Hi guys. Merlin is now just over 7 months old and has developed a mystery limp. Left rear leg started two days ago. He goes to the vet next week for xrays on his hips because I want them. The injury came after I scheduled his appointment. The first night he did whimper a bit but then he went out to potty a few minutes later and bounced around playing with our Mastiff so I figured he was well enough to wait until his scheduled appointment. The first night he was rather skittish of everyone and didn't sleep in his normal area which is my bedroom but instead went into my sons room away from everyone. I know no one did anything to him so I can't figure out why he's acting this way unless it's pain. I came home tonight to him also favoring his right front leg. What the heck? He has always has a steady growth pattern. It has slowed down a lot in the past few months also. I feed him a raw diet and have since we brought him home from the breeder. My mastiff has severe hip dysplasia in her right hip and has also had a cruiciate repair in her left knee. She has never favored herself like Merlin has been doing. I am almost certain his back knee is fine and he has no swelling, tenderness or irritation anywhere I can find. If I were to guess I would say it was his hip because he doesn't want to put any pressure on his paw at all. Then again he will run and jump around like psycho dog when he gets the urge. ???? The breeder has already told me she has never had a case of HD from any of her pups and I really thought the raw diet would work on the diet factor of HD. I thought pano at first but now it's in his front right leg, possibly shoulder, also? I also thought wobblers for a second but normally he would be able to keep up with the best barrel racers in the country so I doubt it's wobblers. Do any of you have a clue what we could be facing when we go to the vet? The poor baby is hobbling around like he's 80 years old and obviously miserable. Aspirin doesn't appear to help a whole lot either.;(
We really appreciate any ideas you guys may have for us.
Tracey
We really appreciate any ideas you guys may have for us.
Tracey
I will say the core diet is chicken quarters with various types of fish meals and venison (until our free meat runs out)and occasionally beef. Not a lot of red meat because it tends to give my pups horrible gas and a bit of loose stool. 
Of course, I can't leave out the organ meats. Instead of feeding an organ meal (which also gave very loose stools several times a day) I puree up the organs and give a small amount daily with the other meats and no more runny poo. No additives except a 500mg. vitamin C tablet and that's only because he kept wanting to eat my Mastiffs meds. for her incontinence. Now he gets a pill when she does.
Sheesh. I almost want to say it's in our water. I'm just sick thinking about it. I'm going to send his xrays off to OFA to get the official status. My vet and one of her partners had conflicting opinions about the results with my mastiff and I really don't want to deal with that again. One said mild one said severe. I still don't know how bad she is officially except in how she gets around.
Comment