On Sunday I walked Fagan (nearly 7 month old Irish Setter) with my friends two cockers, we didnt go any further than usual and although they gave each other they occasional nip he didnt get knocked or fall over.  At the end of the walk when I put him on the lead he started sitting down and refusing to walk, this is unusual for him but I thought he was just being awkward once home he went straight to his bed and didnt move.  We went out that night for a couple of hours and when we got back he jumped up to see us but sat straight back down again and instead of his usual pleased to see you whine he whined with pain and his eyes looked like he was in pain.  I called the vet who said he would come out if he was in constant pain but if it was only when he moved then I could wait until the next day - I opted for this because when lying down he seemed ok.  He slept in our room on his bed Sunday night but in the middle of the night he got up and jumped on our bed and screamed :(  In the morning I carried him outside and evenutally he got up and as he moved around seemed to loosen up after about 5 mins he was stood at the gate waiting for his walk :rolleyes:  I took him to the vet who could find nothing wrong with him (and she was very through) so she gave him some painkillers and if he is still bad in a few days I am to take him back for x-rays.  He seems ok now, but after he has been lying down for a while it takes him some time to get up and then he constantly sits down.  Ive been taking him on 5 minute lead walks to loosen him up and have put away all his toys because he likes to throw them around and jump around after them   has anyone else experienced this with such a young pup ?  I was really worried that it was his hips but the vet said she doubted it because dogs with HD have more of a rolling gait.  Is there anything else I can do for him to help him along ?

Claire 

Sorry can't help, but how is he now?

Lindsay
X

He is getting better thanks, a bit stiff when he gets up in the morning but doesnt seem to be in pain.  Really strange, its like he has pulled muscles in fact he reminds me of me after I did the playtex moonwalk (power walking marathon) it would take me a while to get going in the mornings for a few days :D :D :D 

Im just worried incase it happens again :(

Glad he's a bit better, these mystery problems can be worrying, it is hopefully just a pulled muscle.

Lindsay
X

I would take him to an animal chiropracter. He could have damaged his spine or hips, if he has, a good chiropracter will be able to tell and give the appropriate treatment almost immediately.

We took one of our bitches recently, not because she was obviously injured, but we knew that she could move better than she was (we show her), the hips were about 1 inch out of alignment and some of the verterbrae near the tail were twisted.
After a few minutes of manipulation (with the most horrible cracking noises!), the bones were returned to their correct position and after 2 weeks of rest (no exercise), she has been fine ever since.

snomaes

I would maybe get your vet to check on Fagan's growth plates by x-ray.    This sounds quite like what my eldest Asti had as a pup & it was her growth plates.

He seems ok now, do you think I should still go for the x-ray ?  also I dont know if we have an animal chrioparctor (definite sp ;) ) around here, where would I find out ?

id be interested in getting some kind of x ray done just to be sure everythings ok in there even young animals have things go wrong .speaking from exsp ;) . i dont think its too exspensive . id give the vet a call see what she thinks .its probably like you say pulled muscle or somthing .

I had Fagan booked in for an x-ray tomorrow but spoke to his breeder this week and she said it is quite common for young pups to get bruised from a knock from another dog or pull a muscle when they twist sharply and this can be painful for them.  She also said not to bother with the x-rays as the vets can do more harm than good pulling them about into the right position.

So the x-rays have been cancelled and I feel a bit happier about it all and Fagan is back to his usual self :)

I think maybe you should still get him checked over just to be on the safe side, it can do no harm to have him looked at by a specialist, and it will put your mond totally at rest.
Sandie.

I would still have them done I dont belive a vet can cause problems by handling the dog
this is there jobs they handle pups dogs and kittens everyday If the legs arent in the right position then you would have to see the vet anyway .
Keep an eye on this boy and if he looks to be in pain or unstable you could get the x ray done im sure it wont harm him .

My experience with this in youngsters has lead to them having a high hip score, sad but true I'm afraid.
I don't believe any vet can decide what is going on inside, only an x-ray will show and they do no damage to the dog. Personally I would want to know what his hips looked like as he is showing classic signs of hip problems.

You are right, I might phone and have a chat with the vet first but I think I will book him back in, its better to know now if he has bad hips so I can at least start to do something to stop them getting worse :(

Sorry Claire but I think perhaps people may be scared to say so :(
I truly hope this is not the case and it is possible that it is a knock or a pulled muscle but better to know. You have not had much luck with Fagan :(

Yes its sad :( but some dogs have problems early on i had a dog who ended up with no kneecaps at 6 months :( at least the sooner you find out you could help or prevent things going on in there . It could turn out to be him just growing and got a pain in the leg or pulled muscle but least you have peace of mind :)