Intermittent Lameness Due To Toe Pain

[Mum to Emma]

Hi - I wonder if anyone has come across this before. Occasionally (perhaps a couple of times a day and then not for a few days) My whippet will start to limp badly, the source of the pain being her front left foot. If I look at the foot, I can see that the toes are angled upwards. If I stretch and smooth out the toes, the pain is immediately relived and she walks as normal. Is this some find of intermittent dislocation? I don't want to subject her to unnecessary X-rays because she's nearly 14 and, really, what can a vet do?

[persephone]

ouch ! I guess it depends if you need to know exactly what's happening - a vet /dog chiro may well be able to diagnose without Xrays . She might be more comfy with a boot or bandage when walking ... ask the professional you see :)

[The Spotted Devil]

Arthritis and sprained toes are not all that uncommon - I've seen it in working Gundogs. IF it's arthritis (and I say IF) folks I know have put their dogs on an arthritis supplement and anti-inflams as necessary. Sprains can be managed with boots. Get onto it though as even a mild lameness from a sore toe can lead to back pain and hind limb issues because of the weight transfer.

Edited January 21, 2015 by The Spotted Devil

[JRG]

If it was a person you were referring too, I would say cramp of the short muscles in the foot particularly since it goes away when you stretch out the toes.

[Mum to Emma]

Cramp - yes, that's a good way to describe it. The vet has said she has neurological problems giving her that old dog wobbliness. I'll have to get it on film because the episodes are brief and. would be impossible to diagnose without seeing it. Perhaps it's something unique to greyhounds and whippets with their hare like toes.