I am really scared. We have a 6 month old chocolate lab. He's really an incredible guy. He's extremely active and just loves everyone and everything. So full of life. But a couple of weeks ago, we started noticing a limp and it seems like his front right leg is the one affected. The limp is EXTREMELY minor. We often don't even see it and have to point it out when we show other people. When we brought him to the vet, they said "I thought you said he was limping". It's very minor. However, the vet got him to walk in a tight circle in both directions. And when he goes one way, that's when the limp becomes a bit more obvious. It doesn't seem to affect his energy levels. We have been cutting down on his hikes over the past couple weeks, though (he hates us for it lol). The limp is worse right after he gets up from a nap and isn't noticeable once he gets moving. It seems to be improving (but, like I said, it was hardly noticeable to begin with). We are getting his muscle lazered at the vet (harmless "procedure"... it just warms his muscles. Humans use it). We are thinking of getting an X-ray soon (even though the vet told us to wait a couple months). We do have pet insurance. I am just so scared if it's elbow dysplasia. Will he live with pain his entire life? Is it treatable? Will he have a normal pain-free life? Is it really expensive (selfish, I know)?
Hi there, @pianoplaya94 Welcome to the forum. First of all, try not to panic. Go along with your vet's recommendation of restricted exercise to see if any inflammation calms down. Shorter walks a few times a day are better than longer ones -though as your pup is only 6 months you're probably not doing long walks anyway. (though a couple of months seems a long time, I would have thought weeks not months, but just my opinion) It might be a pull or a strain and will go away in time. However, you may want to talk to your vet about pain relief, Labradors are incredibly good at masking pain, so a limp is a sign he might be in some discomfort. There are excellent, safe painkillers available for both short and long term use. Yes, an xray may be in order, though a CT scan would give the best diagnosis - there are various types of ED, and this would help to be more precise about any treatment. My dog has lived with severe ED in both elbows for most of his life (he's now 4). It is managed through all sorts of things - painkillers, supplements, cartrophen, acupuncture, laser, some restriction of exercise - but the most important thing I was told by two different ortho surgeons was to have a slim dog, ideally a thin dog. There are many forum members on here whose dogs have had successful surgery for ED - but try not to think of this right now - see what the diagnosis is first. And even if it is ED, you may not need surgery at all, at least not for a long time. It's great you have Insurance - hopefully this should cover most of your treatment, it depends on your cover. I have to pay for all Monty's hydrotherapy as my plan only offered 10 sessions per condition. You may want to consider visiting a specialist vet if it continues as they deal with ED day in and day out. What's his name, can you post a photo of him? Keep us updated. From Natalie and Chocolate lab Monty
I would not be waiting a couple of months, no. I think that's terrible advice. I would get it X-rayed or scanned immediately. In cases of problems, early diagnosis gives you a far better chance of a long-term successful outcome. As @leejane says, ED isn't unmanageable and many dogs lead full lives with it, sometimes without surgical intervention. But you DO need to get it looked at ASAP. If it turns out it's just a sprain then you won't have wasted your money - you'll have saved yourself a huge amount of worry.
I've just re-read your post, and noticed that he's already had this 2 weeks - sorry missed that first time - so, yes, I'd agree with @snowbunny and get an xray sooner rather than later. From memory, when I went to my vet first time about a limp, he had an xray within 48 hours of being examined.
Thanks for your reply! Yes, my mom and I agree that we should get him X-rayed soon. We may go on Friday or early next week. The waiting is the worst part, though :/
Like @leejane I have a girl with ED. First symptoms seen at 5 months and operated on at 8 months (she responded to restricted exercise initially). At 3.5 years we had to resort to Cartrophen injections although our specialist had thought 12 months most likely. We also have regular hydrotgerapy sessions. We live a pretty normal life although with more management on exercise and weight and there are some activities we would never participate in i.e. agility but apart from that we jyst carry on as normal. Don't wait for x-rays, get them done asap and make sure they are reviewed by a specialist. ED takes several forms and different forms of treatment and you gave insurance which should help with bills - my insurance (in France at the time) refused to pay and now really struggle to get insurance in the UK.
Hi. I echo everyone else’s suggestion about getting X-rays sooner rather than later. Last year my girl was limping quite a bit, even after restricted exercise for 2 weeks. We had her X-rays done and luckily didn’t show anything concerning. I pay to get her massaged once a month by a dog massage therapist and since then she hasn’t had any limping issues. Fingers crossed yours is the same.
I posted b Hi I posted before with the same problem! My black 6 month old has just been x rayed and initially vet said it all looked OK. About 8 hours later he said he thought he should get a CT scan in case it was ED. A few hours later and it's possible ED and we should act immediately and think about surgery!! We're very scared as not sure what to do next! A lot of you on here say you have managed your labs with pain management but our vet is making us feel like we're 'bad parents' if we don't go ahead with surgery. Oh, actually hasn't been confirmed as ED yet so getting second opinion. Last thing we want is him to go through surgery for no reason!!
Hi @Jo Maddison I know, it can be really scary. for some dogs, surgery is the very best and only option, @Pilatelover has been through this and her story with Mabel has a happy ending. As it happens, both pilatelover and myself saw the same ortho vet surgeon at the same centre, both of us had dogs with severe ED, but the treatment plan for us has been very different, because ED covers a multitude of sins and surgery won't always be right, or even possible. But a CT scan is usually imperative for understanding the full extent of the problem. If you don't trust your vet, find another one. My go-to vet specialises in physio and rehabilitation for dogs with joint problems, and I trust her implicitly, but she would send us straight to a surgeon for further investigation if she thought it necessary, and probably , another CT scan. You know your dog better than anyone, if he's limping, he's in some discomfort, and this needs some treatment. Good luck, keep us updated, and we'll be here as a virtual shoulder to cry on if it gets too stressful.
Welcome to the forum, I would echo what others have said @leejane so rightly says Mabel’s story has a happy ending it could have been so different if my vets hadn’t acted quickly. I’d get a X-ray done ASAP. Good luck xx
Hi guys! So we just heard back from the vet who said the X-rays showed very minor OCD in his right shoulder The elbows were good. They said the outcome from surgery would be very good for him so now waiting for the ortho surgeon to call us. This is very upsetting and I hope it all works out well.
Good news about the elbows, I'm sorry about the shoulder. Sounds like you have a bit of a plan now with your next appointment, keep us updated.
Oh goodness, that's not what you wanted to hear... Still, if it's very minor they may be able to just do arthroscopic work... Fingers crossed for you.
