Back Leg Issue

[kpromero]

Hello all and in need of some advice. Rosie has been doing great so far and is around 20 months now. Since we spayed her last July she gained 2 lbs. bringing her to 28 lbs. and staying steady at that weight. About 7 days ago we were playing fetch in the house and after about 10 minutes while she was running for the ball she let out a yelp and then looked at her back left leg, then kinda limped backed with the ball. It was kinda like her leg locked up or something. She walks around the house fine and jumps up and down from the sofa, but since then we stopped playing fetch. Since then she seems normal, but while outside today she started to run and then it happened again. She let out a slight yelp and then i saw her coming back towards me with her leg up and walking on 3 legs. Sorry for the long story, but do you think it is something to be very concerned about or has anyone else had this happen to yours? Will probably bring her to the vet to have it checked out and again if she does not run she is fine and does normal walking around and it does not bother her at all.

 

[Alice Kable]

I would probably have her vet check it out. It could be a muscle strain or something more serious like loose knee joints. We had a rescue healer that had both rear knees loose. The vet didn't discover it until she was relaxed under anesthesia because she always locked her knees while being examined.

 

[hannah]

I would most definitely make an appointment with your vet to get that checked out! Hard to say what that could be, and there is no point in worrying until you know exactly what the issue is.

 

[kpromero]

Thanks so far all. It is very strange since she will trot and walk around the house with no issues except when she runs and it happened twice so far in the last 7 days.

We have VPI insurance and have never had to use it yet. Wonder if it would cover if something serious is wrong.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

I agree with the others. Definitely let your vet check her out. The insurance should cover it, give them a call.

 

[Jakeyjake]

I agree with the others in having your vet check her out.

 

[kpromero]

Scheduled this Saturday for the Vet to see her. Hopefully nothing will be serious.

 

[MaplesMommy]

Fingers crossed! Keep us updated.

 

[kpromero]

Thanks all and i will keep you updated. I just called VPI just in case and they told me that if it is a luxating knee cap and surgery is required it does not cover it, since the policy is less than a year i have had it. It will actually be a year this April that i purchased the policy.

 

[kpromero]

Well Rosie went for her visit today to see about her back left leg. The Vet did an exam and also wanted to take x-rays. When he came back with the results he said she must have a high tolerance to pain. Not only does she have luxating patella but also hip dysplasia. He will let another specialist look at the x-rays to verify ans see what to do from there. Said they appear to be about a 2 right now but will cause issues later on for her knees but has concern about the hips. Wants her to lose some weight to take the pressure off her back legs. She is 25 lbs. and wants to try to get her to around 20 lbs. I told him i feed grain free Orijen and he wanted to put her on Hill's science diet or some other diet food. Said grain free has not been really proven to help a dog with allergies, but i was strongly against giving her something else other than Orijen, Acana or Fromms. He said well just cut back and give her less than a cup and fill in with steamed green beans and maybe carrots etc. to make her full. We got a bottle of Metacam to help coat the joints for now until we find out more on what will be needed to correct. Cost for procedure will be anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000

Do you all agree with keeping on Orijen or what would you recommend? I know any of those brands have not had recalls which is why i want to keep her on either brand. How about The Honest Kitchen brand dehydrated?

We were soo sad when he told us, but we will do whatever it takes to make sure she is taken care of to have a happy and long life with us.

Last week when we weighed her at PetSmart she was 28 lbs. and today at vet she weighed 25 lbs. someone must have an off scale.

 

[MaplesMommy]

Oh bummer! I was hoping it may only be something minor.

Id definitely not put her on any 'science diet', they have terrible ingredients and are so high in sugar. Vets always push for it because they a) work on comission and b) most dont know a lot about nutrition anyway.

Id keep her on the Orijen because its probably the only kibble that uses less than 35% carbohydrates,which turn into sugar. And with so much pain/inflamation going on,you want to cut out as much sugar as possible.(fyi most 'vet diets' are 50+ % carbs).

Id add anti-inflammatory supplements to her diet (Turmeric/Curcumin,Omega 3 Fish oil, etc).
Some people have great sucess with Green lipped mussel. Glucosamine might be another thing you want to look into.

I am sorry to hear all this... How old is she now? Have you brought it up to the breeder yet?

 

[kpromero]

Thanks MaplesMommy.

Rosie will be 2 in June. I also planned on keeping her on Orijen but thought of maybe switching to The Homest Kitchen dehydrated to try. I also messaged the breeder but have not heard anything yet. Yes we are very bummed about this but will do what it takes to make her have a healthy life.

 

[Jakeyjake]

Im so sorry to hear about Rosie. .
I had a bull terrier that had a luxating patella. We had his surgery done by a specialist and he was fine. Never had any further issues.
I feed The Honest Kitchen base-mix because I like to source my own protein. My picky eater loves it and it was a very easy transition as well. Primal also makes a good freeze dried food along with Sojos. We tried Grandma Lucy's and it did not agree with Stella at all. Good luck to little Rosie.

 

[kpromero]

Thanks Jakeyjake. Follow you on IG also

I think I may order a sample and see how it goes with her. Loved the 10 lb. box option which should last all of our family members around a month and $20 more than the Orijen we are currently feeding and rated 5 stars. Heard tha the luxating patella is not that bad but have not heard much on the hip surgery much.

 

[MaplesMommy]

Thanks MaplesMommy.

Rosie will be 2 in June. I also planned on keeping her on Orijen but thought of maybe switching to The Homest Kitchen dehydrated to try. I also messaged the breeder but have not heard anything yet. Yes we are very bummed about this but will do what it takes to make her have a healthy life.

Oh, not even 2 yet Poor baby!
I wish you and the little one all the best!

 

[hannah]

Awe that's too bad. I was also hoping it was something minor. I am so sorry to hear about this...Rosie is lucky she has such a good mama to take care of her. Keep us posted on what food you choose and everything else. Best of luck to you guys ❤

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[kpromero]

Thanks Hannah and MaplesMommy. I ordered a 2 lb. box of The Honest Kitchen with my next Chewys autoship order to see if they will like it.

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

I'm so sorry you're going through this! Poor little Rosie.

 

[blushy]

Aw poor girl!

Our vet said that Titan has "loose hips" (they are constantly popping !) and that Bulldogs basically never act like anything is wrong at all!

Good luck!


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[Jakeyjake]

Thanks Jakeyjake. Follow you on IG also

I think I may order a sample and see how it goes with her. Loved the 10 lb. box option which should last all of our family members around a month and $20 more than the Orijen we are currently feeding and rated 5 stars. Heard tha the luxating patella is not that bad but have not heard much on the hip surgery much.

Your welcome. We follow you on IG too!
Ya Im of no help on the hip surgery. Keep us posted on her progress. We are thinking of you and lil Rosie.
I hope she likes her new food