Hi

I just wanted a little bit of advice.  I've just been to visit friends with my SBT and she got a little over excited and slipped off their sofa onto their wooden floor.  She did a sort of somersalt and landed on her side.  She got up and seemed absolutely fine and carried on with her little parade!  She didn't yelp or make a noise and I checked her over and she made gave no signs that she was injured.  About 20 minutes later she started limping and holding up her front leg.  She lets me hold and move her leg and it doesn't seem to bother her at all.  But when she gets up to start walking she is limping quite badly but after a few minutes of walking the limping ceases and she's back to her normal self.

Do you think this could be a muscle/ligment strain?  And what would be the best thing to do?

Thanks
Leanne

Hi Leanne

How old is she?

My Staffie boy did this when he was a tiny baby (we had only had him 3 days:rolleyes:). My hubby was sitting on the floor with his legs stretched out and puppy was sat on his thigh. He slipped off, fairly gently and only fell about a few inches, but fell onto his leg and started limping. It was heartbreaking and we felt so guilty, although it was a complete accident and he could just as easily have slipped over on his own but it was horrible. His 'injury' was as you describe and we could touch it without him yelping etc and he was still wanting to play. Our vet wouldnt see him, understandably, as it was in the evening and it wasnt an emergency but I went into panic mode and took him to another vet that was open til 9. He couldnt find anything wrong and explained that he had most likely 'jarred' it and because we rested him up for 20 minutes or so after, it had stiffened. He wasnt at all concerned, even though he was very young (the dog not the vet :) ), and said that he just needed a combination of rest and gentle excercise to keep it moving and expected that within 2 or 3 days it would be better. Our usual vet had said exactly the same when we rang him and told us to rest him up for 24 hours to see how he went before booking an appointment but I needed to take him for my own sanity. He did however give him an anti inflammartory jab which worked right away, lasted about 12 hours, then he began limping again. True to the vets word, 3 days later he got up and was as if nothing had happened.

Although my boy only slipped a little way and hardly banged himself at all, if your girl is a little older, it probably equates to a similar impact.

Falling onto a wooden floor would certainly have made her feel a bit bruised and sore but the fact that you can move it about would probably indicate that she hasnt done anything serious to herself. Take her to the vets if shes no better or if you think it would make you all feel better, take her in the morning. They will probably give her a jab and this should alleiviate the limping quickly (and make you feel better), albeit for a limited period. Just a word of warning; when you get up tomorrow, she will probably seem quite bad but dont panic as this will most likley be because her leg has stiffened over night. It should loosen up after a little while.

Sorry I cant tell you what she done to herself or how to make it better but only a vet can do that but I just wanted to put your mind at rest a little at a time when your vet wont be open.
Caroline

Another thought, it would happen today wouldnt it....Friday 13th!!