Our Bernese Mountain Dog, Hogan, had a very noticeable limp in his front right leg this past Saturday. We felt his paw and leg all over and he didn’t cry or even really flinch when we touched him. Sunday morning, it was totally gone.

Sara
Alexandria, VA

Limping is one of the most common problems I am asked to assess. There are many causes of limping in dogs.

Soft tissue trauma–strains, sprains, and pulled muscles–is the most common cause of limping in dogs and cats in my experience. Limping due to these sorts of mild injuries usually resolves with a few days of rest.

Young (less than two years old), large dogs are subject to a syndrome called panosteitis, or growing pains. Panosteitis causes intermittent limping that often shifts from one leg to another. Panosteitis generally resolves over time. Many dogs with growing pains require no treatment. Others need anti-inflammatory medications or other types of pain killers.

Bernese Mountain dogs are predisposed to certain hereditary conditions that can cause limping. Elbow dysplasia can lead to early arthritis and limping on the front legs. Wobbler syndrome, in which the spinal column develops improperly, can lead to limping especially in the rear legs.

Older dogs are at risk of degenerative joint disease, also known as arthritis. Arthritis can lead to chronic or intermittent limping on multiple legs.

If Hogan’s limping has resolved and not returned, you probably have nothing to worry about. However, chronic or recurrent limping is a solid reason to see the vet.

Read more about limping at my website:

http://drbarchas.com/limping

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• What are the Treatments for Hip Dysplasia?
• Why do Dogs Limp Years After Hip Surgery?
• Why Does my Dog Hop Like a Rabbit or Bunny?
• Why Can’t my Dog Run Far?
• Should my Dog’s Stomach be Tacked to Prevent Bloat?

Everywhere I read about hip dysplasia suggests exercise, but nowhere does it list what exercises to do except for swimming. Please list what exercises and for what time period one should proceed with the dog’s excerise. [My vet did not have any info on this.]

K
Youngstown,OH

The type, intensity, and quantity of exercise that is beneficial for hip dysplasia depends upon your dog’s age, condition, and weight.

Hip dysplasia is a syndrome that most often occurs in large breeds of dogs such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. The hips of dogs with the syndrome do not develop properly. This leads to early onset of arthritis. Hip dysplasia should not be confused with natural pelvic arthritis that commonly occurs in older dogs. True hip dysplasia has the potential to cause mobility problems in young dogs.

Hip dysplasia has a strong genetic link. Careful breeding has reduced the incidence of the syndrome in recent years.

All activity helps keep weight down. Obesity is a leading contributor to complications from hip dysplasia. In dogs that are not suffering from symptoms of arthritis or mobility problems, any exercises that are enjoyable for pet and owner will build strength and keep weight down.

Dogs with mobility problems due to hip dysplasia should engage in moderate, low contact activities. Swimming is one such activity. So are leashed walks on level surfaces. I recommend that dogs engage in the maximum amount of activity that does not lead to exacerbation of symptoms during the following 24 hours. In other words, activities that don’t make your dog sore generally are good ones.

Dogs with severe mobility problems will benefit from forms of physical therapy that help to strengthen the muscles of the hind legs and the back (these muscles help support the hips). Examples include sit-to-stand exercises (have the dog sit, then have him rise–this is similar to a human being performing squats) and walking under obstacles such as chairs that require the dog to lower and raise his body. Other forms of physical therapy include tissue massage and range of motion exercises that help to keep the joints in the legs fluid.

Severely disabled dogs should undergo physical therapy regimens only under the supervision of a qualified veterinarian or animal rehabilitation expert. The field of animal rehabilitation is growing, and special rehabilitation centers are now available for dogs and cats with all types of disabilities. In addition to specially trained staff, the centers have special equipment such as underwater tredmills that help improve mobility and function in disabled animals.

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• Why do Dogs Limp Years After Hip Surgery?
• What are the Treatments for Hip Dysplasia?
• Why Does my Dog Hop Like a Rabbit or Bunny?
• Why Can’t my Dog Run Far?
• What Causes Transient Limping in Dogs?

What should I do with my Doxie who has hurt
himself or something is wrong. He is only 3 years
old. He has gotten worse over the last couple of
days he is losing the use of his hind legs and my
husband and I have to carry him up the front porch
steps. He is only in pain when he is picked up or
handled. Can you tell me if it sounds like a
dislocated hip or what? Thanks for your help.

Regina
Crescent City,Ca. Pacific Nort

Your dog needs to see a vet immediately.

Based upon your description, it sounds like your dog has ruptured or “slipped” a disc in his spine. This is a serious situation that can lead to severe pain or paralysis.

The spine is composed of segments of bone with discs, made of cartilage, that serve as cushions between each segment. Because of their extremely elongated spines, Dachshunds are prone to degeneration of the discs. This can cause them to burst out of their normal position and impinge on the spinal cord.

Symptoms of the syndrome, which is called intervertebral disc disease (or IVDD), include pain, reluctance to walk or difficulty walking, inability to place the hind legs in the proper position, weakness in the hind legs, and complete paralysis of the hind legs. Difficulty urinating or defecating also may occur.

IVDD is an emergency. Any dog suffering from symptoms of IVDD should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. In some cases, medicines and cage rest may treat the syndrome. However, many dogs require surgery.

Photo: Despite their efforts, Mollie’s parents lost her to IVDD.

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• What Causes Transient Limping in Dogs?
• What Exercises Help Hip Dysplasia?
• Dogs May Help to Cure Human Hereditary Disorders
• Why do Dogs Limp Years After Hip Surgery?
• New Website is Better Than Sliced Bread!

Dear Dr. Barchas,

David
Gilbert, Az.

There are a few reasons why two-year-old dogs undergo hip surgery. Developmental problems such as hip dysplasia sometimes require surgery at two years. Trauma to the hip may lead to broken bones in or near the joint. Dislocation of the hip may occur when dogs are injured, and may require corrective surgery.

All of the problems that can lead to hip surgery have one thing in common. In many cases they also lead to arthritis in the affected joint.

Arthritis of the hips can lead to limping, difficulty rising, and reluctance to walk, run or play. I suspect that your dog has a hard time getting up because of arthritis in his hip.

There are several treatments for canine arthritis. The simplest, and most effective, do no require medications. I recommend that you keep your pet thin, provide regular mild or moderate exercise, and perform basic physical therapy to maintain flexibility and strengthen the muscles in his legs. Talk to your vet for tips on physical therapy.

Dietary supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids may help ease the symptoms and progression of arthritis. These sorts of supplements are available over the counter.

Aspirin is the only canine arthritis medicine that is available over the counter. It belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). Although aspirin is very helpful for some dogs, you should be aware that all NSAIDs, including aspirin, can cause serious side effects. Prescription NSAIDs may be safer and more effective. Do not administer aspirin to your dog without first talking to your vet.

Finally, before you resort to medications, I recommend that you talk to your vet about advanced non-drug treatments for your dog. Such treatments include professional physical therapy (available through special facilities), extracorporeal shockwave therapy, therapeutic laser treatments and stem cell therapies. Your dog may not yet be a candidate for such cutting-edge protocols, but it never hurts to ask.

For more information on arthritis in dogs, check out my website:

http://drbarchas.com/canine_arthritis

Photo credit. Photo license.

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• What are the Treatments for Hip Dysplasia?
• What Exercises Help Hip Dysplasia?
• Why Does my Dog Hop Like a Rabbit or Bunny?
• Should my Dog’s Stomach be Tacked to Prevent Bloat?
• What Causes Transient Limping in Dogs?

My Rotweiler is 8 months old and someone pointed
out to me at the doggy park that he was running
funny. He trots normally (using all four legs) and
“jogs” the same but when he picks up the pace to
go run he picks his back legs up at the same time
(almost like a bunny). He has always done this
and I figured it was a puppy thing but I am not so
sure now.

Maritza
Browns Mills, NJ

An eight-month-old Rottweiler is roughly equivalent to a 14-year-old human. Both individuals will generally be in the process of rapidly growing and adapting to their new bodies. And, as anyone who can remember being 14 will attest, that process can be awkward.

Therefore, it does not surprise me that your pet might look awkward as he runs. It is a very common phenomenon in dogs that age. There is a very good chance that he will outgrow it as he matures.

However, keep in mind that Rottweilers are predisposed to problems such as hip dysplasia that also can cause abnormal ambulation or running.

Although I suspect that there is nothing wrong with your dog, I’d still recommend a veterinary checkup to make sure everything is OK.

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• Why do Dogs Limp Years After Hip Surgery?
• What are the Treatments for Hip Dysplasia?
• What Causes Transient Limping in Dogs?
• Do Puppies Need to Eat Puppy Food?
• What Exercises Help Hip Dysplasia?

What are some of the things we as dog owners can
do to help a dog with hip dysplasia?

Rosie
Humble, TX

Hip dysplasia is a syndrome in which a dog’s (or less often, a cat’s) hip joints do not develop properly. This causes premature arthritis in the hips. Hip dysplasia is most common in large breeds of dogs. It has a hereditary component. Careful breeding has reduced the incidence of hip dysplasia over the last several years.

Hip dysplasia is sometimes confused with age-related arthritis. Many older animals suffer arthritis in their hips that is not related to abnormal development of the joints. However, in either instance the outcome is the same–arthritis that causes pain, stiffness, decreased mobility and a lower quality of life.

There are several techniques (some old, some new) for managing hip displasia and arthritis in pets.

Preventing hip dysplasia is by far the best option. Careful breeding is the most important aspect of hip dysplasia prevention. Less effective, but still important, is to feed at-risk puppies (Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and other large breeds) a diet that promotes slower growth. Talk to your vet about this.

For pets diagnosed with hip dysplasia by a veterinarian, several techniques may delay the onset of arthritis. The most effective of these is weight management. Carrying extra weight puts tremendous strain on the hip joints.

Other techniques that can delay the onset of arthritis (or help to ameliorate the symptoms of arthritis after it develops) include administration of oral or injectable glucosamine, oral omega-3 supplementation, and physical therapy (mild exercise, swimming, hydrotherapy, and range of motion exercises). Young dogs diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia may benefit from a surgical technique known as triple pelvic osteotomy.

For the unfortunate individuals that are suffering from arthritis, all of the techniques listed in the preceding two paragraphs (except for triple pelvic osteotomy) can be beneficial. Additionally, treatment with the much maligned NSAID medicines can lead to a dramatic improvement in quality of life. Other, newer pain medicines such as amantadine are emerging as well that may be highly beneficial when used in conjunction with NSAIDs. Some prescription diets may lead to clinical improvement in arthritic pets.

A new generation of treatments for arthritis in the hips is also entering use in clinical practice. These treatments include stem cell injections, stimulation with certain types of lasers, and a technique known as extracorporeal shock wave therapy (it sounds scary, but it’s quite benign).

The treatment of last resort for arthritis of the hips is surgical hip replacement. Recent clinical advances have made this option more attractive than it was in the past.

The long and short of it is that there is a wide array of treatments for hip dysplasia and arthritis in pets. Many of them are new and not widely known. Your best bet is to find a vet who is passionate about comprehensive management of the syndromes. Sit down with this vet and develop a treatment plan that is right for you and your pet.

Image credit: Joel Mills. Licensing information: CC.

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• Is Grey Hair a Sign of Bad Health?
• Why do Dogs Limp Years After Hip Surgery?
• What Causes Transient Limping in Dogs?
• Do Puppies Need to Eat Puppy Food?
• What Exercises Help Hip Dysplasia?

Lately when I take my three-year-old dog Riley for a
bike ride, he is limping on one of his front legs
the next day. We took him to the vet and she gave
him some pain medicine.

Lydia
North East Texas

Your situation sounds familiar to that of the three-year-old lab whose mother wrote to me on June 30. The symptoms are slightly different. However, the problem seems to be essentially the same: you have a young dog who is suffering from chronic pain after exercise.

I decided to answer your question because I strongly feel that you should not simply stop taking Riley for bike rides. I suspect that Riley has a problem, such as elbow dysplasia, panosteitis, Osteochondritis Dissecans or early-onset arthritis that is interfering with his ability to run.

Although the syndromes I have listed may sound intimidating, many of them are treatable. I would hate for Riley’s lifestyle to be curtailed permanently if it is not necessary.

I recommend that you go back to the vet. Consider taking Riley for a bike ride before the visit (but talk to your vet about this first), so that he will be limping. This may make it easier for the vet to identify the joint, bone, or muscle that is causing the problem. The next step will be to take an X-ray of the problem area.

If you are able to determine exactly what is causing the problem, you may be able to fix it. And then you and Riley could enjoy the lifestyle together that you would like.

A note about the image: yes, it is a human humerus, and I realize that I have used human images two days in a row. But it is remarkably difficult to find non-copyrighted images of canine body parts!

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• What Causes Transient Limping in Dogs?
• What Exercises Help Hip Dysplasia?
• Why do Dogs Limp Years After Hip Surgery?
• What are the Treatments for Hip Dysplasia?
• What Causes Chronic Limping in Young Dogs?

I have a three-year-old Lab who limps quite
frequently, and the pain seems to be in his front
leg or paw. It is most evident when he is
walking downstairs. I have mentioned this to my
vet repeatedly and he says it could be muscle
strain and to not walk him for a few days. That
doesn’t help. I have him on chondroitin but to
no avail. This is continual. What can I do to
get this diagnosed properly? Do you suggest an
MRI?

Val
Newtown Square, PA

Soft tissue trauma (muscle strain or a mildly injured joint) is the most common cause of limping in young dogs. This sort of injury usually is caused by rough play, over-exertion, or landing incorrectly after jumping.

Limping caused by soft tissue trauma generally improves after a few days of rest. I have seen cases in which dogs were not rested properly. This can lead to recurrent injuries and chronic limping.

However, it sounds like you have rested your dog appropriately on more than one occasion. I have a hunch that something else is going on.

Young, large-breed dogs such as Labrador Retrievers may suffer from a number of different problems that can cause chronic limping. Syndromes that may be contributing to your dog’s limping include elbow dysplasia and cartilage defects in the elbow, wrist or shoulder. He may have suffered significant trauma to a joint early in life that has resulted in arthritis. As well, several other less common causes could be causing the problem.

I recommend that you have a vet perform a very thorough evaluation of the affected leg. He or she will check for swelling, pain, joint laxity, and other symptoms that can help identify which area of the leg is affected. If your dog exercises heavily just before the exam, the problem spot may be easier to identify.

Once the problem has been localized to a specific area, the next step is to take X-rays of the area. (If the problem can’t be localized, consider taking X-rays of all of the joints in the limb.) In most cases X-rays provide a definitive diagnosis. This, in turn, will allow you to treat the problem appropriately.

There are instances in which X-rays do not lead to a diagnosis. In these cases, the next step is arthroscopy or advanced diagnostic imaging (CT or MRI). However, I recommend that that you start with simple tests and work your way up if necessary.

Share this entry with your pawple anywhere:

• Why do Dogs Limp Years After Hip Surgery?
• Why Can’t my Dog Run Far?
• What Causes Transient Limping in Dogs?
• What Exercises Help Hip Dysplasia?
• Why Can’t my Dachshund Walk?