Arthritis question?

[glencorgi]

For health section
Title - From ~WelshStump~: Arthritis question?
Message -

Hello there,
I'm sorry I can't post this myself, but your forums owner seems to think its funny to not allow me and ONLY ME to post.

Anyway, I have a 7 year old Pembroke, named Jinjo. Last year around his birthday in November, we took him to the vet for what was a mild limp. I was not impressed by the tech we saw that day (or the one the time before for that matter), she shuffled use into the exam room and rushed right through and said "its just arthritis give him G/C supplements and it'll get better."

So, little over a month ago the limp suddenly became worse, more like REALLY BAD. We first though about trying to get him into the vet collage up here, but the soonest they could get him in was march! To top it off, I found a lump on that leg. So we called his vet and they got us in right away. I really liked the vet we saw this last time MUCH better. She took her time, and looked him over from top to bottom. After a lot of looking however she was puzzled and all she could say was "he's aging WAY to rapidly, this is not normal." She took a sample of from the lump, it was just a Lipoma so that isn't the problem.

After some more staring, she said its extremely rare but it "could" be rheumatoid arthritis. After that, we talked about Lyme disease. He did as a pup with another vet give 2 shots. That vet told use it was all that was ever needed. I'm glad we left them, our vet said its an every year thing. So we had her test him, and it was negative.

After all that, we still don't know 100% what his true problem is, but it does seem to be "An" arthritis, of what type is to be determined (hopefully) next month with X-rays. Until then, the vet gave us an NSAID to give him (I'm trying my darnedest to come up with the name, but can't seem to right now, I'll get it to you later).

So, along with all that, What I want to ask from you guys is this: What is the rate of "rheumatoid arthritis" in corgwn? Also, I read in the newest Dog World (didn't buy it but will later) about a new study linking early neuter's with structural problem. Getting Jinjo neutered at around 4 months, you think that might have something to do with it?