Advice please lameness and stumbling/ falling

[bdiddy]

Hi everyone was looking for some advice. We have 2 ex racing greys Burton is the male and is 8 years old. He has recently stared to appear slightly lame on his back right leg. It's not all the time but seems to be getting worse it seems stiff when he get up and he avoids putting too much weight on it. Recently on walks he is v reluctant to walk and has on several occasions stumbled and tripped or actually fallen over. He seems to be getting more stumbly, he is also now reluctant to go upstairs and has adopted a different walking action to go up the stairs when he does. This is upsetting as our living room
Is upstairs so don't want him left downstairs on his own.
We have taken him to the vet, she did blood tests and suggested arthritis cos of his age and offered pain killers but I didn't want to just medicate I wanted a diagnosis! She did a thorough examination but he didnt react as if in pain but them he never does even when he is! She did bloods and has suggested hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) and has suggested thyroid meds for three weeks to try.
I have done some research and am now extremely not convinced by this diagnosis. Apparently greyhounds have lower thyroid levels naturally compared to other dogs? Also he doesn't have any of the symptoms apart from the stumbling and has actually lost weight not gained it!
I am worried about the possibility of bone cancer.
Has anyone experienced this? What were the symptoms and how did your vet diagnose? Also is there any treatment? I really hope it's not this but I know it is fairly common in greys and obviously if it could be this then I imagine time is of the essence.
Thanks,
Louise x

[deborahburt]

Apr 18, 2013 2:45:30 GMT -5 bdiddy said:

Hi everyone was looking for some advice. We have 2 ex racing greys Burton is the male and is 8 years old. He has recently stared to appear slightly lame on his back right leg. It's not all the time but seems to be getting worse it seems stiff when he get up and he avoids putting too much weight on it. Recently on walks he is v reluctant to walk and has on several occasions stumbled and tripped or actually fallen over. He seems to be getting more stumbly, he is also now reluctant to go upstairs and has adopted a different walking action to go up the stairs when he does. This is upsetting as our living room
Is upstairs so don't want him left downstairs on his own.
We have taken him to the vet, she did blood tests and suggested arthritis cos of his age and offered pain killers but I didn't want to just medicate I wanted a diagnosis! She did a thorough examination but he didnt react as if in pain but them he never does even when he is! She did bloods and has suggested hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) and has suggested thyroid meds for three weeks to try.
I have done some research and am now extremely not convinced by this diagnosis. Apparently greyhounds have lower thyroid levels naturally compared to other dogs? Also he doesn't have any of the symptoms apart from the stumbling and has actually lost weight not gained it!
I am worried about the possibility of bone cancer.
Has anyone experienced this? What were the symptoms and how did your vet diagnose? Also is there any treatment? I really hope it's not this but I know it is fairly common in greys and obviously if it could be this then I imagine time is of the essence.
Thanks,
Louise x

Morning Louise,
No experience, but sending lots of healing hugs to Burton.

[bdiddy]

Thank you xx

[samburns]

I don't know anything about thyroid conditions, sorry.......But I would definitely be asking your vet to x-ray Burton's legs to rule out anything nasty   TBH I'm surprised your vet hasn't done that   Although not always offered, I've always asked my vet to x-ray when there is lameness where my greys are over 6 years old because at that age they are at risk of bone cancer    I think x-rays would also show athritis though too.


Burton sounds like a typical greyhound, when they are in bad pain they are amazingly stoic and quite often don't indicate pain under vet examination   That does make diagnosing anything difficult but like you I would definitely want a firm diagnosis


Sending good wishes for Burton and hoping you manage to get to the bottom of what is causing his pain

I'm sure others here will be able to share experiences of thyroid issues too.

[wings]

I can't give any medical advice, but it sounds to me like arthritis might be the cause. This could be confirmed by an x ray, which I assume could also be used to check for bone cancer.

Our dog has also just been diagnosed with arthritis. It's in his front left wrist. Apparently, this is the leg ex racers must often get arthritis (and other injuries) in, as it suffers the most from wear and tear due to the way they run around the track.

[wings]

Oh sorry, I just noticed you write it's your dog back right leg that's affected. Ignore my paragraph about injuries to the front left, that's not relevant in your case.

[vickyb]

Has the vet considered cruciate problems? It was recently suspected that Sapphy may have a dodgy one and my vet had her in the next day for x rays and to check it while under sedation as it's the only way to be sure. I'd definitely want x rays doing on hips, legs and poss lower back as it does sound quite extreme for arthritis to come on so suddenly.

Has the vet also thoroughly checked the pad for foreign boddies or corns as it's possible there could be 2 things going on or if there's a problem with the foot it could cause the strange walking action which could lead to stiffness. Does it make any difference to him if he walks on a hard surface or grass?

They can loose weight if they are in a lot of pain despite eating normally. Is he on pain relief? if so did it help? With arthritis it should be relatively easy to control the pain so you should see a rapid improvement. Often the times they have most difficulty is standing up and sitting/lying down but once they're on their feet and moving - so the joints are warmed up, they can enjoy a steady walk and it's good for arthritis sufferers to keep moving but I think you really do need x rays doing.
Hope you get some answers and it's something easily treatable

[sassbu]

No advice i'm afraid.

It really couldn't do any harm to ring round some more vets and see if you can find a more greyhound savvy vets who may be able to reassure you is there or was there a track near by you? Sounds odd I know but in if there is there will be some vets practicing in that area or were once track vets, like my vet was. On the one hand I hate the idea, but on the other hand they are extremely greyhound savvy and mine really does his very best by the dogs.

Hope you get some answers and explanations you feel more confident about

[jodav]

Hi Louise

As has been said, it really is important to get the opinion of a vet with particular grehound experience - my vet did a blood test last year on one of my dogs and referred to another vet for a better analysis of apparently abnormal thyroid levels which turned out to be nothing to worry about The same vet was also at a loss to really explain intermittent lameness and stumbling in the dog. He came up with arthritis but anti-inflammatory drugs did not work. Instead she was put onto a high dosage of a steriod medication (PLTs) We haved reduced this medication down to nil ie she doesn't take it anymore, in addition she takes complementary treatments eg liquid supplement Canine Inflamex and Yumega so perhaps it was a soft tissue injury as a result of running. She runs around fairly strenuously most weekends but has no further limping. Can't really give any info on the bone cancer but I sincerely hope this is not what ails Burton.

Jo x

[allthehounds]

Hi, I'm really sorry to hear that Burton is limping. I agree with everything Sam said and an x-ray is really the way forward I think. At least if nothing nasty is found your mind will be set at rest and at the worst at least you can start treating him correctly. We've had two greyhounds with bone cancer and both started with limping however just like your boy they didn't express any pain vocally when limping or examined at the vet. You're right that with bone cancer time is everything and because it's such a painful disease it's important to do something asap. I really hope that Burton doesn't have bone cancer but even arthritis can be very painful and if it's that then an x-ray should show it and you can start giving him the right medication. Our 7 year old Ernie is on daily meds for a low thyroid but he was extremely lethargic and as you rightly say greyhounds usually gain weight with a low thyroid rather than lose it which is one of the reasons he was checked in the first place. If I can help in any way once you know more or you want to ask anymore questions feel free to ask here or e-mail me privately. I'll be thinking of you and Burton and please let us know when you've been back to the vet. Sian.

[bdiddy]

Thanks guys. Vickyb no she didn't check his pads or feet at all actually, though we ourselves have had a good check of the pads for corns and can't find anything painful on the foot itself.
Sassbu our nearest track would be Bolton/ Westhoughton we are in wigan so not so far, no idea which vet they would use though. Our old vet was pretty good (although admittedly not particularly greyhound savvy) but he has left and the new one is very young so I'm not sure how experienced she is. She has diagnosed arthritis just from examination- is this possible or are x rays needed?
I went yesterday to pick up the medication for thyroid and spoke to her while I was there to mention he seemed to be getting worse. She also gave me some metacam to relive his pain and we are going back on Monday for another examination. She mentioned xraying only if this medication doesn't improve things. Can I ask her to X-ray him sooner than that? We are over our insurance excess now so it hopefully shouldn't cost anymore but I feel like the vet should be suggesting these things not me!! I just want to be sure it's nothing more serious

[vickyb]

If it's not going to cost you anything I'd tell your vet you're not happy waiting and want x rays done now. Arthritis can only be diagnosed conclusively by x rays - or I'd be looking for another vet. Of course thats assuming there isn't any medical reason to avoid sedation. Sapphy didn't have a GA for her x rays which were lower back, hips, legs, she just had sedation and was home within a couple of hours, had a snooze then was awake and back to normal.

If for some reason she wanted to give a GA I'd be making sure that she was aware that greyhounds need certain anaesthetics and ask what she was going to use just to be sure. If she doesn't know that then you need to be out of the door asap.

Its the whole stumbling bit that worries me too, if he was just a bit stiff and uncomfortable then it does sound like arthritis but I think you do need to rule out osteo. My view is that if I'm paying, then I want the best diagnostics and treatment as appropriate.
Good luck

[SJ]

Hi, sorry to hear about your boy Burton, am wondering if this link may be useful to you and might be worth discussing with your vet.

www.grassmere-animal-hospital.com/cauda_equina.htm

[allthehounds]

Hi Louise, I'd go back and ask for the x-rays to be done straight away especially if you think Burton is getting worse. Arthritis will only be diagnosed for sure through x-rays as would bone cancer. We're very lucky that our vet never uses GA when he x-rays our dogs as he prefers to avoid the extra risk but even so I think you need to be going down that route if only to rule the nasty stuff out. Continued good thoughts for Burton and keep us posted on his progress. Sian

[buddy001juno]

Hi

The chain indicates that you have checked the paw. Have you done this after washing it? Only Mandy had a corn that was only visible as a black dot when washing her paws following a walk. It cost three vet appointments and two attempts to wash out a “thorn” before my research suggested it could be a corn. The pad was not hard to the touch but the vet did agree to surgery. The biopsy confirmed that it was a “rodent wart” and I was lucky the insurance paid out. That was 4 years ago and touch wood it has not returned. I have not been so lucky with my tripod who a large and painful corn on his only back leg. I am waiting for medication to arrive from the states which has been successful in some cases. However as he has only one leg he has been on synoquin for his joints and I think that has helped and you can get it on line, though the dose is loaded for the first month. Hope that helps