Slightly limpy doggy

[Knackered69]

I ve had dog 🐶 for 6 months - she's a complete cross breed to the point that when any one asks what she is, I no longer commit myself beyond saying she has a leg in each corner and a curly tail!

She is 10, she was originally a rescue who was rescued by my friends parents. She lived with them for several years, but unfortunately they died so she came to us.

She is brilliant! Very happy 😊 and we love her to bits! Health wise no problems - up to date with all vaccinations etc - really difficult to insure so some money goes away each month etc, and apart from eating the advent calendar once and having advocate each month - no problems. She can walk for miles and loves her walks.

I have noticed a limp on her left front leg some days especially when she has been out then lying down for a while, and also first thing in the morning when she gets up. She doesn't seem in pain - just stiff - and you can feel that leg and she doesn't wince.

I have moderated her chasing and taken into account how long we are out for cos she is 10 albeit really fit.

But some days she is definitely stiff in that leg although doesn't seem to be in pain.

I think she may have a bit of osteoarthritis in that leg, and I can't bear the thought that she may be in pain but not letting on.

I think we need a trip to the vets don't we?

It's not every day and she doesn't seem in pain, but I ought to get it checked out?

[Wolfiefan]

I would get it checked. There are good pain meds available. Unfortunately pain in animals isn't always obvious.

[Knackered69]

Thanks wolfie - that's what worries me that I don't know if she hurts...

[Pippin8]

My old boy had some mobility issues, particularly with his back legs. He never cried or whined & we could never tell if he was in pain. Towards the end he would pant a lot, pace a lot & flop down on the floor regularly. The vet said they were all signs of pain. Typical behaviour of a dog not knowing what to do with himself 😢.

[Knackered69]

Oh Pippin - Bless him!

[tabulahrasa]

It sounds like arthritis to me as well, with it being after rest...but if it is, there's loads they can do for it in respects of painkillers.

[Knackered69]

Tabulah - I think so too - especially like you said with it being more pronounced after a walk after rest /in the morning - she is going to vets next week!

[Knackered69]

Thanks for all your advice! We went to the vets and he took a history and examined her. He bent her leg into all weird shapes testing her joints and ligaments. All fine until he applied deep pressure to her shoulder and suddenly she yelped and shot off the table!

She was standing by the door looking sheepish and wagging her tail, whilst we stood there with empty hands 👐...

He thinks it is a bit of osteoarthritis - we could have an x-ray but given the strong history and her age and that she would need sedation etc it probably wouldn't tell us much.

We have a two week trial of an nsaid (rimadryl) and exercise advice (to protect her joints) she is the correct weight so to make sure she stays that way, and to go back in two weeks to see how she is.

Bless her!