ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 (edited) Hi guys, I posted previously in regards to my Amstaff puppy limping. Unfotunately the limp has not gone away. Diesel is now 6 months old, 19inches tall & weighs 27kg, which I am just stating to show that he IS a big boy for his age, though not fat. This is the full rundown: I first noticed the limp approx 6 weeks ago, took him to the vet & had x-rays done. The x-rays were sent to an othopeadic surgeon who said that all the joints look fine & it is probably just due to the fact that he is a rapidly growing puppy. They decided to give him the 4 week course of Cartrophen injections along with daily doses of sashas blend, to see if there was any improvement & requested further x-rays in 3 months time, when he was closer to finishing growing (apparently they could tell he had a fair way to go, by the gaps between the joints.) 6 weeks later & he is still limping. Myself, partner & my parents all believe the limp is a fair bit better, but the vet says he can see no change & we need to do another round of x-rays to send to the othopeadic surgeon & if they still can't see anything, they think they know what it is & will want to operate (probably just a scope). We have, however, narrowed the limp down to only effecting his front right leg. The vet said that as he is so young, the surgery would be 100% effective. What I would like some advise on, is should I be getting a 2nd opinion b4 commiting to the surgery (if it comes to that). I was thinking that I could take both sets of x-rays to a different vet to see what their opinion is, just to make sure I am not making my boy have a needless operation IF there is a chance that they are just growing pains that will go away when he reaches full size (as we were first told by the vet). However, at the same time, I hate the fact that while we are deciding what to do, Diesel is still in pain. Any advise would be much appreciated, as I am really not sure how to proceed at this point. Edited November 13, 2006 by ILuvAmstaffs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 my DDB had a bad limp which we couldnt find what was wrong. He wasnt overweight or over exercised. I took him to a chiropractor and he worked out that SKoota had put out a disc in his back which made him throw his hips to one side. This put uneven pressure on his front so he limped BAD. Couldnt walk more then 10 minutes before being in pain and huffing and puffing. About 7 chiro sessions and stretching exercises every day he's right as rain now. Surgery can do more harm then good, scar tissue is a one way street. Look at alternatives before going straight into the last resort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 (edited) I had a chiropractor recommended to me, but never ended up taking Diesel as my dad was of the opinion that they can do more harm than good. But it is definately worth a try at this stage, though I'm not sure if the inflammation on his front leg joints would rule out back problems??? Edited November 13, 2006 by ILuvAmstaffs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 definately try it. Surgery on a growing pup is not a good thing, I have heard bad things. If they cant find the problem no use going in and causing one. Get a well reccomended one, take your xrays with you as well and the medical history. It takes time but it does work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 definately try it. Surgery on a growing pup is not a good thing, I have heard bad things. If they cant find the problem no use going in and causing one.Get a well reccomended one, take your xrays with you as well and the medical history. It takes time but it does work. I just looked up this site: http://www.chirovet.com.au/ And will email one of the practitioners shortly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amstaff_Ambition Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Poor Diesel, i would try the chiro first, it's worth a go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Will do. If I can't get a recommendation for one closer to home, I will make an appointment with the one MellG recommended out near Penrith! P.S Trying to do it on the sly so I don't get ear bashed by his grandparents!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerfly Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 i recommend a go at the chiro as well. Peter Schofields at Mulgoa. Vets cant detect many problems like this even with xrays. You need a well oiled dog man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolf82 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 His growth will slow down soon, my Loki was 26.5kg at 6 months, and also 19 inches. He didnt grow much in the last 6 months, but he leaned up alot and put on muscle, lost his cute puppy belly He is 12 months now, 20.5 inches and 31.5kg. Still needs to fill out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Yeah, Diesel has slowed down height wise, but seems to be filling out more & more His breeder suggested limiting his protein to slow his growth, but we asked the vet & he said it wouldn't help. It would just make him leaner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WreckitWhippet Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 If the vets cannot see anything on the Xray , then there is no way in hell, I would be opertaing on a puppy, simply because they can't find anything. I would be straight to either Peter Scofield or Gary Barnsley and seeking their opinion on what is wrong with the puppy. I know you are saying that he is not over weight, but I would be getting this dogs weight down , he needs to be lean, have a decent tuck , even to the point of showing rib but not the back bone. The lighter he is, the less stress will be placed on baby joints. Just about every Amstaff you see is overweight, owners are judging the weight of their dogs based on the others around them, not the look of the dog and what is correct for them. Sorry if it sounds a bit harsh, but my pet hate is overweight dogs with owners in denial about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 14, 2006 Author Share Posted November 14, 2006 We are booked in with Peter Schofield this Sunday. In all fairness, I have taken Diesel to 2 vets & asked if he is over weight & they tell me he is not, but I will be trying to get his weight down for sure. He certainly doesn't have a tummy & nips in at all the right places though! I also took him along to meet Mell & Koda at a dog show when he was 5.5months & he was a good bit taller * longer than most the pups there that were a month older, so he is definately growing a bit too fast. Heres a pic taken a few weeks ago & he has lost a bit of bulk but gained a bit of size (if that makes sense) since then: As you can see in this pic: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 (edited) listen to the breeder before the vet - they know their dogs and their lines. Cut the protein if the breeder reccomends it. I had mine on Eagle Pack giant breed and it did him a world of good. My DDB is VERY lean at the moment, might need some fattening actually, but he doesnt run out of puff and he moves more lightly then a dog of his build usually does. Makes his life and breathing much easier. this is Skoota as he is now, about 21 months old. He still has muscle and bulk but I have stripped him of his puppy fat. He eats twice a day, Eagle Pack, rice n veges, fresh chicken (only ever necks, wings, maryland, drumsticks etc) and lamb off cuts/flaps but they have to include edible bones. I never give him mince, pre-made dog food or table scraps. Keeping his weight down has helped his back heal too. Edited November 14, 2006 by Nekhbet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 14, 2006 Author Share Posted November 14, 2006 Diesel was from this breeders 2nd litter & she admits to not having had too much experience with their health problems yet. The main reason she suggested a diet change was because she was worried he would be "oversized" if I wanted to show him, but the vet assures me that from what they have seen on the x-ray, it won't help as the "gaps" between the joints need to close up regardless, so he will grow no matter what we do. Funny to note, this litter was on eukanuba & they are double the size of her 1st litter 2 years ago (from the same parents) that were on science diet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolf82 Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Protein wont stop anything to do with his size, he will eventually grow into what his genetics will allow. Hes a puppy, they need protein and fat, he isnt a giant breed either. Maybe try him with some swimming and not as much running around? My pups are currently on Eagle Pack Power Formula, doing very well on it, im happy with the 30% protein and 20% fat. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 14, 2006 Author Share Posted November 14, 2006 Would love to get him swimming, so will definately be doing that now the weather has warmed up! So far he only goes in to his neck! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 wolf he will grow into what his genetics decide but its the rate of growth. You dont want a soft frame packed with muscles or you have mobility problems. Even though he is not a giant breed he is a stocky type with larger then average muscle size in comparison to his overall size. The trick is to let the bones develop without having extra pressure put on them. Be it a giant breed or a solid bully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malleerr Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Hi ILA, Sorry to hear that Diesel is still having problems with his joints. Are the vets or surgeons suggesting that he has arthritis in his elbow joints, that being the reason for the arthriscope? Our pup had bilateral arthiscopes at 4 months old in her front legs... but with Mallee (RR) there were definate signs of arthritis and ED on x-rays?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILuvAmstaffs Posted November 14, 2006 Author Share Posted November 14, 2006 No sign of arthritis or any problem other than slight inflammation on the joint on the 1st round of x-rays. He is having the 2nd round today, so will know more in a week, after the x-rays are sent off to the specialist again. Meanwhile, I will take him to the chiro & see what he can do for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ci Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 I went through this with one of my Staffies at around the same age. She had all the tests done to no avail. I ended up taking her to the chiropator and he discovered that she actually had three broken toes! Who knows how she broke them - his guess was because she was pounding the pavement too hard - apparently Rottis do a smiliar thing - particularly when play fighting with the boy. But three vets missed that her toes were the problem even with all the x-rays etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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