Nodding dog - limp/no limp... don't say hip dysplasia.
Discussion
I have a question for you. And a long OP. 
How unusual is it for a sprain or a pulled muscle to last for more than a few weeks? In a dog, before you think I've got the wrong forum entirely.
Our silly little ginger dog, whilst a competent runner, is less-than-competent at stopping to pick up the object that’s been thrown.
Instead of slowing to a halt when he gets near the ball, so he can pick it up, he’ll just carry on running at full tilt, and, when he reaches it, he just splays all four legs out to the ground, ‘bottoming out’.
This is how he stops.
Sometimes, though, he’ll try and pick it up whilst cornering around it. Still at full pelt, obviously – these attempts usually end with him doing handstands or falling over sideways. (The sheer hilarity of watching him do this... you have to see it to believe how funny he looks!)
So, glossing over the rather obvious retardedness of our dog, it can be said that we’re used to watching him limp and hobble.
However, we’ve noticed that he’s got what looks like a permanent limp.
I say ‘limp’; it’s not a limp, in that you can’t see him favouring a leg or anything. The only thing you can see is a faint ‘nod’ with his head as he walks.
My thinking is that he probably pulled something quite badly ages ago, and has never fully rested whatever it was, and so it has ‘mended funny’ (technical term, that).
He doesn’t demonstrate pain or limps; just this slight ‘nod’ when walking sometimes.
He still runs/plays/jumps/falls over with the same careless abandon – it doesn’t affect him in any adverse way that we can see.
I could take him to the vet, but he only does it sometimes. For example, when he spots another dog and he walks in an alert manner, the nod goes. And walking anywhere where people other than us can see him, the nod goes. Asking him to walk towards you so that you can try and see which leg might be causing it, the nod goes.
Hip dysplasia scares me... but doesn’t that come with an obvious sign of difficulty in walking/mobilising?
How unusual is it for a sprain or a pulled muscle to last for more than a few weeks? In a dog, before you think I've got the wrong forum entirely.
Our silly little ginger dog, whilst a competent runner, is less-than-competent at stopping to pick up the object that’s been thrown.
Instead of slowing to a halt when he gets near the ball, so he can pick it up, he’ll just carry on running at full tilt, and, when he reaches it, he just splays all four legs out to the ground, ‘bottoming out’.
This is how he stops.
Sometimes, though, he’ll try and pick it up whilst cornering around it. Still at full pelt, obviously – these attempts usually end with him doing handstands or falling over sideways. (The sheer hilarity of watching him do this... you have to see it to believe how funny he looks!)
So, glossing over the rather obvious retardedness of our dog, it can be said that we’re used to watching him limp and hobble.
However, we’ve noticed that he’s got what looks like a permanent limp.
I say ‘limp’; it’s not a limp, in that you can’t see him favouring a leg or anything. The only thing you can see is a faint ‘nod’ with his head as he walks.
My thinking is that he probably pulled something quite badly ages ago, and has never fully rested whatever it was, and so it has ‘mended funny’ (technical term, that).
He doesn’t demonstrate pain or limps; just this slight ‘nod’ when walking sometimes.
He still runs/plays/jumps/falls over with the same careless abandon – it doesn’t affect him in any adverse way that we can see.
I could take him to the vet, but he only does it sometimes. For example, when he spots another dog and he walks in an alert manner, the nod goes. And walking anywhere where people other than us can see him, the nod goes. Asking him to walk towards you so that you can try and see which leg might be causing it, the nod goes.
Hip dysplasia scares me... but doesn’t that come with an obvious sign of difficulty in walking/mobilising?
It can depend on the degree of hip dyplasia as to the extent of signs but there are many other possibilities.
Difficult to advise but assuming your dog is vaccinated annually this would be an ideal time for a full vet assessment and discussion of symptoms, videoing your dog can be very helpful.
Difficult to advise but assuming your dog is vaccinated annually this would be an ideal time for a full vet assessment and discussion of symptoms, videoing your dog can be very helpful.
Soft tissue injuries can take an age to heal - especially if he won't rest it. They are usually worse after resting too. Not saying this is what it is, just that sometimes even minor injuries can take a long time.
He will be nodding when placing weight on the good leg. The other thing you could maybe to is have a good feel of the leg and a manipulate of the joints to see if there is any stiffness, pain or heat.
He will be nodding when placing weight on the good leg. The other thing you could maybe to is have a good feel of the leg and a manipulate of the joints to see if there is any stiffness, pain or heat.
This was a cat, but I am just wondering if it's just a bad habit he/she has got.
The cat had been attacked by the local feral Tom, and had a nasty would to it's paw, requiring antibiotics.
The Vet told me that it should clear up after a few weeks, but if not to bring her back.
Sure enough, she was still limping, so I took her back.
The vet took her out of the basket, put her on the floor, and off she walked, limp free-WTF?
He said in effect she was trying it on with me, that will be £20 please.
Even months later, if she had nicked food and I shouted at her, up would come the 'sore' paw for sympathy, grr....
The cat had been attacked by the local feral Tom, and had a nasty would to it's paw, requiring antibiotics.
The Vet told me that it should clear up after a few weeks, but if not to bring her back.
Sure enough, she was still limping, so I took her back.
The vet took her out of the basket, put her on the floor, and off she walked, limp free-WTF?
He said in effect she was trying it on with me, that will be £20 please.
Even months later, if she had nicked food and I shouted at her, up would come the 'sore' paw for sympathy, grr....
Our lab did a similar thing back last year when sliding into the ground to get his ball. The limp was faint but you could see it now and again. It took some willpower but we managed to keep him from any strenuous exercise for 3-4 weeks and it cleared up altogether.
I try my best to dummy him when throwing the ball now but he's far too clever and spots it everytime
I try my best to dummy him when throwing the ball now but he's far too clever and spots it everytime
Thanks for replying, folks.
I've got some videos of him whilst he's got 'the nod' quite badly (stint at the beach on friday seems to have worsened it again) - he's due his boosters soon, so will whip out the videos when we've got the vet appointment!
Until then, it's walking only for the ginger fathead (no 'fetch'), and 'shaking' toys instead of 'catching' toys.
Thanks for the top tips - and ladies, thank you.
I've got some videos of him whilst he's got 'the nod' quite badly (stint at the beach on friday seems to have worsened it again) - he's due his boosters soon, so will whip out the videos when we've got the vet appointment!
Until then, it's walking only for the ginger fathead (no 'fetch'), and 'shaking' toys instead of 'catching' toys.
Thanks for the top tips - and ladies, thank you.
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