Help - walking hearth rug is lame.......

[Foxy53]

Our golden retriever (9 years-old) is walking and trotting up lame on her off-fore. I can't find any injury/heat/painful spots anywhere. The vet has prescribed painkillers/ anti-inflams, which she has been taking for over a week now with no change to her lameness.

The vet has advised to x-ray but admits that these will probably show nothing (but costs us ~£400). She mentioned exploratory keyhole surgery but I definitly don't want to put the old girl through this just to be told its age-related deterioration. There is no obvious bone problem but it could be her elbow joints.

In herself she is very well; eating and drinking like a horse but I want her to be pain-free, which is possible now-a-days.

Can anyone recommend a good vet in or around Bishop's Stortford or a 'natural' remedy?

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[emma21]

Walking hearth rug really made me chuckle!! Bless her. I too would be hesitant with keyhole surgury etc with her age.

I live in saffron walden so 20 mins away and I love my vet- mercer and Hughes they are really caring and listen alot etc also they like to save you money they recommend not doing things that'll be pointless which I think is really honest. Didn't know you were so close!

 

[SusieT]

You should probably get a second opinoin as you don't sound confident in the first vet. In the meantime, rest (10min lead walks) for the next couple of weeks and see how it goes from then

 

[EAST KENT]

Dogs are much the same as horses in diagnosing where the problem lies.For instance,worse on hard or gritty ground = foot,worse after rest but eases with exercise..soft tissue etc.It may even be a simple corn on a pad.

 

[Foxy53]

Thank you everyone for responding

Mercer & Hughes have a practice in Stansted too so I will book and take her along. I used to use them for flu and tet (neddies) but fortunately have not had to take the current mutt to anyone apart from reg jabs/fleas/nicked artery - general easy doggy stuff.

E Kent - how would I recognise a corn

 

[EAST KENT]

Same as in humans really ..a piece of hardened raised pad tissue,my breed get them quite often..so I am used to just shaving them down with a scalpel or razor blade. Soaking the pad first makes it easier..go carefully in very thin layers.