Mystery with Shih Tzu front right leg

[TheEndlessNight]

Looking to see if anyone has any thoughts regarding my Shih Tzu leg. The issue started around two weeks ago when we noticed he was slightly limping on his right front leg. Gave him a few days rest but unfortunately nothing improved so we went to see the vet. He had a good check over at the vets and they were stumped as couldn't find anything obviously wrong with him. The vets gave him a anti inflammatory injection which did help slightly for a day or two. However things just went back the way. He's completely well in himself and nothing else has changed/different. We have the vets again tomorrow to get him seen again. Is there anything I should be asking the vet or has any any experience of this?

Anyone 🐶🐾

How old is he? Could it be arthritis?

I have had two front right leg limpers.
One had inflamed tendons in her knee, diagnosed by an MRI scan. I think she reacted to pain when the vet squeezed her knee though.
The other had splintered bones in his paw, diagnosed by x-rays. He showed no signs of pain on examination and the vet initially said he just had behavioural issues.
Both had to have total rest for a few weeks, followed by a month or more of short on lead walks. We started with 5 minutes and increased by 5 minutes each week until their injuries were healed.

@CircleofWillis he's a very energetic 11. He still thinks he's a puppy. Vets and other people are always surprised at his age as he looks much younger, has a lot of energy and is in good shape. Will look into arthritis, thanks.

@SpanielsGalore so sorry to read about your dogs, I hope they are doing much better now. That's the puzzle he's letting me move his leg without batting an eyelid and let the vet have a good feel about with no trouble. Dh is going to ask the vet for him to get a x Ray and/or MRI scan. We have been taking him out on lead walks for around 15 minutes, will reduce to 5 minute walks. I just feel so sorry for him 😞

At 11yo I would bet very good money that it’s arthritis.

@tumblingdowntherabbithole definitely keeping arthritis in mind especially like you say given his age. Dh just back from the vets he got checked over again and another anti inflammatory injection plus ibuprofen to take once a day for two weeks starting from tomorrow. Will keep him to a 5 minute lead walk in the morning and evening. If he's no better or getting worse will take him back to the vets to be seen again.

Seriously considering getting him a dog buggy for when we are out and about. Has anyone used a dog buggy?

Hope the pain meds work.
I have used two different types of pushchair. One was a lightweight one for a puppy. It was good for paved areas, but didn't cope well with 'off road' walks like woods and the beach. I now have a sturdier off road type for my foster dog. She has severe arthritis and can only manage shorter walks.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PawHut-Stroller-Foldable-Pushchair-Adjustable/dp/B0C3PR637H/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=31L494OVFNY3T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Wu_TslhsWvhnpHzSNmGx8qvF4EtbbRzp8LGAQoq1V13zLU8XFtldzdlGRoHYaaIwH5Y9nnmr7N5yeib11ioODliiTYvdQccW29s6tKuvJ8NMSTfuuVkSsl1CesBIVgnbsh0Z3sQ-msB5me55hCVb6BLjlIJeEDoRIOfNd1xVw2BoboUFMcE3sWk3U_k7V-wvv7OnzfUXe0bw5rdoLCrv2eAozNDrSPCwp5heg5g8kLPP5w-sLJmPcPEQvcYuvSD2Wn5re8o-L-XbSUDXLzsSh4RdVA9TuqILsaWtF9FZXpc.877UKCjvWs_1L1aU7dsWpcXv0-Zn6sNSG6dL7csMFbI&dib_tag=se&keywords=pawhut%2Bdog%2Bstroller&qid=1752748522&sprefix=Pawhut%2Caps%2C322&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/InnoPet-Sporty-Dog-Trailer-Deluxe/dp/B01F39OJ6S/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=OGP4DSI1GQPL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7vmyPTZONjRaWy1vDfl_AZ5cAeWr9yTdnm0oYsB39j7k9xahUa9juTVZW0E-73T9M_a2298wF5S017ly9wc_aXP1OG2Xn2iA48ot600Y5cIynGURW_32skg2IdyJXxWT_3_3DS8zYFZyuAighXqEqtApGIkb18HRaBGjPWuT72KQmpzDgNVPzehlxKUuCS0oTqwfcFXvgtEbnzOdyUOAP-27scyCowZQ9e4QATzn1BorZ9C3tyn3uSN1sEY87m1C9s6EUSV2SRv_BJ6eUPlszH7Oz03wCVzCRV6IRCOhi0s.2TiH3BXKb-kFWhTCKoDepIw7RsA74jEBHMR-NDJ585I&dib_tag=se&keywords=innopet%2Bsporty%2Bdog%2Bstroller&qid=1752748614&sprefix=Innopet%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.d7e5a2de-8759-4da3-993c-d11b6e3d217f&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Apologies for the size of those links. 🙈

@TheEndlessNight I’d say at that age the vast, vast majority of dogs are going to have at least some arthritic changes in their joints, but it’s generally very easily manageable with anti-inflammatories and supplements.

@tumblingdowntherabbithole that's good to know it's easily managed. Will do some reading up on it.

@SpanielsGalore those links are huge 🤣 but thank you very much for them it would be a good sturdy off road one we would need. Will take a look at the ones you suggested. I hope your dog is ok and enjoys getting out in the buggy.

It's such a worry when they get older 😩 this is the first dog we have had and I just want the best for him. Saying that he's happy as Larry and neither up nor down 🤷‍♀️ oh I forgot to mention at the last vets appointment they noticed he has a heart murmur. The vet today was giving dh advice on it and what to look out for.

Please tell me they didn't really give you ibuprofen for your dog? If they did, do not give it and change vet immediately. It is toxic to dogs.

And why haven't they radiographed the affected limb?

@TheEndlessNight Don't know why they were so long. 🙈
The Innopet ones are highly recommended for off roading. You might be able to get away with a smaller/cheaper version. My foster is a springer, so needs more room.

Arthritis is very manageable, if it is that.
My foster is 10 and has severe arthritis and the beginnings of spondylitis. She could barely walk when she arrived in foster. She's now on regular pain meds, has physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and acupuncture and is loving life. She can only manage half hour walks, but she can run again and enjoys wrestling games with my puppy.
My 4 year old also has mild arthritis in one leg, due to an operation on her knee. She's on regular pain meds. You wouldn't know there was anything wrong with her. She runs around like a nutter and will walk for as long as we do.

Will likely need to x-ray if it's not improving. At this time of year I guess a tracking grass seed could also a possibility along with potential arthritic changes or tendon strain. Limps can appear an issue with the lower leg but may also stem from the shoulder area.

It can be tricky for vets without imagining to aid diagnosis as one of my dogs was very stoic and didn't react to the manipulation during a check over unless in extreme pain.

CAM are fabulous resource and well worth the annual membership for the extra content ( it helps pay the website costs) & they also have some courses which may condense into more easy to digest format if finding it a bit informative overload.

Getting them out in a buggy is great when they need to rest their body as it still gives them all the sight, sound & smell stimulation from usual walk which helps tire their brains. You may find this Duggies in Buggies Facebook group useful.

@TheEndlessNight I assume you mean doggy ibuprofen (ie. metacam?) because human ibuprofen is incredibly toxic to dogs!

@Confabulations sorry it was metacam he was prescribed not human stuff. They haven't mentioned scans etc. If he needs to go back we will definitely push for one.

@SpanielsGalore it's sad to read about your dogs illnesses but good that they are happy and enjoying life. I can't believe how expensive doggy buggy can be it's a whole new market to me. I didn't know dog fostering was a thing, that's so kind and lovely of you to give dogs a good home.

@ScattyHattie thanks so much for all the reading bits and information it's all very helpful. Will read up on tracking grass seed.

@tumblingdowntherabbithole yes sorry I meant metacam he was prescribed. Yeah we have never gave him any human medicines. Human food though is a whole different story...

@TheEndlessNight Thank you. I volunteer for a charity that only uses foster homes instead of kennels. The dogs can then be properly assessed and found new homes. But this one is staying for as long as she needs me.
If you do want a buggy in the future, Facebook Marketplace is worth a look. You can often find them for sale second hand for half the price.

@SpanielsGalore oh that's a good idea, will keep an eye on Facebook marketplace.