Need your opinions on limping dog

[road kill]

You can't rule out every thing with x-rays. The likely problem Dr Ed mentioned involves partial or complete tears of ligaments and miniscus damage if present. Good ortho vet can detect tears by manual manipulation of the joint to detect abnormal drawer motion. If the surgeon has a good reputation you will have to trust their conclusion from these exams. You could confirm via mri but most people dont bother due to expense.
Good luck

This is what we went thru.
The "drawer test" found patellar luxation.

Best wishes for you and your pup!

[Chuck Ward]

You might also want to check for tick born disease. Lyme and anaplasmosis will cause lameness off and on in my experience.

[vstoddard]

thanks everyone, I am taking all your advice to the orthopedic surgeon. I will let you know what he finds and his recommendations. I am also going to ask for references if surgery is needed from others that have gone through this with there pets.

[Old School Labs]

Dr. Ed,
PM sent about this issue with Casey.

[vstoddard]

bump for update!

[Meleagris1]

You might also want to check for tick born disease. Lyme and anaplasmosis will cause lameness off and on in my experience.

Absolutely, not sure what Ticks commonly carry in OK but here in the northeast checking for tick borne disease would be step no. 1. My dog had this exact issue when he was 1.5, thought the limping was just an injury he suffered a training, but just to cover all the bases I had my Vet test for Lyme and it was positive. Put him on doxycycline and he was fine.

[vstoddard]

Thanks, i forgot to mention this. I will set up an appt with my vet to see about getting this test done.

Absolutely, not sure what Ticks commonly carry in OK but here in the northeast checking for tick borne disease would be step no. 1. My dog had this exact issue when he was 1.5, thought the limping was just an injury he suffered a training, but just to cover all the bases I had my Vet test for Lyme and it was positive. Put him on doxycycline and he was fine.

[fishduck]

I would advise you to start your dog on joint supplements. Although this issue is probably not hip related, the possibility of arthritic changes with a less than stellar hip socket is real. Hope this issue is behind you