Diagnosing lab’s limp

[vandeman17]

About mid way through duck season, my 7 year old lab got tangled up with some barbed wire while hiking out to one our duck spots. We heard it happen but didn’t see it or know what it did until we saw a very small limp in our head lamps. We checked her out really well and finally found a clean cut on the inside of her front leg below her knee. It wasn’t even really bleeding at all but we turned around and went back to the truck. That afternoon we took her to a friends house who was a vet tech for many years and she cleaned up the cut and and got it all cleaned/dressed. I kept her very low activity for a few weeks while the cut healed.

When we did start getting her more active, she had a limp that some days was very noticeable and some days not bad at all. After a few weeks of that, along with pain killers, we tried a few weeks of zero activity besides out to pee and deuce. She still hasn’t gotten better so I am thinking it’s time for some tests. Any of you guys who have done this, how does it all go and about what were the costs? Thanks

[cougforester]

Blood poisoning from rusty wire? Anything stuck in her paw that you missed the first time?

How's the cut look, any swelling? Did the cut get any tendons or anything?

[vandeman17]

Blood poisoning from rusty wire? Anything stuck in her paw that you missed the first time?

How's the cut look, any swelling? Did the cut get any tendons or anything?

We had her on immune support and other meds so I don’t think there was any infections. I work with a gal who ran a vet clinic for 12 years and she checked on her a few times per week. She agreed it was just a superficial cut and nothing to worry about. Checked her paw at that time and many times since.

Cut has fully healed, hair grown back and just a slight scar. Both the vet tech who cleaned and closed plus friend agreed no tendon or ligament damage

[cougforester]

Sounds like you've done your due diligence. Sounds like some Xrays or scans of some sort are in order. Do you have pet insurance?

Keep us in the loop and hope things get sorted out. Dog problems are no fun.

[vandeman17]

Sounds like you've done your due diligence. Sounds like some Xrays or scans of some sort are in order. Do you have pet insurance?

Keep us in the loop and hope things get sorted out. Dog problems are no fun.

No pet insurance for me so I was wondering if guys know about how much the tests and all that set them back and if they found different areas or different clinics had better or worse rates. I am willing to drive a bit for the best care and best value

[Mudman]

Several hundred dollars.  If you are a client and had recent exam it will be cheaper.  Dog very well could have injured itself from the panic/trauma.  Not related to scar.  Bad knee?  Get xrays to start.

[vandeman17]

Several hundred dollars.  If you are a client and had recent exam it will be cheaper.  Dog very well could have injured itself from the panic/trauma.  Not related to scar.  Bad knee?  Get xrays to start.

I am fine paying whatever it takes to get her back to hunting this fall because she loves it and I think she has some good years left in her. With that said, I am not opposed at all of traveling some for a cheaper exam and/or surgery. One of the benefits of having a retired old man is I can give him gas and food money and it gives him something to do during the week 

[lamrith]

What leg is she actually limping on?  She may have cut the front but tweaked a knee getting free if she was tangled?  Sometimes it can be tough, we just notice their gait has changed, but take a minute to verify which one to help narrow it down.

IF it is a knee that needs work I would schedule a trip over to Sun Valley in Idaho.  Nobody better in the country and his pricing is lightyears better than the locals charge.  I have lost track of how many people I have heard nothing but good things about him from.
https://www.svanimal.com/tplo-surgery/

[knh]

I noticed an intermittent limp in my GS and around the same time he started hesitating when jumping into back seat of my General and my truck.  It got worse over the next 2 weeks and I brought him to our vet.  He had xrays and exam and diagnosed with basically a torn ACL. 2 weeks later, the day before surgery it tore so bad he could no longer put any weight on it. How does his knee move?

[vandeman17]

Its her front left leg and it seems to be shoulder related but it is tough to say for sure. I can rub, press and manipulate the different joints and there is zero reaction like it hurts her. She still really wants to run and play so I am constantly trying to keep her more calm. If she even goes for much of a walk then lays down after, there is a distinct limp that seems to loosen up when she moves more.

[shootem]

Retained foreign body? Time to see a vet.

[vandeman17]

Retained foreign body? Time to see a vet.

That is the plan

[MR5x5]

Did you try anything like Duralactin for general inflammation?

[vandeman17]

Did you try anything like Duralactin for general inflammation?

Yes she has been on anti inflammatory tabs since it happened

[carpsniperg2]

I think its pretty low chances pf infection in dogs but I know they can get tetanus? Maybe she got it from the wire when it cut her? Not sure but might be something to test for. Hope she gets feeling better soon.

[vandeman17]

I think its pretty low chances pf infection in dogs but I know they can get tetanus? Maybe she got it from the wire when it cut her? Not sure but might be something to test for. Hope she gets feeling better soon.

Thanks me too. When I bring her in, I will have them run the different tests to rule things out

[vandeman17]

Got xrays back and nothing broken but the radiology report did show some signs of arthritis and she mentioned bringing her to WSU where they do some type of surgery where they complete small muscle cuts or something along those lines to help loosen the muscles. It was my old man that talked to the gal but that is what he told me. Any thoughts?

[GoldenOscar]

Vandeman - I will second Dr Akers office in Sun Valley ID, I just made the drive 2 weeks ago from Blaine WA and 100% happy  I did for my 8 year old Golden. I saved thousands over getting the work done in WA for one and Its a really nice clean spot. AmericInn in Hailey also gives discounts for the Vet so many people travel through there.