Before I adopt

[CoraBoxer]

Hey guys,

I've been looking to adopt a dog around 2 years old from a boxer rescue. I've been matched with a dog (2.5 years old) and gone through the process... interviews/visits etc. I've actually arranged to drive the 6hrs or so and pick the dog up tomorrow morning.

But something worries me and I'm looking for an experienced opinion. The dog was limping this morning. He's actually not putting any weight on his front paw (not dragging just lifts it and hops). The foster told me this has happened before recently (last 2 months) and went away on its own. It also happened at the kennel he was in before the foster home. They have contacted the rescue people and the response was to keep an eye on it but that it doesn't need to be vet checked just yet. If its not bleeding, visibly broken or punctured what is there to see? He doesn't guard it, foster was able to inspect it but he may just have a higher pain tolerance? Occuring and going away a number of times normal?

What should I do? I'm just worried that this could be something more serious than just a sprain from play. You would think that they wouldn't want to send the dog off without knowing it was completely healthy or what problems he may have and make the person adopting aware of it. I mean they did a very lengthy check of the home.

 

[Sansal]

I think you are right about being a bit worried. Orthopedic injuries can become pretty costly. I'm not saying you should not adopt him but it is something to keep in mind and since it has been going on for a while I would most definitely want to have a vet, maybe even orthopedic specialist, take a look at it.

 

[EAO76]

I would be more concerned if it were a rear leg because of the common cruciate injury in boxers (and the costs associated with that). But limping on any leg is still a concern. Also it might not be the leg, it could be the shoulder. I know with the rescues that I am associated with we would most likely have it looked at prior to adoption or better yet x-rayed. Since he has had the problem at least three times it’s obviously not just a sprain. It seems something chronic is going on. Have they tried an anti inflammatory med? Or anything? The problem is if an x-ray doesn’t show anything the next step would be an MRI which would get very costly. But on the other hand a really good ortho specialist might be able to give a good guess on what’s going on without expensive tests.

The bottom line is that they have disclosed all this info to you. Which is good, they are being honest. However if you adopt him anyway then whatever the problem is it’s your responsibility. Unless you get some sort of agreement from them that states otherwise.

 

[CoraBoxer]

Thx ya. The foster was good about telling me about the limping after i did a bit of asking about health. But I was originally only told about one time when it happened and went away within the same day. I've had this happen with Cora too, but I always knew how it occured. And there was nothing listed on the rescue site about it being looked at. He was given the all clear. I was thinking of delaying the adoption maybe or something like that. Like i mentioned I was scheduled to meet him tomorrow. I have asked about some sort of agreement as well as contact information should something come up. I don't mind getting a few xrays done at my vet who i've trusted with my dogs for years and years and treating something small, but its the large things i'm worried about. Just wanted to find out how other rescues do things or how you guys would proceed in my place. I know its impossible to test a dog for everything. But if there was something like this reoccuring limping would they test it or adopt the dog out regardless? The foster was not able to tell me of any incident identifying when this started (such as dog jumping out of car, or stepping on something etc).

 

[CoraBoxer]

So to update... the limping started this morning. Its now 2:35pm est (maybe 4-5 hrs later) and he's running around playing. Is that any indication of more serious vs less serious or can something more serious (thats becoming more serious) switch on off this quickly? Not looking for diagnosis :P thx guys.

 

[Sansal]

Impossible to tell. He might just be really excited to get to play and forget about the pain. When sky had polyarthritis she would still run round normal and play and the limping would only show at home. I think you won't know for sure without a vet visit how serious it is.

 

[LILYLARUE]

When Smiley came to me, he had a limp on his front leg. The vet said it was a shoulder and to give him rest. After a few days of rest, he was running and playing normal again. About once a year it acts up and he will be limping or lamed on that leg. A few days of rest and he's back to normal again.

I would suggest a vet visit with a vet that you would be comfortable with. Probably at your cost. But you could get an answer.

 

[CoraBoxer]

Ok so he had xrays done by the rescue. I've been told that after a specialist reviewed the xrays he's got a bone spur. Was told that if the dog exercises or falls on it it pinches and hurts. I was told that most people leave this alone unless it gets really bad. But from what i'm hearing he spent much of the weekend limping. Could this be made worse by being crated? I heard something about supplementing the dogs diet to relieve inflammation. Also that an option would be to have an orthopedic surgeon remove the spur? Shoulders and everything else looks good.

Is this a big thing to deal with? Going to consult my vet on this as well.

 

[CoraBoxer]

Talked to the vet that did the xrays and he did an awesome job answering my questions and explaining everything. So relieved.

 

[CoraBoxer]

And here he is! on a walk right after we made it home.

http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/126/8/b/untitled_by_pachris-d4yrk1s.jpg