Jake's limping

[stacwase]

Yesterday we took the dogs for a hike and Jake started limping after he jumped out of the back of the truck. He completed the hike, but he limped the whole way. Now he's not bearing any weight at all on his left back foot.

We've felt all over his leg and paw and hip, bending and straightening them and rubbing everywhere. Nothing seems tender, and everything straightens and bends OK. There isn't any warmth or swelling anywhere.

What could abe the matter?

[tomkatzid]

You'll need to take him to the vet tomorrow. You want to make sure he doesn't have a cruciate ligament tear. It often happens when jumping up, but can happen when jumping down also. It just may be a sprain and he will mend on his own. But Tonee (RB) had the tear. The vet immobleized her leg for some time and it healed. Younger dogs can have surgery to repair it, like people can. But take him in to make sure. Good luck and keep us posted. I don't mean to scare you with this, but just take him in to rule out any thing bad.
Katz

[Cincy'sMom]

I would make sure you check over his paw, in between the pads, and the pads. A tiny cut or something caught in between the pads cn cause a dog to limp. It sounds more like he sprained or stretched something, but int he meantime, take a look to be sure...

[stacwase]

I checked over his paw really well - nothing I can see. He doesn't whine when I push on the pads.

I'll be out of town tomorrow (I have to travel for my job) so I'll have the hubby bring him in to the vet. I hope it's OK!

Thanks for responding!

[tatsxxx11]

We'll be thinking of you Jake!! Hopefully it's just a strain! My Star did a 180 turn, going break neck speed the other day and pulled a shoulder muscle. With a little rest she's lots better. I wish the same for Jake!:)

[tomkatzid]

We are keeping our paws with claws crossed for you:)

[stacwase]

My husband got called into work yesterday and I was traveling, so Jake never got into the vet. I'm thinking about bringing him in tomorrow, but by now if he has a break it will already be healing improperly. Grrr. I do wish my husband would take the animals' health more seriously - he could have had my stepdaughter bring him in.

On the other hand, my husband is a physician assistant and deals with broken bones all the time - so if he says it's not broken I tend to believe him. But - dogs aren't people so he could be wrong, and I think it would be best if he'd had it checked out.

So now I'm debating - bring him to the vet or not? Decisions decisions.

[tatsxxx11]

I'd still bring him, if you're able; just to make sure:) Feel better Jake!!:)

[tomkatzid]

Take him to the vet to make sure he doesn't have a tear. Seems like your husband would know if something were broken, but does he know how to listen and feel for the tear in the knee of a dog?

[stacwase]

Jake's finally getting in to the vet at 1100 today. I feel guilty that we didn't get him in sooner. I'm going to be so embarassed trying to explain to the vet why I waited.

While we're there I'm going to have her check out a new lump, too - I found a walnut-size lump under his right leg. He has another one which has already been checked out and which was OK.

I'm so nervous that I feel sick. Isn't that silly?

[stacwase]

We're back from the vet! She's not sure what's wrong - she thinks it's a soft tissue injury. She gave him an injection of Remedil and some Remedil tablets and says if it's not better in a week they'll check him for a cruciate ligament tear. But it's only been about 15 minutes since she gave him the shot and he's already starting to bear weight on it.

I'm glad I brought him in - he must have been in pain. She also aspirated a lump I found on Saturday and verified that it was just a fatty tumor.

[stacwase]

Well - Jake's almost all better now. Thank goodness!

But now he's urinating very often. He's going a lot at one time, so I don't think it's a bladder infection. If he continues, I think I'll have his blood sugar checked.