GSD pup lame on right fore....

    • Gold Top Dog

    GSD pup lame on right fore....

    We noticed yesterday that Bandit is lame on his right fore leg.  I'm usually good at being able to tell what's bothering them after years of working with horses, but this has got me.  He's got no heat, or swelling that I can find.  He hasn't stopped eating, or playing for that matter.  I thought perhaps he pulled a muscle, and was trying to keep him calmed down, but all he wants to do is play still.  He still, runs and jumps and lands on it with out even as much as a whimper. 

    I'll be calling the vet first thing Monday morning to hopefully get him in for that afternoon to be checked out(unless he gets worse before then, then we'll venture to the e vet) .  But in the mean time does anyone have any ideas on what it may be??

     

    • Gold Top Dog

     I would limit play and activity until you can get it x-rayed, just to be on the safe side.

    • Gold Top Dog

    might be pano...or pannus, i can't remember what it's called. How old is the pup? it's happens frequently with GSDs

    • Gold Top Dog

    He's 7 months (today actually).  It just kind up came up all of a sudden....never noticed him acting at all lame before. Sad

    I feel so bad for him, you can tell he just wants to play with JD, but I'm making him lay with me on the couch just trying to keep him calm

    ETA:  I jsut read up on Pano, (Pannus affecting the cornea I believe I read)  and am wondering if this could be it...he's been eating a lot of JD's food (I suppose he likes it better...) JD's food is a minimum of 25% protein and Bandit's puppy food is 26%.....wonder if this could be the cause.....he will still be going to the vet as soon as they can see him, but I feel awful watching him gimp around the house Sad

    • Gold Top Dog

    Could easily be Panno -- could also be a tiny cut or sliver or something in the paw -- locating something in the folds up inside the bottom of the paw can be tough to see.

    • Gold Top Dog

    I couldn't find anything in his paw, Sad  I almost wish I did.  I hate to see him like this Sad

    Does anyone know if I can give him an asprin or anything to hold him over until we get to the vet in the morning, He's not in a great deal of pain that I can tell, but you can see that he's not comfortable. 

    I just feel so bad for him Sad

    • Gold Top Dog

    I give my dogs baby aspirin. I think there's a dosage table somewhere online. I give my 90 lb GSD 3 baby aspirins.

    ETA- i found a chart...

    http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/home.html

    • Gold Top Dog

    Its my understanding that around this age is when Pano will become apparent.  I agree with the aspirin, buffered in case it upsets the tummy.  Also agree to limit the activity...at that age...he'll continue to play even if uncomfortable.

    He could also have injured himself, perhaps strained a ligament.  Glad you will be taking him into the vet to have it checked out.

    Another thing to consider is the food you are offerring.  If you still have him on a puppy food, take him off and start feeding adult.  When Buddy was 7 months old, I still had him on puppy food...his bones grew to fast and he developed bone spurs.  Vet had me put him on adult food...but he also required surgery to remove the bones spurs.  This is likely not the case for you because your pup still wants to play.  I just think the food is a consideration long term.

    Good luck!

    • Gold Top Dog

    I had thought about not getting him another bag of puppy food, but then heard that they should be on it up to a year....not sure who I heard it from, but I began second guessing myself. 

    He's already helping himself to JD's food, so I may just let him finish up this bag (will be done in the next day or so) and just let him go on the adult food (or the "all stages" as they call it...nice food...but I still wanted a puppy food)

    After the ASA he's not limping near as much as he was before i went to work. 
    And I'll be calling the vet starting at 7:30 tomorrow morning to see if they answer.

     

    • Gold Top Dog

    Just an update, Bandit went to the vet on Monday.  Got his shots he was due for, and he looked at his leg.  He thinks it's in his shoulder, but told hubby to give it a week and see if he's still limping.  Said, if so bring him back, they'll sedate him and xray it. 

    I probably would have insisted they xray then, but I wasn't there.  I had to work and couldn't get off. 
    I'll be caling the vet tomorrow AM to make him an appointment.  I can't stand to see him like this.  He's not getting any better, and I won't make him wait any longer.  I will be calling and asking for him to get an appointment to be x rayed. 

    I never did like this vet anyway...much preferred the other one in the office.

     

    • Silver

    I had very good luck getting slow steady growth with Innova Large Breed Puppy food. When I was chosing a food I decided to go with one that slowed growth by limiting the amount of calcium in the food. The lowest ones were the Innova large breed and Eukanuba large breed puppy.

    I am a little leary about counting on an adult food to give slow growth. Foods today are so much more nutritious than 20 years ago. An adult formula can have as much nutrition as some puppy foods. EVO for example is very high in calcium.

    What ever you feed, you have to be religious about controlling portions. If you feed something with 10% lower protein and calcium, but they eat 10% more than they absolutely need then you aren't doing any good.

    • Gold Top Dog

    That makes sense samshine.  8 years ago when Buddy dealt with his issues, he was not on a quality food.  He was on Purina One.  I am a big Innova fan right now and I'll bet their large breed puppy food is a good suggestion for slower growth.

    I hope the pup feels better soon...I would do the same thing you are, getting the xray now instead of waiting.  Good luck and please keep us posted.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Here are some links on Panosteitis (or Pano):

    • Gold Top Dog

    Just a quick update, Bandit was to the vet this morning.  2 X rays and $150 later, the vet figures it's Pano.  Basically we're to keep doing what we have, Bufferin, and if he's really bad I have Metacam I can give him (I just have to make sure he's got 24hrs without ASA first)

     So now I have a dopey limping dog for the afternoon.

     

    • Gold Top Dog
    Poor Bandit! I hope he feels better soon :(