I am new here, l have a five year old chocolate labrador Otis. Recently whilst getting off the couch, he stumbled, his back legs gave way, l took him to the vet, who said there was an issue with his hip joint and has ref ferdinando me to an orthopaedic surgeon, we have an appointment next Friday, where they will do x rays to establish what the problem is. I am quite worried and wonder if it could be his cruciate ligament, anyone know what signs there would be to indicate this? Or maybe it is hip dysplasia, he is on metacam, prescribed by the vet. I would welcome any advice from anyone, thankyou, Maggie and Otis
Otis and his hip
- Thread starter Maggie
- Start date
- Location
- East Sussex
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
I think if it was a cruciate ligament Otis would hold his leg up all the time and you said both his legs gave way. I am sorry I cannot help, but I did have a dog who injured his hip and he had a hip replacement, was as good as new afterwards.
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
Hi Maggie, and welcome to the forum.
It’s really good that the vet has referee you to an orthopedic specialist so quickly. Issues with the back half of dogs are really hard to diagnose and need expert judgment and the right kind of imaging techniques. I’d just say try not to jump the gun and come to any conclusions about what it might be.
My first Labrador had a collapsing back end and it turned out to be a muscle/tendon tear. We found that he did have a loose hip joint as well but that wasn’t actually the problem.
So, try to wait for the specialist’s judgment. It’s really hard, I know, as it’s so stressful when there is a problem with our beloved dogs. I’m sure that whatever it is, it will be manageable.
It’s really good that the vet has referee you to an orthopedic specialist so quickly. Issues with the back half of dogs are really hard to diagnose and need expert judgment and the right kind of imaging techniques. I’d just say try not to jump the gun and come to any conclusions about what it might be.
My first Labrador had a collapsing back end and it turned out to be a muscle/tendon tear. We found that he did have a loose hip joint as well but that wasn’t actually the problem.
So, try to wait for the specialist’s judgment. It’s really hard, I know, as it’s so stressful when there is a problem with our beloved dogs. I’m sure that whatever it is, it will be manageable.
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
It was about 6 weeks of rest and on lead walks and absolutely no jumping. It was a muscle on the inside of his thigh (so, right up in his groin area). He’d torn it half off the bone when he jumped/stood up on his hind legs against a fence. The next day he sort of seemed like he was half paralysed, as he couldn’t stand properly and would collapse behind. We couldn’t tell which leg it was, as in he wasn’t favouring one leg (even though it did turn out to be just one leg). He could sit fine, just not stand. He recovered very well and returned to all his normal activities.
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
Boogie
Moderator
- Location
- Manchester UK
Welcome to you and Otis, Maggie. It’s so worrying when they are hurting.
Hope he gets sorted soon.
Hope he gets sorted soon.
- Location
- Isle of Man
Welcome Maggie & Otis. I understand it's hard, but try not to second guess until you've seen the specialist. You will have a way forward then.
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Hi Maggie , lovely to have you and Otis here , I`m sorry to hear about his hip , hopefully you will have some information and help soon x
Jacqui-S
Moderator
- Location
- Fife, Scotland
Try not to worry Maggie xx
- Location
- Malvern Worcestershire
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Hello @Maggie and welcome to the forum. I'm sorry something so worrying has brought you here. I can imagine that you must be very concerned. I'm no expert, but I would have thought it unlikely to be a cruciate as they tend to manifest in limping and usually go one at a time, I believe. @Emily_Babbelhund has experience with this so might be able to give more insight.
Maybe it is a problem with his hips, although I wouldn't expect it to come from nowhere like this if it were "simply" dysplasia. Not to say he doesn't have dysplastic hips (many dogs do without the owners ever knowing), but I would have thought that if that's the underlying issue, then this episode will have been triggered by "an event", maybe tweaking a muscle somewhere in the back, or a compression of a spinal disc etc. If it does turn out to be dysplasia, there are members here who have dogs with dysplastic joints who will be able to offer you comfort, support and advice.
We'd love to see pictures of Otis. As you can see from my avatar, I am also ruled by a choccy, and also have a yellow and a black for a full set, as well as a "bitsa".
Maybe it is a problem with his hips, although I wouldn't expect it to come from nowhere like this if it were "simply" dysplasia. Not to say he doesn't have dysplastic hips (many dogs do without the owners ever knowing), but I would have thought that if that's the underlying issue, then this episode will have been triggered by "an event", maybe tweaking a muscle somewhere in the back, or a compression of a spinal disc etc. If it does turn out to be dysplasia, there are members here who have dogs with dysplastic joints who will be able to offer you comfort, support and advice.
We'd love to see pictures of Otis. As you can see from my avatar, I am also ruled by a choccy, and also have a yellow and a black for a full set, as well as a "bitsa".
Emily_Babbelhund
Mama Red HOT Pepper
- Location
- Regensburg, Germany
Hello and welcome to you and Otis. Anyone would be worried in your place but I hope you get good information on Friday and Otis can be back on the mend.
My experience with a torn cruciate was the same as @Jelinga mentions - that it's one leg and that leg with the torn cruciate essentially becomes instantly unusable, so that they hold it up while walking. Dogs who tear one leg do have a high likelihood to tear the other, but I don't think they usually go out at the exact same time. I had one dog whose knees went out six months apart and another whose went out five years apart.
Even if it is a torn cruciate, there are very good surgeries for it, especially for such a young dog.
No matter what it is, thinking good thoughts for you and Otis on Friday.
My experience with a torn cruciate was the same as @Jelinga mentions - that it's one leg and that leg with the torn cruciate essentially becomes instantly unusable, so that they hold it up while walking. Dogs who tear one leg do have a high likelihood to tear the other, but I don't think they usually go out at the exact same time. I had one dog whose knees went out six months apart and another whose went out five years apart.
Even if it is a torn cruciate, there are very good surgeries for it, especially for such a young dog.
No matter what it is, thinking good thoughts for you and Otis on Friday.
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
Hi Maggie, so glad you and Otis have found the forum... I understand where you are coming from as my second dog, Merlin, has dysplastic hips, and it is a constant worry. However, if that is what the problem is, there is lots you can do to help him, and the orthopedic vet will be able to give you lots of tips to make sure he remains comfortable and mobile. Try not to worry, and just rest him as far as possible until you see the vet on Friday. Best of luck with the appointment. Karen
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Hi Maggie, sorry that Otis is having some trouble. I don’t have any advice for you but sending hugs. Try not to fret too much in the meantime before you see the vet.