Limping--not sure what's going on.

• 08-11-2007 4:33 PM

  papillon806 Joined on 03-28-2006 North Carolina Posts 1,932 Points 20

  Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact Last week Falon was running around when her back legs slipped and she fell. After she got up, she was favoring her back left leg. So after closer inspection I assumed it was just a sprain. I gave her 160mg of buffered Aspirin (Ascriptin) per vet advice for 3 days (every 12 hrs) and she improved back to normal. Well, today I woke up and she was perfectly fine. After going out this morning (in which she was perfectly fine)she went to lay down for awhile. After she stood up she could barely walk on her back left leg. She can now put weight on it but walks in a very awkward, wobbly manner which makes it hard to tell which leg she is favoring. So I did some palpation and she is not in pain no matter WHAT I do to her legs so I have no idea (UGHH). She is going to the NCSU vet school on Monday for some radiographs, but I wanted to see if anyone has experienced anything similar? Is it possible that this could be hip dysplasia? Or maybe a torn ACL? (I'm hoping it's the ACL vs. HD if anything) Just for a little background-- When I got her as a puppy she was very "uncoordinated" on her back legs and would never sit like a normal dog---she always sits to the side and it takes her a min or two to lay down/get up. So because of this, I had her checked by a vet for hip dysplasia (since I was getting her from a rescue). They said she was perfectly fine so I moved on....now this is happening. Anybody have any experience w/ HD and if so do you think this sounds like it? *Ban stupid people...not dogs. Proudly owned by: Wolfie- Papillon Falon- APBT Tigger- Grey Tabby Oscar- Brown Tabby Rink, Dink & Bart- Ferrets Duke- Horse (Hanoverian) Lenni- Horse (Trakehner) Jack- Blue and Gold Macaw

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• 08-11-2007 4:40 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  sophia Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 442 Points 0

  RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact I'm sorry for Falon, I hope you are able to get her diagnosed Monday. In the meantime Sheltiemom yesterday posted this excellent video on dog movement. It shows a dog with hip dysplasia as well as a cranial crutiate ligament rupture (look at the tabs along the top of the page for each issue) [linkhttp://accad.osu.edu/~hcaprett/COTA_741_sp04/CanineLO_090504.html]http://accad.osu.edu/~hcaprett/COTA_741_sp04/CanineLO_090504.html[/link]

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• 08-11-2007 4:42 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  FourIsCompany Joined on 07-30-2007 Posts 4,738 Points 1,035

  RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact I have experience with both and it sounds like ACL more than HD. Usually, with ACL, they don't put any weight on the leg if they can help it, so I'm not sure. If her x-rays showed good hips, then I wouldn't be too concerned with HD. With Cara, we woke up one morning and she couldn't put ANY weight on her rear leg. It was ACL and she had the surgery and she's all better now. My husband mentioned that he heard her run outside and slam against the dog door in the night. Sorry about your pup's problems. Keep us updated! LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself) Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

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• 08-12-2007 1:15 AM

  In reply to papillon806

  jessies_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Indiana Posts 5,064 Points 140

  RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact    Jana; Jessie sprained her leg last summer and the vet said no walks for a week, and then short walks for the next week, gradually increasing them. Unfortunately, I didn't follow his advice and only rested her for a few days before walking her again; she's used to an hour of walking/ running daily and likes to be active. She started limping again so this time I followed his advice. It took 3 weeks for her to fully recover. Did the vet examine her? They can check for an ACL by having the dog lie down and manipulating the leg while feeling for the "drawer sign". Let us know what happens Monday; I hope it's just a sprain. Janice

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• 08-12-2007 2:53 AM

  In reply to papillon806

  sandra_slayton Joined on 09-10-2007 Ingleside, Texas Posts 3,422 Points 0	RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact I hope it is just a sprain that heals fast.  But I would also check into luxating patella.
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• 08-12-2007 4:43 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  papillon806 Joined on 03-28-2006 North Carolina Posts 1,932 Points 20

  RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact Thank you all for your advice; those links were VERY helpful!  Between the examples on those videos, she doesn't really move like either of them, but more on the CCLR side than the HD side. I'm beginning to believe it's not an ACL tear because she will put weight on it.  When my parent's dog tore his ACL he couldn't walk on it at all.  I also don't think it's a lux. patella b/c she doesn't really do the "skipping" thing commonly seen w/ that.  Janice, now that you mention it, it may be that I never let her sprain heal initially; I honestly didn't do anything different after I was told to let her rest.  (at least I really hope so!) Hopefully on Monday I will get some answers...my worse fear is the HD or anything wrong w/ her hips since I always kind of suspected it from the beginning.  Well I will be keeping my fingers crossed!! Thank you all for your kind thoughts and advice.  *Ban stupid people...not dogs. Proudly owned by: Wolfie- Papillon Falon- APBT Tigger- Grey Tabby Oscar- Brown Tabby Rink, Dink & Bart- Ferrets Duke- Horse (Hanoverian) Lenni- Horse (Trakehner) Jack- Blue and Gold Macaw

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• 08-12-2007 11:15 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  Indy05 Joined on 06-19-2007 Texas Posts 404 Points 5

  RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact My cairn has had both ACL's ruptured.  He could still walk, but it was like a type of limp.  The first time I just thought it was a sprain and delayed seeing the vet since he was moving around.  Anyway the second time (eight months later) it happened, I knew what it was.  He handled both surgeries well and is as good as new.   I just wanted you to know that it is possible for a dog to have an ACL rupture and still walk.  He did not show pain.  He still ran around, jumped off the deck, and jumped up against the fence after squirrels and possums.  These are the activities that contributed to his ruptures.

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• 08-13-2007 5:01 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  dragona Joined on 06-18-2006 Ireland Posts 41 Points 0	RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact My labrador ruptured both ligaments -he still managed to walk and do everything normally.First I knew of it was when one day he sat down and did not want to get up -then he started to limp slightly on one leg only, but X-rays showed BOTH had torn badly. I had no idea both legs were affected.
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• 08-21-2007 6:10 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  papillon806 Joined on 03-28-2006 North Carolina Posts 1,932 Points 20	RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact Just found out that she tore BOTH of her bilateral cruciate ligaments in BOTH legs.   $3,000.     Wonderful. [] *Ban stupid people...not dogs. Proudly owned by: Wolfie- Papillon Falon- APBT Tigger- Grey Tabby Oscar- Brown Tabby Rink, Dink & Bart- Ferrets Duke- Horse (Hanoverian) Lenni- Horse (Trakehner) Jack- Blue and Gold Macaw
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• 08-21-2007 9:32 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  jessies_mom Joined on 09-10-2007 Indiana Posts 5,064 Points 140	RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact   Wow; I'm sorry Jana. Often, dogs are stoic and don't show pain; maybe that's why she didn't respond when you palpitated her. I know Jessie's that way; once I didn't realize she had a nasty foot infection until her pad started coming off.[]  I hope the surgery and recovery go well; keep us posted. Janice
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• 08-21-2007 10:01 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  Cally01 Joined on 09-10-2006 Posts 491 Points 0	RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact Wow, both cruciate ligaments[]   You should check out our dogs on line forum.  A few of the owners over there have use natural techniques to heal their dogs torn ACL...of course it was only one.  I think they used leg bands and plenty of rest, no jumping.
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• 08-22-2007 5:31 AM

  In reply to papillon806

  dragona Joined on 06-18-2006 Ireland Posts 41 Points 0

  RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact Gosh I'm sorry -rotten luck. Just goes to show though that these bloomin dogs do NOT LET ON that there is something going on[] How long will your vet wait between legs? Vito had his two ops 12 weeks apart, aftercare is long but he is walking fine, though not running around as he was. His last op was 11 weeks ago, and he is still not happy to go upstairs. I'm sure Falon will right as rain soon!

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• 08-22-2007 1:55 PM

  In reply to papillon806

  janet_rose Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW area, Texas Posts 3,942 Points 330

  RE: Limping--not sure what's going on. Reply Contact Particularly good arthritis/pain sites are: http://www.dogaware.com/arthritis.html http://www.dogaware.com/misc.html#opcare (surgery) ACL & TPLO links: http://www.geocities.com/jojoacl/acllinks.html http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/index.html http://www.lauriebryce.com/tplo/recovery.html http://www.majoi.com/tploawareness.html http://www.knowlesanimalclinics.com/tplo_info.php http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/tpo  Related Yahoo groups: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthodogs http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/K9-Arthritis  Products: Bite Not Collar http://www.handicappedpets.com http://www.woundwear.com/home.cfm http://www.caninebrace.com/caninebrace.html http://k-9orthotics.com/products.html  Rehab ideas: acupuncture massage water exercise  Supplement suggestions: plain Knox Nutra Joint - now - grocery store (Jello isle) Flexicose - now - cheaper on eBay? MicroLactin - now salmon oil - now HerbPharm milk thistle tincture - liver support while on                    pain meds (longer?) probiotics - 3 hours after antibiotics (depending on the                    antibiotics may need a non-diary probiotic)  Slippery Elm - can help keep drugs from irritating the stomach http://forum.dog.com/asp/m.asp?m=418879  Holistic doctor locator: http://www.tcvm.com  Article: Joint Problems and Arthritis  I would not allow the use of Rimadyl or any other brands of Carprofen.  I consider this a pain drug of last resort because it is so hard on the kidneys and liver. http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/rimadylfr.html http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=0&cat=1303&articleid=1477

  Filed under: ACL, holistic doctor locator, arthritis, pain, Rimadyl, surgical recovery, TPLO, Carprofen, Flexicose, milk thistle, Knox Nutra Joint, slippery elm, MicroLactin Post Points: 0