Limping on hind left leg?

[Marine4lifedoc]

I have 5 yr old female Cane Corso approximately 95lbs that has been limping for a few days now on her left hind leg, I plan on taking her to vetbut I was just seeing what I may be in-store for. She hasn't been in pain and is getting up and down fine and bunny hoping just once in while running up the stairs but she has always done that and play with the other corso I have.

 

[musicdeb]

So many reasons for limping in a 5 yr old, i.e. torn ligament, arthritis or hip/leg injury. Titan is 5 yrs old and he started limping on front left foot and had a lump on the elbow. I knew it hygroma but hygroma does not cause limping. Took him to the vet and he said it was torn ligament or arthritis and prescribed Novox. Titan improved after day 1 on Novox so vet said it was arthritis but I had to limit his exercise for 3 weeks in case it was a torn ligament.

I researched Novox and it has some very serious side effects with little warning before death. After extensive research and what I felt was best for Titan, I started him on Arthramine (1000 mg), Glucosamine (1000 mg) and 5-6 baby aspirin per day. This combo worked the same for Titan as the Novox. The only side effect I could find in the combo is baby aspirin can cause internal bleeding on rare occasions but as long as you give the meds with a meal, it should be ok. Titan has been on this combo for a month because I stopped the Novox after 5 days, I had to order the Arthramine.

I would recommend a vet check just to be sure of the diagnosis but be aware they usually prescribe Rimadyl (Novox is the generic).

Keep us posted.

BTW, welcome aboard to you and your girl. What is her name?

 

[QY10]

If it is a torn ligament then she will need assistance getting up and down stairs and on and off furniture, even if you're just helping to guide her slowly. She should not be jumping, running or playing rough. A torn ligament can be a long road to recovery, so if it is indeed a ligament issue, she will need to be on a restrictive activity regime for possibly months. Welcome to the forum. Your girl is very beautiful.

 

[Marine4lifedoc]

Thanks for the help guys, I made a appointment with the vet for tomorrow. Her name is Nala

 

[musicdeb]

Keep us posted on the vet's diagnosis for Miss Nala.

 

[Marine4lifedoc]

Well she has partial torn ACL but not bad enough to require surgery but the Doc said there's no saying when it will blow, it could be tomorrow or yr from now they also said she has very minor hip dysplasia. So they but her on Tramadol,carprofen and dasaquin to keep her comfortable. I truly don't what to do if when she blows out her acl totally because the price for surgery is to steep they quoted me from $3,000-$6,000.

 

[musicdeb]

Man, I'm so sorry to hear this. Keep her as comfortable as possible and limit her exercise is the best you can do at this point. Carprofen is a generic of Rimadyl, please check the side effects because they are quite serious.

Hope she's going to be ok and doesn't cause her ACL to completely tear.

 

[Smokeycat]

If you do a search for ACL/CCL tears I remember someone posted some links on how to rehab a tear without surgery.

 

[Siloh]

Search for "Hamlet Partially Tore His ACL"--I'm on a mobile and having a helluva time linking.

If surgery does become necessary at any point in the future, I would look for different quotes... My vet quoted me $700 for a torn ACL.

Did your vet say it absolutely WILL blow? From the research the folks here collected on the thread I quoted, it seems like a partial tear can heal up quite well with proper rest and restricted exercise.

QY10 is dealing with the same thing. It seems like it's the month of the knee injuries.

 

[angelbears]

Non-Surgical Treatment

Great site for non surgical options. You really need to start restricted activity now. A minor tear will heal on its own unless you allow her to romp on it, jump up, go up stairs, ect...

Phycox is my favorite but there are many. Read the reviews at Amazon. Link is below. Use this or something similar.

Amazon.com : PhyCox Soft Chews (120 ct) : Pet Bone And Joint Supplements : Pet Supplies

 

[QY10]

You might want to look into hydrotherapy for your girl if it is indeed a ligament issue. Hydrotherapy can provide much needed exercise as well as strengthening and promoting the healing of the ligament without your dog having to apply pressure to it through walking.