Limping Dog

[KitKaat]

My wee dog has started to limp, on her right rear leg. I have moved the leg and joints but she doesnt seem to be in pain. Ive also checked her paw but it seems alright. Does anybody know what it could be or is the vet just the best option?

Thanks

[boxtops]

I'd see the vet, just in case - my cat does that sometimes but there's nothing the matter with him, it's like a sympathy vote, but I wouldn't not check him out.

[fredkins]

How old Is your dog? My little dogs leg Is always going out of joint and I have to manipulate It back In to joint but she Is an old girl of 14.

[KitKaat]

shes about 9! still full of energy, although she has been sat about the last few days in the house as my mums in hospital so weve all been up! but i took her a walk this evening and she walked on the lead fine!

[fredkins]

Is she a big dog or a little dog,I ask only because bigger dogs suffer a lot from arthiritis.

[KitKaat]

she is a collie springer spaniel cross

[fredkins]

She Is about nine,do you not know her age,was she a rescue dog?

[KitKaat]

yeah, she was found by us at the side of the road 8 years ago and her original owners didnt want her! so we took her :)

[KitKaat]

or 7 years... shes either 8 or 9! (roughly)

[boxtops]

Bit like our cat Rover, the vet said he was 4 when he came to us - now he's older, I think that might be wrong.

[fredkins]

How do you think she Is 7,8,9 years old.What makes you think this.Have you had her to the vets? They will tell you approx how old she Is.

[KitKaat]

she is either 8 or 9, she was approx 1 when we got her and that was about 7 or 8 years ago. my mum would know better what age she is.

[lankeela]

Could be arthritis, or could be luxating patella - a lot of small dogs suffer from this where the kneecap slides in and out. Often called the 'Jack Russell hop' because they tend to carry one back leg. She may just have strained a ligament though, so I'd get it checked by the vet if it doesn't get any better.

[slinkycat]

My JRT does that lankeela, he'll sometimes trot along on 3 legs for a few paces several times during a walk, we were told they are prone to that.

[KitKaat]

thanks! yeah shes hopping and finding it abit hard to get up on the sofa, think the vets is the best option just for peace of mind! hopefully it's nothing serious. thank you all

[KitKaat]

and just checked our records, shes 8! (by the vets estimation)

[lankeela]

slinkycat, have you ever had anything done about it? Problem is it is often put down to 'Jack Russells often do that' but in fact it can be operated on and in some breeds we have a test before breeding to ascertain the status of the patella so it is not passed on to puppies. There is something called the Putnam Test where the level of luxation is graded and 0 is ok, 1 is where it pops out if manipulated, 2 is where is often pops out but can be put back, 3 is where it stays out and 4 is where it cannot be put back. Thats a very simplistic explanation and you can google it for more information. This is something that pedigree dog breeders check for whereas the 'designer' dog breeders and backyard breeders would probably not take any notice of and breed from them anyway, yet we are the ones who get castigated for breeding unhealthy dogs!

[lankeela]

Good explanation here: http://www.english-toy-terrier.co.uk/pl.htm

[KitKaat]

Took her to the vet and they didn't see her in any real pain, that and after laps around the car park it took her a while to limp. She got given some pain killers but i actually think she was putting it on for attention!