Limping on back leg!!!!!!!!

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Dear all,

I would really appreciate any help/advice on this.......

I have a beautiful 6.5 year old staffordshire BT (who thinks he is still a puppy).

He has developed a limp on his back (right) leg after exercise - it's so bad he hops and can't put his leg to the floor although he can weight-bear (for example when he climbs the stairs or wants to get on the sofa using all four paws) He doesn't "seem" to be in pain and his appetite is normal. He is insured with Tesco pet insurance.

I called the vets and spoke to a nurse who suggested I put him on bed rest for a few days and see what happens.....with rest the problem seems to go away but as soon as he goes out for a run on returning home the limp comes back.

He loves running after a tennis ball -launched with one of those plastic ball throwers- and I was wondering if this type of exercise is too hard on his joins as he is getting older (ie flat out running and jumping). He is not over weight but is "heavy set" as all SBT's are.

I don't have the best experience with vets.....I believe the vast majority to be profiteers often prescribing unnecessary treatment....especially when they know insurance is available.

My question is......if this problem is eased with rest can this be just an over exercise problem and not the dreaded luxating patella I've read about? Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution?

Thanks for reading this post, I am sorry if it was a bit long winded....

Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Thank you

Typical staffy my mia does the exact same medicines are i think one of the most difficult things to give your dog

Hi my dog will not take tablets in any way shape or form I've tried everything but the vet gave us a liquid which Is much better to disguise by putting on a tin of either sardines / mackerel in oil and do far success as fish smell covers medicine taste and gives her a lovely coat

The liquid anti inflammatory is ok because it comes in a syringe (directly into his mouth) but the tramadol is a table. So far I have given him the tablet inserted in a small chunk of Turkey/chicken breast or in pate as its soft and easily moulds around the tablet (brussels smooth chicken liver is his favourite)

Update on our staffy`s torn ligament..now been 3 wks since operation and a week since stitches came out.so we went back for check up tonight and vet really pleased with her and now can start taking her for short walks on lead to build up wasted muscle...the keep her calm bit has been challenging to say the least..next appointment 3 weeks..how are you doing Omega888 ?

scholey.....glad to hear the operation was a success and the vet is happy with her. My boy had his stitches out this week and the vet seemed pleased with the progress. Like you it's been difficult keeping him calm......he is desperate for a good run!!

Next appointment is in about 2 weeks, the vet wants to x-ray him under sedation (titanium wedge and two metal pins in place) hopefully to give us the all clear....finger crossed

Omega888 how is your staffy recovering ? We started on lead walks to encourage ours to pull so builds up wasted muscle started at 5 mins then 10 ,1/2 hr etc as vet suggested which is going well .she still limps as it will take quite a while to get back up to speed but mostly it's after she's been asleep or resting ..if it was up to her she would be chasing balls etc ..so just been precautionary

hi he is ok in himself thank you for asking. He went back for an x-ray and the vet said it hasn't worked!!!! suggested a further 4 weeks rest with restricted exercise and a further x-ray. Very disappointing news....will it ever end????

Dear All,

Firstly thank you all for your replies and good wishes. I would like to tell you about the current situation and ask for opinions please......

As above, the vet wasn't happy with his progress and suggested a further 4 weeks rest and a follow up x-ray. I'm not happy to keep giving my bambino more/unnecessary anesthetic as further surgery is not an option because the vet has maxed out my policy. The bill at the moment stands at around £2k.

He has definitely improved - he is no longer walking with a limp and is desperate for a good run. I just don't want to risk more anesthetic when there isn't going to be any more surgery but on the other hand I want to hear the vet say "the x-ray looks fine he has fully recovered".

What would you do?

Thanks for reading this.......

Tough one as I wouldn't really want to put him through more anasthetic, however, I would want to know what the result is simply so that going forward I would know how to manage the injury seeing as the surgery option is now exhausted.

.....perhapse when the vet realises there is no more money available and therefore no more opportunity to exploit us he will give us the all clear. Maybe I'm being too hard on vets but that's the way I see it....?

I can understand your mistrust, I had a similar experience with my Flo and I'm still not 100% convinced she needed the surgery !