Hip problem?

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Monty is coming up on 4.5 years and I've noticed this summer that after a vigorous play, he limps for a while. We were in San Diego and he got to run on the beach and swim in the ocean. He had a blast, but then after we got back to the hotel and he slept for a while, he had a hard time getting up and seemed to be limping. After a little bit of movement, the limping was gone.

This repeated itself on couple of other water/sand adventures.

During our vet visit to get his rabies shot, I mentioned it to our vet. And she said that she would be stiff and hurting too if she was running like that on the beach and in the water. She attributed this to "extra" exercise that he was getting.

I was not sure if I was content with her answer since Monty had "extra" exercises like this in the past years and there was no limping afterwards. So I'm keeping a close eye on him.

We go to a park every morning, where he chases his ball. Then we go back home, I go to work and both dogs sleep. The other day I came back from work and Monty had a hard time getting up to come great me. The truth is, many times he sleeps against the staircase, rolled on his back, with his legs against the stairs. My legs would go to sleep after a while.

I was determined to call the vet the next day, but Monty was back to normal in the morning.

This evening Auggie wanted to play and he jumped Monty from the back. Monty fell flat on the carpet and after he got up, he was holding his right back leg up. I massaged it for a while and after a few steps he seemed okay.

Now I don't know what to think. Until today, I thought it was his left back leg.

I'm calling the vet tomorrow morning. He is only over 4 and this should not be happening.

What test can they do to figure out what's going on? Anything else I need to ask the vet to check?

Thank you!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sorry to hear this Jarka. I think an xray of his hips and/or knees may be needed. Maybe first you should consult an orthopedic vet. I had Calla's hips xrayed by my vet before going to a specialist and she did a good job with the xray but it was the specialist who interpreted it all and decided that Calla had no problem, thank goodness. But not all vets get good hip xrays, which have to be done under anesthesia, so maybe you should get the consultation first.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Jarka, I would want this checked out, too. Monty's sleep position is not a factor, but he is really, really cute. If it were an isolated incident to the beach romp I would tend to agree with your vet's analysis, but since you have seen more evidence I think your vet should be willing to investigate. I don't have any ideas for you. I'm just responding because I am sad for Monty and for your worry. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sorry this is going on with Monty. I hope it's just a muscle pull or a mild strain. 

As far as tests go, diagnosing orthopedic issues can be difficult. Soft tissue injuries don't usually show up on regular X-rays. With JD's ruptured disc, first they manually examined him, manipulated his legs and hips and watched him walk. Nothing. Then they did an X-ray that showed "something" at the base of his spine, but the only way to know what that something was was to do an MRI. And since that requires general anesthetic and costs close to $2000, they don't do it so fast, lol. First they try rest and maybe medications.

Don't let your mind go to the worst case scenario. He probably pulled something. Please update us after the vet appointment. :)

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Thanks, ladies. I'll let you know what I find out. I sure hope it's just a strain, but I would think a strain would get better after several days or weeks and not keep coming back on some days.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Im sorry to hear this, but you are doing the right thing by getting him checked out...

Karen summed it up. Xrays are best at showing bone..and an MRI basically shows everything else..(bone included)..muscles, tendons, ligaments, so an mri will show if there is a muscle strain, or a tear/fraying of a tendon.

Good luck!!

[Emily]

Hi. Something similar happened to our doodle.  She physically could not get up after running hard and playing. One time she went to get up and collapsed.  It was very upsetting and even freightning. They did some X rays of her hips while she was sedated. Then we took those to an orthopedic vet. It turned out our doodle has a genetic abnormality.  Her hips are not tightly fitted like a normal dog would have so there is a lot of movement in her hips. Upon X ray there is supposed to only be a tiny space between ball and socket. I saw her films. There were big gaps!  The Otho advised us on options and said in her case. ..The movement created a knocking or banging of bone to bone instead of a gentle rotation.  It is also why sometimes when she runs..she hops more like a bunny and when she walks, her rear end sways back and forth like a model on the runway. Hopefully an X ray will help give you some answers. I hope for a quick recovery too. I'm sorry, I know you must be so worried.  

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Sorry, have not had a chance to update yesterday.

I stopped by the vet's office but our vet was in a surgery. Talked with a vet tech and we scheduled an appointment for next Friday. She said that the vet can move the hips and see if she can feel anything, to start with. And perhaps put him on Rimadyl. I definitely don't like that idea, so we'll see what the vet has to say next week.

The good news is I have not seen Monty limping the last two evenings.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Where's the "like" button? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

An update: I've canceled the vet's appointment that was set for today. Monty has not been limping ever since I wrote this discussion. I didn't want the vet to put him on Rimadyl. I ordered Cetyl M supplement and started him on it three days ago.

[GBK]

Just seeing this now!  So glad he is himself, and I would feel the same way towards the Rimadyl.  Miss you Monty!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Great news, Jarka! Thank you for updating us. Kiss that sweet Monty from me.