My Westie has developed a limp in the last couple of weeks.  Its not all the time, First thing in the morning he is fine, it tends to be worse later in the evening but not always after his walk, once he is up and going he seems fine!  I have an appt to take him to the vets early next week, can anyone help?

Thanks
Jackie

It could be a number of things but the vet is the best place to take him for advise.  

What age is he?  this would help at least break down the likeness things.

It could be a simple thing like a strain which is going to take a bit of time and rest to heal or  it could be something more serious it cruciate ligament, it could be arthritis if he is old.

You haven't gave much info for anyone to go on :-)

How old is he Jackie?  Of an age where arthritis or rheumatism may be setting in?  Or alternatively has he had a knock on one of his joints recently?

It's just that from your description of it easing off when he's moved around for a bit it sounds as though it's either the result of a hard knock or strain (perhaps when playing) or possibly the onset of a joint problem through age/wear and tear etc. and he's stiff in that area after being asleep so finds it more painful when first moving again - a bit like me LOL (of course that's NO WAY JOSE an age thing :-D )

Hopefully your vet will be able to set your mind at rest :). 

Sorry - he will 7 in April.  I have heard that this is not old for a westie but different people tell me different things.  i have been giving him the chews you can get in supermarkets which contain glucosamine, they seemed to help a bit but he did not show much of an improvement, hence the vet trip now.

Will be very difficult to get my boundy/jumpy dog to stay still if he does have a strain, hopefully it will be no more serious than that.

Thanks

Thought I would update.

I took Angus to vet and he has had a set of Xrays done yesterday, he has got slight arthirtis in his left knee joint and also his cruciate ligament is damaged, I thought this always resulted in surgery but my vet has said that as he is a small dog it will heal with time and rest. 

The vet has also suggested that he lose some weight as it will help with the arthritis, he currently weighs 11.2kg and he recommended a weight of maybe 10kg or just under, then it got stranger he said ideally he would like to see Angus at approx 8kg, am slight confused as before they have told me that 11.5kg is not a problem.  He has now started on a course of injections one a week for 4 weeks so hopefully it will help in the long term.

Jackie

The reduction in weight will help.  Often getting weight off stops the future need for any op altogether.

It depends on the actually size of your dog, the breed standard says one thing but some dogs are a lot bigger or smaller that the breed standard so a general weight chart is often a little misleading for the pet owner.  Around 8 kg if an average size of 11 inches at the withers ( top of shoulder blade) is the happy balance.

I wouldn't be happy with 11.5 KGs if the dog is of average size and would say this excess weight would contribute to knee problems.