occasional limping dog

[graciec]

Hello. My shar-pei lab mix has been limping on and off for a few days (her front left leg). It seems as though the minute we start to call the vet she's running and playing, but then later on she'll be limping again. I've felt her entire leg, looked at her paw, applied pressure to see if maybe she would let me know where it hurt, nothing. She just looks at me like I'm nuts. Whe she does limp, it looks almost like her paw is sliding out from under her, almost like she doesn't have any grip on her pads if that makes and sense. I don't mind taking her to the vet because she is my heart, but I just know that will be one of those times she's ok?!?! Any advice is aprreciated. Oh, and she is almost 2, so it's not old age. Thanks!

[nicolemarie25]

my chihuahua puppy has just started limping, he is 7 months old, i took him 2 the vets and they gave him anti inflammitory meds.  but now he is limping on both back legs, and wont walk on our tiled kitchen floor, and is shaking alot. im really worried as he aint his lively self anymore and dont want to do anything, were as before he was always running around. its like when i do put him on the kitchen floor his back legs do like slide from underneath him. any help would be so grateful, thank you

[emmabear22]

its probably
Medial patellar luxation.

In which the kneecap, or patella, dislocates outside of its normal trochlear groove. Puppies to young adult dogs to older seniors with MPL are seen with an intermittent "skipping" or "limping" gait. The owners describe the dog as pulling up the leg for several steps before returning it to the ground and then resuming normal ambulation with no sign of lameness.

Especially common in many toy breeds, but an increasing number of larger dogs are becoming affected.

Dislocation, clinically referred to as luxation, can occur on either the medial, or inside surface, or the lateral, or outside surface, of the knee. This abnormal displacement of the kneecap results in pain, cartilage damage, and arthritis. There are varying degrees of severity of this disease.

Surgery may be needed, but not necessary. To learn more: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2448

[Jaybay]

How odd your dog is having the same issue as my dalmation.  We've check his paw for foreign objects - nothing.  He only limps after he's been snoozing, and after a few minutes he's back to chasing squirrels again.  I had some doggie anti-inflammatory meds (deramaxx) and gave that to him at night.  That seems to have helped because he's not even limping in the morning now.  I can only assume it was a soft-tissue injury - pulled muscle, tendon, etc.  

It wouldn't hurt to have your vet take a look and at least get some meds going for inflammation.  That can be a balancing act in itself with soft tissue injuries.  The meds can make the dog feel so go that she keeps reinjuring herself.  Gotta love 'em!  :-)