Help with my chows limp

Health topics and issues with Chow Chows.

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Nic1308
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Help with my chows limp

Post by Nic1308 »

Hi guys,

Rex is only 7 months old and has had limp problems for a while. We first noticed the limp early as 4 months and its his front leg affected, its just a slight limp and it comes and goes, it seems to have dissapeared when the vet gave him loxycome 3 months ago but a 7 month pup shouldnt be on medication everyday, hes been on this for 3 months, when he came off it his limp started up again so the vet put him back on it.

2 months ago rex wouldnt put his back left leg down, it came on suddenly and around his hawk area he squeeled when anyone touched it and he couldnt walk on it. This cleared up within 3-4 days and then he was absolutley fine. 2 days ago it returned on his back left leg and he wouldnt put his leg down again but this time its not sore to touch. He can hardly walk on it again.

Hes had xrays done on all legs on the joints and blood taken but nothing is showing up and everything looks fine. The vet wasnt happy because everytime he tried to straighten all of rexys legs out he showed signs of uneasieness and pain, but i would show signs of that if he tried to straighten out my legs the way he done to rex. I feel the vets we went to have not dealt with any chow chows before.

Could anyone recomend vets that are familiar with chow chows and have dealt with this breed before in the glasgow area or even in scotland? im not happy with rexys progress. Or has anyone else heard of these problems in chow chows?
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maikinda
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Re: Help with my chows limp

Post by maikinda »

Has your vet checked him for Lymes disease? There is a group on Facebook called Chow Health you could join and ask if anyone has any ideas. There are a lot experienced chow people in the group.

Hope you find out what is wrong with your puppy.

Laura
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Laura
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Re: Help with my chows limp

Post by Laura »

If it were me I would search for an orthopedic vet (specialist) in your area and do as Laura suggested above. Heck I want to join the chow health Facebook site! I didn't know about it.
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Nic1308
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Re: Help with my chows limp

Post by Nic1308 »

Thanks for your answers rex has been refered to a specialist on the 24th of August, ill let yous know his outcome i really hope its not serious.
Nic1308
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Re: Help with my chows limp

Post by Nic1308 »

Rex had the specialist and the specialist said he had a ruptured knee ligament. He doesnt want to opperate as rexys growth plates arent closed yet and he was showing signs of improvement.

He is fine walking around the house and shows no sign of limping etc. When he goes out long beach walks etc then comes home and lies on his leg for a while before he gets up he is in agony and so stiff he doesnt want to put his leg down or walk on it. This lasts the whole day and when he does begin to walk it seems to ease off and go away.

Does anyone know ways i can help him without surgery or has anyone been in the same situation?

Thanks
Rory's Dad
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Re: Help with my chows limp

Post by Rory's Dad »

Since there doesn't appear to be any immediate rush to surgery, I would recommend that you try a glucosamine supplement. You can get a soft chew online at most pet suppliers. I use it regularly and crumble it onto the dogs food. I have two chows that have had joint or ligament issues and it seems to make a difference. I also have a pill version that is advertised as a pain relief formula that I use when one of the dogs is actually limping. It still is a glucosamine base but has a few other natural ingredients added. On occasion, I also mix in a pet aspirin.

Surgery is a tough decision. If you can get ahead of it with the supplement you may be able to avoid. Since you know he has an issue, I would also avoid those long walks. You know that they exacerbate the issue. Many minor injuries can heal themselves, but require rest and limited activity. Two of my three Chows injured themselves jumping off furniture onto slick hardwood floors. To avoid similar results with my youngest dog we don't allow him on the couch or beds.
Paintmaster
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Re: Help with my chows limp

Post by Paintmaster »

My chow peanut went out for a walk today around the block. She goes by herself sometimes. Before anyone blastdt me she is well trained and knows everyone in the neighborhood. She came back in 5 min she laid down to sleep for a while. I cooked her dinner like every night I noticed a pretty bad limp on her left back leg. I moved all her joints and rubed her leg down. It seemed to help a little. But im thinking back and other people noticed her in there words hurt leg..I haven't noticed anything that was not usually. I looked up the limp and got to your page. Is this sûmthing usual? What should I do?
Rory's Dad
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Re: Help with my chows limp

Post by Rory's Dad »

Pretty generic description, but has it improved over the past couple days?

Could really be anything without further inspection. She could have broken a nail (sounds like a joke, but it can be painful), or have something lodged in or between the paw pads. Could just be that the weather is turning colder and the joint is a bit stiff. More severe guesses could involve a ligament injury or joint issues. Since nobody witnessed anything, and you don't mention her age or any prior problems, its just speculation.
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