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We have a 6 yr old chocolate lab who woke up yesterday ...

Sent to Pet Experts May 2 2006 at 1:18 AM
   

We have a 6 yr old chocolate lab who woke up yesterday morning with his right rear leg "locked" in a bent position. When he is relaxed and laying down, he will straighten the leg slightly, but winces with pain. He is walking on 3 legs.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $10
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May 2 2006 at 1:24 AM (6 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

You first need to determine the cause of the pain. The most common injury in some dogs is probably a torn cranial cruciate. This is comparable to the ACL ligament in people. If this is the case, there are surgeries that can repair it and the vet will offer steroids and anti-inflammatories to help with pain.

Another cause might be a luxating patella. In layman's terms this means wiggly kneecaps. If a dog has this condition, the knee will slip into and out of place. The dog might straighten the leg to flex it back in place.

I would also be concerned about a back or disc injury.

I hope this helps!

Unfortunately, you can't tell from the outside what the source of the pain may be.

Let me know if you have more questions about this.

Tammy F. -- Pet Care Expert -- 99% Positive Feedback on 5067 Pet Accepts
15+ years-Pet care, Veterinary shelter medicine and infectious disease, Behavior training, Rescue
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May 2 2006 at 5:24 AM (3 hours and 59 minutes and 19 seconds later)
         
Reply to Tammy Falkner's Post: Would he react that way to something similar to a groin pull?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
May 2 2006 at 6:42 AM (1 hour and 18 minutes and 8 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Dogs don't really don't pull the groin the same way that people do.

I would be more worried about a patella issue, particularly since he is lengthening the leg behind him. They will straighten the leg to pop the kneecap back in place.

Tammy F. -- Pet Care Expert -- 99% Positive Feedback on 5067 Pet Accepts
15+ years-Pet care, Veterinary shelter medicine and infectious disease, Behavior training, Rescue
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