any ideas-skipping on leg - YorkieTalk.com Forums

angelmom · 08-14-2008, 05:18 PM

Taz got a second oninion for his knee today. He has been skipping on it for a year now. Good things-lp is low grade one and there is nothing on the knee or hip xrays that explains why he skips. Did lymes test just to make sure that isn't it either. does anyone else have any ideas of what would cause him to skip? Vet said I could have an orthopedic surgeon look at him and the xrays, but he couldn't see anything.

Gracie2006 · 08-14-2008, 05:29 PM

Were the x-rays done under anesthesia? I learned from my experience with Gracie that clinical/x-ray findings don't always match what the dog is actually experiencing. A second opinion may be in order.

angelmom · 08-14-2008, 05:37 PM

Yes, they did give him a small dose of anestesia. The bones would look the same regardless though right?

bbkoo · 08-15-2008, 04:25 AM

Yorkies usually skip due to a displaced patella. It shouldn't take long for your vet to diagnose it. It's common in small breeds. Chocho has it and im still deciding whether i should do the surgery.

BiffsMama · 08-15-2008, 05:47 AM

One thing our vet suggested before we made our decision to have Biff's one knee done is to try him out on some Glucosamine Condroitin (or however you spell the stuff). Have you tried that? The GC seems to help with the stiffness and movement, but there are also other vitamins in this chew that we give him so it's a multi-purpose thing. The general vet didn't even x-ray Biff he could just feel it with his fingers and sent us to a orth. specialist who took x-rays and explained how bad his knees were and that the grade 4 needed to be done ASAP.

We still had Biff's right knee done because it was grade 4, his left is grade 3 but he doesn't seem to have any issues with it so we're going to hold off on that one for a bit.

Another thing that we haven't tried yet but might use later in Biff's life when he starts in with the arthritis is this stuff called DGP. My friends who have Poms with hip problems swear by it for joint issues and stiffness.

angelmom · 08-15-2008, 07:04 AM

He has been taking Cosequin since February. The consult with the orthapedic surgeon would be $200.00. Is this price seem about right?

Gracie2006 · 08-15-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angelmom

Yes, they did give him a small dose of anestesia. The bones would look the same regardless though right?

It's not the bones they look at, per se. Gracie was completely knocked out. This gives them maximum relaxation. Then, they do x-rays with the legs in various positions to see how much the patella luxates.

angelmom · 08-15-2008, 09:06 AM

So are you saying the xrays should or shouldn't be done under anestesia? If it is only a low grade one when the vet is feeling his knees, then you wouldn't think it would be that much looser when he walks on it, would you? I have no idea what to think now.

TiaMaria · 08-22-2008, 03:50 AM

I just took Tia to the vet last night about skipping...she doesn't do it all the time, just occasionally when she's running in the yard. The vet diagnosed her with arthritis and started her on an anti inflamatory and cosequin. She's only 2 so I was a little shocked about the diagnosis. The vet tested her for lymes, which was negative, and wants to see how the meds work, before any other tests. Good Luck with everything!

08-14-2008, 05:18 PM	#1
angelmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MN Posts: 37	any ideas-skipping on leg Taz got a second oninion for his knee today. He has been skipping on it for a year now. Good things-lp is low grade one and there is nothing on the knee or hip xrays that explains why he skips. Did lymes test just to make sure that isn't it either. does anyone else have any ideas of what would cause him to skip? Vet said I could have an orthopedic surgeon look at him and the xrays, but he couldn't see anything.

08-14-2008, 05:29 PM	#2
Gracie2006 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 4,057	Were the x-rays done under anesthesia? I learned from my experience with Gracie that clinical/x-ray findings don't always match what the dog is actually experiencing. A second opinion may be in order. __________________ I love my precious girly girls Gracie Mae and Holly Rose! Holly wuvs Tucker! Gracie Wuvs Bailey! Proud member of the YT Gracie Girls!:

08-15-2008, 04:25 AM	#4
bbkoo Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 24	Yorkies usually skip due to a displaced patella. It shouldn't take long for your vet to diagnose it. It's common in small breeds. Chocho has it and im still deciding whether i should do the surgery. __________________ They love you 10 times more

08-15-2008, 05:47 AM	#5
BiffsMama Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Wales Posts: 16	One thing our vet suggested before we made our decision to have Biff's one knee done is to try him out on some Glucosamine Condroitin (or however you spell the stuff). Have you tried that? The GC seems to help with the stiffness and movement, but there are also other vitamins in this chew that we give him so it's a multi-purpose thing. The general vet didn't even x-ray Biff he could just feel it with his fingers and sent us to a orth. specialist who took x-rays and explained how bad his knees were and that the grade 4 needed to be done ASAP. We still had Biff's right knee done because it was grade 4, his left is grade 3 but he doesn't seem to have any issues with it so we're going to hold off on that one for a bit. Another thing that we haven't tried yet but might use later in Biff's life when he starts in with the arthritis is this stuff called DGP. My friends who have Poms with hip problems swear by it for joint issues and stiffness. Last edited by BiffsMama; 08-15-2008 at 05:50 AM.

08-14-2008, 05:37 PM	#3
angelmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MN Posts: 37	Yes, they did give him a small dose of anestesia. The bones would look the same regardless though right?

08-15-2008, 07:04 AM	#6
angelmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MN Posts: 37	He has been taking Cosequin since February. The consult with the orthapedic surgeon would be $200.00. Is this price seem about right?

08-15-2008, 09:06 AM	#8
angelmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: MN Posts: 37	So are you saying the xrays should or shouldn't be done under anestesia? If it is only a low grade one when the vet is feeling his knees, then you wouldn't think it would be that much looser when he walks on it, would you? I have no idea what to think now.

08-22-2008, 03:50 AM	#9
TiaMaria Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 29	I just took Tia to the vet last night about skipping...she doesn't do it all the time, just occasionally when she's running in the yard. The vet diagnosed her with arthritis and started her on an anti inflamatory and cosequin. She's only 2 so I was a little shocked about the diagnosis. The vet tested her for lymes, which was negative, and wants to see how the meds work, before any other tests. Good Luck with everything!