Does anyone know if a dog can get the equivalent of a frozen shoulder?

My seven year old flatcoat has been lame for two months now - most painful
at first, and difficult to pinpoint the origin. It now seems to be
centred around the point of the shoulder.

X-ray plates all apparently quite clear. Rimadyl or PLT have little
effect. She's on acupuncture at present. Next step is obviously an
orthopaedic specialist, but if it is a frozen shoulder, I know from my own
experience it just needs time - anybody know if it could be?

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Sounds similar to the trouble with my Lab. Over a two year period nothing showed up on X-rays, tried metacam, rimadyl, green lipped mussel, homeopathic treatment, massage but still the poor soul was hardly mobile. This started when she was three years old. I then tried Devil's Claw for two months - available from health shops. She now has a new lease of life bounding into the fields for her romp with the others and bouncing up and down when she wants attention. The only alternative the vet offered me was exploratory surgery which was not guaranteed to be successful. Do try D.C. but give it three weeks to a month for any noticeable effect.

Yes they can :-) Have a word with a canine osteopath?

Yes, true. We tried that but the problem was a trapped ligament that had become inflamed and it is difficult to find an osteopath who treats animals, well in our area anyway. I used to travel to Merthyr with my last dog.

Anyone know a canine osteopath Surrey/Hants/Sussex? Will try Devils Claw - getting desperate now, and really don't want surgery if we can possibly help it.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

the vet may have a vetinary physio contact...and this is usully covered by insurance...

Am off to an osteopath on Thursday - if we have any joy I'll post

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I would be interested to know how you get on. Good luck!

Well, we've just been to the osteopath, and she was very good and thorough - she reckoned that the shoulder 'problem' was a result of over-compensating for shortening in the biceps and triceps muscles - maybe due to something like carpal tunnel syndrome, as she can't straighten out her pastern/foot at full stretch.

I know you get carpal tunnel with hypothyroidism in humans . I have suspected she may be borderline this for a while, so am tempted to have her re-tested.

She has shown us some massage techniques, and suggested hot/cold therapy, and building up on exercise, especially hydrotherapy.

Her initial reaction was that it was a bicipital bursitis, but after she had been examining her for nearly an hour she changed her mind.

At the moment, thumbs up for diagnosis, but time will tell..... Anyhow, I'm not going hoofing off to the orthopaedic bod yet

JO and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Sounds promising Jo. Keep us posted on how you get on :-)