Need some advice. My 4 month old puppy has been limping on his front left leg. Not real severe and doesn't seem to be in any dicomfort. He did jump off two steps yesturday and seemed to hurt him. My question is is this growing pain, should I give him a remadly and continue to rest him, or take him to the vet? He is not overworked or overfed. Not on raw yet but on Purina ProPlan puupy large breed right now. He has spent most of the last two days in the crate and doesn't like it. My first GSD and have not ever had a dog show any pain from growing to fast. Thank you all for your help in advance!!

kutanhead1@aol

well if its been 2 days and he is still limping I would take him to the vet. My amstaff was limping for like 2 days after hrting himself and I was like I wonder whats wrong we went next door to our neighbor Vet tech and she said to take him to a vet. We did and we found out he broke his toe. not much we can do about it but at least we knew what was wrong.

It is probably pano. My new mal puppy limped for 2 weeks when he was about 14 weeks old.
I stopped feeding puppy food and it went away. They grow too too fast on that stuff...

You might want to consider switching to a different brand of
food. Also switching to adult food. Puppy food is high in protein and can cause growth that is too fast.

Also might want to reconsider the rimydal. If you use the
search function you will find alot of discussion on these
topics.

Good luck with you pup.
Bob

Mitch-
Approx 4-5mths ago, my male was also limping on his front left leg. Xrays (required because he was a rescue) were clear so we decided it was, most likely, a bruised or strained muscle from one of the following: 1. the morning jump off our bed, 2. the morning rush to beat Mom down the stairs, or 3. pulling my son on his rollerblades (which we did not know about at the time <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />.

What we did was limit his activity over a period of 3-4 wks. No more 3 walks a day, gave him his own bed on the floor, and walked him slowly down the stairs on a leash. He acted like he was being punished, but it worked! We have since resumed (to a certain degree) his prior activity level and everything is fine - no more limping for the past 2-3mths.

Try to rule out causes, as you seem to be doing, reconsider the Rimadyl, and give him a few more days rest to see if it gets better. Think about it this way - if you had a sports injury to your leg (twisted ankle, bruised hamstring), you'd still be tender after only 2 days.
Good luck!

i AM BACK AND bLISKAN IS DOING ALOT BETTER THINK THE REST DID HIM GOOD. sHOULD i STILL WAIT A COUPLE MORE DAYS TO GET HIM BACK TO REGULAR ACTIVITY? i TOOK HIM TO wALMART TODAY AND WALKED OVER ALL THE DIFFERANT SKIDS OF BRICKS THEY HAVE AND WALKED OVER ALL THE CARTS THEY HAVE LINED UP. aLSO SAT AT THE ENTRANSE AND JUST TALKED TO PEOPLE AND WATCHED TO CARTS, PEOPLE AND CARS GO BY. JUST NOTICED THE CAP. ERROR BUT HAVE TYPED TO MUCH TO CHANGE, SORRY!!!!!