Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I would definately take the dog to the vet, If hard for money right now I would try to get a loan, Or talk to a your nearest Vet about running some credit to get him seen soon. I am lucky in that area when it comes to my lilbit needing a vet, I have a close family friend who lets me use his credit and then I pay it off.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

My parents rotty has pain in one of her rear hips. It really doesnt affect her daily life, except she moves slower. It is painful to see our loved ones in pain. But before trying any harsh treatments from the vet, like a steroid injection, they looked around and found an herbal remedy. They are chewable tablets, and they give two tablets a day (mostly at night time). I cant remember the brand, and my parents arnt home right now. But if you google 'dog joint pain relief' or something like that a whole bunch of remedies will be available to you. I know they tried that Dr Franks spray for water, but my parents have 6 dogs and so that really didnt work out for them. I think if you had just one or two the spray might work for you. I think that my parents used this brand: Springtimeinc joint health chewables. But Im only guessing cause the bottle looks like the one at my parents. Good Luck!! Ill post back when I find out the brand for sure.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Absolutely get to a vet! And Really find any way possible to have x-rays done! Please trust that I am speaking from personal experience! There are also organizations that you can contact to help defray the costs...I will look thru my bookmarks and find the info I have! Your Dog is Beautiful and with older dogs one cannot be too vigilant!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Okay...goto www.seniordogs.com click on "Resources" there you will find a list of organisations that can help. PLEASE dont delay! Contact ALL OF THEM....And If you have a University near you, check and see if they have a vetrinary clinic. They are usually tend to be more up to date. Please sell your car or anything you must! My Tazzy is gone because I was ignorant ! I wish you and your pup all the best!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Please go see a vet. My 12 year old mixed breed had somewhat of a similar experience. After an overnight stay, blood work, and some Xrays, it turned out he had an absess near his spine related to an infected prostate. The inflamed prostate and the absess were both pressing on his spine causing the leg pain and stiffness. I could have lost him if I didn't get him in to see the doc.

Please call your local University, as mentioned by damndog, or humane society. They should be able to help you find a low cost clinic.

Good luck!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Please take your dog to the vet. While Dr.Danoff said aspirin can be given she failed to mention how much and how often and without seeing your dog it would be hard for her to prescribe any kind of medication, do not dose your animal yourself. As it was mentioned above it could be arthritis to a tumor. Whatever the cause you need to take your dog to the vet so it can be properly diagnosed and treated as needed.So it would be very wise to talk to your own vet who knows your dog's history.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

My dog yelped like that after jumping off the couch and I took her into the vet. She is also a large breed dog. She was diagnosed with hip dysplasia which is common in large breed dogs. I give her a 325 mg aspirin every morning with food. It helps tremendously. If that doesn't work, then do what you can to take her in.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

What should you do? Hello! Take her to the VET!!!!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I have a 10 yr. old Shepherd/Akita mix that had severe hip pain. He had hip surgery on one hip (the other is too badly chipped apart - commonly called "bone mice") and is now permanently on Rimadyl. He has liver function tests every six months and is doing very well. Without Rimadyl, I doubt he'd be able to walk. I would suggest, if this is a permanent condition for your dog, getting a cloth lifting device that goes under their belly, has handles and is great for helping them in and out of cars, up and down stains, etc. It's a device I wouldn't be without for my boy.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Definately get your dog to avet ASAP. I had a 5 yr old Rott that did the same thing and it ended up not being very good for us. Ther earlier you see a vet the better!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Do take him to a vet as it could be anything. Most vets do take credit cards, by all means don't let him suffer, the longer you wait the worse his problem will get. Good luck

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

My 13 yr old Pittie had just that happen, i took him to the vet after about 3 days, (wanted to monitor first) he didn't use his hind leg. The doc said that he could his knee. She put him on pain killers and some joint meds called Dasuquin it seems to be working. I have been getting him off the pain killers and he seems to be getting better. I would def take him to the vet at least have an idea, i first wanted to try the meds and if that didn't work than check out his knees and then surgery but thank god he is getting better. I had my boy take it easy and i think that helped too, though they are up their they still think they are pups. But take him to get him checked out its vital that you do that its worth every penny IMO

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

About the aspirin, my vet told me to give my dog baby aspirin instead of adult aspirin. He said it's not quite as hard on their stomache.
I hope that it's nothing major and that you are able to find a way to get her to the vet soon. Best wishes!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I have a lab and he too has problems putting weight on hind legs. When I brought him to the vet she diagnosed hip dysplasia. We have him on medication now and with our vets help Max is doing great! Please, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Some vets have this program, credit care, or something like that. Can't remember the name exactly, but it's like a credit card for pet care. You can get your pet the care he/she needs and make monthly payments till the balance is paid off. I hope this helps. Just wish I could remember the actual name of that program.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Hi, so sorry to read about your rott. I have a beautiful 6 yr. old girl, Niki, wonderful rescue. Gluecosomine condroitin MSM is very good for displaasia and just general help for large dogs hip health, this is definitely something to take to the vet though. Money is always the issue especially at th he high cost of vet care these days, highway robbery.

Until you can get her to the vet I might suggest using a beach towel or something to put around her tummy toward the back legs to suppoirt her when she is standing and going potty. This helps balance her and will help her stand. Just wrap it around and hold it up to help support her. Since it happened so quickly, I worry that it could be a nerve condition, nothing to let go. My son had a great guy Rott named Doc. who was playing chasing a ball and suddenly went down. He had severe nerve damage and never came out of it although my son did everything he could.

Good luck and God Bless you both.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I don't know about your dog, but my dog Sandy, who died in Feb, had a cyatic nerve in her legs. She had troubled standing up & walking. We trusted the Vet's advice, which was to ut her down. He said if we took her home while she was in that condition, that she would just soil herself. Plus she was getting more scared everyday without Cookie (her sister). So, we put her down. We didn't want her to be in pain, or to soil herself. I'm not a professional, but I agree that you need to see the vet where you live, & see what's wrong. I hope your dog is okay!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

*put her down* My mom & I had to put our dog Cookie down in Feb. as well. We had to put both dogs down within 3 days of each other. I will pray your dog will be okay!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

The cost of a vet can be controlled by you - Take your furry kid in, but with very defined ideas of what you want in diagnostic terms. X-rays only at first, about $160.00 + office visit. Get the results and use them to decide the next step. Can she be helped with inexpensive steroids, act. Don't let the Vet call the financial shots - they, of course, would like to have the results of every test at their disposal to do the best job that they can. BUT, you are the care taker of this soul - and the decisions lie with you. Give your companion what you can afford, your love, and don't let them suffer.

Keep your primary goal in mind - help your baby!

My heart goes with you -

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

My bullmastiff blew her cruciate ligament in her right hind leg when she was one. Our vet at the time told me that it was just growing pains because she is a fast growing large dog. After the she continued for like six months and her back end portion of her body started to show signs of deteriorating, I went to another vet. He diagnosed both knees immediately, however, the right one was very bad and needed immediate attention. She ended up having an other procedure versus the new super expensive TPLO that everyone does now (1000.00 versus 3200) and she was running around like a goof ball and itched herself or the first time. Last year we ended up having the second cruciate ligament repaired on her left knee. She is now six years old and the arthiritis in her knees leaves her in a lot of pain. We use Rimadyl and human grade glucosamine, chondrotin and MSM every day for her pain.

At 11 years old, maybe the Rimadyl and glucosamine, chondrotin and MSM would be a good bet, but if you have surgery on her, she will get arthiritis anyway, they all do, and it may not prove to be worth the surgery.

I know that sounds cruel, don't mean to be at all, I am the same lady who cried like a baby at the thought of spending 3200 on my one year old dog, and ended it up getting her surgery, if she were in her silver years like your baby, I would just medicate until it doesn't offer relief...then give her your final gift, a gift of peace.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

My husband and I had to have our APBT's acl replaced almost two years ago because it had completely worn in two. She was probably about 7 at the time. The surgery was completely worth it, and that leg is now her good leg. We are watching the other one to make sure that it is not hurting her - yet. The surgery was about $2,000.00, but like I said, it was worth it. I couldn't stand to see her in pain. You do need to take her to the vet and have her x-rayed. The vet initially thought is was possibly hip dysplasia when they watched her walk, but after the x-rays it was confirmed it was the acl. The vet has put her on a supplement called Arthrosamine she takes every day, and if she is having a bad day, we give her Deramaxx, prescribed by the vet. I don't know about any kind of advice concerning the money issue, except to do what we did. We put it on one of those credit cards that you receive the applications in the mail, but always throw away because you don't need another credit card. We only put Chloe's surgery on it and paid what we could every month. It really didn't take us long to pay it off.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I have a Rottie who started to yelp when she jumped off the couch. I took her to the vet and he took an xray and unfortunately found the beginning of osteoarthritis setting in...I am familiar with a drug called Adequan Canine, which is a DMOAD (disease modifying osteoarthritis drug). I followed the labeled recommended dose and the stuff worked amazingly. If you can get your dog to the vet and catch the arthitis in the beginning stages -- Adequan Canine is amazing stuff!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I had a dog who had arthritis & my vet suggested Joint Ease. It is available at Walmart for $7.00 & it works!!!! It is in the pet aisle. I just gave my dog 1 a day, although for a dog your size it might take more. Just follow the directions on the bottle & you should definitely see a difference. You can at least ease the pain till you can get her into the vet. Good luck & God bless!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I have a Rottie who started to yelp when she jumped off the couch. I took her to the vet and he took an xray and unfortunately found the beginning of osteoarthritis setting in...I am familiar with a drug called Adequan Canine, which is a DMOAD (disease modifying osteoarthritis drug). I followed the labeled recommended dose and the stuff worked amazingly. If you can get your dog to the vet and catch the arthitis in the beginning stages -- Adequan Canine is amazing stuff!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I know that the vet bills can be overwhelming. One tip I have is that when the dog goes to stand up wrap a towel under the belly and around to the top of the back and you can help in standing up. This can give tremendous relief. Also, I give my 4-leggeds baby asprin. It seems that the baby asprin doesn't upset the tummy. Good Luck!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I had a similar experience with my rottie. At 7yrs old she had suffered stiffness in her back legs for some months and was treated with Rimadyl. At first i treated her myself with 1 x 300mg aspirin per day, for about a week, before the vet prescribed rimadyl. One day, she woke me up in pain and could hardly move, although i wasnt sure where the pain was coming from at that time. The vet evntually concluded that her pain was spinal rather than hip or leg related. She had a course of injections which kept her going and pain free for another 6 months.
Then she came downstairs one morning and was rolling around the capet tryng to scratch her back. As she twisted she yelped. Sadly, she never reovered. I had the vet out again that afternoon and she was given a pain relieving injection and anti-inflammatory. This eased the pain for several hours, but the following morning i had to let her go as she couldn't move and there wasn't anything more they could do for her. Obviously you can imagine my devastation, which although a year ago, still cuts me to the bone.
You really do need to see your vet, it could be the difference between a rapid deterioration which leaves you with no options, or a decent quality of life for your oldie for some time to come.
You can ring your vets and ask what they can do to help in terms of spreading costs over a peiod of time, or as a very last resort, ring the vet personally and ask what the safe dosage of aspirin in for ur dogs weight.
You will need to give it with food to protect the stomach as much as possible, and DO NOT SUBSTITUTE ASPIRIN FOR PARACETAMOL. Dogs cannot take Paracetamol safely.
If u explain ur financial situation to ur vet, they may even give you a telephone consultation free of charge, and give you some indication of possible causes and treatments. It may be that the treatment they would reccommend is only short term and cheaper than you thought.
Please consider ur financial options, there is always a way and u owe ur dog that. I know it's hard, i got myself into debt that i have only just finished paying off now for my dogs treatment. I would have sold my soul if i had to.
This could be something very simple to treat, and as wih any illness or injury, early treatment can make all the difference.
I wish i couldve done more for my girl.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

We have 2 older boxers (10yrs old) and it's obvious they are feeling stiff in their back legs. I give them each 2 to 3 Low Dose Bayer (81mg each tab) with their dinner. I put the pills in little chunks of cheese and drop them in their bowls.

Then I give them each 1 each, 2x's a day, "Triple Joint Max Soft Chews" from entirelypets.com & they love 'em!!! There is a visible improvement in their movement and activity level. Good luck and all the best for your Rottie!!!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

My Keesha experienced almost the same symptoms. She was running around the house when all of a sudden she cried and couldn't walk on her back leg. The vet said she had a torn cruciat ligament. Then three weeks later the same thing happened to the other back leg. The vet told me I had to cage her and only let her out to go to do her business. I had to carry her outside and help her squat. She just kept getting worse even on the Remidal. I was so fortunate to find a holistic vet who put her on homeopathic meds, did chiropractic treatments and within a few months she was able to walk again. He said if I had kept her caged it would be the worst thing for her. Please try to find a holistic vet to help you and your wonderful dog. The Western medicine vets just gave up on her and advised me to put her down. Good luck to you.
Breezie

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I have another suggestion to go along with the vet's visit. I have had a GREAT success giving my two larger breed, older dogs a liquid glucosamine supplement called Syn Flex for Pets. Especially the old guy Sid, 14. It also has chondroiton, Omega 3, 6 and other natural anti inflammatory ingredients. In conjunction with any other treatment, it has made a HUGE difference in the quality of life and leg ability. You can find it more reasonably priced on Ebay than on the company website. I recommend the seller Shop the Zoo. I have been buying from them for a year now with nothing but great success. Good luck, and my thoughts are with your baby!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

When I had to give any of my guys an aspirin, I gave them (vet's suggestion) ascripton - it's a coated aspirin and is much easier on their stomach.
I'm sure you realize that you need to see a vet - you can get all the advice you want but until the vet sees your baby you won't get her the treatment that she needs and deserves.
Good luck and keep us posted on what the vet says and how your baby is doing.
She's a beauty!!!!

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

Just my thoughts: I would not recommend any "home made" treatments or recommend glucosamine until you find out what is wrong with her. This dog needs to be checked by a vet. Recently this happened to my friends dog and it was diagnosed with cancer. She deserves to see a vet. We sometimes are all low on money but we need to be fair to our dogs and treat them like we would treat ourselves.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

You should see a vet. My rottie is 8 and when she was 5 she had her acl repaired. Now she has osteoarthritis. 3 weeks ago her back leg swelled up and I took her immediatly to her vet and it turned out to be a bone infection. She was very sick and it was very expensive to treat her. But she's my child and I will never let money be a reason to let her suffer.

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I have a senior dog who has arthritis and other issues in her legs/hips. At one point years ago i thought she would need to be put down. I started her on Glycoflex 3 - I swear by this stuff - she has been great ever since - well she is old - but this made a HUGE difference. I do not think it is in pet stores - I get it at pet meds or whoever has the best sale. Good Luck

Re: Leg Pain in Larger Dogs

I have seen many dogs benefit from Glucosomine. You can use the liquid form sold at Walmart, etc. IMPORTANT! Get the formula approved by your Vet. Our Vets have approved the liquid form, but not the capsules. Check with your vet for the proper dosages. I have seen it work wonders. I also know a person that uses Emu oil.
Unfortunately, Rotties are prone to cancers. Get you dog checked out to eliminate these possibilities. Many of the painkillers are only temporary fixes and if used over time, will cause other problems(liver, etc). Work along with your Vet, if he/she has no answers or unsatisfactory answers, go to another. Seek out a Holistic Vet in your area.