Hi

This is my first post on this forum. I live in Singapore and have a 4.5 month female GSD puppy (Czech lines) who is very active and bright. 4 weeks back as we were walking back home (on a flexi lead) she suddenly and very energetically went after a cat and tripped on a low rope fence and sommersaulted (I fell too as she caught me by surprise)and was whinning and holding her left leg up for a while. After a few minutes, I palpitated her leg to see whether there were any obvious fractures etc. She didn't react in pain. I also stretched her hind legs and she was OK with it. But as we started walking back home, she initially dragged her left hind leg and by the time we got home she was walking OK.

I got her hips X-rayed and the vet said that it was not a hip displaysia problem, no apparant fractures/ligament tears (he said, "its too early.....take another X-ray at 7 months"). He then suggested a 2 week rest and only short lead walks, no ball fetch play etc. After 2 weeks she was still selectively favouring her left hind leg (especially when moving/turning suddenly her left hind leg would suddenly give away etc). I took her to another vet and he said to make her trot on hard surfaces (I take her out 3 times a day for 15 minute walks/trots on grass and paved surfaces and swim in the sea thrice a week) and to get her to swim. After another two weeks of this the following are my observations:

1) While slow trotting she appears comfortable.
2) Even when she lifts her hind leg or drags it (infrequently i.e. not during regular walks normally) she does not whine or cry with pain
3) Very energetic, wants to jump on people and still wants to chase birds/cats. Eats well.

Now questions:

1) What could be the problem? Potential treatments? How long could it take for Angel (my puppy) to get OK?
2) Is the excercise regime OK? Should I give her supplements such as Recovery SA, Grand Flex/Grand HA Synergy etc (which would likely be most effective). I picked these up from previous posts. Homepathy medicines (Arnica/Ruta/Rhustox)?
3) Am I just getting worried for no reason and should just wait for another 4 weeks?

I'll post Angel's pictures in my next post.

Look forward to any relevant advice.

Best

Vijay

Hi Vijay,

So sorry about Angel. I know how worrisome this is. Lots of experienced people will chime in with good advice and suggestions for you...you came to the right place

One thing really jumps out from your post: Swimming is a good thing but trotting a puppy on hard surfaces...and a possibly injured puppy at that? Wow, that doesn't sound right and it seems at odds with everything I've read about puppies and leg injuries/problems. I don't think I would be doing that under any circumstances at this age and especially with a limping pup

You didn't say why you took the pup to a different vet, but I agree with Sarah, and have no clue as to why the 2nd vet wanted you to trot the pup on hard surfaces. What was the 2nd vets diagnosis, & what was the reson he/she wanted the pup to trot on hard surfaces, etc.?

Sarah/Susan

Thanks for the replies. The second vet was closer to my home and I wanted a second opinion. He said slow trotting on hard surfaces will build the hind muscles which might sort the problem. Intuitively even I felt hard surfaces might not be good and hence I divide it between grass and brick laid paths.

Vijay

I agree with Sarah and Susan, and with your intuition regarding hard surfaces. Hard surfaces create more impact on joints and I wouldn't be doing that with a previously injured pup.

I use Recovery SA everyday, and wouldn't reserve it just for injuries. I can't honestly say how it's been working for my pup, but I've seen him slip and slide on kitchen floor when he runs inside, outside in the mud chasing toys, and more times than I can remember. I've come to believe in it and will continue to give it.

I have had a couple "panic" moments with Starbuck.

The first time she had her leg under the couch when my wife changed positions. I think it scared her more than anything else. There was a loud yelp and she recovered quickly.

The second time her foot got caught under a closing door. More noise than the first time and she was limping for a couple minutes.

The third time she was under foot and my mother accidentally stepped on her foot/leg. This was the loudest cry to date, but she was over it within a few minutes.

I hope your pup is feeling better. I think puppies and kids are designed to fall down. I watched my roommates kid fall down many times and he bounced right back. If there is no obvious injury then just take it easy for a while.

Thanks all for the responses. I am getting her to swim now, give her Glucosamine and Ester C supplements and also giving her some homeopathic medicines. Hopefully she'll get better with time.

Cheers
Vijay

I agree with everyone. Trotting on hard surfaces ... cannot even imagine a reason for that recommendation.

I would start Omega 3 from marine sources plus Vitamin E (which dogs use in processing oil supplements).

Fish oil (plus E), that is.

Long-chain Omega 3 EFAs are potent anti-inflammation agents.

P.S. The forum rule is that everyone must use first and last names. Please fix that. Thanks.

Connie

Thanks. I have started supplementing her with fish oil and Vit E. My full name was not fitting in the alloted space when I registered. If someone can help me get around that, I'll expand my first initial.

Vijay Pattabhiraman