Staffy - Sore Legs/hips

[Bundyboy]

Hellow all ,

I have a 9 month old male staffy (no papers) called Bundy.

I noticed a week ago that when he was chasing his ball his back legs seemed to just stop working for him . He can "trot" ok but when he breaks into a "gallop" run , his left back leg in particular seems to go limp like , drag behind and he ends up on the ground sitting kind of wierd . He doesnt yelp like he's in pain .

When we were on the beach last Sunday I had to carry him home as he just couldnt walk in the sand.

Its strange because he seems to get around all ok today , but I have spotted him still sitting wierd on to one side.

I have tried to manipulate all his muscles , joints to see if I can generate a "yelp" to identify a specific area thats causing this but nothing.

From the online research that I have done hip displacement is rare in staffies, especially at such a young age????

Im really just hopeing that he is getting cramp or something.

I just cant help worrying for our little man. I have an appointment at our vet tomorrow but was just interested if anyone else has had any similar problems or any ideas?

Thankyou in advance and forgive my "newbieness"

Josh (Bundy's Dad)

[WreckitWhippet]

HD isn't rare, not all that common but can certainly occur.

I'd be taking him first to a chiro and seeing if there's something pinching and then to the vet.

[Budd]

Do you mean his back legs move as one? Keep us updated if anything if found..

[julzjc]

Take him to the vet asap. My girl had the same thing when she was 7mths, vet discovered two dislocating knees. Luckily age has tightend them and she wont need an op but she still cant handle lying to hard surfaces.

[persephone]

Wondering how you went at the vets? poor fella.

[Bundyboy]

Hi guys , thanks for your help and inquireys to how we got on this afternoon!!!!

Well , its not good . Bundy has problems with his Knee caps. The left one is practically floating anywhere it wants and the right one dislocates very easily.

My vet seems to think that this could be hereditary as he is still quite young and those little legs hav'nt really done that much work.

I have been quoted max $1800 each leg worsed case cenario. Possible they could deepen the tendon groove would be the best hope that will hold the knee cap in place.

Ahh bundy......

My wife and I have had a tough year with dogs- We lost our "Main Man" - Deezy , on Jan 24 when he found a stupid blowfish on the beach . He was 9 and left us over the following hour.

2 months ago Bundy demolished a massive bone over night , less than 2 days later chronic consterpation on a public holiday resulted in me doing an emergency run to the 24hr vet hospital in Perth. I recieved a letter in the mail this week and looks like I got flashed by a speed camera doing more than 30kms over the limit and have lost my licence.

I dont care - I love my dogs and will do what ever it takes!!!!

We will keep you posted!!

Josh and Kasha (and Bundy n Trevor)

[julzjc]

I would get a second opinion before operation to check the severity of his knees. He is still a pup and has alot of growing to do yet. My vet advised to wait until 12mths and reasses Bonnie as alot of the time the tendons will tighten up on there on accord. Bonnies knees were very bad,especially her left one (she summersaulted when chasing her toy) but at her 12mth check she has absolutly no issues with them anymore! She can climb, jump on 1.6m surfaces, does zoomies up and down the garden with the husky. Deffinatly suggest getting a second opinion before any operations.

[Bundyboy]

Update - Unfortunatly Bundy had to go in for surgery on his left leg as he was experiencing some discomfort and could no longer walk on the leg.

The knee cap just kept riding high and slipping out of the groove where it was supposed to sit .

He had the groove deepened and a pin inserted to hold everything where it should be. The 3 hour op went well and even at early stages was concidered a success. We are noticing now that 3 days after the op he is starting to get some energy back and wanting to start walking around , but he is soo fragile. "its hard to keep a good man down". I feel sorry for him to keep him in a 1000x750 cage but it is for his own good for the time being.

He has his first post op check this afternoon.

Thanks again for all advice given , this is a great site.

Josh

[raffikki]

I'm glad to hear Bundy is doing so well after his operation

I had to go through a similar thing with Electra when she was only 4&1/2 months old, crated for 4-6weeks and trying to keep her happy and quiet was challenging but well worth the effort!

I hope things keep on improving for you both

[julzjc]

Poor boy. Glad to hear that he is feeling a bit better. It can be a nightmare trying to keep Staffords quiet, even toilet breaks become a struggle (even onleash lol). Its amazing how many "indoor" gentle games/tricks you can come up with though. Hoping his leg makes a full recovery. All the best Bundy boy!

[espinay2]

Glad to hear Bundy has had the op and is on the road to recovery.

The issue with the kneecap is referred to as 'luxating patella' The patella, or kneecap, is part of the stifle joint (knee) on the rear legs of the dog. In patella luxation, the kneecap luxates, or pops out of place. Four grades of medial luxation are used to describe the disorder (dogs with completely normal patellas are not given a grade). Grade 1 is for the dog that usually has a normal condition, but which can be luxated by minor trauma or pushing firmly with the thumb and fingers. In Grade 2, the patella can be manually displaced by adequate finger pressure or can slip out when the leg is fully extended, though it can be pushed back by the owner or a vet. With the next two grades it is difficult (grade 3) or impossible (grade 4) to put the patella back in place. Older dogs with Grades 1 or 2 may seem ok until a sudden onset that may be triggered by trauma or arthritic changes. Dogs with higher grades may display more severe symptoms of pain and lameness (such as bundy had). Treatment is generally by way of surgery.

(Note that Patella luxation is a simple condition for breeders to test for as the position of the patella can easily be palpated by a veterinarian. The dog does not need (and in fact should not be) sedated for the test. Patella luxation is considered to be an inherited condition and affected dogs should not be bred. )