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Limping when Ollie wakes up?

6K views 31 replies 12 participants last post by  Heather's 
#1 ·
Whenever Ollie wakes up from a nap, he will limp (his front left leg) for the first 5 minutes or so. After that, he is walking and jumping just fine. It's been going on for the past 2 months. I thought it's a bit odd, but he seems fine overall. Over the Memorial Day weekend, Ollie had a lot of playdates. He was limping in the afternoon. so, I brought him to the vet on Tues. The vet checked his neck, shoulder, elbows, toes, and paws. Nothing seems to bother him. Vet said Ollie might have sprained his elbow or simply a growing pain. Nevertheless, he prescribes anti-inflammatory med to Ollie for 5 days. He said no jumping, long walk and dog park for 2 weeks. If he is still limping after 2 weeks, he will then order x-ray.

I have been keeping him home. But, he still runs around the house like a Tasmanian devil and jumps on and off sofa. Am I supposed to crate him the whole time? How to limit his activity?
 
#2 ·
Tux had the very same symptoms and exact same prescription from vet. The anti-inflammatory seemed to do the trick. Once or twice since then (over a month or two) he has shown a teeny limp for a few seconds but seems to go back to normal. The main thing the vet said was to have them avoid jumping OFF of furniture. We would try to anticipate his actions and lift him down from the furniture. The best way to stop them from running around is a distraction. You could put a "safety-net" of bed pillows at the base of the sofa so when he jumps it is not such and impactful action. Good luck.
 
#8 ·
Just a quick update on Ollie -

After one week of the medication and restricted activities, I see no improvement whatsoever. So instead of waiting for more time to pass, I took Ollie back to the vet for some X-rays. My vet's initial diagnosis is a congenital defect on his left elbow. He has given us a few orthopedic surgeon referrals as he believes they could give us a definite answer and best treatment plan. Long story short, the orthopedic surgeon has confirmed Ollie has Angular Limb Deformity. :crying: We have now scheduled the surgery on next Wed.

I am sad and nervous at the same time. I am also really worried about the post-op recovery period. Thank you Heather Glen for sharing Scout's experience. I just hope everything goes smoothly as plan...
 
#10 ·
Just a quick update on Ollie -

After one week of the medication and restricted activities, I see no improvement whatsoever. So instead of waiting for more time to pass, I took Ollie back to the vet for some X-rays. My vet's initial diagnosis is a congenital defect on his left elbow. He has given us a few orthopedic surgeon referrals as he believes they could give us a definite answer and best treatment plan. Long story short, the orthopedic surgeon has confirmed Ollie has Angular Limb Deformity. :crying: We have now scheduled the surgery on next Wed.

I am sad and nervous at the same time. I am also really worried about the post-op recovery period. Thank you Heather Glen for sharing Scout's experience. I just hope everything goes smoothly as plan...
I'm so sorry to hear this. :( Poor little guy! But good that you are on top of it, and getting him treatment so young! Make sure you let your breeder know. This is something that they may want to keep in mind for future breeding decisions.
 
#20 ·
Oh poor Ollie, I'm slightly worried for my puppy Duke, the other day he jumped of the couch after just waking up and started limping from his front left leg. He sounds just like Ollie, he has no pain when we examine him... we move his joints and legs and rub all around and no sore spots or anything.... We have been going for more walks in the past week I'm hoping that it is just too much exercise. Once he is up and going the limp seems to go away more less. We don't crate Duke, when he has restricted access he goes in the Kitchen which is gated off. We are going to limit his exercise and ensure he is not jumping from the couch as much as we can :(

If we don't notice improvement we will make a vet appointment in a week or so. :( UGH I have been endless looking though threads but most are so old.
 
#21 ·
From my experience it is a good idea to see an orthopedic specialist first. We're in the fifth week of recovery here. Scout was walking 10 mins three times a day. We had to decrease his activity to going out to the backyard only for one week. Poor Scout is getting very bored staying indoors! He has chewed through three leashes!
 
#24 ·
DuketheDog, if Duke only starts to limp after the couch jumping incident. Maybe he just has some minor joint pain due to the impact. When I first bought Ollie to the vet, he thought Ollie has injured himself from a jump or play at the park that I didn't notice. He prescribed 5 days of Rimadyl (anti-inflammatory) med to him with restricted activities (absolutely no jumping and running for 2 weeks. 10 mins walk 3 times a day in the yard or around the block. No dog park whatsoever.) We followed his direction exactly for one week without any improvement at all. That's when I bought him back for x-rays. See if you could restrict Duke's activities now. I know it's really tough!

Heather, I am too going bonkers staying indoor! I only take Ollie out to the yard for him to eliminate. Sometimes, he could hear other dogs outside on a walk. You could see he perks right up and wants to run through the fence! Of course, I have him on a very short leash where he couldn't go more than 5 steps away from me. He would just look at me and whimper... I feel so bad.... One week down, seven more weeks to go!!
 
#26 ·
I know just how your feeling!!! Poor Scout sits looking at us making whimper sounds and pawing the crate, coffee table or floor to get our attention. He's now getting a little tired of being restrained in the crate or leashed. Plus Truffles is running around which makes it difficult for Scout. Grateful this happened during my three week vacation so I could stay home and watch him. I stopped giving the Acepromazine to calm him because it was causing reverse sneezing? Two and half weeks more to go. Did Ollie go back for his first recheck this week?
 
#27 ·
This coming Wed is his first incision check. Hope all goes well! Thank goodness with the sedation med. Otherwise, he is hopping and jumping all around the house. We have to either pick him up in our arms or sit on the floor with him. I am glad that he is not uncomfortable with his injured leg. But at the same time, I want him to be mindful of his injured leg as well. Sigh....
 
#32 ·
So happy to hear Ollie has made a complete recovery! 🎉🎉 Ollie must just be going crazy! Scout will have his last appointment on 🎃. Its been a challenge to keep him down. I've been looking forward to meeting you and Ollie. 😊
 
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