StarFox Posted July 24, 2003 Posted July 24, 2003 I've been so worried about Zebra lately. It seems that he has a limp. Now here is the thing that realy bothers me...He dosn't have the limp(in his back legs) all the time. For about 70% of the time he walks, runs and plays like normal. But the other 30% of time he limps. This limp normally happens after he gets up from laying down, or sleeping for a period of time. I've felt both his back legs and I can't feel any thing abnormal. Nothing is swolen or anything. The first time we noticed that something was wrong was about a week and a half ago..two weeks ago. Zebra was lying down and my dad usually grabs his legs and moves them back and forth. Well when my dad grabbed his back left leg Zebra yellped very loudly. Of course we all checked over him and made sure he was ok. But now he limps. And last night I noticed that he was kind of hopping, trying to not use his back legs. But the thing is he still runs and plays outside with no problem..he is as active as ever and dosn't seem to be in any pain (besides the one yelp that I described above). And he usues all his legs fine most of the time. I'm wondering if his limping can be caused by him being overwheight. He is currently 12 pounds over what he should be. I try to put him on a diet but my parents give him table scraps and junk food when I'm not around. The other day I walked into the kitchen to find my dad giving Zebra birthday cake! :x And that was after I specifically told him NOT to give him anything but dog food! :x (oh but that is a whole other post.) I'm kind of embarassed to take Zebra back to the vet because we are literally there every other week! And I don't want them to start thinking that we abuse our pets or anything. (i know..that's a selfish reason..shame on me :( ) So any suggestions? Ideas on why he could be limping? Quote
imported_Cassie Posted July 24, 2003 Posted July 24, 2003 Starfox, they will not think you are abusing your pet at the Vet clinic...we have people come to our clinic every other week with their dogs...we always refer to them as concerned parents. :D As for the limp, I would definately have it looked at by a Vet...it could be some thing very serious...ruptured Anterior cruciate ligament, hip dysplasia, or it could be some thing very simple such as a sprain etc...I would first check over her pads in case of a cut or one dog we had come in for a limp had bubble gum stuck way up between its pads of the paw which was making the poor dog limp... :lol: if your dog has a long coat with long fur between its pads then I would check to see if the fur perhaps has matted and has caused a sore underneath, check for cracked/dry pads . In most cases I have seen and over weight dog + limping = Ruptured Cruciate ligament or hip dysplasia....I had a Newf with ruptured cruciate legiment and the limping was off/on for a few weeks before I took her in..the surgery was expensive, but, it was 100% effective..with hip dysplasia which my Rottie has, she had been off/on limping in the rear since I rescued her...the x-rays confirmed my fear, she has HD... I was going to get the hip replacement surgery done...but, I have been able to manage with supplements and diet and she is doing fine now...the thing that made me really think she had HD was her lazy sit...sitting off to one side, not a straight sit..she also groaned in the morning trying to get up, and it was worse after exercise...one more thing I have been able to ease her pain with a natural herb Yucca and have not used Metacam or Rimadyl. I would have Zebra checked, and also mention to your family members the importance of feeding the right kind of foods...if they really want to feed table scraps then meat, veggies or fruit is ok...but, junk food is a no no..you don't want poor little Zebra to get diabetes... Quote
imported_Cassie Posted July 24, 2003 Posted July 24, 2003 I meant to mention that a Ruptured anterior Cruciate Ligament is not always due to a dog being over weight (it doesnt help though... :lol: ) my Newfoundland was not over weight when she tore her Ligament she just either fell the wrong way or tore it by perhaps running and taking too quick of a turn...and HD is not caused by being over weight it is a genetic disease...but, being over weight puts more burden on the hips etc. The reason I mentioned the above problems is that your dog still will play etc with RACL or HD and only show signs of limping every once in awhile...for the RACL the doctor will be able to tell by manlipulating the leg (called the drawer effect)...but it will have to be confirmed with an X-ray... Quote
DogPaddle Posted July 26, 2003 Posted July 26, 2003 How old is Zebra? What is Zebras ideal weight? Quote
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