Need advice about a lab with a limp

[FrustratedSycamorePants]

My 14month old lab, seems to be limping on one of his back legs, checked his feet and between toes and down both his back legs, no obvious site of injury or pain.

He's still willing to go on a walk, and weight bare (still jumping up) but there's a definate limp there.

More noticeable after he gets up from lying down/sleeping. Like he's stiff and old iykwim

He used to do it a few months back when he had a solid plastic bed, but thought it was because he'd trapped a nerve from lying with his legs over the edge.
But been okay recently. Just started again today.

Any ideas as to why? And at what point do I take him to the vet?

[Happiestinwellybobs]

I would take him now - it's best to get it checked out. Hopefully something and nothing, but our pup had a slight limp and it was found to be elbow dysplasia. The sooner we had that sorted the better. Hopefully yours is just a pulled muscle from too much boisterous Labrador bouncing.

[MoreBeta]

Definitley get the lab checked by a vet for hip dysplasia. It emerges as the dog becomes fully grown and gets progressivley worse as the dog gets older.

[ajandjjmum]

Hope your lab doesn't have a problem OP, and that he's just got over-excited on his jumping around!

At what age would hip dysplasia show? Our 11 month old lab sits with his rear legs splayed, and I just worry that he might have a problem? Sorry for the hijack!

[FrustratedSycamorePants]

Thank you for your replies. I was secretly hoping it wasn't dysphasia, but will get him checked over.
Thanks for the link morebeta interesting to read that low score parents doesn't equal low score offspring.

[Happiestinwellybobs]

ajandjjmum. Our pooch was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia and OCD at 6 months old. His parents scored fine - he is now 3 and has an active life including lots of swimming!

[ajandjjmum]

Thanks Happies. Did you notice something wrong, or was it the vet who picked it up?

Like you Frustrated, we checked the parents hip scores, but were told that there was no guarantee. He's lovely and very active, just sits weirdly!

[Happiestinwellybobs]

We noticed a bit of a limp that came and went so had it checked. Never thought it would be that - from a good kennel and so young but he had it in both elbows.

[iseenodust]

Turns out our lab has dysplasia but it wasnt diagnosed until he was 10. (Parents' scores fine & he came from a vet via a vet recommendation!) Apparently he's a 'good compensator' so he spent years bouncing and bounding around like a looney, and jumping in and out of the carboot . He's 12 now and does have a limp/stiffness but still spits his ball out at us to play.

[ajandjjmum]

Wow - that's fantastic iseenodust. It's brilliant that it hasn't affected him having fun. I shall just have to watch closely, without mentioning my concerns to anyone else for the moment!

[iseenodust]

I felt guilty when he was diagnosed but he had been at the same vets for vaccs and check ups over the years. If you get a diagnosis but he doesn't need treatment yet your insurance will be a nightmare.
I think the only other clue, but no-one ever said any earlier, was in our garden he wees like a girl but out on a walk he's butch leg lifter!

[Technoviking]

Our GSD went to the vet with a slight limp, turned out to be elbow dysplasia. Marvellous surgery and 6 months later and you'd never know she'd had the limp or surgery.

Keeping her "calm" and indoors for 3 months was something of a challenge, as she was only about 18months old!

[ajandjjmum]

Oh dear - our dog wees like a girl too, at 11 months old. Various people keep asking when he's going to 'man up', but I hadn't worried about it at all. According to DH, he has twice weed 'properly' on walks - why would that be?

Glad your dog is well recovered Techno.