Help Needed! Lame Leg

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Salo
Hi,

Earlier this year Salo had a lame leg. He would stand up, limp for several steps, then walk fine. After 2 rounds of Metacam, 8 laser therapy sessions, and short walks/no running, he was 100% 2 months later.

Now, its his other front leg and he can't quite shake it. Its been 2 months now. He's had 2 rounds of Metacam (not back/back) & 12+ laser sessions. He's not overweight. He's otherwise healthy & runs when he's not on lock down. He's 3.5 years old. X-ray came back negative for arthritis & anything else that might be diagnosed that way.

I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone might have!

Thanks...
 

ddnene

EBN's SWEETHEART aka our little GOOB
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Oh goodness, I'm so sorry to hear about Salo... I'm going to tag some members to see if they can help.
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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Have they checked his paws to make sure nothing is going on with them?

So sorry he is having a rough time.... you are doing all the right stuff to get him better - that is for sure
 

oscarmayer

Have Bulldog Will Travel
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Should I assume he's getting laser treatment for arthritis, yet he's been X-rayed and has no arthritis?
Has your Vet explained to you that he doesn't know the cause of the pain and therefore he chooses to treat the symptom in hopes that the leg will heal itself...in time?
Have you considered elevating this to an Orthopedic Vet?
Does he still limp the first few steps then "shake it off" and walk correctly?
...otherwise healthy & runs when he's not on lock down...
Have you been diligent(really diligent) in limiting his activity while he's "on the mend"?
 
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SamiSalo

SamiSalo

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Aug 15, 2013
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Vancouver, BC
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Salo
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
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Should I assume he's getting laser treatment for arthritis, yet he's been X-rayed and has no arthritis?
Has your Vet explained to you that he doesn't know the cause of the pain and therefore he chooses to treat the symptom in hopes that the leg will heal itself...in time?
Have you considered elevating this to an Orthopedic Vet?
Does he still limp the first few steps then "shake it off" and walk correctly?

Have you been diligent(really diligent) in limiting his activity while he's "on the mend"?

The x-ray was only last week. Laser is more muscle/deep tissue therapy & it worked well last time. Yes, she mentioned that & if I go back it'll be escalated. Yes, limps for a few steps then walks correctly & doesn't limp again until the next time he stands up after a rest. I think so - 3-4 short/slow walks a day (5 - 30 min), no running or playing.

Breeder suggested Glucosamine so I might start giving him that even though it sounds like its more for preventing & treating arthritis.

No, I've never considered an orthopedic vet. He's always walked properly (doesn't have your typical bulldog/aggressive looking stance).
 

Mutsch Harvesting

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Jan 1, 2016
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Brosco
Hi,

Earlier this year Salo had a lame leg. He would stand up, limp for several steps, then walk fine. After 2 rounds of Metacam, 8 laser therapy sessions, and short walks/no running, he was 100% 2 months later.

Now, its his other front leg and he can't quite shake it. Its been 2 months now. He's had 2 rounds of Metacam (not back/back) & 12+ laser sessions. He's not overweight. He's otherwise healthy & runs when he's not on lock down. He's 3.5 years old. X-ray came back negative for arthritis & anything else that might be diagnosed that way.

I'd appreciate any suggestions anyone might have!

Thanks...

Try Dasuquin we have had good results with brosco back limp after a vet examined him and prescribed it
 

Ulrich

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Murray has a similar issue. He has limped periodically, favoring his right hind leg. He is very agile and often slides walking on our wood floors, so we assumed it was a pulled muscle. We had the vet look at it, and she told us it's likely arthritis in his hip. He stopped limping as soon as we left the vet until two weeks ago when he refused to get up and walk all day. We went back to the vet who, without x-rays, determined his knee had popped and told us he would need knee surgery. Again, Murray walked out of the vet without any problems.

In the middle of last night, Murray was panting heavily and moaning enough to wake me up. When I checked on him, his legs were splayed behind him and appeared paralyzed when he tried to get up. He was obviously scared and in pain. I sat on the floor rubbing his hind legs for almost an hour which helped him relax. As I went back to bed, Murray stood up and limped a bit but made it to his bed. After laying there a few minutes, he got up to drink some water. By morning, he was walking fine and went about his normal routine all day.

Has anyone ever experienced this before? Clearly, we need the vet to follow up with x-rays to rule out hip or knee issues, but Murray's behavior last night looked more like cramped muscles or temporary paralysis. However, his past limping episodes all similarly favored one leg. Any thoughts?
 

oscarmayer

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Yes, limps for a few steps then walks correctly & doesn't limp again until the next time he stands up after a rest.

No, I've never considered an orthopedic vet.
I should get this out of the way, right away...I'm no Vet. If I had to guess I'd say your boy has tendinitis or a torn ligament. I hope I'm wrong. I'd lean to tendinitis simply because the pain can come and go and getting up to move around can, initially, be painful. For anyone that has ever had plantar fasciitis...you know what I mean. Healing can take a long long time and limiting movement is very important to proper healing. Pain meds merely mask pain and make the patient feel better and consequently the patient will act as though they are healed when, in fact, they are not. Re-ijury while on pain meds is certainly possible.

I think you need to see a specialist. Have your Vet write a referral and get your boy elevated. He's limping because he's in pain and Bulldogs notoriously handle pain very well.
That's what I'd do. I wish the best of luck to you both and I hope he's better come tomorrow and that specialist visit isn't even necessary!
 

rjisaterp

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[MENTION=9655]SamiSalo[/MENTION] ... @2BullyMama tagged me. I guess I am the new default Ortho guy since both of my bullies have had knee surgery. Let me make 1 thing clear...I am not a Vet.

The x-rays plus all the treatments and your bully is still limping...then I would say there something else that maybe causing the limping. X-rays will only show bone abnormalities fracture etc. I would suggest seeing an Ortho Vet and an MRI might be able to make a diagnosis.


I give my bullies glucosamine daily as a supplement which really helped after their ACL surgeries.

The article below essentially is for immediate care after injury but also describes some chronic issues. Bentley and Jewel are hoping you find out Salo's issue and that it is resolved quickly. Please keep the Forum posted on this issue. --rj

Here is an article/write-up for PetMD which you can find at Dog Limping Causes - Limping in Dogs Treatment | petMD

Just like humans, dogs sometimes break bones, sprain muscles, slip discs or tear ligaments, all of which can lead to the sudden onset of limping or movement difficulties. Torn knee ligaments occur frequently. Muscle strains are less common, but even these can occur while dogs undertake something as simple as climbing stairs.

Arthritis (sometimes referred as osteoarthritis) can also present as a sudden onset of lameness, should a jarring or untoward movement occur. Of course, dogs may chronically suffer from illnesses of lameness as well. Diagnosis and management of these conditions, however, will not be addressed here.

What To Watch For


In most limping cases there will be no external sign of damage. However, limbs may dangle at an unnatural angle when fractured or dislocated. Bones may even pierce the skin. Sometimes bleeding as well as swelling may also occur.

Primary Cause


Accidents and other traumatic origins are the most common causes, though slow, chronic degeneration of a ligament or disc, for example, can sometimes lead to a sudden onset of orthopedic pain or lameness.

Immediate Care


In all cases:


  1. Do not move the dog. Restrain it if necessary.
  2. Check for broken bones (including dislocations) by observing the angle of the limb and its stability. As a rule of thumb, weight-bearing lameness is unlikely to be a fracture.
  3. If there are no obvious breaks and the dog can hobble, there is generally no need to splint the leg.
  4. Lame dogs should be confined and there movements restricted for a few days.
  5. Persistent lameness (more than 24 hours) or a more severe lameness require immediate veterinary attention.

In cases of severe pain or swelling:


  • If the dog is large and is able to walk on three legs, allow him to walk to the car and take him to the vet immediately. Small dogs will need to be gently carried.
  • If the dog is suffering from back pain rather than a swollen limb, cradle him while carrying him to the car. (Because it may be difficult to distinguish back pain from limb pain, handle all limping dogs gently).

In mild cases:


  • Apply a cold compress (such as a wet cloth or bag of frozen vegetables) to the joint to help reduce inflammation.
  • If the area remains inflamed or the dog exhibits pain for more than 24 hours, switch to a warm compress and bring her to a veterinarian for an evaluation.

Veterinary Care


Diagnosis

The cause of a limp can often be diagnosed with just a simple physical examination. However, X-rays and manipulation of the affected area under sedation may also be required. There are even some cases where CT scans and MRIs are needed.

Living and Management


Never exercise a lame dog. In fact, the dog must be allowed to rest completely for a few days and up to several weeks. When the lameness subsides, continue resting her for at least another 24 to 48 hours. Only then should you reintroduce exercise, and only in a gentle and progressive manner.

I hope this helps Salo and tell your mommy that you love her for trying to rule out what is ailing you.
 

Lssgators

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Hi, Iā€™m new to this forum so I hope that Iā€™m not repeating advice someone has already told you. My English bulldog had a torn ACL/CCL, and my vet referred him to an orthopedic surgeon. He definitely had a tear and had to have the surgery but we are having a hard time recovering because he is not wanting to put weight on the leg. Iā€™ve been back to my regular vet I have been to two postop appointments with the orthopedic surgeon and Iā€™m going back. I do not know what to do as well so if anybody has any advice for postop care, I could use that as well.
 

2BullyMama

I'm not OCD....now who moved my bulldog?
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Hi, Iā€™m new to this forum so I hope that Iā€™m not repeating advice someone has already told you. My English bulldog had a torn ACL/CCL, and my vet referred him to an orthopedic surgeon. He definitely had a tear and had to have the surgery but we are having a hard time recovering because he is not wanting to put weight on the leg. Iā€™ve been back to my regular vet I have been to two postop appointments with the orthopedic surgeon and Iā€™m going back. I do not know what to do as well so if anybody has any advice for postop care, I could use that as well.

Physical therapy is key, my guy was hesitant the first couple days, but after that he would slowly put weight and walk


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