On again Off again Limping

[Adelle]

For the last couple of weeks Finnegan has had this on again off again limp.

It started New Years Eve I was sick so I got hubby to take Finn for an off leash run in the woods with him, he hadn't had a good run for a few days due to the weather so he was running around like a lunatic having a great time, when he got home he was fine, but a few hours later I noticed he was not putting any weight on one of his back legs and after he had a nap when he got up it was even worse and he was holding his leg up completely. I gave him some asprin and by the next morning he was fine no sign of the limp but even so I made him take it easy for a few days afterwards and he only got leashed walks, but by the following weeked as there had been no more problems we went for a another off leash walk in the woods and Finnegan had a great time running around and playing in the snow but again a few hours later him was limping again but the next morning it was gone again. That was this past weekend and he seems fine again although last night himself and Nessa were playing in the back yard and every once in a while I could see he was not putting weight on the leg but then two seconds later he was running around like a fool again.

So now I am unsure what to do, if I go to the vet they probably won't be able to tell me whats wrong, should I just make him rest completely (no off leash runs) for a few weeks to give it time to really heal or should I take him to the vet.

How to they diagnose an ACL ?

 

[Austin's Mom]

A couple of years ago Austin hurt his back leg running around with Bart. He was fine as long as he didn't run, but as soon as he did he would limp again. We had a lot of snow that winter so he was in the house for the most part except to potty, and by spring time he was fine. I hope Finn feels better soon and it's nothing serious.

 

[Muttluvr]

A torn ACL is diagnosed using a few checks. One is a positive drawer sign test. The grab the leg above the knee and the leg below the knee and see if it can move. A healthy ACL will keep it in place an not allow any movement, but if the ACL is torn the knee will move. This movement also occurs when the dog is walking/running and the instability causes arthritis to occur in the knee. Often the dog will tense his muscles and it won't be possible to elicit a drawer movement while they're awake. Then they will sedate the dog and try when the muscles are relaxed.

They also look at the dogs history of lameness (exercise intolerance is a big one - if your dog limps after running around a lot) and will look at x-rays to rule out other injuries. X-rays are unable to "see" the ligament so you can't get a difinitive diagnosis from an x-ray.

Another check is to look at your dog while he's sitting. A dog will often sit with his injured knee pointed out, not tucked into the body.

I think you should go to the vet and see what they say. Hopefully it's nothing!

 

[altima]

My boxer has the same problems. Vet x-rayed his knee and said thats the problem. Needs to be cleaned up. Scoped. They sent his x-rays to Michigan State U. To see what needs to be done. My poor Bailey!!

 

[tnewberry]

Our boxer is going through the same problem. He was lame in his right hind leg after vigorous exercise, so we took hime to the vet. They took an X-Ray and diagnosed it as a partially torn ACL. No surgery required, but lots of rest and a slow build-up to being able to go full throttle again. We're crossing our fingers it won't go lame again. The surgery can be quite pricey!!!

 

[Duece's mom]

I am completely new at this whole boxer thing, but I was told by my vet that if the dog gets weakness in either leg, it could be just growing pains. And it too would be the worst when he woke up from a nap. I'm not to sure how old your boxer is??? Hope this helps.

 

[HowiesFolks]

We're noticing the same behavior in our Howitzer. He's 1 1/2 years old, and runs like the wind. We took him and his 3-year-old brother, Willie Pete, to visit some friends who live on 5 acres (we have a small back yard) yesterday, and they ran and ran and ran. After a nap, Howie favored his rear, right leg. Once it hurt him so bad he cried. Then he walked around for a minute and went outside and ran and ran and ran. Today it seems to be bothering him a little bit. I was thinking this could be a sign of hip displaysia, no? What do you all think. He hasn't been to the vet for this yet, and I'm sure that's the only way we'll know for sure. Most of you seem to think this behavior represents a knee injury. Hmmm ... I'll let you know what I find out with my poor Howitzer.

 

[Baby Duncan]

Our 1 year old baby, Duncan, has the exact same problem. After slowing down from the boxer crazies, he will favor one rear leg. Each time I will rub him down and try to find a lump, swelling or a tender spot, but dont find a thing. The first time it happened it was almost like he had twisted an ankle because he yelped while playing and was limping for the rest of the day. Since that time (about a month ago) he has favored the leg every time he play's especially hard, particularly after a run. I have been thinking all along that it was more like a pulled muscle or twisted ankle that just needed a break from the boxer crazies for more than a day, but this has gone on too long. I will let you know what the vet determines....

Hope your baby gets better!

 

[jchittick]

I have a friend whose dog had an on again, off again limp also. She thought that it because he had just gotten neutered. After a few weeks, she was concerned so she took him to the vet. Turns out, he had a flea/tick (don't remember) between his toes in his paw. Figure that.

 

[Susan3283]

limping

My Sadie did this also. Turns out she had luxating patellas - kneecaps that won't stay in place.

She just had surgery on the left hind leg and after about 8 weeks of her 12 week recovery, the surgeon wants to do the right side.