Apologies, Not Been On Here For Ages!!!

[Lal]

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I haven't posted on here for ages (personal reasons too complicated to explain!) but really need some advice. Rifle is 4 years old and, for the past month, has had intermittent hind leg lameness and general discomfort, reluctant to jump onto his favourite chair, climb stairs etc. Whilst out walking he would, for no apparent reason, yelp then be holding up his left hind leg, but most times would appear totally sound other than the odd yelp when changing position on his bed etc. After restricted exercise and anti-inflammatories (also feverfew) he was no better and vets decided to x-ray. Spoke to the vet this evening and they say he has early signs of hip dysplasia and recommend starting cartrophen injections. I'm no expert but, having seen a GSD and Lab (family dogs when I was younger) with this condition I am not convinced. Am i right in thinking it is virtually unheard of in whippets? I said this to the vet and he basically spoke to me like some sort of retard, describing joint changes etc (as a former nurse my knowledge of ball and socket joints is reasonably good!). Any advice would be appreciated?

 

[TIGGERGOULD]

I haven't posted on here for ages (personal reasons too complicated to explain!) but really need some advice. Rifle is 4 years old and, for the past month, has had intermittent hind leg lameness and general discomfort, reluctant to jump onto his favourite chair, climb stairs etc. Whilst out walking he would, for no apparent reason, yelp then be holding up his left hind leg, but most times would appear totally sound other than the odd yelp when changing position on his bed etc. After restricted exercise and anti-inflammatories (also feverfew) he was no better and vets decided to x-ray. Spoke to the vet this evening and they say he has early signs of hip dysplasia and recommend starting cartrophen injections. I'm no expert but, having seen a GSD and Lab (family dogs when I was younger) with this condition I am not convinced. Am i right in thinking it is virtually unheard of in whippets? I said this to the vet and he basically spoke to me like some sort of retard, describing joint changes etc (as a former nurse my knowledge of ball and socket joints is reasonably good!). Any advice would be appreciated?

sounds to me like a slipped patella injury dont walk him for a month give him some infra red andgentle massage do you feel any clicking in the knee joint area?

 

[Lal]

I haven't posted on here for ages (personal reasons too complicated to explain!) but really need some advice. Rifle is 4 years old and, for the past month, has had intermittent hind leg lameness and general discomfort, reluctant to jump onto his favourite chair, climb stairs etc. Whilst out walking he would, for no apparent reason, yelp then be holding up his left hind leg, but most times would appear totally sound other than the odd yelp when changing position on his bed etc. After restricted exercise and anti-inflammatories (also feverfew) he was no better and vets decided to x-ray. Spoke to the vet this evening and they say he has early signs of hip dysplasia and recommend starting cartrophen injections. I'm no expert but, having seen a GSD and Lab (family dogs when I was younger) with this condition I am not convinced. Am i right in thinking it is virtually unheard of in whippets? I said this to the vet and he basically spoke to me like some sort of retard, describing joint changes etc (as a former nurse my knowledge of ball and socket joints is reasonably good!). Any advice would be appreciated?

sounds to me like a slipped patella injury dont walk him for a month give him some infra red andgentle massage do you feel any clicking in the knee joint area?

Thanks for your advice. No, can't feel any clicking at all and he doesn't object to me flexing the joint. He is reluctant to fully extend his leg and uncomfortable when asked to sit?

 

[Whippets Rule]

I would be inclined to get a second opinion from another vet if it was my pooch.

what you describe is exactly what Parker my old beagle used to do when he got a slight tear in his cruciate , he would randomly yelp and pull up lame. sometimes he would weight bear ok and sometimes not,he would have trouble sitting and if you put his paw in your hand and applied gentle pressure to bend his leg, he would yelp too....I would be surprised if it was HD but seeing another vet would be my next step x

 

[jinnyfizz]

Muscle damage to the superficial and mid gluteals or hamstrings can cause the problems you are describing.

Rest and massage will correct it in time and the addition of pharmaceutical grade collagen to his diet.

Many vets are not as knowledgeable about the canine muscular/skeletal system as they could be and as the gluteals sit around and behind the pelvis it is almost inevitable that they will diagnose potential HD when presented with this sort of problem

Nice to hear from you again :thumbsup:

 

[Lal]

Thank you all for your advice. Have been into the vets today and asked to see a different vet and for the x-rays to be available for me to see on Tuesday so I will keep you posted. It's a pity I can't explain the need for rest to Rifle, he can't understand why we are not going for our lovely long walks at Druridge Bay!

 

[Noise]

could possibly a knowledgable greyhound/whippet vet help?!

hope you get to the bottom of this problem and your boy can enjoy his walks again :luck: :luck: :luck:

 

[Lal]

could possibly a knowledgable greyhound/whippet vet help?!
hope you get to the bottom of this problem and your boy can enjoy his walks again :luck: :luck: :luck:

I wish I could find one!! Considering the North East of England is historically associated with 'flat caps and whippets' I have had little success finding a vet with a particular interest/knowledge of whippets/greyhounds - if anybody knows of one (I don't mind travelling a little further afield) then I would be interested to know.

The practice I use is a well established mixed practice although i must admit my experiences with them have largely been on the Equine side. I've always been happy with the treatment Rifle has received previously but it has never been anything other than fairly routine stuff. :unsure:

 

[Janimal]

Hi Alison, nice to hear from you again. Sorry youve been having trouble with Rifle...I do hope you have it sorted soon.

Good luck with it all... :luck: :luck:

 

[Lal]

Hi Alison, nice to hear from you again. Sorry youve been having trouble with Rifle...I do hope you have it sorted soon.Good luck with it all... :luck: :luck:

Thanks Janice, pathetic I know but he is an absolute light in my life, when I can't sleep he's happy to go out at 'stupid o'clock' in the morning, equally he'll cuddle up on the sofa for a cosy at night. We love our walks together and I hate seeing him like this, when he looks at me at walk time and all I can do is take him out for 10 mins on the lead...

 

[Noise]

Hi Alison, nice to hear from you again. Sorry youve been having trouble with Rifle...I do hope you have it sorted soon.Good luck with it all... :luck: :luck:

Thanks Janice, pathetic I know but he is an absolute light in my life, when I can't sleep he's happy to go out at 'stupid o'clock' in the morning, equally he'll cuddle up on the sofa for a cosy at night. We love our walks together and I hate seeing him like this, when he looks at me at walk time and all I can do is take him out for 10 mins on the lead...

it's not pathetic, I feel the same way about my boys, although not a whippet, my eldest Popsy helped me pull through some darker times.

 

[JAX]

Try ringing a local Dog Track , maybe Sunderland? for the vet they use , Go to the NGRC website for number

Must admit I thought `cruciate` on first post

 

[Lal]

Thanks Jaxs, Janimal has also sent me a link for a greyhound specialist. I thought initially cruciate or luxating patella but vets, after exam under anaesthetic are telling me they are sure it is neither! Hopefully I will finally get to see the x-rays on Tuesday then I might feel better informed. All I want is to get the best possible treatment for Rifle, whatever the injury/condition it really doesn't matter to me other than to know what it is and how to manage it. Rifle is a companion/pet, he doesn't race/work/show so all I want is to get him comfortable. That said, he is a very fit, active 4 year old dog so all this 'restricted exercise' is not suiting him well at all