The Dreaded limp, help.

egbutler1 · 09-11-2010, 07:56 AM

Hey all,
I never knew that this place existed and I am so glad I found it, a community for pit lovers amazing! Anyways I have a question that hopefully someone can help me out with. I noticed "Trouble" my 18mo old blue nose pit was favoring her left leg. I did a search on here and read a few posts about people who have had similar problems but wanted a fresh point of view. Basically she will put weight on it and won't at some points. I did an exam on it and she won't wince in pain when I touch it anywhere, I also rotated her knee and she won't wince in pain and I can't feel anything out of place (knee cap or patella). I noticed it last night after we got home from our standard 2 hr play time where she did really run hard. She couldn't get up on the couch very easily and was favoring it like I said sometimes not putting weight but for the most part she will. She was fine all day for the most part so I took her out today for our 2 hr play time and she was fine running like 100mph around the park

. It seems that she only has a problem with it after waking up from a nap or just after exercise. Any thoughts? When should I take it to the next level and take her to a vet? Thanks guys and gals I am so happy I found this place! You will be seeing me around a lot.

Semper Fidelis,

Emerson

**pitbullmamanatl** $Infraction Award$ · 09-11-2010, 09:50 AM

· Muscular Injuries in Dogs

o Muscle injuries, including sprains and strains, are very common in dogs.

o This type of injury in a dog is characterized by swelling and a loss of the ability to move the injured joint.

o Dogs with a muscle injury will usually be able to place some weight on the hurt leg.

oVeterinary help should be sought if a dog’s limping has not improved in 3 to 5 days.

· Canine Ligament Injuries

o A serious orthopedic knee injury in the dogs is a ruptured cruciate ligament.

o When the anterior cruciate ligament (the ligaments that prevent the ends of the femur and tibia from moving back and forth across each other) is torn, the joint becomes unstable.

o This causes the femur and tibia to move back and forth across each other and puts too much tension on the ligament causing it to tear.

o Torn anterior cruciate ligaments in dogs must usually be repaired by surgery.

o The most common reasons for the occurrence of this injury is when the dog slips on a slippery surface, makes a sudden turn while running, or is hit by a car.
My dog I had growing up was a 100lb Heinz-57 aka, a mutt; he tore his ACL when he turned abruptly while running full speed. His limp progressively worsened and he barely put any weight on his leg; his back legs became two different sizes because he would not put any weight on the injured one. Well, we were recommended to the Veterinary School at the University of Georgia where he had experimental surgery. This was 12 years ago so I do not remember specifics but they did something involving fishing wire in his knee. It helped a great deal but he still limped on occasion and was never really 100%. I am sure your girl has probably pulled something so just watch her closely and keep her calm. Hope this helps somewhat.

· Tendon Tears in Dogs

o Although not as common as ligament injuries, tendon tears or strains can be quite painful for dogs.

o Tendonitis or inflammation of the tendon can occasionally occur with excessive running or jumping by the dog.

o Treatment for tendonitis in dogs involves rest and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Aireal · 09-11-2010, 01:07 PM

good post mama

also if you dog is limping she should NOT still be aloud to run or play alot, i know it may make you crazy but she should be on kennel rest and leash to go potty for about the next 4-6 weeks to help whatever she may have pulled healed, as always i recommend going to the vet as i am not one, but if it where MY dog she would be on intense kennel rest

good luck

oh and WELCOME GLAD TO HAVE YOU ABOARD

MY MIKADO · 09-11-2010, 03:04 PM

Vendetta goes through bouts where she limps. I make it a point of taking her swimming and letting her run on sandy surface rather than the hard road( I live on a dirt road but still it is packed down. I also don't let her jump I only let her run abit then I work on other things that uses her mind so she will be tired(and I can have some peace).

egbutler1 · 09-11-2010, 04:31 PM

Sweet, yeah yet again she is fine this morning. But I am keeping a very close eye on her. She is kenneled up and so far so good and she won't have the "geebs" as we call em' you know full of energy and doesn't know what to do with herself for at least a few more hours. I'm not to sure what it could be still but I'll be watching her and if no improvement is had in the next few days we are headed to the vet. Thanks a million!

**ames** · 09-11-2010, 06:53 PM

my mikado, sand is the worst for bad ankles, sprains and leg injuries. stick to hard surfaces, sand makes their paws try and compensate too much for the uneven earth and could cause other injuries or make the current limp worse. (same for humans, stay out of the sand if you have bad anything wrong people, especially back or feet issues lol)

My pup is still in the middle of semi lockdown now, 2 short walks a day and a few tosses of fetch, close by no hussling. My vet said even though he is not limping anymore, stay in the semi lockdown for 2 more weeks after the limp disappears. Full lockdown, no walks, just bathroom breaks and chew toys was for 6 weeks. Poor Gargamel is not gonna have any more summer by the time he can play again. She said that if you don't give it time to heal 100% they could have issues their entire lives. Gargamel runs soooo fast I am so nervous the first day he goes for it he will re injure it. UGH just don't need 12 weeks of lockdown, these 8 have been bad enough. All he wants to do is play play play!!!!

Wingman · 09-11-2010, 07:41 PM

One thing you need to realize about pit's is that they won't show pain. So even if your pup is limping at one point, then you inspect the leg, they may not show any signs of pain, these dogs have a high pain tolerance.

I'd keep your dog on kennel rest for a few days. They hate it, but you gotta do it. Recently my dog cracked one of her back nails in half right thru the qik, and she couldn't do any running or playing for nearly 3 weeks. It sucked, but it had to be done..

**pitbullmamanatl** $Infraction Award$ · 09-11-2010, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingman

One thing you need to realize about pit's is that they won't show pain. So even if your pup is limping at one point, then you inspect the leg, they may not show any signs of pain, these dogs have a high pain tolerance.

very true

egbutler1 · 09-13-2010, 03:11 AM

Update: Well bubbles is doing great, I am watching her closely and after a few days kennel rest she's good to go no more limp. I'm not doing any exercise with her for awhile still just to be sure but all seems to be good. Once I feel she's ready (4-6 more wks) its just swimming for a few weeks she loves that and it'll be easier on her. Again thanks i'll let you all know if anything else pops up.

- Emerson

**pitbullmamanatl** $Infraction Award$ · 09-13-2010, 04:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by egbutler1

Update: Well bubbles is doing great, I am watching her closely and after a few days kennel rest she's good to go no more limp. I'm not doing any exercise with her for awhile still just to be sure but all seems to be good. Once I feel she's ready (4-6 more wks) its just swimming for a few weeks she loves that and it'll be easier on her. Again thanks i'll let you all know if anything else pops up.

- Emerson

good to hear! definitely take it easy though

btw great name!

egbutler1 · 09-15-2010, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pitbullmamanatl

good to hear! definitely take it easy though

btw great name!

Well not sure which your referring to myself or my dog but both are great so thanks lol.