Our beloved 5 yr old Irish Wolfhound has recently been showing signs of lameness. Our vet can find no obvious signs of anything at the moment. I also asked for a full set of bloods to be run - thankfully all of these came back within normal range, as my first fear was osteosarcomas.

We are now wondering if he has some sort of joint degeneration type condition and as another post on here stated, wanting to get to the root of the problem rather than just treating the symptoms with anti inflammitory such as metacam.

We really do not want him to be put under a GA to have any xrays (which are vet agrees with) as we know it is very risky to do this in large breed dogs, and we are wondering if anyone is aware of any specialist vet practices which can do xrays without having to sedate him.

We are also about to commence him on Flexi-Joint Tablets but we are desperate to get to the root of the cause of this.

Any suggestions are very much appreciated :)

I can't be of much help, but I have read somewhere on these boards in relation to x-rays for hip scoring, that there are vets who will do this under light sedation rather than full GA. Might be worthwhile doing a search to see what pops up. I suppose it all depends on what they need to xray, and the position the dog will need to be placed in.

Where abouts? I know of one in North Notts

Our mongrel had major surgery in January this year - started as a possible obstruction - turned into something highly dramatic and life threatening when the vet discovered that everything that should have been in his abdomen was up in his chest instead! 

Anyway, long story short is that when I took him back for a check up the vet didn't want to give GA or sedate as his respiratory function had been compromised.  Instead he performed a 'conscious' lateral x-ray.  He said that there was a risk that it wouldn't be a great picture but was enough to check that the diaphragm repair had held and that one lung was still collapsed.

It seems that anything is possible if the vet is confident and skilled enough; if the vet staff are able to handle the dog in that situation; if the dog is willing to be steadied; and presumably the need is great enough!  I doubt they'd do it if it wasn't absolutely necessary or if the dog couldn't handle it.  My vet practice is attached to a hospital in a nearby town (North Somerset) and it was the senior vet at the hospital that worked on Finn.  If it wasn't for such specialist care I would have lost him.  If your vet can't do it can they recommend someone who can - they must have nearby facilities for more specialist treatment.  Whereabouts are you?

Hi guys, thanks for your helpful replies, we are in Kent, I have had a look around and found a specialst orthopeadic practice in Hampshire, and wondered if they might consider doing it. I am going to call my vets again tomorrow to have another chat with him.

Am interested that Finn was able to be xrayed whilst being consciou. I will also look in to the light sedation option. I just don't want him to have a heavy sedation that may compromise his well being :(

Thanks again :)

Hi guys, thanks for your helpful replies, we are in Kent, I have had a look around and found a specialst orthopeadic practice in Hampshire, and wondered if they might consider doing it. I am going to call my vets again tomorrow to have another chat with him.

Am interested that Finn was able to be xrayed whilst being conscious. I will also look in to the light sedation option. I just don't want him to have a heavy sedation that may compromise his well being :(

Thanks again :)

I hope that you have luck checking out an alternative vet practise.  Like dogs a babe, I use a big hospital that will give light sedation.  I agree that it depends on the expertise available. 

Do let us know how you get on with your boy.

There is a specialist Ortho place near Bluebell hill. I can't provide a personal recommendation, but I came across them when searching the web when my oldest girl ruptured her cruciate. It's nearer than Hampshire!

Thanks for the info again guys.

Unfortunately he took quite a turn for the worse last night and we had to rush him to the vets he could barely stand, it just came on so sudden? :(

They gave him an injection pain killer and then we are reviewing how that helps him. Unfortunately, I don't think it has helped that much so am just about to call the vets again about him going back to them as I think we will have to get him xrayed now.

The vet kept saying the one word I have always dreaded hearing, Osteosarcoma. However, I am not even going to think about that until we know that is for sure, The strange thing is this morning his rear legs apear to be not right either? so I am wondering if it is something to do with his spine?

He is lying by my feet at the moment sleeping and quite settled. I will keep you posted :(

Thanks for the rec on Bluebell Hill, that is a lot nearer to us!!

As far as I know, our vet can xray with light sedation. I am based in Bristol, South West.

sorry to hear this I hope you can find a diagnosis soon.

Our Boxer dog had a X-ray on his heart but luckily he just laid still and it was very quick,one of our others had a scan and was given just a light dose of tramadol you could ask for this for sedation,this just makes them a bit woozey,but with your dog the vets want to do some manipulation so I expect they want your dog totally relaxed.Good Luck and I hope things come to a conclusion x