[SOLVED ] Q. My a dod, a 10yrs old Maltese x shit-tsu, limps her right front leg. Being to vet, but physical found nothing. Now, muscles loss e shoulders...

bonny. Ts

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. Unfortunately many dogs are very stoic at the vet and don’t show pain (and thus, the location of the problem) during an exam. I think you’ll need to try again, either with your same vet or another vet, to diagnose the location of the problem. At 10 years of age she could have osteoarthritis in any of her forelimb joints, or could even have a systemic problem such as Lyme disease that’s causing joint pain. Clearly if you’re noticing atrophy in the shoulder muscles there’s a problem, so I’d urge you to find someone who can really help you diagnose this and treat it properly.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Lipomas (fatty lumps)

Lipomas are the most common benign mass dogs can get; they`re often found under the skin of older dogs, and are more common in obese dogs. They tend to be round, soft tumours of fat cells that grow very slowly and rarely spread, so it can take up to six months before you see any change.

Paw dragging is usually a symptom of a communication breakdown between the brain and the nerves. Whether due to injury or an underlying medical problem, when there is an interruption in the spinal nerves many dogs struggle with paw placement.

Hygromas are typically not painful. They can form over any bony prominence on the dog`s body, such as the side of the hock (ankle) joint or over the side of the hip, but they are most commonly found over the elbow.

Lipomas are the most common masses found on pets. These “fatty tumors” are almost always benign growths, and are usually just under the skin. They remain relatively mobile (skin moves around them freely) unless they invade local muscle and connective tissue.

Unless you`re sure about the cause of a lump or bump, bring your dog in for an exam. If you see fast growth, redness, swelling, pus, an opening, or if the dog is in pain, make that appointment even sooner.

It is important to get all new lumps checked out by your vet, however, to ensure that they are benign. Occasionally, lipomas will cause difficulty to your dog if they become involved with internal organs or if they become so large that they impede movement or make your pet uncomfortable.

Paralysis of a front leg is usually associated with injury to the nerve roots in the neck or shoulder, injury to the network of nerves found deep in the armpit (brachial plexus), or injury to the radial, median, musculocutaneous, or ulnar nerve in the leg.

The radial nerve is the largest nerve in the front leg, and is responsible for extending the elbow, wrist and toes. When this nerve is damaged, dogs appear lame, often dragging the front paw on the ground. Trauma above the elbow is the most common cause of radial nerve paralysis in dogs.

One of the best ways to identify a potentially cancerous lump is to evaluate how that tumor feels when touched. Compared to the soft, fatty characteristics of a lipoma, a cancerous lump will be harder and firm to the touch, appearing as a hard immovable lump on your dog.

Skin squamous cell carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed form of skin cancer in dogs. These tumors appear as raised wart-like patches or lumps that are firm to the touch and are most often found on the dog`s head, lower legs, rear, and abdomen.

The tumor may appear as a small nodule, a reddish colored skin plaque, or as a papule – small and blister like in appearance, but differentiated by its lack of fluid.

Squamous cell carcinomas can be found in two places on a dog: on the surface of the skin or under a nail. Most appear as firm, raised, irregular, and ulcerated areas. Many are solitary, but areas of prolonged sun exposure may produce multiple tumors. These growths invade surrounding tissues.

Jamie Whittenburg (DVM) explains, “All masses grow from just a few microscopic cells into larger masses that may be felt on the dog. A `sudden` appearance of a mass or lump may be the owner just finding the mass for the first time, a very aggressive cancer, or even a cyst, seroma, or abscess filling with fluid.”

Lipomas or fatty tumors

These are usually soft, round, and movable. They are commonly found around the ribs—though they can show up in other places on the body as well—on middle-aged to senior dogs who lean toward being overweight. Lipomas are often not something that you need to worry about on your dog.

As a dog ages, they often develop spongy lumps, called lipomas, on their bodies. These lumps are usually fatty tumors and no reason to worry. If the lump in question is soft and round with well defined edges, this is a good indication that the lump is not cancerous.

In dogs, the most common type of malignant skin cancer is a mast cell tumor. These tumors are superficial lumps that can be painful. They often swell, frequently bleed and then scab over, only to bleed again a few days later. They should not be squeezed by the owner, as squeezing can make them swell even more.

Hip dysplasia is common in Shih Tzus. You may notice that he has lameness in his hind legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We`ll take X-rays of your dog`s joints to identify the disease as early as possible, and we can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to avoid discomfort and pain.

The treatment that your vet prescribes will depend on the cause of the limping and can be as simple as a few days of rest and some anti-inflammatories, or it may require surgery and rehabilitation. Bandages, splints, and physical therapy may be needed and sometimes a supplement for joint health is prescribed.

Injury or Trauma

Broken bones, fractures, sprains, dislocations, ligament tears, joint trauma, and spinal injuries can all cause moderate to severe limping in dogs, and in some cases the dog may not be able to put weight on the affected leg at all.

WHAT IS A DOG`S BROKEN LEG HEALING TIME? The healing time for a broken leg in a puppy is relatively short (2 to 4 weeks). Younger dogs have more bone building cells and are growing anyway, so their bones are constantly remodeling. For adult dogs, the healing time for a broken leg is 6 to 12 weeks.

As in humans, a dog`s bones and joints are subject to strains, sprains, dislocations, and breaks that can cause pain and limited mobility. If your dog is limping on her front paw, showing weakness on her foreleg, or you notice swelling of the ankle, it may be a front leg injury.

Lumps can appear anywhere on your body. Most lumps are harmless but it`s important to see a GP if you`re worried or the lump is still there after 2 weeks.

Fish oil, a potent source of omega-3s, has got a lot of scientifically proven benefits for dogs. It may be helpful in preventing and shrinking lipomas through several modes of action. Omega-3s may help reduce inflammation and obesity, keep the joints well lubricated and the skin and coat lustrous.

Dog Cyst vs Tumor: How Do I Tell The Difference? Cysts are fluid-filled sacs under the skin that are usually easy to move around, while tumors are typically more solid. A cyst also may drain a white, yellow, or green discharge.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. My a dod, a 10yrs old Maltese x shit-tsu, limps her right front leg. Being to vet, but physical found nothing. Now, muscles loss e shoulders bonny. Ts

ANSWER : A. Unfortunately many dogs are very stoic at the vet and don’t show pain (and thus, the location of the problem) during an exam. I think you’ll need to try again, either with your same vet or another vet, to diagnose the location of the problem. At 10 years of age she could have osteoarthritis in any of her forelimb joints, or could even have a systemic problem such as Lyme disease that’s causing joint pain. Clearly if you’re noticing atrophy in the shoulder muscles there’s a problem, so I’d urge you to find someone who can really help you diagnose this and treat it properly.

Read Full Q/A … : R

Q. My pet shows weight loss and has a hard time walking, like he has lost strength in his legs and has no control to maintain balance. What’s wrong?

ANSWER : A. Loss of balance or inability to control the limbs can be caused by a wide range of problems and is usually cause for concern. Damage to the nerves or muscles can cause loss of balance, as well as neurological disease or some illnesses. Having your vet perform a complete examination is needed to determine the exact cause.

Weight loss can refer to the actual loss of fat and weight on your dog, or may also be due to the loss of muscle tone in the body. If there is a problem with one of the limbs, it may be that the weight loss you are seeing is actually loss of muscle in that area. Weight loss can again be caused by a wide range of problems from neurologic disease, illness, parasites or disease. Making an appointment with your vet is best.

Read Full Q/A … : 21 Symptoms You Should Never Ignore in Your Dog – The Web's …

Q. Hello.. My jack russel has started to get a bowed front leg at the ankle and is causing him to limp quiet a lot.. Is there anything that can be done.?

ANSWER : A. It is possible an injury or deformity of the leg is causing the limp and physical changes you are seeing. Sprains, breaks, strains and even nutritional deficiencies may cause the leg to bow and pain/limping to occur. Having a vet take an X-ray and examine the leg is best to determine the cause of the changes and limp as well as the treatment needed. Casting, bed rest, and medications to treat pain may all be needed to help the leg heal. Until you can get to the vet, a regime of strict kennel rest with leashed walks only to go potty outside will help reduce any further injury to the leg and decrease pain.

Read Full Q/A … : Jack Russell FAQs Page!

Q. My dog has a hard time walking on his front legs. I was told he has nerve damage and he was walking on three legs now it seems to be both front legs

ANSWER : A. Problems with walking in the front legs can be caused by a large number of things. Arthritis in older dogs can cause joint pain and stiffness which may make walking hard. Nerve or muscular damage may also cause problems.

With nerve or muscle damage there is often a loss of muscle tone in the affected limbs. Limbs may look skinnier than unaffected ones, and may lose overall muscle mass. In some cases, treatment for pain or soreness may help improve symptoms some. Depending on the severity of the damage, some dogs may recover while others have permanent damage.

It may also be that if your dog was putting all his weight on one front leg to help the other, that the good front leg is now stiff and sore. Restricting exercise, giving a supplement to help joints and bones and following your veterinarian’s recommendations for care can all help your dog to feel a little better.

Read Full Q/A … : Front Leg Injury in Dogs – Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis …

Q. How do I determine how much my overweight pet should weigh?

ANSWER : A. There are many tools to determine overweight and obesity levels in pets. A new tool, morphometric measurements and body fat index, are available to accurately determine a pet’s ideal weight; this will allow an accurate determination of the amount of food a pet should receive to achieve weight loss. Feeding the correct amount will lead to greater weight loss success.

There are many weight loss food options to help pets reach their ideal weight. Your veterinarian can help make a ideal weight recommendation. Here are some tips to help your dog lose weight in a healthy and safe way:

1. Diet: Providing a healthy and well balanced diet is essential to your pet’s overall health. Finding the right food for your dog can be a challenging process. For those overweight animals many commercial dog companies offer weight loss diets, but it is important to evaluate food labels for adequate nutritional content.

You want to ensure you are not missing other essential vitamin or mineral content. Volume of food is also important and the amount of food that works for one breed of dog may not be the same for another breed of dog. Portion control as opposed to free-choice feeding can help your dog to drop a few unnecessary pounds.

There are also prescription weight loss foods designed by veterinary nutritionists, such as Hill’s r/d (http://bit.ly/1AoENSd). Some pet owners find that home cooking is the best option for helping to provide a well-balanced and realistic diet plan. There are websites such as balanceit.com that offers recipes to fit your dog’s specific needs. Consulting with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist to find the appropriate diet is a great way to help your dog be as healthy as possible.

2. Exercise: Another great tactic for weight loss for your dog is exercise. Whether this is through running, walking or playing with a favorite toy all of these are wonderful types of exercise to help keep your dog at a lean and healthy weight.

For those pet owners with busy schedules utilizing professional dog walking services or playtime through dog daycare services is another option. It has been shown that those pet owners that exercise regularly with their pets generally live a healthier lifestyle.

3. Physical therapy: As animals age pet owners offer encounter their favorite canine having more difficulty walking and have a dwindling desire to play with toys. Physical therapy, specifically hydrotherapy is a wonderful way to help older and arthritic animals gain more mobility and lose weight. Hydrotherapy has been proven to have several therapeutic effects on the body including, muscle strengthening, relief of swelling, decreased joint pain, less stiffness in limbs, improved circulation, weight loss, and increased tissue healing to name a few. For more information on the benefits of hydrotherapy:
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4. Veterinary visit and blood work: Weight gain can also be related to underlying health concerns such as hypothyroidism or other endocrine disorders. Scheduling a veterinary evaluation and routine blood work can be another important component in increasing the longevity of your dog’s life. Conditions such as hypothyroidism that predispose dogs to gain weight can be treated with a daily medication to improve hormonal balance. If feel that your dog is unnecessarily overweight there can be an underlying health condition that needs to be addressed.

5. Healthy treats: Pet owners love the chance to reward their favorite canine companion with treats and most dogs jump at the chance to consume these delicious products. The problem is many treats, which can include commercial dog treats or table scrapes can add many unnecessary calories to your dog’s daily intake. Reading labels and making note of the calories in these treats is an important component of understanding your dog’s overall health. Treats should not exceed more than 10 percent of your pet’s daily calories. There are healthier treats that can be offered to your pet to keep calories lower yet provide a fuller sensation. A pet owner can add steamed or pureed vegetables, such as carrots, green beans or sweet potato to add more fiber and thus a fuller feeling for your dog.

Read Full Q/A … : How Do I Determine if My Dog is Overweight? – Pet Health Care

Q. My dog was playing fech and started limping and walking on 3 legs some times he walks on all 4 legs. Do I need to go to a vet?

ANSWER : A. Yes I would recommend a vet visit because he is having intermittent (off and on) limping it could mean he has a muscle sprain or a torn ligament in the knee. They can look the same so it is important to have your vet examine and perform a lameness exam to tell which is more likely so that proper treatment is implemented to help avoid further injury to that leg and also the other leg he most definitely is bearing more weight on to take the pressure off the injured one.

Read Full Q/A … : Why is My Dog Limping? 15 Causes of Lameness in Dogs

Q. German short hair 37 lbs was running full speed and hit her leg on a big rock. She’s limping and in pain. Far from vet. Can I give her aspirin?

ANSWER : A. Aspirin should not be given unless instructed to do so by your vet. This medication can cause stomach ulceration or organ problems if not given in the correct dosage. If you have a vet you regularly see but cannot get to you may be able to contact them for the correct medication dosage to give for the short-term. You should also try to keep your dog calm and quiet and restrict activity until she can be seen by a vet to help prevent further injury to the leg and facilitate healing. Once you can get to your vet, your vet can examine the leg and provide treatment including a dog-safe pain medication.

Read Full Q/A … : Vetinfo

Q. My pomeranians back leg is bothering her I believe it is sprained she cant walk on it.she can stand on it and is not in any pain should she see vet

ANSWER : A. If you believe the leg may be sprained or you are seeing signs of injury such as pain, swelling, limp or loss of use of the leg, then scheduling a veterinary appointment is best. Your vet can examine the leg, and may also recommend an X-ray to check for breaks, sprains and dislocations that can all cause these issues. Until you can get into your vet it is best to limit all activity to strict kennel rest and leashed walks outside ONLY to go potty to help reduce the pain and decrease further injury to the limb.

Read Full Q/A … : Pomeranian Health – Problems, Medical Concerns, Issues