chuckandsteve Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 My foster dog carries one of his legs sometimes, mainly when I take him for a jog. I have had him at the vets twice, the vet can't find a problem with the joints at all and I have a lot of faith in him as he picked up my own dog having a clicky knee 1 month after we adopted him and 3 years before he showed any issues with it. The vet has suggested maybe his pad is a bit sensitive, so we got him a shoe for it but he walks spaz with it on so it is hard to tell if that is helping or not. While I ran up and down the carpark at the vet with the dog he wouldn't carry it (figures). But the vet said his body language was showing no signs of pain. While this wouldn't be a problem for my own dog, I don't know what I should do about rehoming, I can't fix a leg the vet can find no problems with..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lavendergirl Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Would you be able to film him when he does it? That might give the vet a better idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Is it a foxy type? They often carry one of their legs for no apparent reason (the dogs I know of have all been vet checked). How old is the dog? Could it be early arthritis? My vet recently said an old dog I rescued was OK but I was sure she was arthritic so I took her to another vet and they gave her a course of Zydax injections and it was greatly improved. I would not take a dog jogging if this was happening - I've had 2 cruciate ligaments go whilst dogs were simply running round the park in a short burst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckandsteve Posted June 20, 2012 Author Share Posted June 20, 2012 He is a cross breed, Brindle so would say staffyx but he is bigger and body shade and head shape are wrong for a staffy. Size he is between a Staffordshire bull terrier and Lab We don't jog with him often, just to get away from another dog (he likes to bark and with 3 its best avoided) and last time it started to rain so just a block home. This is also an issue being dealt with so no need for anyone to go into it He bounds around the house no problem he also chased my dog round a park for about 10 minutes non stop and no issue. He is one year old so I don't think it would be arthritis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plan B Posted June 20, 2012 Share Posted June 20, 2012 Is there any chance he has a cut between his paw? Sometimes they can be really hard to spot. One of my dogs also had a hair actually pierce the skin, which made her lift it every now and then, and was almost impossible to see with the naked eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaCharlie Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I would be getting the dog to a chiropractor or canine physio. I don't know of the good ones in Victoria but I'm sure there are plenty of DOLers who would be happy to recommend someone. Perhaps a search of chiros/physios in Victoria would yield some results for you? Dogs don't just limp for no reason. I don't agree with the statement that many foxie types carry their legs "for no apparent reason". Luxating patellas are a huge issue in smaller terrier breeds and account for the skipping that you can see in many of these dogs. Often things like that go undetected by a regular vet and that is why a good chiro is worth their weight in gold. We are lucky enough to have a great one in Canberra who also happens to be a vet, so she is the only person our dogs see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckandsteve Posted June 21, 2012 Author Share Posted June 21, 2012 After reading the comments I am more convinved it is something to do with his foot rather than a joint. He doesnt stretch it out like my dog who has the knee problem does, just holds it off the ground. Anyone know what dogs do if its their hip?? I'm a dance teacher so quite good at looking for odd movement if i know what I am looking for. I will check his pad again tonight, we have had him a couple of months but you never know. If that fails I guess we try the chiro, though my vet is quite good and he checked him while he was under so I don't know if a chiro will be able to get a better look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 A problem that only manifests after endurance exercise suggests structural unsoundness to me. If it were my dog id X-ray and see a Chiro. It would be cheaper to start with the Chiro. Most vets have little knowledge in this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayla1 Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I would also suggest taking him to a chiro vet. Ray Ferguson at Monash vet is very good. I have two dogs with spinal/lameness issues that were not diagnosed correctly (by multiple vets) until I took them to Ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 I'd also look at his tendons and ligaments... Is he still having the odd growth spurt? Sometimes if the long bones grow a bit fast, the ligaments and tendons can get stretched a bit during exercise. I had a Rotti boy once whose tendons got really sore while he was having growth spurts. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mochi Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Are x-rays possible? A friend adopted a dog who carried a hind leg when running (and when the ground is wet) and an x-ray showed that at some point, the dog had the femoral head removed on that side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 Having been through a luxating patella diagnosis (and now 6 weeks post surgery) with my youngster which was not that easy to discover it could be a possibility. I actually thought in her case it might have been a partial cruciate - worst nightmare on an athletic dog but she was on rest for a shoulder injury and it was only when she had been rested and on restricted exercise that the luxating patella was diagnosed. Prior to that she had brilliant muscle mass holding the patella in and nobody could get it to budge. I had 2 ortho specialists, a physio and a chiro vet look over her hind end to come up with nothing. Definitely worth getting a good physio or chiro to have a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted June 21, 2012 Share Posted June 21, 2012 With a young, silly Staffy x I'd be considering a ruptured or even just strained cruciate. I would try resting the dog fora few weeksand see if it improves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckandsteve Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 Ok well I tried to book in with Monash Vets and 13th of August is the first available appointment with Ray Ferguson. So not much good, and the other vet the does joints is only available mornings. Add to that distance and I can't get him there and go to work. So back to square one. Thanks for all the suggestions though. It has been 2 months with him doing it on and off so a simple strain seems to be out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristineX Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 I'd second x-rays and a good chiro - duke had foot/leg problems and we were seeing vets for months - my favourite vet (now moved on, damn it) finally figured it out - pinched nerve. A good chiro put Duke's back back into place, and we've since been working (with the chiro) to build up muscle mass around the spine to keep it in place. It's worth considering the possibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 A partial tear of a cruciate can present that way. Have you rested him at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted June 24, 2012 Share Posted June 24, 2012 What part of Vic are you in? Quite posibly someone can suggest a good one closer to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckandsteve Posted June 24, 2012 Author Share Posted June 24, 2012 We are in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne I heard there is a good on in Narre Warren?? But I can't find it on google I don't mind traveling but between 9-5 the time it takes to get the dog there and home is the limiting factor. As we are taking maybe 3hrs of work time, after 40 minutes there, waiting, appointment, 40 minutes home and 40 minutes back to work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 I use Chirnside Park vet and find them very good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmayma Posted June 25, 2012 Share Posted June 25, 2012 It might not be very close for you, but he is one of the best vets I have ever seen, very kind, very gentle and knowledgeable Greencross Vets - Sandringham Specifically request an appointment with Dr Rob Graham I copied their link for you. Please see bellow: http://www.greencrossvet.com.au/Clinic-37/Sandringham-Team.aspx Hope it helps and good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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