I have a six month old male puppy that I kept from my last litter. I normally wont keep males, but he is really nice. I noticed him limping a few weeks ago. He shows no signs of pain, and my vet said it appeared to be in his shoulder area. My vet recomended rest. I have been following my vets advise, and it seems to be getting a little better. I'm hoping its just growing pains?

My question is for some of you who keep males and even females do yall ever have problems like this? I know they some times grow so fast that these problems can occur.

Thanks for any advise..

WKC

It could be from an injury. This is also around the time you see elbow dysplasia. I hope it's nothing major.

Try putting him on Glycoflex (all natural) might be pano, I wouldn't worry about it unless it persists but lots of people have used the glyco flex and their pups got over it way faster if it's pano (give double the dosage)

For situations like this I give a Glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM with vitamin C supplement. I like Swanson's as theirs has it all in one liquid and they ship right away and are very inexpensive.

http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-premium-glucosamine-chondroitin-msm-orange-16-fl-oz-474-ml-liquid?SourceCode=INTL405&CAWELAID=129500238&mkwid=7IqApz0g&pcrid=49285704727&gclid=CIGn8JP2oL0CFcg7MgodnnIAJw

For limping use 2 TBSP on food am and pm and crate rest 3 weeks. All the but really serious injuries will resolve with this regime. It could be Pano, slightly torn ligament, slightly torn cartilage, etc. All of course which have their own technical terms, whatever, this works unless damage is permanent and needs surgery.

Crate rest for a couple of weeks. Leash walking only when outside. Give him double Vit C (500mg x 2 day) and joint supplement. If not better I would take him to a specialist for x-rays. This is the age where problems can crop up.

I am going to provide another perspective. FCP shows up at this age. Having just had a 7 month old puppy with this, thinking it was Pano, I'd do x-rays and send them to a sports med guy. They will need front views too, to see the joint from that angle. 10 years ago I wouldn't have even considered surgery for elbow. Arthroscopy by a surgeon that does them can make these dogs comfortable. It won't stop arthritis. It takes the 'pebble' out of the shoe. Oh, and a general radiologist will give you an equvicol report....saying they're not sure....Sned them to a boarded surgeon and you'll see it clear as day. The radiologists generally don't want to commit.

I never want to deal with this again. I'll not look at lameness in a pup the same way again. It cost me minimal for the x-rays and will make this puppy more comfortable for the rest of his life.

Not to be a bearer of bad news, but it needs to be considered. The longer you wait, the worse off FCP is not treated.

Sue Puff

Thanks for all of the advise. I'm going to continue crate rest for a few more weeks and leash walks. I'm also going to give supplements too. I'm about 99% sure its in his shoulder. I'm hoping its nothing serious......

You might be sorry and your puppy certainly will if it's FCP and you wait a few more weeks. You can't go wrong by seeing an ortho vet, regular vets are often wrong and supplements will just reduce the pain potentially masking a more serious issue. FCP can show as mild to moderate and intermittent pain. If your vet hasn't taken x-rays yet have the ortho vet take them.

I have to agree with both answers above. What is the point in waiting? The longer you wait, the worse it can get if it is FCP. A simple appointment with an ortho vet and a set of x-rays is worth it.

We did x-rays at my vet, when I took him him, and it showed no damage. I called my vet this morning for a referral to a ortho. The more I thought about it, the more it makes sense too take him in asap. Thanks for all of the advise....



WKC

Hoping its nothing serious. If ortho can't find the problem I would test for lyme or other tick borne diseases to at least rule them out.

Good luck.

I think it's wise to see an ortho vet and I hope there's nothing there, you might also want to ask about Adequan injections.

Good luck with your baby!

If you feel it is the shoulder - there is also a chance of an OCD lesion (like a bruise on the bone)in the shoulder . I had this many years ago and with gentle exercise like slow swimming, it healed itself

It could also be pano, there are many things it could be including a strain. By asking everyone, you're going to get many answers.

If it continues, go see an orthopedic vet instead of lay people without names, degrees and who are throwing their opinions out there including me.

I hope it's growing pains too.

Excellent reply and information. I have youngsters I want to put on all mentioned so that should work for me too. Thanks for the information. I never heard of Swanson's brand before.

You crack me up. First you say: (and maybe you did not see that OP is already going to an ortho, or at least got a referral from her vet)

"If it continues, go see an orthopedic vet "instead of lay people without names, degrees and who are throwing their opinions out there including me".

Yet then you say (in your next post - unless someone else posted with your user name) that you will follow the advice of supplementing a pup from someone on this board (RN - without a name) who is "a lay people without names, degrees and who are throwing their opinions out there"

Hellooooooo..................... follow your own advice don't ya think.

People are on this board offering advice to the OP in the hopes it helps the OP in her research, and in the hopes that she will go the right route for her pup.....

Maybe I misread your posts, if so forgive me.................

I had this happen! The neck was out of place. We x-rayed the elbows and the shoulder and finally the neck, almost six months this dog suffered.

The Vet recommended a chiropractor. We took the dog to a chiropractor and he did great after his adjustments. She tried to show me how to adjust him after a while and I threw him back out of place and couldn't adjust him. He is now well and older.

Just a thought that it could be something this simple.

Any chance you know a good equine vet who could do an MRI for you? Might be something there that the X-rays aren't picking up?

Good luck, hope you find some answers soon!