I need some help, if that is ok.
I know at least Nettle has seen cruciate ligament damage before, but I hope others can watch and help me too. I've been making a video diary of his pre-painkiller walks and today he seemed to skip LOADS, but then on the way back not at all. I noticed that with each of these skips he pulled forward and barked (like he wanted to go faster). My mum thinks it was definately a skip from the damage, I think it might just be him lunging forward but I'm not sure. I was wondering if other people could watch the vid and give their opinion? His definate 100% skips don't involve him lunging forward he just lifts his leg momentarily and skips on his left to compensate.
I need to make the judgement on if he's improving or not pre painkillers for him to be off them. Instincts tell me he's jolting forward in excitement and is just taking off on the leg he's favouring (his back left).
https://youtu.be/Njor1IO30q4
Skip or not?
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Re: Skip or not?
Im tempted to say thats an ouch. (remember take my words with a generous heaping of salt. unlike Nettle i work with people gait, not doggy gait )
Def concur with the weight bearing on the left and elevating the right though very obvious at :55 for those wanting a quick peek. Idk though, hes not showing a limp unless its catching just wrong in those times?
Def concur with the weight bearing on the left and elevating the right though very obvious at :55 for those wanting a quick peek. Idk though, hes not showing a limp unless its catching just wrong in those times?
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
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Re: Skip or not?
He doesn't limp constantly, it is the occasional 'skip'. Its random as to when it seems to happen. Because he's able to put weight on it the vets think he's only stretched it or at worst a minor tear. Patella luxation and the like has been ruled out (luckily!). I'll see if I can find and post an example of a definate 100% skip to post to compare.
Re: Skip or not?
id go with maybe an ouch? like if its tight and twinging or something? as opposed to a continuous pain.
also we do a lot with humans in pt who develop abnormal gait patterns because of pain they HAD and the pattern stays with them even after the pain is gone. If he's been doing this all along when he was DEF in pain he might have just carried the gait pattern over even though he isnt in pain anymore. if that makes sense.
also we do a lot with humans in pt who develop abnormal gait patterns because of pain they HAD and the pattern stays with them even after the pain is gone. If he's been doing this all along when he was DEF in pain he might have just carried the gait pattern over even though he isnt in pain anymore. if that makes sense.
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
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Re: Skip or not?
That's interesting, so he might instinctively pull off on his left even though the pain has gone?
Re: Skip or not?
it happens in humans, cant say if it happens in dogs or not.
unfortunately since dogs lack the voices to TELL us if they're in pain or not we have to read the signs we have and id er on the side of caution and say he IS in pain just in case.
unfortunately since dogs lack the voices to TELL us if they're in pain or not we have to read the signs we have and id er on the side of caution and say he IS in pain just in case.
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
Re: Skip or not?
I had to watch that twice as I keep getting distracted by his cute fluffy tail
I thought that was an ouch to. To me I thought it looks like when he goes ahead of you he skips not long after.
Has he had any X -rays?
I thought that was an ouch to. To me I thought it looks like when he goes ahead of you he skips not long after.
Has he had any X -rays?
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Re: Skip or not?
Yeah he's had x-rays. Nothing wrong with his joints or bones. Its all just the ligament and soft tissue damage. When he was under the vet did another drawer test on him and said he couldn't move it which meant his ligament was fully healed. At least that is what he told us before last friday.
If his skipping is getting worse despite the bed rest I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what sort of progress I should be seeing, or if it 'gets worse before it gets better'. If I see no improvement by friday I'm going to ask the vets, see if I can get a specialist in to look at him.
If his skipping is getting worse despite the bed rest I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what sort of progress I should be seeing, or if it 'gets worse before it gets better'. If I see no improvement by friday I'm going to ask the vets, see if I can get a specialist in to look at him.
Re: Skip or not?
I found this for you on the supervets website https://www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.ukLotsaquestions wrote: ↑Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:04 am Yeah he's had x-rays. Nothing wrong with his joints or bones. Its all just the ligament and soft tissue damage. When he was under the vet did another drawer test on him and said he couldn't move it which meant his ligament was fully healed. At least that is what he told us before last friday.
If his skipping is getting worse despite the bed rest I'm not sure what to do. I don't know what sort of progress I should be seeing, or if it 'gets worse before it gets better'. If I see no improvement by friday I'm going to ask the vets, see if I can get a specialist in to look at him.
If I were you I would be going back to the vet to ask for other options or to see a specialist.
Re: Skip or not?
Just found this as well http://www.physio-vet.co.uk/cruciate-ligament/
Found out there not to far from me, don't know were in the UK you are but there in Crewe, Cheshire
Found out there not to far from me, don't know were in the UK you are but there in Crewe, Cheshire
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Re: Skip or not?
Willows is my closest specialist, they're really good.
Re: Skip or not?
Willows vet group? That's the vet that Sampson is with were with the one in Stoke on Trent, willows are really good.Lotsaquestions wrote: ↑Tue Feb 06, 2018 10:39 am Willows is my closest specialist, they're really good.
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Re: Skip or not?
Its Willows Referrals, I don't know if they are part of a vet group. They opened a centre in Solihull for the West Mids. They're expensive (£3k for an MRI & consult!) but they really are good. My trainer's dog was referred there recently, they found out what was wrong instantly and now he's bad on his feet, no surgery required.
Re: Skip or not?
Done a quick Google search there not part of the willows vet group.
I would definitely see about getting a referral or appointment with them if he still doesn't improve.
I would definitely see about getting a referral or appointment with them if he still doesn't improve.
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Re: Skip or not?
I have emailed my vet for clarification on what sort of progress I should be seeing at this point, hope he's on track... I attached the vid too.