jazzies mum
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About a year ago Jazz started having sudden pain in her right hind leg. It started as a yelp when sudden turning at speed and then progressed to really grabbing her when she jumps long and low. It is obviously really painful as she comes to me shaking and holding that leg up and out from her body often indicating with her nose that the sore area is high up, maybe stifle/knee area? Initially I had the vet do a full set of xrays which showed no dysplasia or joint issues and her spine appeared totally normal. While she was under they manipulated her legs and found no issues there either. She was prescribed an anti inflammatory pain killer, Meloxicam, to be given daily for five days and two weeks very restricted activity. This seemed to work at the time but she has had two more periods where I have had to do that same regime to get her going again.
It appears to be happening when she extends her leg straight out behind her and she no longer does that full body stretch where those legs trail out behind. She doesn't stand up on her hind legs to investigate something high up like she used to. When it happens it is like something has been out of place and the action forced it back. The strange thing is that I can rub and massage that leg and even move it about bending from the hock and up and down without her showing any further pain. After a short while she can use it again, weight bearing and not obviously limping. Watching her from behind I can see that she is stepping slightly short with that leg and throwing it out from the hip a little on the forward step. She also shows more discomfort walking than trotting so she will often slow jog. This is only immediately after hurting her leg. By the next day she appears totally fine again but will hurt it again if not kept from being too active.
The vet has a difficult job because she isn't obviously lame and they aren't able to manipulate her leg to see what is happening because she just locks all those muscles. I'm not keen to have her under anaesthetic again unless it is absolutely necessary as they found nothing last time.
Any ideas anyone? If you have had anything similar happen it could help if I can suggest something to investigate on Jazzies next routine vet visit. @LifeofRubie, you were saying both your pups have had some ligament issues?
It appears to be happening when she extends her leg straight out behind her and she no longer does that full body stretch where those legs trail out behind. She doesn't stand up on her hind legs to investigate something high up like she used to. When it happens it is like something has been out of place and the action forced it back. The strange thing is that I can rub and massage that leg and even move it about bending from the hock and up and down without her showing any further pain. After a short while she can use it again, weight bearing and not obviously limping. Watching her from behind I can see that she is stepping slightly short with that leg and throwing it out from the hip a little on the forward step. She also shows more discomfort walking than trotting so she will often slow jog. This is only immediately after hurting her leg. By the next day she appears totally fine again but will hurt it again if not kept from being too active.
The vet has a difficult job because she isn't obviously lame and they aren't able to manipulate her leg to see what is happening because she just locks all those muscles. I'm not keen to have her under anaesthetic again unless it is absolutely necessary as they found nothing last time.
Any ideas anyone? If you have had anything similar happen it could help if I can suggest something to investigate on Jazzies next routine vet visit. @LifeofRubie, you were saying both your pups have had some ligament issues?