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What could be causing a young dog to limp that isn't hip dysplasia?

Posted on 11/14/21 at 11:49 am
Posted by Ingeniero
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2013
18284 posts
Posted on 11/14/21 at 11:49 am
Our dog is around 2 years old, goldendoodle, and started limping for a few steps when she gets up from sleeping or laying down. We took her to the vet and they checked for signs of hip dysplasia or some kind of ligament tear and everything came back clean, just that she was kind of resisting when they examined her right hind leg. No lumps or tumors or anything. They sent us home with some anti-inflammatories and said it's nothing serious, but it's been a few weeks and she's still limping right when she gets up.

Is it possible she tweaked her hip or knee and is just too damn active to let it heal properly? This dog is kind of wild, so that's been the only thing I can come up with. She doesn't seem like she's in pain either, and once she's up and moving around she's 100% normal. Want to make sure I'm not doing my buddy a disservice.
Posted by TexasForever
Member since Jul 2021
2949 posts
Posted on 11/14/21 at 12:11 pm to
That's a tough one, did the veterinarian mention arthritis as a possibility? Goldendoodle would be in the high risk category of developing arthritis and it can happen at a very early age. I have no idea what I am talking about but my old lab did something similar in her later years and a joint supplement seemed to help her. Maybe something to look into.

Try and get a message to ColoradoAg, he is a veterinarian.
Posted by hashtag
Comfy, AF
Member since Aug 2005
27480 posts
Posted on 11/14/21 at 12:35 pm to
Is your dog overweight? Make sure you're measuring out the recommended amounts of food and not overfeeding her. Also, joint supplements can help.
Posted by Ingeniero
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2013
18284 posts
Posted on 11/14/21 at 2:56 pm to
Not overweight. Regardless, might start her on some joint supplements. Any specific ones that y'all recommend?
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
119150 posts
Posted on 11/14/21 at 3:57 pm to
Arthritis?
Posted by stamant70774
Gonzales
Member since Nov 2011
390 posts
Posted on 11/14/21 at 5:00 pm to
Cosequin I highly recommend it
Posted by SuwMwf
Member since Jul 2012
947 posts
Posted on 11/16/21 at 7:44 am to
Costco sells a human joint supplement that will work just fine. The dog ones generally contain similar amounts for a much higher price. Kirkland brand is fine. Always confirm the ingredients with your vet.
Posted by Lonnie Utah
Utah!
Member since Jul 2012
23952 posts
Posted on 11/16/21 at 8:54 am to
I hate to say it, but it sounds like an ACL to me. I'd take the pup back to the vet and have them check again.
This post was edited on 11/16/21 at 8:55 am
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
16557 posts
Posted on 11/16/21 at 11:17 am to
Not sure how relatable the below is for you but my experience

I have a male Golden Retriever. Research I found said to leave the dog intact for 1st year to help joint formation and strength. Neutered after 1yr. Never had any issue

Had a friend who had a goldendoodle who had a similar experience as you. Dog gimpy and whiny when growing. I think it might have something to do with the difference between a poodle and retriever joint structure. Poodle joints aren't built to carry the solid weight. I think my friends dog grew out of it so maybe just growing pain?
Posted by TigerCliff
Jackson
Member since Jan 2008
268 posts
Posted on 11/16/21 at 9:58 pm to
We have a miniature poodle and she had something similar. The vet said the patella tendon can slip out of the groove and is common for the breed. They suggested a surgery that basically deepens the groove and has something like a guardrail attached to the bone to keep from happening. We have not done it and she has been fine. She will limp from time to time when starting a jog but does not seem to bother her.
Posted by Kattail
Member since Aug 2020
3329 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 12:11 am to
Don’t laugh but have checked her toe nails?
Posted by choupiquesushi
yaton rouge
Member since Jun 2006
30547 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 6:05 am to
quote:

Don’t laugh but have checked her toe nails?


this or the toe itself
Posted by prplhze2000
Parts Unknown
Member since Jan 2007
51403 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 6:58 am to
Pulled muscle
Posted by Ingeniero
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2013
18284 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 7:15 am to
I'll look into all the suggestions above. Thank y'all. She hopped in my truck yesterday and was limping slightly worse last night, which makes me think it's something movement related vs a toe, but I'm not ruling anything out. I'll update y'all if we get the pup fixed up.

Also, ordered some cosequin regardless. It'll be here tomorrow and I'll start her on it
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 7:19 am to
I had a walker pup years back that had a bad limp develop at about 8 months old. Turned out to be a goofy ball and socket structure that had some bone fragments floating around in the cartridge. Dont remember what the vet called it but there's a term for it I cant recall. Got significantly better with a diet of raw chicken necks but never fully went away.
Posted by TrueBaldPate
BR
Member since Dec 2019
765 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 7:51 am to
I would have ACL checked also. My regular vet could not figure it out went to specialist and knee was blown out.
Posted by TrueBaldPate
BR
Member since Dec 2019
765 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 8:05 am to
When mine blew her knee she kept jumping up on things even with the pain and damage. Dogs can take a lot of pain. If it is the knee warring they can damage the other knee trying to protect the bad one. Ask me how I know, yep mine blew out both. Fixed one then the other knee. Was not cheap.
Don’t let her jump if can help especially into the truck. Dogs often can get injured jumping out of high things like trucks also.

If want to see one of the best specialists I used Dr. John Mauterer he has offices in New Orleans and in Baton Rouge. Cost for consultation will be about same as your Vet but surgery if blown knee will be $3500–$4000
Good luck hope it’s just a small healable injury
Posted by Ingeniero
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2013
18284 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 9:22 am to
I'll get her ACL checked out. Really hoping that's not it, but hope for the best and prepare for the worst I guess.
Posted by shell01
Marianna, FL
Member since Jul 2014
793 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 1:27 pm to
quote:

I'll get her ACL checked out


ACL (or more accurately in a dog, CCL) tear is VERY common and would present as you describe. Definitive diagnosis is by anterior drawer sign, but in a partial tear that may not be apparent.
Regardless of what it is, strict exercise restriction is advised, meaning limited to brief leash relief walks until you get a diagnosis and/or the dog is healed up.

Like in humans, a CCL tear will never heal itself, although the body can and will begin to compensate. It will lead to arthritis, and there's a good chance if one is torn, the other will blow out also some point in the future.

Hopefully she just tweaked something, with no long standing effects. You may want to consider pet health insurance if your vet has documented this as NOT a real injury (nothing torn, broken, no HD or patellar luxation, etc) ... CCL surgery is $$$$ and honestly the reason I recently signed up for insurance for my rough and tumble girl.
Posted by Ingeniero
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2013
18284 posts
Posted on 11/17/21 at 1:43 pm to
quote:

Definitive diagnosis is by anterior drawer sign, but in a partial tear that may not be apparent.


Two questions for you: the vet seemed to rule out a tear on the last visit by doing some tests where she moved the pup's leg around. Is that the anterior drawer sign test you mentioned?

And if a partial tear was present but not apparent, is there a different treatment procedure compared to a full rupture? Or is the surgery still going to be the only option?

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