Hi all

I am hoping for any advise. My flat coat is 5 months and one morning he couldn't walk on his front left leg. He was in a lot of pain, and we took him straight to the vet. They x rayed him and said nothing was broken and keep him caged and rested for a week and it should get better. He is also on pain killers. We did this, but on the 4th day, he still couldn't walk on the leg and was in terrible pain, screamimg. I took him back and they examined him. It is in the shoulder area that he feels the pain when the leg in pulled forwards. They x rayed again and are 100% sure no bone damage. It is now on day 3 after the last examination, he is constantly in the cage, utterley fed up and depressed. He looks no better, he is still not walking on the leg, still on painkillers, and although not screaming with pain, he is very reluctant to use it and often makes a noise of discomfort when i take him for a wee etc.
I suppose my question is I am wondering if this can be a problem in this breed of weak joints or is it really a case of bed rest for weeks!
Any advise greatly appreciated.

Sam

Has your vet considered Panosteitis?

..or OCD

Both pano' and OCD should show up on x-rays...I'd consider a different vet!

Pano. is not easy to see, I would ask for a referal.

I believe it's quite easy to spot whilst the dog is actually having an attack, otherwise, yes, it can be difficult :)

It shows up as tiny white spots on an x-ray and I have know your average vet miss it, particulaly if their equipment is not up to standard.

Which is why *I'd* consider a different vet...why pay good money to treat something which you may or may not be treating wrong?!

They haven't mentioned anything like that to me, I am sure THEY are are confident it is tissue damage. I will be sure to Enquire when i go back tomorrow.
If it is tissue damage, shouldn't a young pup recover fairly quickly? I feel so bad confining him all day. I have another dog and if i don't they play and then he is in pain and back to square one :(

I will definatley consider a referral if it continues like this.

Thanks

Sam

Then if it is just muscle damage, he should recover quickly so long as you do confine him to bed rest. It may seem cruel but it's better for him in the long run. Hope he's right as rain soon! :)

hi please give me a ring on 0125231067 after 8pm just for a chat as you know i have 4 f/c and a litter,but my harley has a problem in his should,elbows,ankles,it better to talk over the phone about he problam,

terri durrant

Thank you Terri, I will call later :)

Sam

When T-Bone was outside she was about 4 months and she stuck her paws under the fence and the rotti next door grabbed it or she caught her paws in the fence some how and I guess she pulled back and really hurt her legs. She couldn't walk at all just fell right on her face crying. She kept trying to run away when I was trying to get her and crying very loud. I held her for awhile had her checked and it was just tissue damage. I kept her in the kennel paper at one end and bedding at the other, within about 3 days or so she was still limping and about a week or so later she was back to normal. I hope ur little one is o.k and back to running soon.

Hi,
Have you thought of contacting the breeder of your puppy for advice? Most flatcoat breeders are more than happy to help a new owner with any problems, and they would have the experience to help you. Flatcoat pups are very boisterous, so injuries like this are easily come by.
Polly
Foxpath Flatcoated Retrievers

Hello

My first thought , i must admit, was panosteitis - occurs in many breeds, often during a phase of rapid growth and high protein diet; is usually controlled by aspirin (!) and possibly steroids, which I don't like personally.

Or could be a straight forward muscle tear by romping with friend.

Anyway, my first port of call if it happened to a dog of mine would be my very good veterinary acupuncturist, who works wonders with lameness so long as there are no breaks etc.

Trouble is with painkillers, the dog no longer feels the pain, so maybe puts stress on the injured joint before it's ready to take it, resulting in more damage which dog can't feel.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Just a couple of points, had a dog in a cage for 12 weeks with pano. because I did not want to use drugs, also put him on lower protien food. And IMO soft tissue damage takes a long while to heal, tissue bruise or over stress will heal quickly, but any tearing or a lot of inflamation will take weeks to heal. Ja:)kie