So worried about Ranger... possible leg problem
 

I am so worried about my baby! We went running this morning and about halfway through he just stopped. I slowed to a walk but was literally dragging him behind me. I couldn't even get him to walk to see if he was limping, so I picked him up and carried him for about a half mile with no protest (he HATES being carried on walks). He actually stopped half way through a run on Tuesday, but picked back up when I encouraged him. When I put him down today he seemed fine, but skipped a few steps on his right hind leg. When I got home, he was fine.

About two hours after I got back, I was in the kitchen cooking when he went to the door and started crying. He had his left hind leg cocked and was trembling and crying. I of course started crying and run him to the couch where I started massaging his little leg. Hubby said it wasn't his knee, as it had full range of motion and didn't hurt him to flex it. He kept moving his leg in all directions, from toes to hip, and about two minutes he stopped shaking and crying and walked away fine.

I am so worried, I just love that little guy and the thought of something being wrong just tears me up. He is walking around normally, but is pretty clingy, which he usually is not...

Sorry so long, I am just so upset! Anyone have anything like this happen with their babies?? He is so active and loves doing going seeing more than anything...

Oh dear!:( its such a worry when somethings not right with our babies..you just feel sick don't you. I'm wondering if it's LP? have you had a check up with your vet? hopefully it's nothing too serious..i'll be thinking of you..come back and post if you find out anything..;)

Thanks Kezza, of course lp was the first thing I thought. The thought of that makes me absolutely ill. I haven't taken him in yet- of course its Thanksgiving and I despise the ER clinic here so I am going to call my regular vet in the morning and have him seen.

I guess he took a few more bum steps when I was in the shower

Oh wow. I left my cell phone at home, but I will call you as soon as I get home - I am off at 9. Ranger does NOT have LP. Period. Our group is too small to have 3 of them hit. The odds are in his favor just for that fact alone. Thinking positive - he was just so danged eager to be Ranger, maybe he just pulled something?

Either call me at work, or I will call you when I get home.

Roxy and I love all of you!!

I'm new to having yorkies (about a year) but have had shelties for several years. My Ranger (male sheltie) was out running with me and started limping. After a couple days we went to the vet and it was a pulled muscle--never have had problems again with that!

Since it is both legs, my guess would be LP. A huge percentage of Yorkies have it to some degree. If the kneecap had popped back in, range of motion should've been fine and he may not have been in pain then... "Skipping" or "carrying" the legs are signs.

Amanda, maybe he just hurt it? If it just came on when running, possible he just hurt it somehow. I am sorry poor Ranger! Are you calling your Vet tomorrow? Has he favored it anymore tonight? Prayers for little Ranger.

Thanks hunny! I sure appreciate you.

Oh thank you for the support and hope! I am keeping fingers crossed that he just tweaked something. Funny that you had a dog named Ranger, that makes five or six that I know of!

Hey Crystal. I can deal with that LP, but I was thinking the "bad" LP (leggs-perthes) but clinically, it just can't be.. I know there are always anomallys, but it just doesn't fit.

I thought luxating patellas, too, but he just had his knees checked not too long ago and he was fine.. Is that something that can just pop up at anytime?

That is really odd and I don't think it just shows up overnight but if he hurt himself, why would it be both legs? Well, since it keeps happening, maybe xrays are needed?

Thanks Robin. Yes, I called him last night. He is, of course, out of town. They could have the other vet come in but I am not sure how I feel about her. Like he said, all we would do this weekend is give anti-inflammitories if needed. But Ranger being Ranger, he doesn't want him to have those because he would most likely be too crazy and could further hurt himself. I am supposed to keep him "contained" :rolleyes: and from jumping until Monday..

Update.....
 

Thanks for all the care and support guys, I really needed it.

So, I think it is a foot.... Last night when we were going to bed, he kept licking at his left hind foot and when I got to him, it was pretty hot and a little swollen. Hubby thinks he sprained a toe as he showed some response when palpating his little feet. He thinks it's the second toe. He is doing great this morning, so I won't need to have the other vet come in, as of yet, and can wait till Monday for an exam.

He was so out of sorts last night.. he usually gets on the bed and sleeps with me from the second I get into bed. Last night he was acting scared of me (which made me cry harder) and he slept with the big lab, which he NEVER does. I guess he was scared of my reaction, he's so perceptive. He did get on the bed about midnight and cuddled the rest of the night and woke up this morning jumping on my head- typical Ranger.

I'll keep you guys updated. Thank you again.

Well he does that skipping thing a lot if there is a leaf or twig stuck to his leg, and when he skipped a few steps on his right leg we were walking through grass and leaves, so that could have been it. He didn't do it at all on the pavement, on either leg.

When he stops moving and just stands, you can tell he doesn't have all his weight on his left hind. Don't worry, he will get a thorough exam first thing Monday morning. We may even take our own xrays of knees and foot this weekend, because I probably won't be able to stand waiting...

poor baby! :(
i would get him checked out.. for Luxating Patella's (LP) Avie has this.. and we have her on glucosmine supplements(cosequin) and she uses stairs up to the bed/couch.. we try and prevent any jumping! she is grade 2 in one leg and grade 2/border 3 in the other.. they need to get surgery at grade 4 (sometimes 3, depending on if they are showing pain, etc.)

good luck! and keep us updated.. you want to get him checked, so you can get him on supplements and do things to prevent it from getting worse, so he doesn't need surgery that much sooner! ;)

:hug: