Corgi Forums

bajoiner · **Help with Corgi limping -** 03-10-2007, 04:31 AM

I am in need of assistance with Sassy's limping on her front leg. I have taken her to the vet who felt all over her leg, moved it all around, etc and said he did not find anything out of proportion and she did not yelp (I have NEVER heard her yelp) or try to pull away from him so he is thinking she has pulled a muscle. I am wondering if I should take her back and just ask him to x-ray her leg to be sure, or exactly what to do for her leg. She does not limp when she walks, only if she runs flat out (chasing birds and squirrels) or runs playing ball which is her most favorite thing in the world to do. The vet put her on a maintenance dose of Glucosamine chondroitin but that was it. I am not exactly sure he knows Corgis. He has a partner whom I very rarely see who is from England and she has seen Sassy on one occasion and seemed very knowledgeable about Corgis in general. I am wondering what exactly I should do for her leg that I am not doing as it does not seem to be getting any better and if she sleeps for a long period it appears to stiffen up but once she is up and walking she is fine. Should I ask the vet to do anything specific or give it more time. It has been about 10 days now since she started limping on it.

Barbara

Chip's Mom · 03-10-2007, 05:11 AM

So sorry to hear about Sassy's limp. You may want to take her back to the Vet and ask to see the lady from England. I do that all the time at my vet's. You may also want to have her rest it more for awhile and try not to let her run on it. I am sure someone that is more knowledgable will be able to offer better advice. Keep us posted.

darci · 03-10-2007, 06:26 AM

I went through the same thing with Darci not long ago.
It was a pulled muscle, they vet gave her rimadyl and crate rest for 5 days.
She too when in her crate and coming out for potty breaks would be so stiff and limping very bad and then after a few minutes of moving around would not limp as much.

After about 4 days of this she was fine.

Xrays only show bone so if its a pulled ligament or torn cartlidge it wont show up.

IMHO I would give it a few days and she how she does.

Did they give her any medications?

I also used an ice pack on Darci, I would hold it on the muscles of her front leg for about 10 minutes 4 times a day for 1 day.

Jespah · 03-10-2007, 07:29 AM

I had a similar issue with my other Corgi Riley, I think an x-ray will be a wasted expense as it won't show soft tissue damage. Rest, as Cindy said, is probably your best bet - and patience. Try 5 days to a week of very limited activity - just short leash walks. It will seem like you are depriving her, but a few days of this will be worth it in the long run. I have done this when both Riley and Rupert have "pulled" something or over did the activity and it worked wonders.

Let us know how she is doing.

ZdogZ · 03-10-2007, 10:14 AM

Poor Sassy! I think you have been given some great advice here. Hope Sassy is back to herself in no time!

Louwants · 03-10-2007, 12:29 PM

Duncan has done the same thing. I got X-Rays, to make sure he didn't have a torn ACL. (Little stinker, he was so tense, the vet couldn't move his leg to check. I had to have him sedated so he could) He strained a muscle on his left back leg. I've given him his medicine, and tried to get him to rest his leg. Everytime I think it's healed, he goes outside and something catches his eye or his sister goes chasing after a squirrel, he takes off (can't let the other dog beat him....) and then the next thing you know, he is limping.

Michael Romanos · 03-10-2007, 11:12 PM

Two things that come to mind with Sassy are arthritis and a muscle strain.
Could Sassy be prematurely arthritic in one of her legs? Could she have a strained muscle and just needs a couple of days of rest and some careful massaging. Corgis can easily develop a limp from a strain. Taylor had one a couple of years ago. I just rested him for a day gave him several massages and he was as right as rain again.
I learnt that one of the Corgis in the Wellington Welsh Corgi Walking Club limps a little for a while in one of her back legs after a long walk or very vigorous exercise - and it has been this way ever since she was a little pup. She is now over two. I think this problem needs a veterinary assessment because it has been a consistent thing. I would assume it could be arthritic. There are plently of drugs on the market to combat slight arthritic problems.

Bayoucorgi · 03-11-2007, 02:18 PM

Liam was limping occasionally and sometimes seemed pretty profoundly lame. I was cutting his nails and noticed the nail bed where the nail comes out of his toe was dark colored. I scrubbed it with hydrogen peroxide and there was some bubbling so I suspected infection. The vet gave him a course of antibiotics and the nail started growing in pink and he stopped limping.

Also check carefully in between the paw pads for seeds or thorns. Sometimes it isn't something skeletal or soft tissue, just something sore.

CorgiMum · 03-11-2007, 03:02 PM

The occasional limping after sleeping is exactly Dyaln's problem too. That and not so much the running flat out, but diving for a ball or any toy. We were worried for a time that it was still his ACL issue, but isn't. He also limps if he lays down on the wet lawn or when we have a lot of rain. He has had some arthritis for a while, and will most likey have more do to his ACL surgery. He more lift his leg from the hip sometimes more than limps really.

If I were you I would make an appt with the Vet that you feel is more familiar with corgis, and inquire about arthritis. Dylan is 9.5, and I have been giving both dogs the Glu. for a couple of years now.

Strict resting periods and only light playing, & maybe changing Liam's moving style may help. I do not let Dylan lay out on anything cold or damp. He LOVES to play fetch, so I have changed his game with my husband's help, to playing Monkey in the Middle. You know what that is right? He gets to run all he wants, but does not dive for the toy, we pass it to him in turns.

These three things have kept his limps to a minimum.

Please keep us posted on how Liam is doing. Feel better soon little guy.{{{{}}}}

adkmehrman · 03-12-2007, 12:19 PM

I am unsure if you are in a cold weather climate but koda limps sometimes in the winter. But I am positive that this is because either he gets some road salt in his paws or if it is really cold his feet actaully get really cold and he limps. I have tried the boots thing but He promptly destoys them so I just have to keep a eye on him and clean out his paws if I see him start to limp.

darci · 03-13-2007, 05:34 PM

How is Sassy ??????

Michael Romanos · 07:18 PM

I don't want to get on the arthritis bandwagon, but if Koda limps in cold weather, that to me might be a sign of an arthritic complaint.

Dogs can quite easily develop arthritis from lying in damp conditions on too many occasions. For instance lying on a wet concrete step or on wet grass, waiting to be let inside the house.

Mvons · 03-14-2007, 12:02 PM

A change in bedding did wonders when our gal got old and stiff when she woke up. A cheap bedding for the old joints is buy the ripple foam twin size on sale and cut up the section needed, two sections if it is really thin and stick the foam in a pillow case. They sleep so soundly when comfortable.

Glucosamine is not instant and can take up to 20 days maximum to see results, but then if you happen to run out you will see it works when you miss the days because of having run out.

We happen to give ours Shaklee alfalfa (Shaklee does not endorse the use by animals) because it helps with allergies and arthritis and she loved it. Everytime I'd open the vitamin box she was there asking for hers. She was such a good customer paying with love.

The partner from England may also be familiar with homeopathy and can suggest or prescribe some remedies.

Darci, I'm impressed your dog allowed an ice pack for 10 minutes.

Mer

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Help with Corgi limping