Friends-

My six year old Lab came up a little lame on his right hind leg. He walks fine. After launching dummies for 5-6 times he'll pull up limping. Plus, he doesn't want to jump as in jumping in the back of the truck.

I gave him some Rymadil that I had and when I was through with that put him on some Prednisone for allergies, but, he still not healed up. The Vet palpated the leg and said it will take some time. My trainer said I might need to put him on a oral analgesic and he told me about another client that gave his dog Ascriptin (sp?), a buffered or coated aspirin. However, I know a dog's system is much different from ours.

Any thoughts, suggestions or advice?

Thanks in advance.

Best bet is to ask your vet, but I have used buffered aspirin in the past.

Have his hips X-rayed by someone that knows about hip dysplaysia (sp?)

I have a 3 1/2 yr old chocolate lab female who had right knee surgery and a TPLO a bit over a year ago. Did not hunt her last year; went to hunt this year and found she had a limp in the left rear leg. Displaysia! Vet prescribed 75 mgs Duramaxx and 1500 mg of glucosamine and chrondroitin per day. After $98 for a 30 day supply, I went to 1800petmeds for $68. Seems to help but one thing I have not tried yet; accupunture. Do a search for canine accupunture and your eyes will open.

Ascriptin is coated aspirin so it causes less trauma to the tummy. Its a good short term solution.

It sounds like he might need a couple of weeks with on-leash and in-crate down time.

My dog pulled up lame on his right front leg about a month ago. He only limped after he got up from rest. I rotated and manipulated the shoulder and palpated on down the leg, he showed no signs of discomfort.

I, myself, prefer more homeopathic remedies, so I started giving him traumeel (TRAUMEEL® is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-edematous, anti-exudative combination formulation of 12 botanical and 2 mineral substances.) One tab 3 times daily (he's about 55-60#). He had no side effects and was greatly improved in 3 days. I had kept him on the traumeel for 2 weeks and he has been off for over a week now and is doing just fine.

I am sure it was inflammation from a strain, as he is quite the athelete. The traumeel did the trick as it does on myself and other family members.

Kind regards,
Mary

quote:

Originally posted by 30 Caliber Mag Fan:
Friends-

My six year old Lab came up a little lame on his right hind leg. He walks fine. After launching dummies for 5-6 times he'll pull up limping. Plus, he doesn't want to jump as in jumping in the back of the truck.

I gave him some Rymadil that I had and when I was through with that put him on some Prednisone for allergies, but, he still not healed up. The Vet palpated the leg and said it will take some time. My trainer said I might need to put him on a oral analgesic and he told me about another client that gave his dog Ascriptin (sp?), a buffered or coated aspirin. However, I know a dog's system is much different from ours.

Any thoughts, suggestions or advice?

Thanks in advance.

Hi Mark,

The rule of thumb with rear limb lamenesses is that the problem is in the knee (stifle) until proven otherwise. That being said, hip dysplasia is very common in Labs. The best bet is to have his knee checked for drawer sign (laxity in one of the cruciate ligaments...it's called the ACL in people) and to have his pelvis radiographed for dysplasia or other degenerative arthropathies.

If he's got cruciate ligament damage, surgery will likely be indicated. If he's dysplastic or arthritic (or both), then he'll need to have an NSAID (Deramaxx, Rimadyl, Etogesic, Zubrin, etc...not aspirin as it has too many bad side effects when given over the long haul), glucosamine/ chondroitin sulfate, and Adequan injections. Adequan is a nutraceutical product that helps smooth the roughened articular surfaces of diseased joints. Keeping his weight under control is important as well. Treatment may well be required for the rest of his life.

I second the need for hip radiographs if the lameness persists. As to meds, aspirin is fine and has a wide dosage range. I start on the low end, but my references list from 10-25 mg/kg. Can be 2x/day. Just like a person, use as little as necessary. There are potential side effects with any of the NSAIDS, especially with long term use. Check the label on the rimadyl for any possible interactions with anything else he might be taking, especially if liver metabolized. It is a decent drug, but I generally avoid prescribing it in favor of others. Currently I use mostly previcox if I need one of the more modern meds. Another possibility would be "duralactin". It is a milk protein product (microlactin) and for some dogs does a better job than the NSAIDS. Also, IIRC, there are no side effects (unless milk/lactose allergy). I believe there is also a human version and I have taken the canine stuff myself although I could not recommend doing so. With adequan and the nutraceuticals, you just have to try them. Work well for some and not as good for others. Adequan is pretty good stuff, but pricey.

MFH