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| I'd make an appointment to see a dedicated orthopedic specialist. I'm worried about OCD....http://www.canineortho.com/index.php/anatomy-of-canine-shoulder-disorders#.UhvSZKvnaM8 For sure no more jumping. Pup isn't finished growing and the stress on the bones from this athletic action would result in live-long injury and pain. This is why young dogs are not encouraged to do agility......and the same reason the Lipizzaner horses are so old before they start training...bigger animals take longer to stabilize and "bone up." Mean time I'd be giving joint supplements, keeping her four paws on the ground and pain meds as needed....and talking with an orthopedic specialist. Yeah, it's going to cost but better to get the right answer. |
| Thank you for your insight. I feel that there is something more going on than arthritis. The vet that examined Petunia is at a highly regarded hospital here in nj. However I believe dr fulcher is a general surgeon and not an orthopedic guy. There is another animal hospital in nj called red bank and also one in NYC that is just as close. The exrays didn't show anything but I know that many conditions are not visible on them. I am going to research which hospital will be the best for Petunia and get another evaluation. I really don't care about the cost when it comes to my dog. She is my 2nd sheepdog and my first one lived to be 13 and my husband like to call her the million dollar dog, but her real name was Aynsley. She actually had tie back surgery in tinton falls with dr fulcher. Are you familiar with jump Down syndrome? Sorry for the novel, and thanks again for your input. |
| Yes, there's a very nice piece on the web about it. http://vetsportsmedicine.com/dog-owners/resources.html which is why you need an accurate diagnosis. The fact arthritis (if it is truly arthritis) has set in may make treatment more complicated. Arthroscopic exam and possible internal repair of the joint along with HA injections..........all something a competent Sports Medicine Ortho vet would know about. I realize Maryland is too far, but a call the clinic mentioned may yield a vet closer to home. Sorry, I didn't realize Petunia was as old as she is, I read that as 1 year 4 moths........or 14 months, I pegged her as much younger. |
| Thanks again, that is the website where I discovered Jump Down syndrome. This morning petunia walked close to 3 miles no prob except for the humidity. I noticed after sleeping all night she doesn't limp upon rising. Weird. I am going to video her on my phone. I think I will contact the website and seek a referral in nj/ny. I will keep you posted. |
| Welcome to the community! I'm sorry that Petunia and you are going through this. |
| And at 94 lbs she is a chubby pup, I have one about that weight too and getting the flab off them is tough. Other dogs I've had good luck with the Green Bean diet, subbing at least one-half cut kibble for unsalted canned green beans. (I had one dog loose 65 lbs on the green bean diet) Helps if you sprinkle a bit of grated cheese over the beans initially. I hope to be putting Kensie back on it now that she's decided she can eat kibble alone with all the additions...like chicken and pork. She too needs to drop about 15-20 lbs. |
| I am being diligent about measuring her food, eukanuba large breed. No more than 3 cups per day. Also I have cut back on her treats. I made an appointment at the Red Bank Animal Hospital with an orthopedic vet for tomorrow. I notice that after exercise is when the limping is most evident. In the morning upon waking she appears fine. Hopefully they can get to the bottom if this. |
Welcome  |
Welcome, Petunia and human  I'm hoping you get the issues figured out. Whatever the cause, the added weight is playing a part - may have even caused it, and for sure making matters worse. I do lots of activities and sports with my dogs, and scrupulously managing their weight is number one on my list (oh, if I only was so diligent with myself!). Mine get weighed at least every week, and even a pound deviation is noted and feed/activity adjusted. The other item that's non-negotiable is conditioning and training. These things are simple to do, and don't cost a dime...but really pays off in the long term health of the dogs. Again- welcome! |
| Hi and thanks for the welcome. I had an spot with a specialist 2 weeks ago and she viewed Petunias exrays and examined her. The limping is on her left side and she felt was related to what appeared to be a very small bone spur in her elbow. The term is one used in humans but she said this would be the closest example. She also said that the issue could be soft tissue related but wanted to be conservative and try PT and a blue light laser treatment. The possibility of acupuncture was also discussed, pending her PT evaluation next Wednesday. I am being diligent with her calories since I have cut back substantially in her exercise, we now walk about 10 minutes down from 4 miles. She also told me that she felt thus is a chronic problem. I am so upset since Petunia is only 4. Any suggestions or experiences would be greatly appreciated. |
| My first OES, was diagnosed with OCD in his elbow when he was 18 months old. (I noticed a slight, intermittent limp, not noticeable to my vet, but she understood that I knew my dog and his normal gait. She sent me to an orthopedic surgeon.) Quincy had elbow surgery, as there were already arthritic changes and some damaged cartilage around the joint. He healed fine from the surgery, but ended up with huge ulcers from the anti-inflammatory, Rimadyl. (If they put your pup on an anti-inflammatory, please give famotidine (Pepcid AC) with it, to prevent ulcers.) Quincy had his surgery in 2000, so no one was working with lasers then. I have heard good things about their use. That is something I would certainly try today if I was in the same situation. Just a quick note. To me, 3 cups of food doesn't seem like a large amount for a moderately active OES weighing 94 lbs. Both of my OES weighed in at over 110 lbs. Quincy got up to 125 lbs eating 2 cups of food and a ton of carrots. We had his thyroid tested. He was hypothyroid. Once we got his meds regulated, he dropped to 115, which is where he was for the rest of his life. Oscar has IBD so we struggled with him being underweight until we figured his meds out (he takes 7  ). Then he went up to 115, which was a little heavy for him. He was also a bit lethargic, and his fur thinned. Turns out, he too is hypothyroid. It does run in the breed, so just something to think about if you feel like your pup is not getting a lot of food but is still gaining weight.Welcome to the forum! Laurie and Oscar |
| Finally had our exam at the rbvh rehabilitation facility and they have finally diagnosed Petunia---yea! After a thorough exam and evaluation of her gait, etc. the diagnosis of her front leg limping is neck related. She had trama to her c6 and c7 vertabrae. She had a chiropractic manipulation followed by a treatment with a blue light laser. We will return on October 7th for another treatment which may include acupuncture. In the mean time I need to buy a harness to replace her collar. Jumping off an extremely high bed is most likely the cause of her injuries, but it can also be related to or compounded by pulling while walking with the collar--- she is a huge puller when walking. I already had a gentle leader for around her nose but they cautioned against it and would prefer the harness made by the same company. I am very hopeful that we can heal her injury and she can return to a limp free life. I will update you with her progress. In the meantime I had also purchased the canine light therapy pad and they said I can use that also to facilitate healing. She seems to enjoy the treatment even though I had been using the pad on her elbow, now I will use it one the neck area. |
| I've used Pro Plan Weight Management formula food to take 10 lbs off Brick a few years ago. Worked great. |
| Thanks. I have also switched to the weight control product in the eukanuba line, and I have become a food measuring mother. Before I used to just eyeball the amount, now I measure. I think she actually may have taken off a lb. or two. |
| Sounds like you are making progress! As to experiences with arthritis........MO was diagnosed with arthritis at age 5 or 6 in her carpus.......wrist. No doubt from her constant running and jumping.......she was one crazed dog. We put her on anti-inflams and she carried on for the next 8 years, finally passing at age 14. We had to also give a tummy pill, as the anti-inflams could be tough on the stomach and gut. So through careful administration of meds, they can have a full life. |
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