Black lab very lethargic and holding back leg off ground

[ajandjjmum]

Our 3 yr. old black lab was sick last night and was very subdued this morning, so DH took him to the vet. They thought he'd eaten something, so said no food for 24 hrs. etc. He was also holding his back leg up, but the vet manipulated it and could find nothing wrong.

He now seems to be in more pain and is looking really sad for himself. We are taking him back to the vet tonight, but just wondered if anyone had any ideas of what we should ask?

[mrslaughan]

I would take him back. Thats a non "medical" opinion, but if he seems worse and is still showing lameness than I think you should get him checked again.

[NuzzleandScratch]

When our black lab was holding his back leg up, he's ruptured his cruciate ligament. It would've hurt though if the vet had touched it, I'm sure (ours was a while ago now). Our vet had a policy of not operating, as he found in his experience, recovery is the same whether you operate or not. He's absolutely fine now (a few years on). Hope your doggie feels better soon!

[MitchellMummy]

Not Lyme's disease? It could be two separate things of course ... hope he's a little better now.

[ajandjjmum]

Thanks both. We did take him back, and he had an injection for pain in his leg, although as he slept his tummy was gurgling like mad. Sometimes he holds his leg up, other times he walks relatively normally on it, so it's hard to think it could be something like a cruciate ligament. Hard to know if the two things are connected, or it's pure coincidence. Vet said to take him back today if he didn't seem any better, for an xray, so that might be our next stop.

I'm normally a very matter of fact dog owner, but I felt so sorry for him last night. Still listening to him whining now, although he has just eaten some chicken and rice.

[MimsyBorogroves]

Pano? www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2084&aid=466

www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_multi_panosteitis

My dog had this in 3 of his 4 legs between 6 and 12 months. Worth ruling everything else out too, of course, but fits with lethargy, periods of non lameness, not wanting to eat and fine on manipulation.

[ajandjjmum]

Never heard of that Mimsy, but thank you, if we re-visit the vet we'll certainly ask for it to be tested.

He does seem brighter now, and is eating his chicken and rice, so hopefully he's on the mend. Such a shame they can't actually tell you where they hurt - like having a baby again!

[moosemama]

Panosteitis only occurs in dogs that are skeletally immature, so it's unlikely to be that.

If he continues with the intermittent lameness I would want more investigations, there are a number of things it could be and Labs are prone to skeletal problems.

Fingers crossed he's on the mend though.

[ajandjjmum]

Thanks moose - he certainly seems brighter, although still crying enough to get to sleep in the spare room with DH!

We won't let it drop though, if he doesn't seem to get back to his old self pdq.