I am still trying to track down the cause of my dog Gertie's 'bunny hop'. Having more or less discounted hip, back, and cruciate problems. I think that her paw is the source of the problem. Her back pad just doesn't look right and has sore red areas around the edge (although her licking could have caused this). The vet gave us some Fuciderm ointment (a steroid cream, which I don't really like giving her) for the sore area, but reckons an x-ray wouldn't be suitable. Why not? I want to make sure that there's no problem within the paw or a thorn or some other object embedded in the pad. We can't see anything, but that doesn't mean that something isn't there. She really doesn't like that area of her paw to be touched, so something's wrong somewhere. This has been going on for ages now, and I hate to think that she's in pain. Has anyone had a similar experience. Also, my tip for keeping a Mikki dog boot on. A strip of parcel tape at the top and one around the foot. It just gives it a little bit of extra support and takes away the 'baggy bit' which made it easy for her to slip her foot out when we first bought it. Now she can hammer around without fear of it falling off. Annie.

Hi Annie, at Xmas time my Bonnie stated limping on her right front paw. I examined it, soaked it, she kept nibbling it & I couldn`t see anything even with a magnifying glass & tweezers! The limping would come & go but after a few days I knew there was something in there. It took me, hubby & vet to determine she had something laying crossways across the fine skin in between her paw. After about half an hour he was getting ready to sedate her cos we just couldn`t get find an exit/entrance to get it out & I said try once more & he managed to get a hold & pulled out a thorn from a palm tree. Don`t know if that helps but get a magnifying glass & you & hubby hold her & get a good look or.....try a second opinion from another vet! :)
Christine, Spain.