- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Kipper’s got a limp
- Thread starter HAH
- Start date
Thanks for asking Kate
we were just reflecting it’s been a week since his scans. To recap, he’s on anti-inflammatories for the next 4/5 weeks, very low exercise and concerted weight loss. We haven’t seen any clear limping although the odd nod which has made us think ‘did we see that?’. Weight loss is going well, we’re seeing a few ribs occasionally...when he’s sniffing...at the right angle 
All in all it’s going as well as can be hoped; not a miracle cure, but heading in a positive direction
He’s bright as a new pin but also more settled, which is lovely.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Baby steps all the way, sounding positive for him and you too xx
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
That sounds positive. Lovely to hear he is more settled. Xc
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Fingers crossed here too
- Location
- East Sussex
Thanks for asking @Joy ! Well, we’re not counting chickens but we’re confident weight loss has shown a significant improvement for him. He hasn’t shown a noticeable limp (touching all accessible wood) for several months now. He’s moving differently - a lot more fluidly, with sureness and more flexibility in his turns and twists. He’s stronger and has more defined form, even though we’re doing less with him in terms of long walks, but I’ve been working in balance, physical problem solving and low strength activities (like walking through the river for kibble). He’s also so much more comfortable in his behaviour and temperament which is surprising and lovely. And finally his appetite is a lot better, with fantastic kickable (autocorrect wanted to make that lickable) poos. We celebrate each one!
Once we’re out of lockdown we’ll consult our local physio vet as I’m sure there’s protective work we can be doing to help for the long term. But in summary, we’re in a far better place
Once we’re out of lockdown we’ll consult our local physio vet as I’m sure there’s protective work we can be doing to help for the long term. But in summary, we’re in a far better place
- Location
- East Sussex
That sounds very good!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Good news! And doesn't everyone want a lickable poo?! 
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Great news @HAH. I 'm pleased he is feeling more comfortable, well done!
I did lots of stuff with Cassie as a puppy/young dog to keep her somewhere near me
but gradually as she got older it slipped out of mind.
But through the winter I became aware that longer walks in the wet were not only not so good for me but also not doing that much for Cassie. Really her outings are all about the opportunity to use her nose, and it very wet weather she just doesn't. So I have found that going out and doing the "search the kibble" things and some memory/blind retrieving is far more enjoyable and satisfying for us both, combined with a couple of good long walks over the course of a week.
It's interesting I think how much this does for them. Well, perhaps I should say how easy to forget the importance!
I did lots of stuff with Cassie as a puppy/young dog to keep her somewhere near me
but gradually as she got older it slipped out of mind.But through the winter I became aware that longer walks in the wet were not only not so good for me but also not doing that much for Cassie. Really her outings are all about the opportunity to use her nose, and it very wet weather she just doesn't. So I have found that going out and doing the "search the kibble" things and some memory/blind retrieving is far more enjoyable and satisfying for us both, combined with a couple of good long walks over the course of a week.
Hmm, so this was wishful thinking 
The last couple of months Kipper's limp has been intermittent - never more than 2 [on a severity scale of 0=low to 10=worst we've ever seen it], and normally after a recogniseable big jump, or trip, or whatever. It will improve after an hour or so, and disappear after half a day - but sadly not gone.
We took him back to the vet this morning, who is going to talk to the orthopedic specialist who saw Kipper last time. Their initial thought is that it is his right elbow which showed mild signs of dysplasia and wear last time, and they may need to re-scan him and maybe move to arthroscopy. They've given us Onsior but said not to give it to Kipper for now in case the consultant wants to see him without meds.
This point about not giving him medication until the consultant decides if he wants to see him really bothers me, as it suggests they're more interested in the potential diagnostic value in seeing a limp (which they've said before - and we know - is not a great way of making any fine tune assessment, and could be done by video) than in the comfort of the patient. If he's limping, he's uncomfortable; and if he's uncomfortable, I'd like him to be made comfortable. So I'm feeling unhappy with the current treatment pathway and keen to explore other options. We want to give him the best chance of being pain free, mobile and happy for as long as possible and surgery may well be part of that, but I'd like whoever is treating him to discuss non-invasive activities alongside this such as massage, physio, IR therapy, targeted muscle development etc. I may well be jumping ahead of myself as this is early days, so who knows.
Anyway, watch this space; and sorry for sounding glum, we have so many on this forum who have and continue to give their dogs the best possible experiences with greater challenges, and I'm learning from all of you - yet again, I'm bally grateful to have your wise heads!
The last couple of months Kipper's limp has been intermittent - never more than 2 [on a severity scale of 0=low to 10=worst we've ever seen it], and normally after a recogniseable big jump, or trip, or whatever. It will improve after an hour or so, and disappear after half a day - but sadly not gone.
We took him back to the vet this morning, who is going to talk to the orthopedic specialist who saw Kipper last time. Their initial thought is that it is his right elbow which showed mild signs of dysplasia and wear last time, and they may need to re-scan him and maybe move to arthroscopy. They've given us Onsior but said not to give it to Kipper for now in case the consultant wants to see him without meds.
This point about not giving him medication until the consultant decides if he wants to see him really bothers me, as it suggests they're more interested in the potential diagnostic value in seeing a limp (which they've said before - and we know - is not a great way of making any fine tune assessment, and could be done by video) than in the comfort of the patient. If he's limping, he's uncomfortable; and if he's uncomfortable, I'd like him to be made comfortable. So I'm feeling unhappy with the current treatment pathway and keen to explore other options. We want to give him the best chance of being pain free, mobile and happy for as long as possible and surgery may well be part of that, but I'd like whoever is treating him to discuss non-invasive activities alongside this such as massage, physio, IR therapy, targeted muscle development etc. I may well be jumping ahead of myself as this is early days, so who knows.
Anyway, watch this space; and sorry for sounding glum, we have so many on this forum who have and continue to give their dogs the best possible experiences with greater challenges, and I'm learning from all of you - yet again, I'm bally grateful to have your wise heads!
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Yeah, that is tough… Is there something shorter acting he can have in the interim to minimise the time he has to be without pain meds?
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
So sorry for the worry Harriet and of course you want what is best for dear Kipper , hugs xx
Lots of love to you and Kipper from me and the boys
Beanwood
Administrator
Oh that is rotten! 
Totally with you on the pain med front though, if he is uncomfortable.. give him medication so he is more comfortable.
Interesting on the course I am on we have been having this very same conversation, around video-ing our dogs to give a bit more information around how they are moving. Free work was discussed at length, so we can see what choices our dogs make, for example using different heights to place treats. We then video at their height.
Totally with you on the pain med front though, if he is uncomfortable.. give him medication so he is more comfortable.
Interesting on the course I am on we have been having this very same conversation, around video-ing our dogs to give a bit more information around how they are moving. Free work was discussed at length, so we can see what choices our dogs make, for example using different heights to place treats. We then video at their height.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
Completely understand your headspace especially as Kipper is still so young. For Hunter we had to have the surgery as part of the cartilage in his joint had not fused and was floating in the joint. By scan I guess you mean MRI?
Unfortunately my Orthopedic surgeon was old fashioned and did not agree that hydrotherapy helped.
We found a vet who specialized in pain rehab and open to all techniques. She basically told us the options available. NSAID's , IR, stemcell, supplements, carpets on floors, Hydro and physio. We also used sonic on his joints.
Regarding pain meds for now. Like @Beanwood says, if he seems uncomfortable give him something now to make him comfortable.
X
Unfortunately my Orthopedic surgeon was old fashioned and did not agree that hydrotherapy helped.
We found a vet who specialized in pain rehab and open to all techniques. She basically told us the options available. NSAID's , IR, stemcell, supplements, carpets on floors, Hydro and physio. We also used sonic on his joints.
Regarding pain meds for now. Like @Beanwood says, if he seems uncomfortable give him something now to make him comfortable.
X
As @Loraseal says there are just so many options for you to consider now, and with more coming online all the time.
Re. Hydro - from memory (and it was a long time ago) I understood it was good for building up more even muscle tone around the joints - so there's no direct benefit to the elbows, but it helps to get a good shoulder structure. And the same for hips, it strengthens those all important supporting muscles around the back end. I'm really surprised your surgeon saw no benefit, that's annoying. I've noticed another benefit recently too - having the same physio see Monty every month and watching how he walks on camera, she picks up on small changes in his gait that we might not notice, and might recommend a week of reduced exercise, for example.