SIXSLUG

Hi all,

My 9 year old Shorthair has developed a swollen wrist on his left front leg. It is firm, not affecting his movement, but he will limp on it after running around and a rest, and not painful to touch, squeeze, etc, with full range of motion.

Been about two weeks now and after hearing some horror stories of bone cancer etc, on dogs I figure I will take him to the vet this week to get it checked out.

My Dad (retired surgeon) thinks its just arthritis or possibly bursitis. But I am thinking I should probably take it to a dog doc!

Anyone seen this before on their dog?

Shorts

Haven't seen it before but you're doing the right thing checking in with the vet. The sooner it gets diagnosed the sooner you can manage it. My 8yo Lab is showing signs of joint discomfort after runs & rest, similar to what you're describing on your pup (but no swelling). He'll be getting a looksie fro the vet soon. Fingers crossed it isn't a serious issue. But a pup getting to the old man years will start feeling it, just like us humans. In the last year or so I've cut back run distances for dog, extending the walks and given him more swim time. I've been getting him more outdoor toys as well - new freebies, footballs, kickball and things like that that take more input and works the eyesight and retrieve drive to keep his brain stimulated. Hopefully adding a little agility without tearing his joints up too much.

My cousin-in-law's 8yo Lab is on "old lady pills" which are basically the joint supplements. It's an easy maintenance along with smart exercise choices as far as length, duration, strain, etc. So, you might want to think about that too. I hate to limit exercise because 1) the dog loves it, it's what they do and 2) he still needs it. So, just falls on me to give him other fun and not-hurtful exercise/play options. I've started giving the dog more muscle rub downs too. I imagine just like people that a good massage makes the limbs feel better.

Let us know how it goes.

Fronty Owner

have you tried a low dose aspirin for inflammation?

Bark

Carpal tunnel.
Get the poor thing a more ergonomic keyboard.
Sorry, I know how serious I used to get about my dogs health so I shouldnt joke.

SIXSLUG

Yes on the aspirin and joint supplement. He gets plenty of ball time, but my wife has cut back on taking him running for the time being to once a week and he is going nuts. My walks with him aren't good enough I guess.

Vet visit time.

Thanks for all the replies!

Fiftygrit

Yup right on, vet is the best thing you can do, dont wait, if its nothing it will give you piece of mind also.

NJTman

I hope you're giving him "buffered" aspirin. No more than 1 mg per pound, and no tylenol or ibuprofin They will kill your dog.

http://www.walkervalleyvet.com/otc-meds.htm

Buffered aspirin (AKA Bufferin) is much safer than regular aspirin, as it doesn't destroy the lining of your dogs stomach, as regular aspirin can do in a very short period of time. Regular aspirin is for "temporary extremely limited use only".

And for the leg, a simple x-ray will give clarity to what's going on with your dogs leg. A normal view will be found if it's simply just a soft tissue problem, and an abnormal view is if there is something more going on. I personally lost my dog to osteo-sarcoma (bone cancer) and the news was immediate and recognizable by any semi experienced vet. The images are unmistakeable when that occurs. I'm hoping you don't have this issue, as even with the amputation of the leg, it was still fatal, as she only lasted a few weeks following the surgery.

Rest is the best medicine either way until you can get him to the vet.

SIXSLUG

Thanks NJT.

Yes it is buffered aspirin. He is going in today so we will see what he has got.

Fronty Owner

ok, your an hour or two behind us so it should be time to post a vet report.

Bark

Yeah, I keep checking in also.

SIXSLUG

Can't see him til tomorrow at 11:00 am.

Sorry for late post, thanks for pulling for him!!

Fordzilla

My eight year old Peke-a-Poo has inherited arthritis that limited her activity even after successful knee surgeries...Her doctor recommended Standard Process Musculoskeletal Support, and she now has no problem running and jumping with the other dogs...If you look around, you can find bad press about Standard Process, but my experience has been all positive...

Sixslug, this may or may not help your Shorthair, but it might be worth asking the vet about......Ben

SIXSLUG

Thanks ! I'll post up after his appointment tonight!

SIXSLUG

Well not bad news, he may have a torn ligament,,,, or arthritis. The doc who is the x-ray specialist will be back this weekend, however the doc he saw says its all soft tissue and no bone issues that she can see. If its a ligament it will take some time to heal, if arthritis, well, we will treat it.

The ligament makes sense to me because he is such a spaz and runs wild in the woods and he has been my wife's running partner for 8 and a half years.

Thanks for all the support!!

NJTman

Awesome news ! Rest is the best measure for now, and only if the ligament is stretched beyond healing are you going to have to shell out the big bucks....


Let him rest for 3-6 weeks, and see how he does. This, unfortunately means that you have him either crated, or on a leash at all times.... including when you're sitting there watching TV. It's the only way to allow it to heal...


Keep us posted.... and post a pic of him.