Limping

[bloy23]

Hello,

My bully is 2 years old. Recently starting limping out of the blue. Long story short, my vet(who I like) kind of rotates his rear left leg and calls it luxating patella(sp?). Wants to do surgery. No x-rays etc etc. We were initially in for a check-up and allergy shot which he was given.

2-3 days later. His limp is gone and he seems 100%. Running around, walks at the park. No problem. Like clockwork, about a month later(allergy shot is good for 30 days approx), he struggling to get out of bed and walk to his bowl to eat.

I don't have the name of the allergy meds but it is steroidal and contains anti-inflammatories. Three consecutive limping episodes have been solved by an allergy shot. Vet is a nice guy but kind of hard headed…still wants surgery. I kind of feel like he's guessing.

Obviously bully's are sensitive to allergies but I'm kind of at a loss as to how they are/could be causing him to limp so bad and how a simple shot, solves it 100%. Breaks my heart watching him struggle to get around. Im looking into another Vet now for a second opinion. Im not necessarily trying to dodge surgery but Im not convinced its necessary.

Any thoughts/ideas/similar stories?

Thanks in advance

 

[dolphin]

This has happened to our Buster before and he was x-rayed and I was told it was a muscle pull and was give the anti-inflammatory and it cleared right up. Before you do anything I would DEFINITELY seek a second opinion. To me it doesn't make sense why he wouldn't take an x-ray just to be on the safe side.

 

[Opie CHL]

Chumley has limped badly and then it's gone in a few days..I assume it's a pulled muscle or something ,I or as he's running around in a few days. This has happened twice in the last 2 months..are you sure it's the allergy shot making it go away and not just time itself? I swear Saturday morning I was looking at a vet visit on Monday he was limping so bad
...it went away on its own in 2-3 days..
I definitely would never do a surgery without at least an X-Ray and another opinion.

 

[Manydogs]

If his allergy shot is a steroid,it will help the pain in his knee.It is not CAUSING the limping-but helping ease the pain. Sometimes when a person's arthritis is having a painful spell, a steroid shot will be given, and it does usually last about a month. I have had them-such as prednisone-and it makes ME feel like superwoman! So that may be why he has no pain, after the allergy shot.
As for the luxating patella, it can be felt-easily by the vet-but I would INSIST on an xray-and want to SEE it for myself. If he doesn't have an xray machine-take him somewhere else for an xray. Hope your baby will be okay.

 

[aprilemari]

I'm dealing with a limping pup as well. So sad. I agree with [MENTION=8741]Manydogs[/MENTION], the steroid will help ease the pain. but for sure no surgery before an xray. you want proof. but unfortunately i think dogs need to be anesthetized for xrays. perhaps mildly would be sufficient. it is a risk, which is what i'm contemplating at the moment.

 

[Rural mystic]

I would not have the surgery done without and x-ray for a more complete diagnosis and/or second opinion as well.
Just went through something similar with my Ace.

http://www.englishbulldognews.com/forums/showthread.php?33221-Lame-left-rear-leg

 

[2BullyMama]

Smart choice.... econd opinion with xray ! Our boy had the luxating patella too, there are different levels of it and there may be other options than surgery.

Please keep us posted