my dog limps on his back leg

[silverdaler]

we dont recall him doing anything to hurt his leg but has been doing it for a few months. he will walk fine on it, he will sprint fine on it but when he jogs he will take 1 stepp and then take 2 with his back leg avoiding the ground.

is this just a habbit?

[andy-hughes]

You don;t say how old your dog is, but could this be arhritis?

Other than that, maybe a thorn or other foreign body in his foot?

I'd pop him down to the vets for an expoerienced look-over - either of them need looking at and treating.

[danchip]

get him a trolley then he can go on special needs pets and become famous

[blackcat77]

Is he a terrier? Because you often see Jack Russells etc. hopping on one back leg when they run - I think it's just a habit for them, but if you are worried and have checked his feet etc I would ask your vet.

[silverdaler]

he is 1

[silverdaler]

jack russel

[lankeela]

The reason Jack Russells and other small breeds 'hop' is usually due to a condition called luxating patella. It is a condition where the knee cap slips out of place, and slides back in again as the leg straightens and bends because the groove that it runs along is very shallow. It is considered to be hereditary, and although we don't do it as much in this country, they regularly test for it abroad before breeding. It can also be caused by trauma, and can be operated on to correct.

[woofgang]

lankeela you beat me to it...I can remember years ago no one took any notice when a terrier "carried a leg" at the back...poor things miust have led really painful lives

[silverdaler]

he don't yelp or anything, he will let grab it to check it. his running around the room on it as we speak

[woofgang]

if it is a slipping patella, it can get worse as he gets older...doesn't slide in and out so easily then it gets painful...worth a check by vet IMO

[YvonneM]

sister in law's cavalier has had operations on both legs for this complaint luckily they were insured He is fine now