Question about X-rays for potential ligament issues.

[Anthony99]

I am taking Avlon in today for X-rays and a physical exam b/c she is limping on her right front leg. It happened Sat night and she is still limping so it is time to see the vet. If it is ligamnet damage how will they determine that from an X-ray? My vet is a basic vet hospital with no orthopedic docs on staff. Should I make an appt at an orthopedic vet that can do the drawer test?

Thanks.

 

[padkins]

:hugs: Oh no, I hate to hear about Avlon's trouble. Hope the vet can give you some answers. Our regular vet is really good at diagnosing troubles and sending us on to the orthopedic specialists when necessary. Hopefully this is nothing major that can't be corrected with a little time and possibly some medication. Please keep us updated. :hugs:

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Zeke recently hurt one of his front legs, we brought him in for x-rays and our regular vet found nothing, but about once a month he meets up with other vets and brought Zeke's x-rays and the orthopedic vet was able to see muscle inflamation according to what I was told, I haven't been back yet for him to show me an explain.

 

[charlieinnj]

What did she do to it on Saturday night?

 

[Ginny]

Front end limping is not associated with a cruciate tear. Intermittent front end limping that persists requires that elbows and shoulders be evaluated. Unfortunately, elbows dysplasia (Osteochondritis, fragmented coronoids, ununited anconeal process) is more often the culprit with Newfs and finding evidence on an x-ray can be very difficult. CT scans are the best way to evaluate elbows and university hospitals sometimes offer them at reduced prices. By the time changes, usually arthritic, can be seen on x-rays, damage has been done. Shoulder problems are a bit more easy to spot on x-ray because that joint is less complex.

How old is Avlon?

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

If it's the front leg, the drawer test is for the knee only so they wouldn't do that on your pup...

I would just go to your vet. They'll probably do a basic ortho exam and take xrays. If they see or feel anything of concern, they should refer you to a specialist. That said, if they don't see anything of concern, they'll probably send you home with some anti-inflammatories and instructions for a week or two of rest and if at the end of that there is no improvement, they'll probably refer you to a specialist.

Don't get too worried, many times they do just hurt themselves and it's just a soft tissue injury. Keep positive and get your pup to his normal vet!

 

[NewfieMama]

Zu had OCD in her shoulder that was visible on the X rays. The X rays were done/read first by an orthopedic vet but the one who took me through them was a veterinary dentist and he was able to point out the mice in her joint to me so that I could see them too.

She did have to be sedated for them to get all the views they wanted, but she was having dental surgery anyway so we did it all at once.

Good luck and I hope it's nothing serious. Maybe a few days of rest/pain meds will help?

 

[Anthony99]

Just got back from the vet and I feel sooooooooo dumb. Her paw / pad was very infected causing her to limp. I never checked her foot when I did my little exam at home b/c, she would barely put any weight on it. I automatically thought it was her shoulder or elbow. We keep her fur on her paws long b/c my wife likes the look. When the vet shaved the under side of her paw down, I could not believe how red and irritated it was. It must of hurt so bad for her not to put any weight on it. Even though I feel dumb.... I am thankful it was not her shoulder or elbow. She came home with 21 days worth of antibiotics and hopefully she will be feeling better soon.

 

[Melissakins]

Glad to hear she's not bad off. Don't beat yourself up over this!

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Oh good! I mean, not that I'm glad that her paw is hurt...just glad that it's not a serious ortho issue!!

 

[Annetteb]

So glad it isn't anything serious!!! We all can overreact, especially when we hear about the serious issues lately.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Glad it appears to be a simple fix and nothing serious.

 

[Ocean's Edge]

*smiles* feeling the fool (which you aren't) is a small price to pay for such relieving news.

Hope she's feeling better quickly

 

[dumainedogs]

Oh yeah.. blush a little, but breathe a great big sigh of relief!

 

[Pipelineozzy]

You can leave the top hair of the foot long, but keep the underside clipped close. (Also helps keep them from slipping and sliding.) I have one girl that gets "foot rot" as I call it, and I have to keep her feet very short underneath so they don't stay wet.