I have an 18 month old Labrador bitch. In recent weeks I have noticed that she does an occasional skip always with her back left leg. When I say occasional it normally only happens two or three times on an hour walk and seems to occur only when she is going from a walk to a trot. In addition it only happens when she is walking on stony or rough paths, never on a tarred surface or on grass. Anyone else encountered this problem?
Hi Presuming you have checked between the pads to make sure there isn’t something sticking in it sounds like she is choosing not to weight bear on that leg because it hurts to. Even if intermittently. I would get it checked out by a vet given the many joint problems labs can have.
If the paw is ok, I would get the vet to check her, especially her knees as luxuriating patella is a common cause of occasional hopping.
Thanks folks. Just back from the Vet. She got a good examination and the Vet couldn't find anything immediately wrong. Certainly not in pain during a rigorous work over. Just have to ease up on her hard ground walking for a little while and only go back for an X ray if the condition gets worse.
