About five weeks ago I noticed my 90 lb. Golden was limping somewhat on
his left front leg, but usually only when he got up from lying down for
a long time.Once he was up, he walked normally. I thought he might have
suffered an injury since I had heard him jump up on the kitchen counter
where his food was sitting, I heard the "clink" as he pushed it further
toward the back of the counter, and then I heard him land back on the
floor. This is a five-year-old mail who never jumps up on anything, not
a table, a chair, or a bed. That night is when we noticed the limp. I
gave it a couple of weeks and then called the vet who suggested a blood
workup to make sure he did not have lime. Even his breeder suggested
lime, since his occasional limp fit the symptoms. Blood workup was
normal, the vet felt a little swelling at the elbow and put him on
Rimadyl and a supplement for a week to treat inflammation. He did seem
to get better, we finished the Rimadyl, and then the limp worsened. At
times, if he were lying down for a couple of hours, his left leg was
almost turned outward and his foot looked as though it was sliding
somewhat on the floor. However, within seconds, he was up and walking
normally. Today he went in for a series of x-rays to look for elbow
dysplasia, arthritis, etc. The x-rays showed nothing at all, although
they are being sent to a radiologist for review. The vet feels there
might be some soft tissue issue here and it might indicate a consult
with an orthopedist and an MRI. It could be the result of an injury but
that does not preclude a ligament or muscle tear. This poor dog is a
mess tonight -he was at the vet all day, now has diarrhea, still
suffering the effects of anesthesia. This normally mellow and loving dog
is so petrified at the vet they have to muzzle him, since he emits a low
growl which never stops for a second and did once threaten the vet with
his teeth. Today has to have finished him off altogether! Does anyone
have any idea what steps I should take at this point in diagnosis? I
asked about pano and the vet said it would have to be very subtle not to
show on an x-ray. He also said it could be the beginning of joint
problems which just don't show up yet. I really need to get a diagnosis
and a treatment for whatever it is, but boy, this dog has had enough for
a while. Do his symptoms mean anything to any of you, a direction to
look in? Thanks, Leslie

Your vet has articulated the limb and ruled out an ACL tear?

-Sharon


"Leslie Weinberg" wrote in message
...
About five weeks ago I noticed my 90 lb. Golden was limping somewhat on
his left front leg, but usually only when he got up from lying down for
a long time.Once he was up, he walked normally. I thought he might have
suffered an injury since I had heard him jump up on the kitchen counter
where his food was sitting, I heard the "clink" as he pushed it further
toward the back of the counter, and then I heard him land back on the
floor. This is a five-year-old mail who never jumps up on anything, not
a table, a chair, or a bed. That night is when we noticed the limp. I
gave it a couple of weeks and then called the vet who suggested a blood
workup to make sure he did not have lime. Even his breeder suggested
lime, since his occasional limp fit the symptoms. Blood workup was
normal, the vet felt a little swelling at the elbow and put him on
Rimadyl and a supplement for a week to treat inflammation. He did seem
to get better, we finished the Rimadyl, and then the limp worsened. At
times, if he were lying down for a couple of hours, his left leg was
almost turned outward and his foot looked as though it was sliding
somewhat on the floor. However, within seconds, he was up and walking
normally. Today he went in for a series of x-rays to look for elbow
dysplasia, arthritis, etc. The x-rays showed nothing at all, although
they are being sent to a radiologist for review. The vet feels there
might be some soft tissue issue here and it might indicate a consult
with an orthopedist and an MRI. It could be the result of an injury but
that does not preclude a ligament or muscle tear. This poor dog is a
mess tonight -he was at the vet all day, now has diarrhea, still
suffering the effects of anesthesia. This normally mellow and loving dog
is so petrified at the vet they have to muzzle him, since he emits a low
growl which never stops for a second and did once threaten the vet with
his teeth. Today has to have finished him off altogether! Does anyone
have any idea what steps I should take at this point in diagnosis? I
asked about pano and the vet said it would have to be very subtle not to
show on an x-ray. He also said it could be the beginning of joint
problems which just don't show up yet. I really need to get a diagnosis
and a treatment for whatever it is, but boy, this dog has had enough for
a while. Do his symptoms mean anything to any of you, a direction to
look in? Thanks, Leslie

He articulated the limb, but I'm not sure what ACL means! he said there
was no pain response to anything he did. Leslie

Sharon too wrote:
Your vet has articulated the limb and ruled out an ACL tear?

-Sharon


"Leslie Weinberg" wrote in message
...

About five weeks ago I noticed my 90 lb. Golden was limping somewhat on
his left front leg, but usually only when he got up from lying down for
a long time.Once he was up, he walked normally. I thought he might have
suffered an injury since I had heard him jump up on the kitchen counter
where his food was sitting, I heard the "clink" as he pushed it further
toward the back of the counter, and then I heard him land back on the
floor. This is a five-year-old mail who never jumps up on anything, not
a table, a chair, or a bed. That night is when we noticed the limp. I
gave it a couple of weeks and then called the vet who suggested a blood
workup to make sure he did not have lime. Even his breeder suggested
lime, since his occasional limp fit the symptoms. Blood workup was
normal, the vet felt a little swelling at the elbow and put him on
Rimadyl and a supplement for a week to treat inflammation. He did seem
to get better, we finished the Rimadyl, and then the limp worsened. At
times, if he were lying down for a couple of hours, his left leg was
almost turned outward and his foot looked as though it was sliding
somewhat on the floor. However, within seconds, he was up and walking
normally. Today he went in for a series of x-rays to look for elbow
dysplasia, arthritis, etc. The x-rays showed nothing at all, although
they are being sent to a radiologist for review. The vet feels there
might be some soft tissue issue here and it might indicate a consult
with an orthopedist and an MRI. It could be the result of an injury but
that does not preclude a ligament or muscle tear. This poor dog is a
mess tonight -he was at the vet all day, now has diarrhea, still
suffering the effects of anesthesia. This normally mellow and loving dog
is so petrified at the vet they have to muzzle him, since he emits a low
growl which never stops for a second and did once threaten the vet with
his teeth. Today has to have finished him off altogether! Does anyone
have any idea what steps I should take at this point in diagnosis? I
asked about pano and the vet said it would have to be very subtle not to
show on an x-ray. He also said it could be the beginning of joint
problems which just don't show up yet. I really need to get a diagnosis
and a treatment for whatever it is, but boy, this dog has had enough for
a while. Do his symptoms mean anything to any of you, a direction to
look in? Thanks, Leslie

: He articulated the limb, but I'm not sure what ACL means! he said there
was no pain response to anything he did. Leslie

Anterior Cruciate Ligament. You hear about football players getting put out
for the season with these injuries. ACL tears can happen when dogs jump down
off from something or suddenly move in a way they aren't used to. The vet
can usually tell by articulating it if it has been torn. I'd ask if an ACL
injury is possible. It's a common surgery in dogs.

-Sharon

I looked it up after I read your post, but it refers to the knee. The
swelling ( and therefore assumed inflammation) is on the elbow. Leslie

Sharon too wrote:
: He articulated the limb, but I'm not sure what ACL means! he said there

was no pain response to anything he did. Leslie


Anterior Cruciate Ligament. You hear about football players getting put out
for the season with these injuries. ACL tears can happen when dogs jump down
off from something or suddenly move in a way they aren't used to. The vet
can usually tell by articulating it if it has been torn. I'd ask if an ACL
injury is possible. It's a common surgery in dogs.

-Sharon

I would get him to an orthopedic vet for an examination. From the sounds of
it he's not a happy camper but to really know what's going on you need an
ortho. It could be soft tissue injury or the onset of some arthritis.
Either way getting it diagnosed ASAP and starting treatment right way are
the best for either one.

I have one dog who has arthritis who is treated by an ortho. I just wish I
had done it years before he ever had ACL problems. I also have a rescue who
had been hit by a car and her front leg didn't heal properly and it turns
out at the paw. She does exactly as yours does after getting up from lying
down. For a while she limps around some. She will also limp if I let her
play ball too long. In her case we can do nothing since the break is
healed. She takes glucosamine supplements daily and a baby aspirin when
needed. Fortunately it doesn't bother her that often that we have to give
her anything for it.

Good Luck. Its awful knowing they are in pain and not knowing exactly what
to do to help
Celeste

"Leslie Weinberg" wrote in message
...
About five weeks ago I noticed my 90 lb. Golden was limping somewhat on
his left front leg, but usually only when he got up from lying down for
a long time.Once he was up, he walked normally. I thought he might have
suffered an injury since I had heard him jump up on the kitchen counter
where his food was sitting, I heard the "clink" as he pushed it further
toward the back of the counter, and then I heard him land back on the
floor. This is a five-year-old mail who never jumps up on anything, not
a table, a chair, or a bed. That night is when we noticed the limp. I
gave it a couple of weeks and then called the vet who suggested a blood
workup to make sure he did not have lime. Even his breeder suggested
lime, since his occasional limp fit the symptoms. Blood workup was
normal, the vet felt a little swelling at the elbow and put him on
Rimadyl and a supplement for a week to treat inflammation. He did seem
to get better, we finished the Rimadyl, and then the limp worsened. At
times, if he were lying down for a couple of hours, his left leg was
almost turned outward and his foot looked as though it was sliding
somewhat on the floor. However, within seconds, he was up and walking
normally. Today he went in for a series of x-rays to look for elbow
dysplasia, arthritis, etc. The x-rays showed nothing at all, although
they are being sent to a radiologist for review. The vet feels there
might be some soft tissue issue here and it might indicate a consult
with an orthopedist and an MRI. It could be the result of an injury but
that does not preclude a ligament or muscle tear. This poor dog is a
mess tonight -he was at the vet all day, now has diarrhea, still
suffering the effects of anesthesia. This normally mellow and loving dog
is so petrified at the vet they have to muzzle him, since he emits a low
growl which never stops for a second and did once threaten the vet with
his teeth. Today has to have finished him off altogether! Does anyone
have any idea what steps I should take at this point in diagnosis? I
asked about pano and the vet said it would have to be very subtle not to
show on an x-ray. He also said it could be the beginning of joint
problems which just don't show up yet. I really need to get a diagnosis
and a treatment for whatever it is, but boy, this dog has had enough for
a while. Do his symptoms mean anything to any of you, a direction to
look in? Thanks, Leslie