Quote Originally Posted by micki76
I know I don't post here much anymore (some of you don't even know me!), but we could use some positive thoughts right now. Millie's been limping on and off for about 9 months. Our regular vet gave us Rimadyl and said it was probably arthritis. Millie's young though, so we've taken her to another, more progressive vet. They've taken x-rays and those came back fine. No fractures and no arthritis.

It's so odd because he'll occasionally just suddenly start limping on one of her front legs. No apparent injury and not from jumping off the couch or anything. It just happens and it can be either of her front legs. Sometimes it's severe and sometimes it's not. Sometimes it lasts a day or so and sometimes it's over in an hour. It's not the joints or her foot, as she'll let me move and bend those. It seems to be in the back of her foreleg in the large muscles. Our new vet wants to bring her back in for some blood work, but she suspects kidney failure. Millie's been leaking urine at night and drinking a lot of water, so we're pretty worried about her.

Anyway, if y'all can spare some positive vibes for my little girl, I'd really appreciate it.
Ask for a safer NSAID than Rimadyl. Although its more notorious for causing liver failure, Rimadyl can also cause Kidney failure. Presumably the dog is not on Prednisone as that medication can cause increased thirst and wee-wee accidents. In fact you might want to withdraw the Rimadyl given the possibility of kidney problems.

The kidney problems are very likely not related to the original lameness problem. Instead since Xrays did not find any problems, you need a referral to a specialist who has MRI equipment. An MRI would be able to pick up such things as a torn cruciate ligament. Such injuries can start in one leg, and as the dog shifts its weight to compensate, the second leg (knee) starts to develop a rupture. It's progressive and can come and go.

Your top priority is to have the kidney function checked. Again if on Rimadyl, withdraw the medication in case it's causing any kidney problems. If the kidney function is addressed and found to be normal, then you can follow up on the lameness, asking for a referral. GL.