Lame Labrador..

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My Labrador came back limping after being taken out in the fields, it's not a grass seed as no entrance wounds or any wounds at all, It is his front leg and we think it's just a sprain, I have prodded everything around that leg and nothing hurts but when I push his paw towards back of leg or wiggle it about he appears quite lame when walking after. Keeping him quiet is easier said than done - he is naturally one to always want to be doing something and loves to run around.. he won't do his business on a lead so taking him out around the house (fields) on a lead is not really going to work. We are trying to keep him quieter but sometime he is fine, no limp and the next minute he is hopping lame.. Was thinking of bandaging it to give him some support? :p

Any advice appreciated unless it is suggestive vet - we are going to wait a week or so to see if he improves - don't fancy 300 quid in x-rays to be told it's a sprain.. sorry to say.
 
The leg does really need to be seen by your vet if there is no improvement.You need to rest him for at least four days,use a long line in garden if he won't toilet on a short lead..the vet will give anti inflammatories,even add pain relief if necessary.This could be anything from a strain ,pulled tendon,to shoulder issues....if it continues the latter will worsen in time.Cheaper to get a diagnosis from the vet and treat the cause,than let it go more that a week and face bigger issues over time.
(.......sorry,I mentioned the V word.not what you wanted to hear)
 
I would rest for a couple of days, then vet if no better. The vet may just give a course of anti inflammatories/painkillers before proceeding to an x-ray anyway unless the dog is absolutely hopping lame. Please don't bandage, unless you are a vet/nurse and trained in applying a supportive 3 layer bandage. I have seen some owners cause far more problems when they try to bandage their pets, including swollen toes, skin dying, twisting of limbs etc than if they just left the limb be.
 
The dog needs to rest to see if theres any improvement, I know its hard but I had my Dobermann on lead for 12 weeks after his cruciate op and that was something I never want to repeat. if after rest there is no improvement for about 3 days then take to the vet who will probably put him on something like Metacam and say restrict his exercise and keep on lead and if no improvement then come back for tests.

I also would not bandage as you dont know what you are dealing with and it might mask the symptoms.
 
Vet can only charge you 300+ for xrays if you agree to them.
Id bring him in and get him some antiinflams and pain relief.chances are you will be told strict rest and nsaids for several days and only need further investigations if persistently lame after strict rest.Xrays generally only done off the bat if its persistent lameness not responsive to longterm rest or if theres a suspect fracture.
If finances are a serious issue then strict cage rest and lead walks only real option for letting the leg heal itself.
No point letting him hoon around though if hes hoping lame on it sometimes. he can do himself more damage esp on possible sprained or mildly torn tendons.catch and treat a problem when its minor and prevent it becoming a big issue.

Dont bandage....ever...unless you are trying to staunch bleeding on the way to the vets.home bandaging in dogs usually does more harm than good...agree with the above poster on that one.
 
Similar situation with my dog, a terrier. You have never seen such an unhappy little dog, she couldn't put her foot to the ground to start with. She sat down in the field and "asked" to be carried home. I took her to the vet, the next morning, who examined it, decided nothing major was broken, but could have been a toe. She gave her an anti-inflammatory injection and said to come back for further investigations if it wasn't a lot better. We were also told to restrict exercise, preferably only in the house and on a lead in the garden.

It cost £40. I was dreading the "we'll keep her in overnight for further examination" but in the end, what can you do? It took a couple of weeks before she was completely better.
 
I'm not one to rush to the Vet, however I would want a lame dog to be on painkillers and anti-inflammatory's and if you don't have any then I'm afraid you need to see your Vet.
 
LJR said:
I'm not one to rush to the Vet, however I would want a lame dog to be on painkillers and anti-inflammatory's and if you don't have any then I'm afraid you need to see your Vet.
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Ditto this,but re stress the importance of rest,enforced rest,on lead etc..no free running at this time...once on these pain killers the dog may well feel better,and wants to resume normal activity,but without rest which allows repair,the joint issue will worsen.
 
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