Limping without other signs of pain.
I am the companion of an OES, who is nearly a year old. He has had all the signs of a healthy puphood, until about three weeks ago. I noticed occasionally as we walked he would seem to limp. I thought perhaps rough play was involved, and, as I do too often for my own health, hoped simply that it would go away. Well, over three weeks it has gotten worse. About 75% of the walks we go on he takes on a rather pronounced limping gait. It has always looked like the right front arm (which is why I am not currently melting down with the thought of hip dysplasia). We went to the vet over the weekend, and he twisted his arm in various ways. Pup made no complaint whatsoever, besides trying to lick him. The vet did not seem very concerned, but said if I wanted he could get an estimate on X-Rays. The estimate came out to $700 for the one leg. This is quite beyond my means for exploratory surveying. So, I suppose, I'm looking for reassurance. Have any of your pups ever demonstrated these symptoms and gone on to be healthy? Secondly, reading limping threads, many people seem to have "just gotten an X-Ray"... surely you do not all drop $700 for this service? Or is this the average price? Thank you Concerned "Parent", who is wondering how anyone manages to have human children, when they can worry one so... |
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| $700 seems like a lot, but I don't know at what your vet was planning to look.
There are some bone and shoulder issues that I recall have been discussed on here before. I hope that someone will jump in with some advice. |
| I know this has been discussed..if you go to search "puppy limping" in the forum, you will find the threads.
I agree with Ron. $700.00 seems high to me. You may want to get a second opinion before doing anything. Good Luck and keep up posted!!!  |
| I agree, $700 for a simple x-ray is very high, even with sedation. I'd get a second opinion. |
| I have had dog xrays before, that is way more than I have paid.
And, I have friends who had a dog recently with symptoms that sound the same. Front leg, and when the vet did a physical exam, there was no obvious source of pain - none in fact! They did a series of xrays at their local vet. I called them - these are the prices: office exam:$25, 1st xray(w/ setup charge):$40, 2 add'l films at $22 each. Total bill - $109. This was just a few months ago. Granted, this is MN and a smaller town. I would expect a higher markup in a more urban area. But the price of a film series at the Univ of MN Vet Hospital was still only about $240. BTW, it ended up that 9 yr old Dillon had strained his metacarpals (between the wrist and toes) and the treatment was strict bedrest (craterest) for 3 weeks. Only out to potty, no walks, no nothing. He is on an anti inflammatory, as well as Glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM, and other supplements. He gradually got to increase activity - 1st 1/4 mile walks, then more as he tolerated. He is walking several miles now, but no other activity besides walking. It has been about 6-8 weeks since they started treatment. Good luck! |
| I hate to tell you this...... My first sheepie, Quincy, started limping ever so slightly on his right front leg when he was 18 months old. He had elbow dysplasia and the beginning of arthritis, which was diagnosed only by x-rays, and required surgery. Quincy rarely showed signs, and also showed no discomfort when he was examined.
Turns out, my sheepie had an extremely high pain tolerance, and was very stoic, which turned out to be helpful during his recovery. He was putting weight on the leg HOURS after surgery, and when they removed the staples, he didn't even flinch, just stood there with the vet underneath him popping them out. I am hoping that this is not the case for you. Unfortunately, my records are packed away, so I can't tell you how much we paid for his x-rays, but I do recall that the cost was substantial. Laurie and Oscar |
| First, thanks for the responses everyone.
After a little more digging, I've decided to seek out some of that Gluco joint support supplement, lower his activity levels for a period, and seek out a cheaper Vet. I went to Banfield Pet Hospital--not sure if it's a local (Oregon) chain. The price was exorbitant it seems because they wanted to sedate him with about 5 different drugs, take 6 pictures and shoot him up with another drug or two. Apparently that isn't quite standard. And to Laurie, the similarity of our situations will not let me wish it away. Lastly, as I was thinking of this, I realized that one of his favorite games is "fetch of war" where instead of dropping the toy at my feet we have an extended tugging match. Naturally, his stance during this implies a lot of the strain (we're both competitive) goes to his outstretched front legs. So, he'll have to learn to drop it from now on. Thanks again. |
| Glyco Flex III is awesome for joints---
Banfield is very pricey....obviously Good Luck with your baby Katy |
| Banfield is convenient but find someone else.....I've heard some real horror stories about them. If you are near a vet school, look into that. If not contact some dog rescue groups in your area, doesn't have to be sheepdogs, trust me, rescues know the better vets and those that charge less.
I suspect the vet was looking for O.D, Osetochondritis dissecans. It is when the cartilage winthin a joint becomes excessively thickened. Then separation allows fluid from within the joint to enter the bone and sets up an inflammatory reaction. The cartilage comes loose and a partially attached plague results. With rest it may reattach, other wise surgery. Cause unknown, heriditary or strain/injury? Also there is osteomyelitis, inflammation of the bone marrow due to bacterial infection. RARE unless you live in an area known for such soil pathogens as coccidioidomycosis (valley fever) or blatomycosis (midwewt/Central Atlantic and into Canada) (but with all the snow, who's seen dirt lately?) Since the vet has done the hands on "twisting and motion" tests, nothing major was apparent. More likely over exertion in a still growing dog. He'll hate it, but rest, complete rest is in order for weeks.....six if you and he can stand it. No running, jumping, etc for as long as the two of you can stand it. If after six weeks of "bed rest" and limited outside time he is still in strife, time for the Xrays. |
| go to some of my post about derby and fron limping.. that price is way out of line it should be more like 70.00 a xray.. you need to call around have them do the shoulder and elbow!! is a must |
I know I am coming on to this somewhat late, but my dog Jack started the limping in the right front leg at around 4or 5months. I too thought it was just growing pains or pano as he switched legs and didn't limp every day. Just two weeks ago we decided to take him to a referred surgeon and within ten minutes of a 30 minute consultation, he diagnosed Jack has having OCD. The x-rays of his shoulder proved that his diagnosis was correct. The x-rays were $460.00 for all. He had surgery last Friday, April 11th and he is doing just fine. Jack by the way is 11mos. old. The vet told me it could have been diagnosed months earlier, but said the limping does mask other bone problems. I would suggest that you get the xrays and not wait. Good luck from Sue and Jack.  |
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