Favoring back leg - YorkieTalk.com Forums

grapeguzzler · 01-09-2013, 10:24 AM

He started a day ago when he went for a walk started holding his back leg up for about 20 feet then put it down. When he was in the house immediately after walk he would favor it some but then by that afternoon was jumping and playing as usual. No whining or panting eating and drinking normal.

The next morning walk started favoring same leg again. No whining or panting and eating and drinking normal. I called vet and they said to keep an eye on it for a day. I decided not to walk him that afternoon and told kids not to get him running and jumping too much to see if it would heal itself. I wasn't sure if it was a bruise or something. He was fine all evening walking, going up and down stairs and jumping up into the bed.

This morning he seemed fine so I decided to take him for a mid morning walk and he was fine until he pooped and strutted/kicked his back legs on the grass to mark his territory and immediately jerked, held leg up and looked at me. No whining and as I picked up his poop, I was watching him and he walked around a little keeping the leg up. By the time I was done to walk home he walked back home on the leg normally.

I have an appt tmrw morning w vet. Please, please pray with me that it is nothing serious!

Thank you all for being here!

Cute Valentino · 01-09-2013, 01:21 PM

Hi, I'm still pretty new but I'm sure other more experienced YT'rs will come along with some input. From what I've read it sounds like your pup could have LP (luxating Patella) in the leg he is lifting. Favoring one leg over the other is one of the symptoms of LP. There are different grades ranging from 1-4. My Valentino was just diagnosed yesterday with Grade 2 LP on his right leg, but he had different symptoms. I would hear popping sounds when he stood up from a down position. Hopefully your vet will give you some more information tomorrow. Will definitely pray for you and your pup that it's nothing serious.

grapeguzzler · 01-10-2013, 12:59 PM

Vet says he has LP grade 2-2.5 and recommends surgery.

It is his back left leg. The right leg felt normal. I'm scared for him to have the surgery. But she says it will get worse and could cause more damage. He turned 1 in October. I'm so glad I had this board, I would have put it off getting it checked bc he wasn't in pain and now I'm glad I did.

Cute Valentino · 01-10-2013, 01:41 PM

Aww I'm sorry to hear this I know exactly how you feel. My vet too suggested surgery. I've been thinking about it but haven't decided whether or not to have the surgery yet since he doesn't seem to be in pain. I've also been confused about why my vet would suggest surgery when usually its only grade 3 and 4 who normally get the procedure done. You might wanna start your pup on a joint supplement, that can help with his LP. Other yorkietalkers were great and suggested Cosequin, I've been giving it to Valentino(who also just turned 1 on Dec) for a couple of weeks now. This won't reverse the LP but can possibly prevent it from becoming worse. Do you plan on going ahead with the surgery?

MandiesMom · 01-10-2013, 01:57 PM

I'm so sorry your baby has LP. It's good you went on into the vet. The surgery should help a lot. Do your best to keep him from jumping up and down on furniture (perhaps get some dog stairs or a ramp).

01-09-2013, 10:24 AM	#1
grapeguzzler Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 54	Favoring back leg He started a day ago when he went for a walk started holding his back leg up for about 20 feet then put it down. When he was in the house immediately after walk he would favor it some but then by that afternoon was jumping and playing as usual. No whining or panting eating and drinking normal. The next morning walk started favoring same leg again. No whining or panting and eating and drinking normal. I called vet and they said to keep an eye on it for a day. I decided not to walk him that afternoon and told kids not to get him running and jumping too much to see if it would heal itself. I wasn't sure if it was a bruise or something. He was fine all evening walking, going up and down stairs and jumping up into the bed. This morning he seemed fine so I decided to take him for a mid morning walk and he was fine until he pooped and strutted/kicked his back legs on the grass to mark his territory and immediately jerked, held leg up and looked at me. No whining and as I picked up his poop, I was watching him and he walked around a little keeping the leg up. By the time I was done to walk home he walked back home on the leg normally. I have an appt tmrw morning w vet. Please, please pray with me that it is nothing serious! Thank you all for being here! Last edited by grapeguzzler; 01-09-2013 at 10:28 AM.

01-10-2013, 01:57 PM	#5
MandiesMom and Shelby's too Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Millbrook, AL Posts: 7,842	I'm so sorry your baby has LP. It's good you went on into the vet. The surgery should help a lot. Do your best to keep him from jumping up and down on furniture (perhaps get some dog stairs or a ramp). __________________ Terri, proud mom to Mandie & Shelby-Dale

01-09-2013, 01:21 PM	#2
Cute Valentino Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 28	Hi, I'm still pretty new but I'm sure other more experienced YT'rs will come along with some input. From what I've read it sounds like your pup could have LP (luxating Patella) in the leg he is lifting. Favoring one leg over the other is one of the symptoms of LP. There are different grades ranging from 1-4. My Valentino was just diagnosed yesterday with Grade 2 LP on his right leg, but he had different symptoms. I would hear popping sounds when he stood up from a down position. Hopefully your vet will give you some more information tomorrow. Will definitely pray for you and your pup that it's nothing serious.

01-10-2013, 12:59 PM	#3
grapeguzzler Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 54	Vet says he has LP grade 2-2.5 and recommends surgery. It is his back left leg. The right leg felt normal. I'm scared for him to have the surgery. But she says it will get worse and could cause more damage. He turned 1 in October. I'm so glad I had this board, I would have put it off getting it checked bc he wasn't in pain and now I'm glad I did.

01-10-2013, 01:41 PM	#4
Cute Valentino Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 28	Aww I'm sorry to hear this I know exactly how you feel. My vet too suggested surgery. I've been thinking about it but haven't decided whether or not to have the surgery yet since he doesn't seem to be in pain. I've also been confused about why my vet would suggest surgery when usually its only grade 3 and 4 who normally get the procedure done. You might wanna start your pup on a joint supplement, that can help with his LP. Other yorkietalkers were great and suggested Cosequin, I've been giving it to Valentino(who also just turned 1 on Dec) for a couple of weeks now. This won't reverse the LP but can possibly prevent it from becoming worse. Do you plan on going ahead with the surgery?