Limping, shifting legs, and shaking
 

Hey guys. I've got a yorkie, he's not doing to good. He's 3-4 years old, he was doing good until 3 days ago, not great but good, I let him out three days ago in the snow. He ran around for about 10 minutes, 15 minutes tops because it was pretty cold out. So I notice the next day he's limping, lifting his entire front left leg, it looked like it was broken. I felt him up like 5 times, extending his muscles and joints and feeling his bones all the way up, nothing felt broken and he still had full movement, it appeared, but too much pain to use. Yesterday it seemed that he was getting better, he was kissing the ground with it a couple of times but not applying pressure on it yet. Mind you he's still climbing my bed (at least 3 1/2 feet), the couch and still moving around, eating etc. Today, I get home and I see him walking to his food. He's using his two front feet, and lifting his left leg in the air, and moving around like that. He just finished his meal and now he's shaking uncontrollably, kinda like if you've ever went outside in really cold windy weather day in a t-shirt and didn't do anything active for like 5 or 10 minutes, that kind of shaking if I can kind of give you something in comparison. I don't have any idea what's going on with him.


What are some sugguestions that you guys can give me? I don't have money to have him treated at a vet and worst of all I really don't have time/opportunity either. He's never been to a vet before, either. I was thinking maybe he has some type of spinal disk disease or something like that or maybe he caused injury to himself or something, I really have no idea. Other than vet/surgery/ER, what can I do until I can get this dog to professional care?

It looks like his knee (or hip) is bothering him, it's very common in the Yorkie breed. Some do ok w/supplements & some need surgery. I am so sorry you are in a situation where you can't vet him. He does need to see a vet, lifting his leg & shaking is a sign of pain. Have you looked into care credit or borrowing from a family member or friend(s)? I would restrict his play time, not let him jump up or down & not let him walk out in the snow til you can get him to the vet.

He needs to see a Vet. Try and find some time in YOUR schedule, and try and find some way to get the money.

Some things just do need a vet visit. If you don't have time, maybe a friend, sister, brother can take the dog in. In terms of money there are links on here for help for vet care in the library.

In the meantime, complete crate rest, no jumping up or down, go out to potty on lead so there is no running leaping etc.

If it is his front left leg, it can be a number of different things - have you examined his paw pads and in between the pads, his nails? Also it could be coming from the elbow, and or a shoulder injury. Finally the neck spine and or upper thoracic spine could be an issue with as you say a disc injury of some nature. How-ever crate rest until you get into see the vet is a safe way to go.

He needs a vet visit, and should be having regular vet care. If you truly can not afford to properly afford the care, there are Yorkie rescue groups who can take him in.

Many folks get into financial difficulty at one time or another, and despite how it may grieve, for the best interests of your dog when you can not afford the care, surrendering the dog to a rescue is certainly encouraged.

This could be a number of things....all of which would require a vet. I cannot believe you have never taken him to a vet at all......2014 is a good year to change that!

One thing I don't see mentioned much, but is common in yorkies, is a shoulder issue. It would take an exam by an ortho surgeon to find this out. I would, however, start with a regular vet.

Please take him to a vet...he is in pain.

If you can't get him to a vet please surrender him to a rescue he is in pain and needs a vet.

Another poster who posted once and never came back to update.

Hopefully her dog is okay and she got the vet care it needed.