Dog suddenly lame in front

Clodagh said:
When I took my dog with undiagnosed lameness to the vet earlier this year (turned out to be a cracked paw) he manipulated her elbows quite strongly to see if there was a pain response. Did your vet do that? If she did, and there was, then may be worth it. If you have insurance it is likely that the vets verbal diagnosis will rule out any future elbow or possibly even joint claims. If he had the x rays and they were clear, would the vet remove all mention from his records? (I don't know the answer to that).
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There was no strong pain response, she wasn’t 100% sure there was an issue but as he did snatch one leg back after about a minute of manipulation she thought it would be worth it. Part of me wants to do it for peace of mind. I’m going to take him in tomorrow anyway and speak to the vet (it’s going to be a different one so I assume they will assess him again) and see what they think now that his paw is a lot better and the lameness has gone at the same time.
 
Abi90 said:
There was no strong pain response, she wasn’t 100% sure there was an issue but as he did snatch one leg back after about a minute of manipulation she thought it would be worth it. Part of me wants to do it for peace of mind. I’m going to take him in tomorrow anyway and speak to the vet (it’s going to be a different one so I assume they will assess him again) and see what they think now that his paw is a lot better and the lameness has gone at the same time.
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Good idea. I hope it is nothing. And if second vet thinks x rays unnecessary I hope they will remove the elbow word from his notes. Please let us know how it goes.
 
I will do. Question, he has lifetime cover on his insurance, would they still exclude a condition on the renewal or does this mean he is covered for everything up to the vets fees limits as long as the policy is kept? But might affect the premium?
 
Abi90 said:
I will do. Question, he has lifetime cover on his insurance, would they still exclude a condition on the renewal or does this mean he is covered for everything up to the vets fees limits as long as the policy is kept? But might affect the premium?
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No idea, sorry. I don't insure ours on the whole.
 
Mine is insured and to be honest x rays or not it is on the notes then it would be a pre existing condition.
I would rather know and have the xrays then you can deal with the problem appropriately.
My dog has arthritis in her elbow, albeit only giving symptoms at 9 and she does 5 miles off lead a day with no sign of even stiffness for 99% of the time all down to careful management. That is no balls or sticks causing sudden turns, stops or starts, no jumping, keeping very slim, keeping her fit, daily yumove advance, also if I see even slight unevenness even for a couple of strides I do slightly less off lead For a couple of days.
 
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I don't insure after their first year but I understand that if you have the x-rays and they are clear, you can ask the vet to write to the ins co and get any exclusion for 'elbow' lifted. You need to discuss this with your vet.
 
I’m erring on th side of getting the x rays done anyway even though the lameness has resolved at the same time that his paw has improved. Any idea roughly how much they cost? As I imagine my excess might be more than they are anyway and not sure the insurance company would pay out if nothing found
 
My dogs were I Think about £280, including the initial and follow up consultations. The vet did both elbows and shoulders, I'd have been very surprised if insurance company hadn't paid if nothing had n been found. When I had hers done the lameness had completely gone but i went ahead with them.
 
Oh that’s not too bad and we’re only having elbows done. I’m still pretty positive the paw was the issue but I think I would rather know now that the seed of doubt has been planted
 
If you have life time cover you can claim for as long as the dog is insured. There will be a yearly limit. Dog lifetime insurance is different from horse insurance.
 
Sandstone1 said:
If you have life time cover you can claim for as long as the dog is insured. There will be a yearly limit. Dog lifetime insurance is different from horse insurance.
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So on dog lifetime cover as long as you stay with the same insurer then there are no exclusions? So a vet mentioning his elbows now wouldn’t exclude him next year if I don’t move insurer? Other than putting the premium through the roof I imagine
 
Abi90 said:
So on dog lifetime cover as long as you stay with the same insurer then there are no exclusions? So a vet mentioning his elbows now wouldn’t exclude him next year if I don’t move insurer? Other than putting the premium through the roof I imagine
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Exactly right.
 
Yes. providing you dont go over the claim limit and its not a pre existing condition. It must be lifetime cover though or they will exclude it at renewal.
I wish horse insurance did life time cover!
Your premium will go up though.
 
We’re having the x-rays. Vet thought it was worth it to rule in or out, so at least if they are fine and he has front limb issues again at any point then we know he doesn’t have it. They are also x-raying his foot
 
£390 later and he’s absolutely fine. Got lovely elbows and his paw is fine too. They think he’s taken a tumble and sprained it
 
What a relief!
And at least you know he has perfect elbows so you won't be worrying about over exercising him.
That small claim shouldn't impact on your premium too much either.
 
The vet was smitten, apparently he was still wagging his tail whilst sedated and being x-rayed
 
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