When to see the Vet for a limp?

[DMikeM]

Jade has had a limp for about 2 months now. Me and her breeder have discussed it and are "GUESSING" Pano as she has a slight temp and sometimes she shifts her limp from side to side. I have been giving her Nupro Silver with glucosamine for about 2 weeks now and sometimes she doesn't limp at all. My house has a flight of stairs in the back that the dogs must use to get in the back yard unless I leave the side gate open. Jade will almost never go around and prefers to use the stairs unless she is following Dozer who will go around often. Dozer is 10 and has Displaysia and arthritis but does really will in spite of it. I am getting concerned that there could be a worse issue with Jade and her limp but really do not have much disposable income and our local clinic is a VCA (money hungry) clinic. I am afraid I will be taken for a ride if I bring her in for x-rays. So I guess the question is, How long do you wait? Here is a Pic and you can see she is favoring her right just slightly
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Here is my Jade album on G+
https://plus.google.com/photos/104687566500361731621/albums/5746880685768066849

 

[Smokeycat]

I'd say the fact that you are getting concerned enough that you are thinking about needing to see the vet is a sign that you should go to the vet. I understand the feeling of financial restraint and recently had to figure out how to pay for a vet appt. myself. With regards to a money hungry vet clinic just go in knowing what procedures you are willing to have done and stick to your guns and don't allow them to 'scare' you into more.

 

[DennasMom]

Two months does seem like a long time to have a limp... but I'm not familiar with pano. You do have a FUN yard... lots of things to climb and fall off of? Could be a slight injury that she ignores and never lets completely heal? (waaaay guessing here). You know her better than anyone. I agree with Smokey - if you're worried, it's probably time to see the vet.

If you talk to the vet about a financial plan /payment plan and your situation - before you take her in, maybe the'll be nicer about not being so money hungry this time and only do what's really needed.

 

[DMikeM]

Well thanks for the advice. Will need to make an appointment for next week then. It's funny though, half the time she doesn't limp at all then it just comes up.

 

[NYDDB]

How old is she? My dog had a limp that was off and on (mostly "on") for almost 2 months earlier this year. X-rays confirmed Osteochondrosis (OCD) of the right shoulder. This is a genetic condition that affects large and giant breed dogs, usually under 1 year of age-- and more males than females. Mateo was 10 months old at the time.

He had arthroscopic surgery to correct it, and now he is back to normal- like nothing was ever wrong.

I get the financial choke-hold-- at the time, I had the money. Now.... different situation. I would try to get some x-rays, though; some things do not go away on their own.

 

[DMikeM]

She is a 7 month old Boerboel. If it's OCD then she will have it for a long time.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

If the pup has been limping about two months and your growing concerned better safe than sorry. Get to a vet ASAP.

 

[musicdeb]

Poor Jade... Let us know what the vet has to say about the limp. Sending healing vibes her way.

 

[casMahn]

Nessie had an issue with limping that switched from leg to leg. Went to the vet and was diagnosed with an inflammation of the tendon/blood vessel (don't remember which). She said it was fairly common in dogs that are going through growth spurts. We got some anti inflammatories and they seem to be working.

 

[DMikeM]

What are anti-inflammatories for dogs?

 

[casMahn]

Bottle says rimadyl but I don't know anything other than that.

 

[Geisthexe]

Jade has had a limp for about 2 months now. Me and her breeder have discussed it and are "GUESSING" Pano as she has a slight temp and sometimes she shifts her limp from side to side. I have been giving her Nupro Silver with glucosamine for about 2 weeks now and sometimes she doesn't limp at all. My house has a flight of stairs in the back that the dogs must use to get in the back yard unless I leave the side gate open. Jade will almost never go around and prefers to use the stairs unless she is following Dozer who will go around often. Dozer is 10 and has Displaysia and arthritis but does really will in spite of it. I am getting concerned that there could be a worse issue with Jade and her limp but really do not have much disposable income and our local clinic is a VCA (money hungry) clinic. I am afraid I will be taken for a ride if I bring her in for x-rays. So I guess the question is, How long do you wait? Here is a Pic and you can see she is favoring her right just slightly
View attachment 12900.
Here is my Jade album on G+
https://plus.google.com/photos/104687566500361731621/albums/5746880685768066849

I work for VCA as an Emergency Vet Tech. Yes they are at higher price but they are worth it.
I am not sure of price of CA but here on NM a GP visit is 73.00 / X-rays 214.00
Is the VCA you are near a complete hospital meaning they have a General Practice, Intensive Care Unit, Specialty Center & Emergency?
If they do you MUST remember if all is together it becomes cheaper in the long run bc all is in that location. Our GP vets work with Speciality and while you are there can have them come take a peak at what is going on.
If you EM has been limping that long there is really something going on and truly best to be seen.

Best of luck with your EM


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[DMikeM]

Jade goes in tomorrow at 4:30. Geisthexe, My dog is a Boerboel (BB) not EM. The clinic up here was built many years ago before VCA and was totally fitted for all needs then VCA purchased it and the prices were so bad that many people started going off the mountain for care or using the local smaller veterinary clinic. There were some slight modifications to cost but it is still extreme considering the level of care does not meet the level of cost. I have had some very bad situations come from the VCA here and some from the local small town vet as well. I have not had a need to visit our local VCA for a couple of years and the "GOOD" doctor recently retired so I am a little hesitant. There are some new staff that seem to be well trained ( I know friends of them) so I hope the level of care has progressed and the drive for unneeded treatment and services has gone away. I believe X-Rays are $75.00 each up here now, I sure hope so.

 

[Geisthexe]

I am sorry for calling you BB a EM .. Read fast between getting off the treadmill and off to weights
I am sorry there care in your area in all hospitals is not adequate.
Not all VCAs are like the one I work in but I was hoping for you that it was.
Anyway glad you have a appt.
please keep us posted


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[DMikeM]

Not to worry about the breed mix up. Just a friendly correction. As for our care I hope it is better than it was.

 

[shodanusmc]

I know each situation and person is different. As far as me, I would have had him to the vet the day I noticed it, just for piece of mind, or to head off a possible serious problem.

 

[DMikeM]

I Totally see where you are coming from and probably would have but I am in close contact with the breeder and she suggested it was just growing pains or Pano and to just keep an eye on her. But now both of us are more concerned than that and agree it is time (past time) to get her looked at.

 

[neomama]

Not sure about EM's but neo's are NOT to go up and down stairs during their growing years, and are not to
play rough with any large breed dogs. One of my neo's had pano and I gave her MSM, bought at tractor supply,
for horses and it took care of it. I think 2 months is along time for this to be going on.

 

[DMikeM]

I have Nupro Silver but don't think it is MSM. I have been limiting her use of the stairs because I think it is partially the cause of her problem. BTW she is not an EM she is a BB, much smaller breed.