Limping?
I adopted a rescue corgi/shiba inu mix yesterday who has "special needs" - mainly, his "ACL" was torn (paperwork says "previous injury to his left cranial cruiate ligament") which was operated on at time of injury (Extracapsular Repair) but that the left knee joint developed arthritis as a result of the injury and surgery. The paperwork continues to say that the arthritis can cause "lameness, limping, and pain. Weight loss, regular exercise, physical therapy, joint supplements, and anti-inflammatory pain medication will help minimize signs of arthritis".
However, last night on his walk Leo didn't seem injured at all. At times I could tell he walked a bit strangely but he never limped or seemed in pain - in fact, he wanted to run around almost everywhere and I had to keep trying to slow him down.
This morning, he was back to his running around antics again until we got halfway to the park - about 7-10 minutes into the walk - and he randomly started limping and didn't want to walk any more. In fact, it was like he wanted me to carry him home.
We turned around to head home and after a few minutes he was back to walking/almost running like there was nothing wrong. What gives?
Was he actually in pain? He wasn't whimpering at all. I've read on here about corgis who limp for attention and I'm wondering if he's mad about being kennelled all night or if this is a real show of his injury? It just appeared and disappeared so suddenly.
Where's the happy medium between regular exercise and taking care of his injury? They say regular exercise will help, but I'm worried about that. Plus, he's a whopping 43 pounds - practically 20 lbs overweight - so I want to walk him regularly to help him lose weight, but am I risking too much damage to him by doing this?
Obviously I will of course ask the vet these questions but I wanted some opinions here too. (: thanks!! Sorry this got so long!!
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
-
Sparty partially tore his CL a few years ago and for a variety of good reasons we did not chose surgery. He also has arthritis in that knee. We walk 2 to 3 times a day and it varies between 1/2 hour and an hour and he does very well. I keep his weight down with green beans as a supplement with a 1/3 cup of food twice a day and he rarely overdoes it enough to limp. If I were you I would get a quality low cal food and add a cup of green beans at least once a day until he loses some of that weight. As for exercise you really have to take a cue from him as to distance by making walks more frequent and shorter. Also, curtail the jumping as much as possible. Good luck with him, you have done a wonderful thing by rescuing him.
-
Permalink Reply by Heather Mason on
-
Sounds like the biggest problem for him now is the weight then. Thanks for the tip (: I went and got green beans just now! fingers crossed that he loses that extra weight.
-
Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on
-
First question is: how long ago was the surgery?
Seanna tore hers last year and had the same surgery. After her 12 weeks of confinement, we slowly worked back up to regular routine. She still limps sometimes from a bone spur in her arthritis that catches sometimes. It may be that, or it's possible if the meniscus was torn that they only took part of it out and it could be catching. I give Seanna Previcoxx when she limps, but it's hardly ever anymore. I also have a corgi that tore his about a year ago, and has severe arthritis. He gets Previcoxx every day, and they both get Dasaquin daily.
The most important part is getting the weight off. If he limps only sporadically, then I wouldn't be too worried. If it's a pretty daily thing, then he needs to be looked at again. Go slow with exercise. If you have a hydrotherapy area close, I'd look into doing that also. It will help strengthen his leg, is low impact, and great exercise at the same time. Email me if you have more questions--good luck!
-
-
The surgery was in 2008 according to his papers. But since it all happened before I knew Leo I have no way of knowing how he did with the surgery or how he was treated afterwards or anything so it's been guesswork.
He hasn't limped today since then and he's been on another (longer) walk so I'll definitely monitor him and see if it keeps up. thanks very much! so walking is considered "low impact", right? He loves to run around but I try pretty hard to keep him from doing too much of it. I think also his last family didn't discourage him from jumping up/down from things because he tries to do it a lot. ): so that's a tough habit to break.
Rescue Store
Stay Connected
FDA Recall
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall
Groups
We support...
Badge
© 2024 Created by Sam Tsang.
Powered by
