Originally Posted by kjc (Post 3271829)

Oh my! Sorry to hear about poor Max.

General: Many times with an injury the affected limb will be noticably warm to the touch, and the dog may hold the limb out away from the body, resting or while mobile. I would check for heat in the leg and shoulder areas.

Lymes disease is detected through a simple blood test and can be done at your regular vets office in about 15 minutes. Lymes is tricky, false results are encountered often, and if he's ever been vaccinated for Lymes it may effect the test results.

Nerve damaged in humans results in numbness and some intermittant pain. Nerves can regenerate, again in humans it can take months. I can only assume dogs may have similar effects because we are all mammals.

Did LSU get any results back from anything they sent out on Max's spinal tap?

Dr Sisson's rates are quite affordable. He is expert in neurology, and has specialized in treating dogs with GME/NME, in addition to his normal caseload. He will do phone consults with you and your vet.

Another option may be to have Dr. Dodds evaluate his blood, also very reasonable.

I'll look up more info for you if you're considering anything I've mentioned.
Also, a video might be nice....:D

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots (Post 3271750)

Max has gone through so many tests, but no recently blood tests. The vet didn't even mention Lyme's. She immediately asked about his seizures and it just so happened that they've been worsening again so she automatically assumed the limping was related to the seizures. However, the LSU vet says that seizures don't generally cause limping. Lyme Disease just sounds so far fetched to me.

I just found this, and Max has none of these symptoms except the first. He doesn't have swelling or pain: The most common sign of Lyme disease in dogs is arthritis, which causes sudden lameness, pain ands sometimes swelling in one or more joints. Other signs that may be seen include fever, lack of appetite, dehydration, inactivity, and swollen lymph nodes.


Thank you.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3271951)

I have never heard of Lymes in the gulf states...guess anything is possible. I just think it is highly improbable.

Originally Posted by ladyjane (Post 3271951)

I have never heard of Lymes in the gulf states...guess anything is possible. I just think it is highly improbable.

Originally Posted by Breezeaway (Post 3272095)

Sometimes when a puppy grows too fast or is consuming too much protein it causes what they call growing pains and they will limp. They will outgrow it.
If your dog has growing pains, giving aspirin can be a big help. You can also try switching from a puppy food to a food for adults, Adult dog foods have less fat and protein, and appear to sometimes be helpful in reducing growing pains.

Originally Posted by Breezeaway (Post 3272103)

Some foods today cause too rapid a growth pattern which causes medical problems in young developing dogs. One problem is called panosteitis or pano. This is a rapid growth spurt that causes the bones in the legs of the dog to grow too fast. The connecting tissues do not form right and bone splinters can occur. This causes limping in the young dog and sometimes an inability to walk without great pain. Symptoms last as long as the dog is growing or until the food is more balanced.

Originally Posted by Cha Cha (Post 3272163)

Boy! I am so sorry you are having troubles with little Max. How old is he? I have no other options to offer you from what everyone esle as said, so I am going to ask about his hips since that has not been mentioned. My Mylee presented with an unexplained limp at 4-5 months old and the only way we got a good diagnosis was x-ray. Sending you big hugs and positive thoughts. Max needs a break. Get better little buddy.

Originally Posted by MyBabyFynnlie (Post 3272181)

I had been thinking about Max all night. I was worrying about him - and you - hoping that's it nothing too big. But, this morning, I was talking to my mom about it and she mentioned growth spurts. My Sheltie - who ended up being a Giant Sheltie weighing in at 38-42lbs instead of the 'normal' 10-15lbs - had some wicked growth spurts and started limping really badly at about 18 weeks and it lasted, on and off, to about 36 weeks. He didn't really act that 'off' but sometimes he'd just lay around and be less active than he 'normally' was...

I hope he's feeling better soon! Try some baby asprin!

Puppy kisses from Fynn and hugs from me!

Originally Posted by KJLive (Post 3272196)

I've been MIA for nearly a week and just catching up today. I am so sorry to hear Max is not feeling his old self again.

There's been a lot of great input on this thread and many of the theories make good sense. I sure hope you can get it worked out soon.