Limping - Page 1

My 5 month old puppy was playing with my older dog and i realized that he started to limp. Since then i have kept the puppy quiet. He does not limp when he walks but when he starts to trot the limp is evident. He has no problem getting up if he is lying down and he is always trying to run. So it does not seem like he is in pain but i was wondering if there was anythin else i should do. Could it be pano? And i am feeding him royal canin maxi junior. Any ideas

Maverick, When you mean playing do you mean none rough house playing? I would be very careful on how your puppy plays, especially at his age. His hips are still growing. Dogs can get hip dysphasia not just by genetic but also stress to the joint. The best medical advice that I can suggest for you is to take the puppy to the vet and get him checked out. We cannot give you a professional opinion (which is what you really need rather then a regular opinion)and determining if your dog has pano or not. If your vet is open on saturday... make an appointment right away.

Thanks brittany for the advise. I'll make an appointment right away. I usually don't let my puppy rough house with my older dog but the both got loose the other day and started playing. He's limping on his front right leg. I'll get him checked out today. thanks again

Running to the Vet every time your dog has a limp only lines the Vets pockets with money. I would wait at least a week with crate rest to see if the pup improves. Besides whats the Vet going to do for you. Send you home with prednisone????Or tell you I just dont know what it is crate rest the dog. Sometimes they just injure themselves.If it is hip dysplasia its not going to get better.

Maverick, My pup was limping a month ago, in the front left leg and I took him to the Vet, and had his hips and elbows x-rayed and it was Pano. I am glad that I did. By the way the hips and elbows look good. I hope that they stay that way. This is your puppy. If you think that he needs to see the Vet, then take puppy in. JMO, I would rather be safe than sorry. Best wishes to you and to the pup. Dawn Bonome

I`m with Dawn on this one. It seems that the puppy has been limping after rest, and yes, it could be just a strain, but I am assuming that this is a front leg limp here, and I would worry about OCD which needs urgent attention if it is. Janette - I also take on board your opinion, but its much safer to "line the vets pocket" on one occasion than assume you know its ok, and give the puppy a hard time for weeks before the situation is handled correctly. Mo - Mascani

Sorry didnt realize it was the front leg. My opinion still stands though. Crate rest for a week to see if it improves. If you suspect Pano...lower the protein in the feed. A Vet will be able to diagnose it but cant cure it!He will precribe asprin or something like it that may cause stomach problems.Besides ...unless the pup is in extreme pain I wouldnt give anything for pain. It only makes the pup feel he/she can do more futhering the injury. Only time will cure Pano.

Janette, running with a fully mature dog to the vet every time is one thing. With a growing pup you better be sure you are not missing something that could come back to haunt you later. If this was a pup from me and problems would come up later, an untreated condition could void the guarantee for example. A few dollars for peace of mind, which is priceless, every puppy buyer should have and be willing to spend. I would also advise a visit to the vet. You can check other things at the same time, like teeth, ears, overall health. Try to make a list of the pups problems before you go so that you do not miss anything: where do you think is the limp, does it show up right away and every time the pup trots or more frequently after a certain time or certain amount of exercise, when did it start, is there any heat detectable in an area of the leg, is it tender to the touch, etc. I would switch to an adult food. A 5 months old pup does not need puppy food any more, not even RC Junior. As always I recommend Eagle Pack Original Adult for dogs that age, their website has a store locator (eaglepack.com). No excessive treats other than chewies which your dog should need lots of at the moment. Some raw heel bones that you take away once all the cartilige has been chewed off, usually after a day. Some nylabones. Frozen carrots and bananas are good at that age too and help soothe the teething mouth a bit. If you give treats treat it as a separate meal such as lunch.

I'm with D.H. - better to go to the vet's and find out what's going on than leave something untreated that might become worse. Oh, and D.H. - did my emails get through to you?

While panosteitis and OCD of the shoulder do come to mind, my most immediate thought is ELBOW DYSPLASIA. This happened to a 5-month-old pup of mine (American bred, AKC lines in the 70's)--clinically triggered by the trauma of rough-housing with her littermates. X-rays are definitely in order. Be sure you go to a vet who does not require general anesthesia, skilled in radiography, and with the ability to read for ED and for panosteitis.