Poodle wrangler Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 (edited) Our 8 month old standard poodle was offleash yesterday afternoon- zoomies with the mini poodle- then came up to me holding one back leg up off the ground. I wasn't watching them at the time, so don't know what happened. He didn't "cry" at all. I couldn't see anything on his paw or feel anything unusual up the length from paw to hip. He didn't mind me touching any areas, either. I got him to rest with me, then he stopped limping and was walking normally 5-10 minutes later, chose to run later, too. I saw him hold the same leg up a couple of days ago, too. I can't pick a problem with his gait, either. Though I'm no expert. I'm happy to take him to the vet for an XRay, if needed, but should I wait until he shows the limp again? What tests would you expect to be done? Thanks. Edited September 10, 2007 by Poodle wrangler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNT Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Just wondering if perhaps your poodle was bitten by a green ant??? I realise I may be totally off track here- but saw two dogs limping- with one leg up off the ground- both due to green ant bites. Regardless, I hope your dog is okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2cavs Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Hi, One of my cavs exhibited very similar symptoms, where she would be running and then hold her leg up, I would check her and she didn't seem to be in any pain, and thenlater she would be walking fine. After it happened a few times, and knowing that luxating patellas were common in the breed, I took her to the vet who confirmed that both her back legs had luxating patellas. I was soo upset at the time, as it is quite a big operation and recovery process (and expensive), but we did the op straight away. Some people apparently wait for it to progress, but this can make the operation more complicated and increase the risk of arthritis later on. Good news is that I am still amazed at how well she healed, and she is super happy and active, enjoying walks everyday. I hope this is not the case with your poodle (I don't know if it is common in the breed), but know that if it does turn out to be luxating patellas, with lots of love and rest and time for recovery he will be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) ......I was soo upset at the time, as it is quite a big operation and recovery process (and expensive), but we did the op straight away. Some people apparently wait for it to progress, but this can make the operation more complicated and increase the risk of arthritis later on. Mind if I ask roughly how much the op was? Any ongoing medication? I know I'm jumping the gun, but it's good to have info. I'm sure it would be more for a larger breed (~25kg) too. ETA: I've just read a bit about it- seems more common in smaller breeds. But who knows? Sounds like it otherwise, except no yelp of pain. Edited September 4, 2007 by Poodle wrangler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaaabyFlynn Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 pano? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 pano? Had to look that up. Kind of "growing pains"? Here's a link for dumbos like me: http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/lpano.htm. I'm trying to do the right thing by pup- adult diet, short walks, no jumping in-out of cars, keep lean (has recently filled out a little, so will watch that!). Zoomies in the backyard still and playing/wrestling with a miniature poodle. Will watch him closely and take to vet if any sign of worsening or continuing to do the same over weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) In a dog of this size PW, I'd be more concerned about hips than patellas. Keep a watching eye out. It might be as simple as a strained muscle or a sore pad but I think your caution is a good idea. Edited September 4, 2007 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 PW - a similar thing happened to Zig a few months ago after a free run with another dog who was just a little too boisterous (and very solid too) - Zig turned awkwardly and pulled up limping......had a quick check up at the vet on the way home - he was much better by then but seems he had strained a muscle. I rested him for about 3 days (lots of training to keep him occupied in the mean time) despite him having no further signs of a limp - I find that young dogs, being what they are, will often continue to run amok even if they are a little sore. Hope your lad is feeling better soon :D N.B. Having learned my lesson about off-leash parks, now I only take him to the beach early in the morning where he gets to catch up with the "regulars" - all tiny dogs, actually, who are very tolerant of his puppy ways and are firm but gentle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) I don't know if this is related, but he's slow to sit as well. This could be a training issue, of course :D . If both dogs sit I reckon the mini poodle has his bum on floor a couple of seconds ahead of the standard poodle. Or, is this not unusual for larger breeds? His drop is slow as well. If he's laying down on tiles, there's a couple of slight thumps as he does it (front elbows, I think). He has a cushioned mat for indoors hard floors. Edited September 4, 2007 by Poodle wrangler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I would have the vet check for cruciate ligament problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaaabyFlynn Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 if it is pano it will pass with time and rest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scales of Justice Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Just before you get into x-raying or vet visits - check this. My dog does that on odd occasions and I thought she had done herself a muscle injury and I even got the vet to do a visual check for cruciate ligament problems. Nothing seemed obvious. A day or two later, after still showing similar symptoms, I opened between the pads on the offending foot and found a dark red colouration on the foot up between the pads. I wasn't much but it was the culprit. It was an allergy which cleared up with Ilium Neocort. Every time she gets this "limp" I check the pads and sure enough the red is there. Add Neocort and problem solves. It comes back especially when the ground has been wet. It is very difficult to check the skin between the pads which is why it sometimes goes unchecked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share Posted September 5, 2007 (edited) Thanks. I will recheck his pads (ETA: Nup, look good :p ). The first instance I thought it possible I nicked him with the clippers, then running made them sore . If I go ahead with XRays, do they normally anaesthetise the dog? He's a laid back, co operative sort of dog. Is it possible for me to hold him in position, wearing a lead apron? Or just not feasible?. I used to work with newborns and we held them in position for XRay. Lower radiation, I'm guessing. Edited September 5, 2007 by Poodle wrangler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 AFAIK they need to be anaesthetized for the x-rays. The slowness to sit would be a bit suggestive of problems in the knee/stifle or hip. A vet check wouldn't hurt, at least to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimjm Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I would suggest maybe a patella problem, possibly cruciate but due to breed I would think more patella. The slowness to sit indicates reduced or painful flexion of the knee which is what the dog needs to do to get into propper sit postion. I would take this little one to the vet for a check and see what they have to say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 If I go ahead with XRays, do they normally anaesthetise the dog? He's a laid back, co operative sort of dog. Is it possible for me to hold him in position, wearing a lead apron? Or just not feasible?. I used to work with newborns and we held them in position for XRay. Lower radiation, I'm guessing. I'm not going to try to guess the cause of lameness, just wanted to comment on xrays. If not a general anaesthetic, most hip xrays will need sedation because a ventrodorsal view requires extension and forced rotation of the legs and this isn't practical in a concious dog (not to mention that if there is a clinical condition, it is painful). Unless there is some dire circumstance (emergency x-rays and I have absolutely no other assistance) , I will not allow owners to be present while radiographs are actually being taken. I try to minimise my own exposure to xrays, and since I am licenced to use the equipment and responsible for other people in the room owners are a no-go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 10, 2007 Author Share Posted September 10, 2007 (edited) After posting, I could see nothing at all wrong until today at the beach- a week later. Charlie was just running of leash at the beach, in water, then held his back left leg up off the ground for < 3 minutes (no obvious reason, exactly as b4). I wasn't close enough to see properly what was going on at the knee, though. Then he walked/ ran normally again. Looked 100% normal afterwards. After reading about luxating patellas, it sounds very much like that. Less common in larger breeds, though. He's a standard poodle >25kg. So, off to the vets this week for a proper diagnosis and see what can be done :rolleyes:. Thanks everyone! Will be back .. eta: Diagnosis: LUXATING PATELLA. Vet was able to dislocate the rear L knee in the surgery. She thought the right one felt fairly stable. For Xrays both legs tomorrow under sedation. Luckily our vet does a lot of work, including some orthopaedic surgery with greyhounds, so may not need a specialist. Edited September 10, 2007 by Poodle wrangler Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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