Anyone a Veterinarian

[Mayfriday0529]

I have a Dog and a question about a problem he is having, and want to get an Idea on what I should expect before I take him to the Vet.

I have a Cocker Spaniel, he is 7 years old and some days lately he has trouble walking with his front right leg and some days he is fine. When he is having those bad days, it?s really hard to take out for walks since he doesn't want to go out and you have to force him.

7 years old seems too early for him to have some type of arthritis problem.

 

[monk3y]

*note* I am by no means a vet...

Have you checked his nails? In the past I've had a situation with my dog where his nails were slightly too long and I guess it cracked and it caused him some pain. The crack might not be visible but you might be able to see a more pronounced red area high on the nail.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

He could also have something stuck in or between his pads.

But at seven years old, arthritis wouldn't surprise me.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Originally posted by: monk3y
*note* I am by no means a vet...

Have you checked his nails? In the past I've had a situation with my dog where his nails were slightly too long and I guess it cracked and it caused him some pain. The crack might not be visible but you might be able to see a more pronounced red area high on the nail.

Yeah, double check it, look for any small rocks stuck on his foot and found nothing. He has had this recurring problem on and off for few years, usually last like one day, but recently its more often and I think he gets depressed and doesn't want to do anything.

 

[torpid]

I would expect them to x-ray the leg, and possibly check for organ-related issues.

I'm assuming your dog does not get vaccinations in that leg, right?

Keep in mind that dogs and cats are good at hiding minor pain, so if your dog is so uncomfortable that he doesn't like doing basic daily activities, he is likely suffering quite a bit during these episodes.

 

[WildHorse]

I'm not a vet.

My dog (female standard poodle) had a similar walking problem, also with rf leg like your dog.

Eventually it was discoveed that it was a foxtail that went into her foot, and had worked its way high up inside her leg.

4 vet visits & over $1,000 later the vet finally diagnosed the problem & removed the foxtail from just below her "elbow." I now have that foxtail scotch taped to a piece of paper. It's a really small sized one.

So, has your dog been where foxtails grow? One run across an unmowed lawn is all it takes to pick one up.

With foxtails, there's no externally visible sign that one's in there, except for your dog's obvious suffering.