Over the past few months Harley has been having massage therapy because we noticed she seemed stiff in her back legs at times. The therapist has told me that some of the muscles in her legs had stuck together, but is slowly easing. Also, she has had a lot of tension in her back and legs. She gets walked for an hour to hour and a half every day and we do agility weekly which she is very good at. She is a very fit girl and doesn't ever show when she is in pain. We have been to the vet as she had 2 episodes on limping and they suggested rest and see how she was (Sep & Nov 2016). The vets have said they can't feel anything, but are hesitant to X-ray her as she is still quite wary at the vets. The massage therapy has helped, but we are still have periods when she appears to be quite stiff and I think she is in pain, but as said earlier, really doesn't show pain. My question is, should I push for an X-ray? Or does anyone have any other suggestions?
Oh Harley! You are such a tough nut aren't you? I would push for an Xray, I know Harley is nervous at the vets, and that is worrying for you, but I think the peace of mind would be worth it.
I'd go for x-rays, CT scans, the lot. I understand that Harley might not be happy at the vet's - I do get that. But, throughout all of Charlie's joint troubles one thing I'm completely sure of is that early treatment helped and he's a billions times better off for it. He lives a pretty normal life, despite everything, and I'm sure early and effective treatment is responsible for that. Everything crossed for this being nothing, and Harley is as right as rain in no time.
Hmmmm. Well, I think that until you get an X-ray you will always be worrying and wondering whether you should get an X-ray. So I think you should go ahead and get an X-ray, and get it over with. It will either show nothing (in which case you can stop thinking about that) or something (in which case you can do something about it). Poor girl, she may be unhappy at the vet's but it will soon be done, and she'll forget about it the next day. Whereas if there really is something wrong, you could start treating it now and that will be of benefit to her for ever. So yes, go for the X-ray. And then get over here as soon as she's up and about and I GUARANTEE that Pongers will help her forget about nasty vet stuff! Tummy rubs to the gorgeous girl...
I know Lilly's HD could not be diagnosed clinically either by our local vet or the orthopaedic vet, though the specialist at least had the suspicion. So at least the specialist x-rayed her hips, whereas up until the referral the suspicion was that she had a knee problem. Essentially what I am saying is, until an x-ray is done for starters, you won't know. Until we established the cause, we were resting Lilly, which was actually the wrong thing. We haven't needed treatment, but at least we know, and we are prepared. Ignorance isn't bliss in this case.
Thanks all. I am going to call the vets on Monday and arrange an appointment to discuss it. Even my OH who thinks I sometimes worry too much thinks we need to investigate as especially tonight she has been walking very stiff again. I will let you know what the vet says.
Best of luck - and paws crossed here that it's nothing or something easily solved. Either way, it'll put your mind at rest - and that's worth it.
Good, hope all goes well. It will be better to have it investigated, particularly if you think she's in pain at times.
Sorry to hear. And so difficult not knowing. Snowie had stiffness, would stretch like a cat and then walk in that position to his next sleeping place. We suspected everything except a slipped lumbar disc. Until we visited the specialist orthopaedic vet who diagnosed the slipped lumbar disc with his fingers by pressing all along Snowie's spine until Snowie cried out -- horrible to hear! but the vet said it was the only way he'd know, he needed Snowie to "talk" to him. He ordered the x-rays and CT scan for his spine and all joints (we requested the joints). Joints came back within normal range (normal wear and tear for his age) and the problem was clearly identified in his spine. While it was awful acknowledging our boy had a slipped disc, it helped us with a plan of action, and I can happily say that a year on, Snowie's back problems have improved dramatically and he does not appear to be in any pain in that regard. And we are relieved at least that we don't need to worry about his hips and elbow joints. (Now, if only all his other health issues would sort themselves out, if only the vet had a frequent flyer rewards program!) Your girl will be sedated for the x-rays/scans, so at least she won't be aware of what is going on.
A worry for you Naya, good luck, I really hope it's nothing serious. At least your mind will be put at rest. Fingers and paws crossed here for lovely Harley xxx
Hi Naya, hope it all goes well for you and Harley at the vets. I do second what others have said in that until you have X-rays you won't really know what you're dealing with. If she is nervous they will be aware of that and try to make her stay as easy for her as possible, they might try to put her somewhere quieter than normal kennels or let you stay with her until they sedate her and let you take her home asap after she wakes up. I know that with Penny I am so glad I pushed for early X-rays as it meant we could work preventatively by anticipating that she would have joint problems in the future and working now to get her in top condition with physio, joint supplements, weight management etc to try and delay the onset of symptoms.
We've been to the vets this morning. They couldn't examine Harley properly as she stiffens her whole body when they try. She didn't sit in the corner this time which is an improvement. The vet agrees we need to X-ray as its been going on for a few months - she's been having physio to try and help. It has helped, but is still having stiff days too often for my liking. She is booked in for X-rays on Friday this week. They have agreed to let me stay with her until she's sedated. They will do it in a consulting room and leave her with me until she dozes off and will call me as soon as she wakes up. Will update you all then.
