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Post by jamiehalverson on Sept 26, 2014 9:36:21 GMT -5
Hey all,
So at obedience class last night our trainer noticed Yogi's gait was off and that something is going on with his left rear leg... I have heard his toenails scrape the concrete now and then on walks, but just thought it was because I sometimes forget to clip his back toenails. There is no change in Yogi at all, not behaviorally or physically. When she examined his leg he pulled his paw away, but that doesn't surprise me. She also noted that he tends to "puppy sit" on his right side and not his left.
So this morning I sat on the kitchen floor and had my daughter lead him away and towards me and away from me a number of times. I saw that he just barely scrapes the tip of his left toes for a split second on the floor instead of picking the foot up smartly and pointing it forward like the right.
! He was just at the vet 2 weeks ago for his shots and TDI health testing stuff... I never even thought to mention the nail scraping as I wasn't aware it could be indicative of a problem - leave it to Google to solve that issue for me, now I know more than I want to I did notice that the vet seemed to spend some "extra" time manipulating that leg, but she didn't mention anything or ask any questions so at the time I assumed all was well.
Could it be that he's been in some level of pain since we got him 6 months ago? Like I said, I don't see any change, but putting together all the signs in our conversation last night, there are some little clues that make me wonder. He's pretty "lazy" just really a mellow boy who doesn't get excited about much. Although he will run and play with other dogs for hours if given the opportunity, he does NOT have the energy of a typical not quite 2 year old dog, but that could just be him. Maybe he doesn't hold sit stays well and lays down because it hurts him? and not because he's lazy? Sheesh, I would feel beyond terrible if that's the case.
I'm worried and frustrated and disappointed... I wish I would have said something to my vet, but I will call her as soon as they open this morning and see what she thinks. We WERE going to start a beginners agility class in a couple weeks and frankly, another vet visit and x-rays are financially taxing right now. And MOST of all, I so hope nothing is wrong with my boy!!! He's only 2 for pete's sake...
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Post by michele5611 on Sept 26, 2014 14:59:41 GMT -5
Hoping it is nothing but for sure bring him in to the vet. Just thinking of what it could be if anything...maybe a patella but that is more where the dog skips and doesn't put the leg down and this sounds the opposite.
Fingers crossed for good news. Keep us posted!
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Post by jamiehalverson on Sept 26, 2014 15:59:42 GMT -5
I watched some videos on you tube of dogs with patellar luxation and hd; it's not quite like either. The vet isn't in until Wed. I'd like to talk to her about it since she just examined him and can maybe put my mind at ease. If not, then I'll take him in. Maybe I'll try to take a quick video and post it.
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Post by jamiehalverson on Oct 10, 2014 17:03:41 GMT -5
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SO! I took Yogi in to the vet to check out his leg. Good news, Both hips are good - no HD, no patella issues, no obvious ACL injuries past or present, and no neurological issues.
But, they did feel that he may have a soft tissue injury as he was sensitive to some of their manipulations and stood a bit awkwardly. One vet mentioned that he could have an ACL "stretch" and that it could be a crap shoot as to if/when it goes. They prescribed 2 weeks of taking it easy and metacam. If he improves on the metacam then we know he had an inflammatory/soft tissue issue. If not, we can pretty much assume that he just has a slightly awkward gait/stance.
Frankly, and I told them this, his issue is virtually imperceptible. It took me 5 minutes of sitting at floor level watching him walk to see what the trainer was talking about. Honestly, I don't know if I can judge if he's "better" or not in two weeks because there's never been any change and I didn't even see it in the first place. I think I'll ask our trainer if I can bring him over in a couple weeks and she can see what she thinks, then back to the vet.
Anyone have any experience with this, what about an ACL "stretch"? That scares me...
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Post by suziriot on Oct 10, 2014 19:04:03 GMT -5
Hmmm... haven't heard of an ACL stretch. I think monitoring him over the next couple weeks sounds like a good plan, and then go from there. Glad to hear it wasn't more serious though!
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Post by michele5611 on Oct 14, 2014 8:07:40 GMT -5
Def monitor him as I know you will From what you are saying it does sound like maybe he just tweaked his leg and it might just be a soft tissue issue. If things don't get any better than you can go from there in terms of finding out if it is a real ACL injury.
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