Hello all,
I have a 2y.o. Jack Russell terrier and lately I have noticed when I take her out to go running she kinda limps with one of her back legs. In the house she is fine, when I take her out to go potty she is fine it seems to just happen when I take her running. I have checked her paw, rubbed her joints and felt all around and nothing seems to look out of place of hurt her. Also, the more we run the less it happens(and it only happens while she is walking, running she is fine...we walk a bit then run a bit). My question is, could it just be because she is excited and that is just something that JRT's do or any dog for that reason?
Just figured I would ask here before taking her to the vet since it does not happen all the time. Took her on a hike the other day and she didn't limp once but I think she was more distracted with all the people and other dogs to care about limping =) Thought it could be the cement that she didn't like but she does it on grass too.
hmmm, I will see if I can get a video....probably not till next week though since we are heading out for the weekend.
I did look between the toes and it looked fine. I did notice that her nails were a bit short but when I was touching them she didn't seem to mind. No blood or pink exposed (she has clear nails).
Also everything felt normal temp wise....but I wasn't really feeling for that so I can check next time.
I'vee seen a number of JRTs that occasionally limp like this when they run. The ones I've seen do this have not shown any problems other then the occasional gimp and it's always when they are moving fast or going up and down stairs.
Patella luxation (sp?) is sometimes found in the breed.
Just read about Luxating Patella, thanks Bob. Going to have her checked for that just incase. I just can't figure out why it's only when we go running...and she runs fine it's just when we walk before and after that she does it. And around the house and everywhere else she is fine. OH, and stairs she is fine with too.
I should mention that when she does limp it's like she takes 3 steps them lifts the leg, then takes 3 steps and lifts it again. Then after we run a bit the lifting becomes less.
What about if you were going for a calm walk ONLY? No run.
Is the "going for a walk" and "going for a run" routine different where she can tell a difference?
I ask, because my JRT does something similar.
Walking anywhere, off leash he is fine. If we leave the house to go for a walk he is fine the entire way.
But if we go for a run he does exactly like you describe. He does it when he is excited, too. For example, if he knows we are going outside to play, he'll do it while in a fast walk to the door.
For mine, I think it is all excitement. Playing and running get him going. Its almost like walking when we are on a run break, or heading to play is just almost too much and he is about to break into a jog with every little skip.
I'd still look in to it just to make sure there isn't a problem.
yea, once I put on her regular collar she knows we are going for a run and that is when she gets pumped up and starts limping. If I just put on her prong and take her around the block then she is fine the whole time. Prong plus collar = run, just prong = walk. I was also thinking that it could be because she does get tangled in her leash from time to time and when that happens she basically walks on her 2 from legs till the leash is untangled...and no she will not stop walking just because of that =).
I think I will still get her checked out now that I know that small dogs can have knee problems. But it is reassuring to know that other JRT owners do see the same thing.
Just kinda hard on the wallet when every time she has a belly ache, limp, or bump I am spending $400 + to find out it is nothing at all =) Such is the life of a first time dog owner ;-P
Melissa Thom Webboard User Reg: 12-04-2007
Posts: 2781
Loc: Upper Left hand corner, USA
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Just as a quick FYI luxating patellas are not the end of the world for most light dogs unless they are of a severe grade. I have one dog that sits between a grade 1 - 2 per my vet and lives his life without pain and is active, with moderate activity. Very likely I will never have it repaired so long as I keep him within a healthy weight range and it continues to be a pain free issue. However, he is not one of my agility dogs and will never be pushed hard to perform. JRTs have a habit of pushing themselves to the limits.
Luxating patellas are easy to diagnose by any vet worth a grain of salt. Usually a normal $35 vet exam will tell you if there is an issue.
Fixing patellas is a bit of a sticky wicket. Its not a cheap surgery. Last quote I got was $1100.00. Also botched surgeries can make the issue much much worse. In one lab I saw after a surgery it made the dog completely lame.
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