Hyperflexion question (BUT not hyperextension....NOT walking on hocks, not down on wrist etc) - Page 1

Hello.

First noticed around age 4 months or so. Dog is now 16 months. Affects both front legs....what is seen is at times (sporadically)....sniffing...or at rest a hyperflexion of the wrist. The dog is NOT down but think of a bowing out or over. Sporadically. Very active male.

Dog has had pano Dx both fronts. When discussed with vet the vet hadn't seen before and hadn't had any info to give me. At first we thought was a pressure relief due to Pano in both front legs.

No pain noted. No real swelling....just the hyperflexion. It is off putting to see him sitting or sniffing and to see that flexion.

Does anyone have experience or recommendations? Dietary changes have not had any affect on this to this point. (ie changing from higher to lower protein etc and we are not supplementing with supplements other than Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, fish oil and that started long after the flexion was noted)

Thank you!

Sniffing, bowing and flexion? I would be thinking to check for bone cancer. Or maybe even some other type, just to be on the safe side. Dogs who detect cancer will worry at an affected area. I wouldn't discount that the dog does smell.... something.

Sorry...I should clarify. When the dog sniffs the ground I may see a hyperflexion. Not himself.

Oh, that is a different matter!

Sporadic, bowing out or over.

Cannot picture this. Any chance of a bit of video ? (Appreciate that might be difficult, they never seem to do these odd physical things when you want them to demonstrate !)

Yes, I really can't picture just what the problem is either. Pictures would certainly help.

Only on the basis of that one photograph, I'd say that while s/he looks a little 'loose' in the joint, it isn't particularly pronounced or abnormal. Does it actually interfere with walking ? (You've said you notice it when s/he sniffs something, as in the photo, or is just sitting relaxed, but you don't mention whether it makes his/her stride at all 'wobbly').

PS What is the leg we cannot see (hidden by the head) doing, at this point ? Is it straight because the dog is balancing more weight on it, or not ?

Wanted to know if you have done any spinal x-rays? Can be done if you plan to OFA at the same time as the hips/elbows. Be sure to find someone that has done a lot of x-rays; not someone that is NOT familiar with pano. Certainly her flexion at the pastern looks a bit strange, I would be more worried it is coming from the shoulder area and she is compensating for sore shoulder(s) up near the withers or even follow her shoulders on down to her pastern to see if their is any tenderness or soreness; she will let you know.

Also check her neck area from behind her ears all the way down to her shoulder area.. Any soreness?? Otherwise just watch her for any other sign(s) of abnormal soreness. Could still be pano even at her age. Good luck Nan