The holding of leg up is probably luxating patella. My 1 yr old male was doing this and when I took him to the vet he was diagnosed with stage II luxating patella. My vet doesn't recommend surgery until stage IV. I walk him alot more now and put him on Zukes supplement and he stopped limping.
BEFORE I GET SLAMMED AGAIN ..... let me say all cases are different. In my case the extra walking and the supplement seems to have worked. It may or may not in your case but it's worth a try before costly surgery in my opinion. Ask your vet about trying it.
John |