cpudds Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Hi I have a 7 month old female GSD, who is limping on and off over the last week or so. Not sure how it happened but we think she jumped a baby gate to get upstairs, she was limping after this. The next day she was fine. A couple of days later she was limping again, but then next day OK. We went to the beach yesterday and spent about 20 minutes running along the beach with her brother and she was OK, and then when walking back to the car she started to limp again. And today she is OK again. Could this be just a muscle strain? I know I should take her to the vet put I do not want to pay loads of $$$$$$$$$ for him to say make rest! I am very cynical about vets!!! Any advice I could do at home before taking to the vet would be appreicated. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOE Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Try resting her first with only out to the toilet walks on a leash, if there is no improvement in a week I would be going to the vet. One of my girls limped for over 6 months and was under vet treatment, once she was xrayed she came right so we assume it was chiropratic. best of luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 Does she seem to limp after she's been resting? Is it front or back leg? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpudds Posted December 26, 2007 Author Share Posted December 26, 2007 Does she seem to limp after she's been resting? Is it front or back leg? On the day she is limping, yes she limps more after she has been sleeping and then gets up. But on the days that she is ok, getting up after a sleep is ok too. it looks like it is her front left leg. Racing around seems to bring it back on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 (edited) When Ed was little he had similar, and it ended up being that his sesamoids (cartlidge) in his front paw were fractured, and we needed to crate him for a few weeks so it could heal Here are some of the original threads from it http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...c=52979&hl= http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...c=55508&hl= We tried to fix it with rest at the start but werent really sure what we were dealing with, and eventually did xrays and after that knew exactly how to treat it, and he has been fine for the last 18 months or so, no issues Hope this helps. even if its just to eliminate a possibility, Edited December 26, 2007 by shoemonster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 You can always do the bleeding obvious b4 going to the vet :cool:: Check paws/ pads/ between pads for any cuts, grass seeds, cracks etc. Rest the dog as previously suggested and see if there is any improvement. 20 minutes of running is a lot of exercise for a 7 month old large breed dog. Overexercising isn't suggested for large breeds while their bones are still growing. Ditto limit jumping, frisbee, that sort of high impact exercise. Is she nice and lean? Lean dogs have fewer joint and ligament injuries. Do you feed a large breed puppy formula, if you feed dry food? These have lower protein to promote steady growth. It's thought to be better for their growing bones, also. That it's worse after sleep/ activity suggests something that needs more investigation, though e.g. hips (? hip dysplasia). This can only be confirmed on vet XRAY. My vet would say he'd need to give a GSD an anaesthetic to do these XRays. Could be any injury, really. Ligament? Also have a think about what you'd do IF it was something like hip dysplasia? If you have no intention of operating, you could start on joint supplements (e.g. Joint Guard, glucosamine & chondritin), doggy chiro etc., however, and watch for results. All guesswork. Ask here for a recommendation for a good vet in your area. Ask for estimates of any costs, also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaves Posted December 26, 2007 Share Posted December 26, 2007 (edited) Just an idea. BEFORE going to the vets maybe go to a doggie chiro or a greyhound guy. She may have put something out and that is why she is limping What state are you in? If in vic, i haev the names and numbers of a few people who may be able to help you. ETA Do you feed a large breed puppy formula, if you feed dry food? These have lower protein to promote steady growth. It's thought to be better for their growing bones, also. Having just been through a growth issue, the protein can be TOO high in some of these products with the fat ratio and can actually increase the growth rate. If you are adding raw meat and bines you can be throwing the ratios out a lot and causing fast growth. I would try a chiro/GH man first and if they think it is something else go to the vet for confirmation as often a vet will xray and come up with nothing for a joint issue or say it is puppy looseness Also what does your breeder say about it? Edited December 26, 2007 by i haz flava! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley'n'Mia Posted December 27, 2007 Share Posted December 27, 2007 My now 6 mnth old GSD was limping on and off for about 3 days and as I know the problems GSD can have with hips, elbows etc I was paranoid to the point where I couldn't sleep so took him to the vet. It turned out that he was tender in both front elbows due to flopping himself down on the floor boards and pavers (rather than gently easing himself into the lying position lazy sod). She told me to keep on eye on him and rest him for a couple of days then if he wasn't sore continue to do the light on and off lead 15 to 20 mins a day walking until he's at least 9-12 mnths as more exercise than that for his breed wasn't suitable until he's growth plates (sp?) have aligned properly, if he was sore I was to take him back to her immediately. I have made a few adjustments to our house to prevent him lying on hard surfaces and he hasn't limped once since the day he went to the vets. If you are planning on getting x-rays done to rule out hip/elbow problems my vet has said there's no point until after the dog is 9 mnths of age as the bones change so much as the puppy grows prior to then that the x-rays maybe inconclusive. I hope I am giving you the correct advise as I said this is just what my vet has told me to do with my dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerfly Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 I'd speak to the puppy's breeder and see what they recommend. I'd also go to the vet for a consultation. Dont go to a 'pet vet' find a good vet, ask around. They will tell you what it is not what it might be. Dont let her over exercise but keep her mobile on lead. could just be a sore toe, but you need to find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaves Posted December 28, 2007 Share Posted December 28, 2007 Ray at Monash is well versed in GSD as is Barry Haywood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alananddora Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Hi All, Rather than start a new thread I wanted to ask some advice. On the weekend Jasmine was off leash at Cenntenial park and she got bundled over by a large GSD male - all in good sprit - but she took a nasty tumble and then started limping the next day. We rested her for two days and then yesterday she ran about a bit and starting limping and hopping on her rear leg again. Decided to take her to the vets last night and the vet said she had damaged her ligament in her knee - presumaby twisted when she fell over after being tackled by the male GSD. Up for a $300-400 vet bill on Friday to have her xrayed and an accurate diagnosis if she has fractured her cartilage or just strained her ligament - hopefully it is the later. As per the previous answers are there any dog pyhio's good with GSD in Sydney for a second opinion that I could take her to today, or should I just proceed with the Xray? I am just a bit cautious about vets and unnecessary work... She is being crated 24 hours at the mo except for toilet and food. Thanks in advance, Alan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOE Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I would first get an xray to see what is going on before letting any one else touch her, just in case there is damage that can not be picked up another way. And see if she can be xrayed minus the anesthetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerfly Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 What K said. And i dont think you will be able to avoid the exray, im surpirsed they didnt want to do it then. Sorry about your girl This can be a painful injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alananddora Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Thanks guys, will take this advise and take her tomorrow for the diagnosis... she is clawing at the crate to be let out but tough love is required... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerfly Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 update? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpudds Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 update? I took my 7 mo to the vet, and he did a thorough check and said it could be just a soft tissue injury, and wasn't concerned with anything major at this point. She is on anti-inflammatoys for 7 days, rest and no play (easier said than done). We will take her back to the vet on Wednesday and see what he says then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerfly Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flaves Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 update? I took my 7 mo to the vet, and he did a thorough check and said it could be just a soft tissue injury, and wasn't concerned with anything major at this point. She is on anti-inflammatoys for 7 days, rest and no play (easier said than done). We will take her back to the vet on Wednesday and see what he says then. What state are you in? If in vic i would reccommend Monash Vet cnr of Dandenong Rd and Wellington road They are very good with GSDs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alananddora Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 (edited) update? Ours too had a visit last Friday to have her xray's done. The result for the knee was that there is no evidence of major damage and the vet indicated is was most likely soft tissue damage. Similar to cpudds was a week of rest with antiinflammatory's - she seems to be responding well but we have a another visit on Friday. One point of intense concern for us was that the vet decided to xray her hips as well and there were some abnormalities (I left the report at home I will post the results later) on the formation of the socket and ball - vet did say that in a six month puppy this may not be a huge cause for concern but it has highlighted the fact that these pupppies are so fragile until thay mature. Following this we will be really phasing out her tough play and keeping walks to a maximum of 30 monutes once she has recovered from her soft tissue injury. Has anyone had a similar experience were joints were abnormal at this age only to have good hips at 12 months plus? She has a trip up to see K9 Force this weekend so hopefully this will not stress her knee too much! Edited January 8, 2008 by alananddora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean26 Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Hi alananddora My now 11 month old GSD boy has been limping on his front legs on and off since he was about 7-8 months old. He went to the vet and was diagnosed with a shoulder strain and was put to rest - which is quite easy as he is a lazy couch potato - and given antinflammatories. Limping went away but i noticed he started to limp on and off again about a month later. I believe he was exercised too much when my BF's parents were looking after my dogs whilst i was overseas for two weeks. Went to get his lebows xrayed at a GSD specialist in WA. Aparantly he has arthtitis..... I have spoken to his breeders but there have been a slight break down of communications being Xmas and New year and all. I have started him on light exercise and supplementing him on Joint Guard. He seems to be improving which is good news. Hope your sheppie gets better soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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