Corgi Limp in Back Right Leg

I've been quite concerned this past week, as Bailey had started to acquire a limp this past weekend randomly after playing or even after lounging. It is on her right leg, and the limping was worse this weekend, but she now seems to be walking/running okay, just still favoring the left leg and putting less pressure on the right. I've taken her for a long walk today to see how she was feeling, and no limp. When we got home tonight though, she woke up from a short nap and I noticed she was still slightly favoring the other leg again. I've looked through the health forums here, and it doesn't seem as if she could have hurt her leg because when I touch it she doesn't yelp or shows signs of pain. She's definitely a lot better this week, but she still seems like she's putting less pressure on her right foot. I'm worried that it could be hip dysplasia? I'm considering taking her in for an x-ray, but I don't want to overreact and go through a round of tests for the vet to tell me she is fine. Does anyone know if there are more obvious signs of hip displaysia? Could it be something else? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Nicole & Bailey

***UPDATE 2/6/10***

After watching Bailey for a few months, the limp in her hind right leg came back. We took her to a Orthopedic specialist yesterday (Apparently one of the best ortho vets specializing in small breeds in Southern California-Dr. Olds) and got x-rays done. He palpated her hip and leg area for a while, but Bailey only started to yelp when he touched the area around her knee. We took at look at the X-rays and he informed us that it was not hip dysplaysia as we had suspected. He said that if it were a German Shep or a larger breed dog, he would be concerned about the hips, but they looked normal for a Corgi. However, he compared both right and left knee, and noticed that her right knee had a lot of fluid in it compared to the other. He said he is not sure if it is genetic or if she had injured it playing, but that her ligament was attached slightly lower than normal on her right knee and there may be a partial tear due to the strain. He suspected a partial ACL tear, but would need to confirm with the radiologist next week. If it is an ACL tear, we would have to consider surgical options. Are there any corgi parents out there who have gone through this, had surgery, or opted for conservative management? Is this something that could eventually heal on it's own? What is the best way to go in your experience? The vet has given us Rimadyl (anti-inflammatory medication) to be given to Bailey for the next 2 weeks, and it already looks like her pain is letting up. However, I don't want to have her on meds forever. Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)

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Permalink Reply by Bailey on February 7, 2010 at 2:24am

Yes, that is good advice, but it is so hard limiting their activity since corgis are so active! haha The vet did say that corgis have a unique bone structure, where their bones are bowed out a little more than others due to their stature. Hopefully with lots of rest Bailey will be back to normal and running around like the little crazy corgi she used to be :) I just feel so bad interrupting her daily FRAP!

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Permalink Reply by Alice on February 8, 2010 at 1:10pm

Can this happen with back legs too or just front?

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Permalink Reply by Ray Lee on February 8, 2010 at 8:24am

Our 4 year old male tear his ACL right before christmas after running in the park, after 2 consultations and 3 weeks on anti-inflammatory with much improvement. We were referred to a top orthopedic locally who determined that it was a partial tear of his ACL. We had the TTA surgery 4 weeks now. He is walking normally now but we are still restricting his activity per the vet's advice as the bone are not yet 100% heal. Complete healing takes 16 weeks but normal activity can be resumed in 12 weeks.
All the best to Bailey.