Hunny Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Our 4 month old lab puppy has been limping since she went to dog school for the first time, over a week ago. She played hard with all the other puppies so we are hoping it's just muscle. She's been to the vets who can't actually find any sore areas, although I guess it's hard when she didn't really sit still for the examination. They have advised rest and then xrays in a couple of weeks, although they also said that xrays can be inconclusive. It's such a worry....sometimes she looks okay, then the next she is limping along. We are trying to keep her as quiet as possible, although it's hard when she is outside all the time. By the way, her parents had ratings of 0/0 and 1/1 for their hip/elbow xrays...although I guess that doesn't mean our puppy can't have something go wrong in that department. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Find a dog chiro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Sorry your pup has been hurt -- but if she is supposed to be resting.. she should be confined - a pen outside.. and a crate inside. You will find she will probably be MUCH more settled and quiet if she is near you and crated .... Running/twisting/bouncing are not ideal . Is she limping on back or front? perhaps someone on here can reccommend to you a dog chiropractor you could see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 Definitely a dog chiro and rest means in a crate or small room with walks on lead, not running around the yard. 4-5 months is the most likely time that an injury will result in OCD developing. Strict rest is a must if there is any possibility that a joint has been injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmkelpie Posted June 11, 2011 Share Posted June 11, 2011 (edited) I have the same problem in a 6mth old pup at the moment! Can anyone recommend a dog chiro in Sydney/blue mountains area?? Edited June 11, 2011 by cmkelpie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunny Posted June 11, 2011 Author Share Posted June 11, 2011 (edited) It is her front leg Persephone. We don't have a dog chiro in our area, but will definately make more effort to restrict her activities. Thank you for your help! Edited June 11, 2011 by Hunny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted June 12, 2011 Share Posted June 12, 2011 I have the same problem in a 6mth old pup at the moment! Can anyone recommend a dog chiro in Sydney/blue mountains area?? Gary Barnsley or Peter Schofield are Sydney based Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotwyr Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 (edited) Definitely a dog chiro and rest means in a crate or small room with walks on lead, not running around the yard. 4-5 months is the most likely time that an injury will result in OCD developing. Strict rest is a must if there is any possibility that a joint has been injured. I agree - this breed is a sitter for OCD. Be careful!! Get xrays of shoulders/elbows asap as limping on front leg is a good indication of something like OCD. It may be nothing but at least you will know after xrays whether it is or isn't OCD. Edited June 13, 2011 by Hotwyr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 It is her front leg Persephone. We don't have a dog chiro in our area, but will definately make more effort to restrict her activities. Thank you for your help! And if you cannot feel her ribs with the flat of your hand without pressure, get that weight off her. Fat puppies are far more prone to joint issues than lean ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmkelpie Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I have the same problem in a 6mth old pup at the moment! Can anyone recommend a dog chiro in Sydney/blue mountains area?? Gary Barnsley or Peter Schofield are Sydney based Thankyou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunny Posted June 13, 2011 Author Share Posted June 13, 2011 We have been very strict with her weight so am happy with that side of things....however, can't be too careful! I will definately take her in for xrays next week if the limp is still there. It is alot better than it was, yesterday I couldn't see it at all. Tonight there it was again, but still nowhere near as bad as it first was. I've had two horses with OCD ....I definately do not want our puppy to have it too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lollipup Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 We've just been through elbow dysplasia with our border collie. He started limping at about 4/5 months too. He is now 14 months and had his elbow surgery at 12 months after a long time of trying rest and alternative methods. I really hope it is something less serious for you though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelby-001 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I know exactly how you feel. Lilly is going in for xrays in the morning. We noticed a limp near on 4 weeks ago now, watched it for a week, took her in and they did a prelim exam, decided she needed to be sedated to check cruciate. All appeared ok and we did restricted movement and anti inflamatories. It seemed to be coming good until 3 days ago and the 'limp' has progressed to the entire back end being favoured. She no longer 'sits' but flops to one side, does a lot of bunny hopping with her back legs as opposed to 'running' (if she is busting for a pee she gets up and 'runs' to go. Getting up and down is a problem, unless the reason for getting up is exciting enough then the goose seems to forget she is sore. Hopefully we get some answers tomorrow. I am kicking myself I didn't just request xrays when they sedated her for the cruciate examination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Forgot to mention that a puppy with genetically good joints can still develop OCD if it injures a growing joint at a crucial stage of development. If they tear the cartledge on the end of the bone it causes the joint to wear away inside. Sometimes complete crate rest allows it to heal, otherwise surgery is needed with 6 weeks strict crate rest to follow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbyne Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I also feel your pain i posted a week ago about our jack russell pup limping. I was told to wait 3 weeks rest her if still lame then xray but i'm rather impatient and if its something bad i needed to know what was going on. So we xrayed and they came back inconclusive vets weren't 100% happy with what they could see so rays were emailed to David Ledbeater(SP???) bone specialist. he went over them with a fine tooth comb and was happy to say that there was nothing there. my vets just wanted to make sure as they were a bit funny looking due to the changes occuring around the growth plates. So she is now on crate rest 24 hours a day 7 days a week she gets walked on lead and we are just now starting to increase her distance. UNtil yesterday my daughter (and the pup is hers) had a friend over they were playing with her i went out of the lounge room for 10 mins if that and come in to find them sitting on the ground having the pup jump over their legs to get her toy. AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH i went ballistic. I'm sure my daugheters friend thinks i'm the nazi mother from hell. I had been telling my daughter all week no rough play shes on bed rest but i guess at 11 yrs thats not classed as rough play jsut having fun its not their fault but i was furious and of course last night she was limping just a little where as we had gotten to the point of no more limping. I put a heat pack on her shoulder and rubbed some rapidgel into her (wasn't impressed about that at all)and this morning she wasn't limping again but obviously its going to take some time to heal. So you might have to do as we are doing in a crate on lead walking to go to the toilet only then slowly increasing the walking distance its slow but i'm sure it will pay off int he end. I hurt my ankle and it took almost 12 months to be 100% so i think with muscles time and rest is the only answer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunny Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Thanks Woodbyne, I was reading your thread before and wondered how you were going! It is all very scary that this is happening and I can't but help think the worst. We are terribly disappointed, my husband had vision of 'trampsing about the countryside' like he did when he was a kid in England (they had labs as gundogs and used to go 'beating' for the local squire)and at this stage it just isn't going to be happening. I wouldn't let him take her out anywhere until her vaccinations were done and on the very first day she was allowed out 'in public', we went to dog school and think this is where the injury happened. I guess it's just waiting game at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodbyne Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I know what you mean our daughter has been showing the breeders jacks for 5 years and was hanging out for her own pup to show she also wants to do agility and obedience trials but like you its all in doubt i have had many sleepless nights and think about her continually even when i'm at work, driving the car wondering how i could have done things differently thing for us is that i have no idea how she did her i htink just over exerting herself. Just when things were looking so good for us this happens you just want them to get better and after yesterdays set back i feel terrible today. made my daughter get up at 6am in the dark freezing cold and howling wind to to the first walk of the day kind of punishment for her.... I usually do the first one so she doesn't have to freeze but i was too andry and disappointed this morning Thanks Woodbyne, I was reading your thread before and wondered how you were going! It is all very scary that this is happening and I can't but help think the worst. We are terribly disappointed, my husband had vision of 'trampsing about the countryside' like he did when he was a kid in England (they had labs as gundogs and used to go 'beating' for the local squire)and at this stage it just isn't going to be happening. I wouldn't let him take her out anywhere until her vaccinations were done and on the very first day she was allowed out 'in public', we went to dog school and think this is where the injury happened. I guess it's just waiting game at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotwyr Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 (edited) Even if it is OCD you will still be able to go on walks etc.... My 7 year old GWP had OCD diagnosed at 7months. He had surgery and was crated for 3 months - just to be safe and extra sure. He is a Show and Sled dog Champion. Meaning we have raced him in a team of dogs on snow and forest tracks (uto 20km's in distance and at speeds of upto 40km/hr). Never ever limped a day in his life since recovering from the operation! Just don't do anything rough and tumble in the 1st 12months of a large pups life..... asking for trouble and damage to joints.... Pups are just as well socialised on daily walks as they are rough-housing at preschool and I think walking on a lead is far safer all round..... Edited June 14, 2011 by Hotwyr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunny Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 Hotwyr, you have definately eased my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotwyr Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Hunny, you are welcome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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