Can't seem to find any vet interested in helping my dog! Please help!!

[Zuckan]

My 6yo German Shepherd has a bad limp in his back leg. Ive taken him to multiple orthopaedic surgeons and specialists and they can't really figure out what's wrong or how to fix it. They've ruled out hip dysplasia or other common causes. One surgeon told me that it's possibly an extremely rare muscle disorder that can sometimes be addressed with surgery, but the muscle grows back anyway so it doesn't solve anything. 

 

I've tried to make a follow-up appointment, and the specialists keep telling me politely that there's nothing more they can do, so there's no point wasting my money on a consult. 

 

I went to my local vet to talk about how we can manage my dog's chronic pain and quality of life with medication, and they just throw me back in the loop by saying I should speak to a specialist. I'm getting nowhere, all while my dog continues to limp around in pain because apparently there are no vets interested in medicating him. 

 

What can I do? 

[Pjrt]

If you can give an approximate location I’m sure people here can recommend a canine chiropractor/ acupuncturist etc etc. 

Im in SA and there are some brilliant ones here. So I’m sure there are some great ones within reach of you. 
personally I prefer ones with a veterinary background rather than a ‘pet therapist’ for a few reasons. 
it’s probably not the exact recommendation you were looking for, but no matter what the issue with your dogs hindquarter, alternative services like these can offer real insight, real relief, real management. If your dog is lame for any length of time, that will flow through to other issues unless we’ll managed. 

[Boronia]

2 hours ago, Zuckan said:

My 6yo German Shepherd has a bad limp in his back leg. Ive taken him to multiple orthopaedic surgeons and specialists and they can't really figure out what's wrong or how to fix it. They've ruled out hip dysplasia or other common causes. One surgeon told me that it's possibly an extremely rare muscle disorder that can sometimes be addressed with surgery, but the muscle grows back anyway so it doesn't solve anything. 

 

I've tried to make a follow-up appointment, and the specialists keep telling me politely that there's nothing more they can do, so there's no point wasting my money on a consult. 

 

I went to my local vet to talk about how we can manage my dog's chronic pain and quality of life with medication, and they just throw me back in the loop by saying I should speak to a specialist. I'm getting nowhere, all while my dog continues to limp around in pain because apparently there are no vets interested in medicating him. 

 

What can I do? 

the symptoms remind me of an episode of The Bionic vet...the dog had corns!

Here is a little about it http://www.thesupervet.com/lola/

[Deeds]

Has an x-ray been done on the leg to rule out Osteosarcoma?  

[Papillon Kisses]

I see you’re in NSW. I have no experience with these people, but they might be worth a shot? https://www.sydneyanimalpainclinic.com.au

[tdierikx]

Has anyone xrayed your dog's lower spine area? Degeneration there can cause sciatica from pinching on the sciatic nerve, and a few other issues that may present with a limp.

 

If you are in Sydney, see if you can get a referral to Dr David Lidbetter... he is one of the top orthopedic vet surgeons in the country, so is most likely your best option to get to the root of the problem, and hopefully get it sorted out.

 

T.

[Rascalmyshadow]

Find yourself a good dog Chiro, there’s a high possibility it’s a back injury not a leg injury and a standard vet is unlikely to of help if it’s a chiropractic issue.