's nothing serious.

Hi Cakana,  Thanks for your reply.  What exactly is NSAIDS?  Do you think it's common to put her under for x-rays?  They said at the Vets office that it allows them to move the leg in diferent positions and examine joints without hurting her.  Thanks again for your time in reassuring me.

NSAIDS are things like Ibuprofen or Aleve for humans.  Rimadyl is one that is commonly used for dogs, but there have been problems with it, particularly if used longterm.  I generally don't worry too much unless it's used for longer than a few days.  I used Rimadyl for my lab who had nasal cancer, but we knew he had only a few months to live and keeping him comfortable was the most important thing.
 
It is pretty typical to sedate them to get the x-rays.  Most dogs won't hold still long enough and don't tolerate the extreme manipulation of their joints, especially if they're in pain.  I really hope that they find it's nothing serious.

Dear all,

My puppy is a Syberian Husky 5 mnth old, and out of nowhere he started limping. I took him to the vet, but he didn't find any injuries and gave him some lite medicine.

It has been a week now, and nothing has changed. I tried touching his paws and the leg itself, but there is no reaction - he just keeps limping.

I doubt X-rays would reveal anything at this time, as there is no damage to bone structure, but in the same time, I feel uncomfortable with the situation.

Any advice?

Thanks in advance!

What do you mean by "lite" medicine?
 
This sounds like Pano to me, and yes, it can be determined with xrays.  This is a condition that occurs when dogs grow too quickly for everything to keep up and are similar to "growing pains" in teenagers.  Pain meds can help if absolutely needed....I avoid those myself....this is a condition that resolves itself in time.

ORIGINAL: glenmar

What do you mean by "lite" medicine?

This sounds like Pano to me, and yes, it can be determined with xrays.  This is a condition that occurs when dogs grow too quickly for everything to keep up and are similar to "growing pains" in teenagers.  Pain meds can help if absolutely needed....I avoid those myself....this is a condition that resolves itself in time.

How long should I wait?

I assume Xrays are quite expensive, and I would try to avoid them as possible. It has been going on for a week - should I give it another week or two?

Talking aboyt Xrays, what is the typical price for these?

The cost varies from vet to vet.  One of mine had multiple xrays, including hips with just a tranquilizer instead of anesthesia and his were under $200, including the comprehensive exam and some meds that I never used.  It's important to rule out pano NOW in case there is another problem that would need more aggressive treatment.
 
There is some disagreement on this, but MY vet said with my guy to let him do as much as he felt like doing, not to pamper him because of the pano and that exercise was actually GOOD for him because it would strengthen the muscles.  And he was good about sitting out a ball toss if he was feeling sore, but MOST dogs are not.

I just got back from the vet with my injured dog, Lilly.  He did xrays and said that she has cronic hip displacia (sp wrong) on her left side.  In addition to this, she has some bones developing on the left side that may be causing her growing pains.  The bones on the left side on the xray were lighter in color than the right side, making the vet conclude that the bones are still developing.
 
It's the cronic hip displacia that I am concerned with.  She's only a year old.  I always thought that hip displacia was only in older dogs. He gave me some pain medicine & supplements with essential oils and vitamins that he said would help to loosen her joints instead of them being so stiff, that maybe causing her pain.  I seen the xray and clearly that hip bone wasn't in the socket like on the right side.  He said that at this point he wouldn't recommend an ortho specialist.  At what point should we?  He said to have her evaluated every 6 months or once year and see how she does on the medicine and supplements given.  Any suggestions?  Anyone have experience on this topic?  Thanks a lot for your time in responding.
Sincerely,
Concerned Dog Mom

Hi Glenda,
 
What exactly is pano?
 
 

I re-read the responses...
 
Cathy, Rimadyl is what the vet gave me today and did say that after 3-6 months that they would have to check her blood for any problems with her liver. 
Glenda, Do you think that the vet's conclusion of cronic hip displacia could be a form of pano and that my dog could grow out of it?  She's only 1 year old.
 
I'm confused and not reassured at this point; any suggestions would be great.  I'm real nervous to know that the pain medicine given today could cause other health problems. 

Forgive me but I always seem to foget the REAL name of the condition......this is basically where a dog grows too quickly and the long bones aren't able to keep up with the rest of the body.  They'll pretty typically outgrow it when they reach their "grown" size.

Sorry, I didn't see your last post.....if the xrays show hip dysplacia, than that's not something that he's gonna grow out of.  Depending on the severity, he may or may not need surgery.  MaryNH can really help you with ideas for exercising him....her Sadie was diagnosed at something like 4 months.

[linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=90109]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=90109[/link]
 
This link will take you to a thread that was fairly recent on the same issue as you're having.  Like you, I thought hip dysplasia only happened in older dogs, but I was wrong.  The good news is that there are some things you can do short-term and long-term that can help the situation.  I didn't mean to scare you about the Rimadyl, but I would suggest you do some research on it, potential problems and possible meds that you can use instead. 

Before Rimadyl is ever given, blood should be drawn for testing the liver and if it is not perfect, then it should not be given.My vet does not even prescribe it because of the high risk of liver damage. My druggist looked it up for me and said "That is some nasty stuff."  Apparently it use to be given to humans under a different name, but due to the high cases of liver damage, it had it's name changed and is not given to dogs. From all I have read, Metacam is the safest one carried here in the USA, but there is suppose to be one (NSAID) in Canada that is safest of all, but is not sold here.  At leat that is my understanding.