Hopping

AmyMay

AmyMay

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Puppy has developed a back leg hop on her right leg - she's comming up for 8 months (Bichon).

I know a trip to the vet is needed - but....

Do I need to be worried?
 
didnt want to read and run.

R sometimes has a slight limp (from being clumsy and falling over tho...) , i tend to prod it (gently) to see a reaction if there isn't any a quick gentle stretch and a little leg rub and she is fine. but i would defo go to the vets :(

hope she is ok
 
I don't know enough about it really. But google patella luxation.

I have noticed that very rarely Dylan does a little skip when hooning about but he regulary runs 6 miles or so with me and never seen it then so think he just jar himself every so often as no consistency.
 
Patella luxation sounds quite likely but id pop her in to the vet and have her checked to make sure its not something else.

If it is patella luxation there are many different grades of severity so she may only have a mild form and these can be managed quite easily.I wouldnt worry to much just yet.
 
Thanks Tiddlypom. What's concerned me is that it seemed to have escalated today - although she didn't seem worried, charging around as normal.

Will see what vet says, and go from there.

Thanks all.
 
What did the vet say?

It does sound like PL as they really are hopping lame and with not really any immediate pain.
My boy was diagnosed at about 1 year old (he's 5 this year) His parentage is questionable, we think maybe Chi and definitely terrier.
He was graded between 2 and 3 and it would pop out reasonably randomly -mostly on walks making me look like a bad mum!
He had op and - touch wood - has been fine until this day.

Hope your girl is feeling better today,
Livie
 
Well vet assessed her today. Mild LP in both hind legs. She is hopeful that by the time she's a year old the ligaments will have tightened, thus reducing or eradicating the problem all together. Overall though the vet wasn't particularly concerned - which made me feel a lot better.

I've also informed the breeder - although my dog was from the final litter to be born.
 
Sorry to hear that amymay, but hopefully your girl won't need surgery.

I would thoroughly recommend hydrotherapy if you have a pool near you. Yes, it's expensive but maybe worth it to strengthen things.
Pepe is still going swimming 4 years on (not that he really needs to anymore) and I think it has really helped to prevent the other leg going.
 
Glad it's nothing more serious but I would also limit her exercise for a few weeks as sometimes it's just the same as horses, they've done too much hooning around when they haven't got their full body strength properly yet.
 
In a previous flatcoat year book there was an article about conservative management of PL written by Diane Messum a veterinary physio from Davies vet specialists. It listed 5 exercises
1. Stand from a square sit 3sets of 10 reps
2. Walk up/down 3-4 steps gradually increasing to a full flight
3. All on lead up/down hills for 5-10 mins
4. Walk through poles on the ground allowing one hind footfall between poles
5. Hydrotherapy
Hope this helps
 
Hydro, walk through sand, walk uphill. Consider your flooring if you can, if it's slippy, perhaps carpet til her joints are fixed? We had to when Jake snapped his cruciates. I imagine you're already being very careful, but don't let her do stairs etc. I hope this resolves, it sounds like it may be purely her age. Where is Cavecanem, she mentioned loose hocks and said it resolved as the boy grew, hopefully yours will be similar.
 
No problem with the sand - most of our walks are on the beach. Hadn't considered flooring, which is a problem as its mostly laminate. Stairs, yes a no, no.

Thanks for the exercises Satinbaze.
 
Glad she is going the right way. I would always avoid having a dog on a slippery floor, I have seen so many injuries caused by slipping. Would be like turning a horse out on an ice rink.
 
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