Limping after resting goes away

N

NHAnimator

Forums Regular
Thought I'd run this by the group before deciding to take Jake to the vet. For a couple of weeks now, he will favor his left front leg for 30-60 seconds after he had been lying for a while before the limp pretty much goes away entirely.

We have been resting him, though not enough. He runs full force when he goes outside to do his business, so we are going to leash him to stop that. Will just need to slow down all fun for a bit.

We did find a tick embedded about 6 weeks ago. This was his first. Normally we suspend using frontline during the winter months, but we suspect the very mild winter brought them out early. Question regarding that is this: Jake is up to date on vaccines including for Lyme, so should that be a concern?

Jake just turned 7.

Thanks,
John
 
Our Samoyed had a problem very similar to this. Turns out it was arthritis. He was on painkillers twice a day for the last few years of his life, but with them was able to do everything he used to do. By all means, take Jake to the vet -- but don't be surprised it it's arthritis. Remember, 7 is considered the beginning of "senior" for dogs.
 
Yes arthritis would be on my mind, as it does tend to show up after a dog has been resting. As this happens every time he lies down for a while I would go to the vet and get it investigated. If it is very mild you might be able to manage it with Turmeric paste, however there are also anti-inflammatories they can offer you.

The other possibility is the joint seizing up due to a muscular problem, however this would normal correct itself with rest, if it was a sprain for instance, but something to bear in mind.

Best let the vet check him out:wink2:
 
I agree with the others, I'd get him checked for arthritis. If he's favouring one front leg after laying down then he may have arthritis in his elbow. But it's also worth checking his hips at the same time.
 
Stiffing of joints is so rough on our furbabies. My previous sheltie suffered around 10 yrs, I think. I put her on green lipped mussel and that did wonders for her. I also got a book on acupressure and massage for dogs. I learned which areas needed "assistance" for her to feel better, and we would work on those areas. I would have a Vet check, just to make sure it isn't a sprain, or anything amiss.
 
Honey does this when she's running around to much and twists something, it can persist for weeks if we don't take measures.

Most important one has been moving our mattress to the floor so she's not jumping down. We also leash to stop her from running, give her daily joint supplements and we have metacam from the vet that we can give her for a few days when it first starts.

Metacam has been a lifesaver. We went from months of this type of limping to it clearing up in a week or two.

I've noticed that the weather this time of the year can really seem to aggravate this, weather that's just because the dogs are a little stir crazy from winter, or the drastic rises and falls in temperature is anyones guess.
 
Just remembered (it's my busy time for work and mind isn't working well). If it is arthritis and your vet recommends glucosamine, ask for the dosage. You can use human pills, which are actually cheaper than the ones for dogs, as long as they're pure. We used ones from the natural foods store (Sprouts) or even the grocery store, as long as there were no additives.
 
My last dog had a similar problem, the vet had put her on Metacam for 2 weeks I think and cleared it up (was a muscle sprain). Metacam is an anti-inflammatory, and I had to limit her activity for that time i.e no running or jumping.
 
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