FYI: Limping Dog

mccallum · 07-12-2012, 06:28 PM

If you are haiking with your dog and the dog begins to limp and there are not foot/leg issues fond check for lumps and bumps on neck and back it could be a slipped disk that is the cause.

My lab mix has had a on again off again limp for a month or so. I checked effected leg to the shoulder (front leg) found nothing rest dog two weeks and started again after a 4 to 5 mile walk the limp returned. Time for vet to check; she found nothing in the leg and saw nothing in neck (the limp would go away after about 24 hours) she said come in when it occurs it could be a nerve issue; the limp returned wednesday and we went; I missed the swelling in his C3 to C5 (well that is where I would call it on a human) she did not and showed me where to keep an eye on in the future. Bear will be getting six lazer treatments over the next 6-8 days and will be on crate rest for two to three weeks and short walks for a month or two after that will his neck gets strong again.

Grandpa · 07-12-2012, 07:40 PM

Thanks, thats good info to remember.

Judy Ann · 07-12-2012, 07:58 PM

Thank you for posting this valuable information. I hope that Bear will be feeling better soon. What are they going to laser on him? I am nervous about any treatment that might be vastly different from "normal treatments" when it comes to my dog. Please check to see if this is a common practice and what the efficacy rate is on Labs for this treatment. I would only allow something experimental for something special on Abby.

Hikenhunter · 07-12-2012, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the info.

bsmit212 · 07-13-2012, 06:27 AM

I hope Bear gets better and tanks for the info.

hikeorbike · 07-13-2012, 02:13 PM

Thanks for stressing this. It's important to look after your furry friends if they'll be joining you on any extensive treks. They can't speak for themselves, so be sure to check up on them regularly.

mccallum · Yesterday, 06:04 PM

@ Judy Ann; The treatment is cold laser. The effeccted area in this case C-spine around c2-c4 if he was human is my guess. They place the laser thingy on the neck in about five places over an 8 minute treatment. (in this case) and seem to be doing great. Bear is running; something he was not doing a week ago. We will start short walks about Aug 1 (unless vet says sooner or later) and work back up to hiking length as Hiking season ends. I would say if the vet offers it for a muscle/nerve issue try it; if Bear is any indication it does wonders!

Judy Ann · Yesterday, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccallum

@ Judy Ann; The treatment is cold laser. The effeccted area in this case C-spine around c2-c4 if he was human is my guess. They place the laser thingy on the neck in about five places over an 8 minute treatment. (in this case) and seem to be doing great. Bear is running; something he was not doing a week ago. We will start short walks about Aug 1 (unless vet says sooner or later) and work back up to hiking length as Hiking season ends. I would say if the vet offers it for a muscle/nerve issue try it; if Bear is any indication it does wonders!

Wow, I'm glad that the treatments are working for him! Thanks for the update. I wonder if the cold laser is similar to the TENS unit used on humans or something completely different? I'll try anything myself experimental to get back on the trails.

Please keep us posted since many people hike and backpack with their labs!

Have a fun summer getting him reconditioned!