malkiserow Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 I thought this would put undue stress on the dogs skeletal structure and for now she states the vet said it is OK >>> Click to see 2 legged dog <<< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 If they loose 1 leg then they are fine but to me thats cruelty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terriers23 Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 thats mad. cant balieve that. dunt no what to make of it to be honest. the dog looks happy enough suppose. must get really tired tho feel abit sorry for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codling99 Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 i thought that,but watching the vid,the dog does look really happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted December 19, 2008 Report Share Posted December 19, 2008 You would be surprised I know a lovely little 2 legged Australian Sheppard that can work sheep or cows all day and is very happy in her life. I also know of a 3 legged roping horse that can throw calves and steers with the best of them, she is never sulky, or miserable but looks forward to running cows. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 serious question -- any ideas if a lab would cope missing a front leg . my dog , is on death row at the moment , been lame and in pain for 4 months on Rimidayl , and the cause can not be found , the vet never mentioned the possibilty of ampputation . if any one knows , i really would consider it . Darren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted December 22, 2008 Report Share Posted December 22, 2008 serious question -- any ideas if a lab would cope missing a front leg . my dog , is on death row at the moment , been lame and in pain for 4 months on Rimidayl , and the cause can not be found , the vet never mentioned the possibilty of ampputation . if any one knows , i really would consider it . Darren I have seen many a 3 legged dog, lots of breeds but not lab. Im pretty sure that labs are one of the 'happiest' breeds around, and would soon adapt and get on with having 3 legs. Dogs don't look back and say ' ohh remember the days when i had four legs...' they just move on and live in the here and now. If it does come to it I wish you and your dog the best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 as said with 3 legs it should be fine and you won't notice much difference. However I'd think about changing vets or getting a second opinion first as it seems extreme for lameness without a specific diagnosis. Rimadyl also though it will help if it is joint orientated will also mask the source of pain so you may need to come off that for a bit until the vet knows what is going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 I was told at a recent dog first aid course that a dog is born with 3 legs and a spare. They can cope very well with only 3 legs, I have seen 2 different spaniels run in working tests with only 3 legs and you would not know the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 thanks lads -- he,s had 4 vets look at him including a ortho specialist , they cant find the problem , only one thing is certain he can no longer use that leg / foot with out great pain and it is starting to look thing and week . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted December 23, 2008 Report Share Posted December 23, 2008 Are you sure it is in the leg and not something in the spine or neck? It may be worth seeing a chiropractor before looking at surgury. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 hiya mate -- well one of the vets was a ortho specialist who has treated a lot of lame labs , he took more detailed x-rays of the leg ,shoulder , back and neck but found nothing . the pain is defo in his foot as soon as you touch it, he yelps and starts licking it , the vet recons the problem may be higher up and maybe a nerve problem but i think he says this because he cant find the prob . he wont extend is foot at all and i suspected ligament at first , but the vet said that there would be other clues if it was ( dont know what he means though ) he has lost a lot of muscle tone in the leg and shoulder and holds is shoulder kinda dropped with his foot curled under like he cant put pressure on his pad/foot. the vet said its really strange and as never come across this before in 30 years and even if i could afford an MRI it may not find the problem and if it did it may not be fixable ( his words ) prior to this he was an excellent working dog , which if you remember Dan you helped me train him via this site , remember the choke collar you sent me , it worked briliant and he his or was the best all round gun dog i,ve ever had . he's nearly 6 now just seems so unfair tried resting him gets no better , and if i take him on short 100 to 200 yard walks to the end of the avenue just to keep him sane he's limping and panting like made . mate if you have any suggestions or clues , i will definately consider them . thanks Darren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Dan -- any ideas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Darren, I would consult a K9 Chyropractor, You would be amazed at what they find and set right. Also get a referel from your Vet to one of his colleges.....ask him to pick someone he thinks highly of and take the exrays and reports with for another opinion. If all else fails I would definately consider amputation, the dog will not look back. Hard to believe that he is 6 years old already. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 yep will be 6 in may ,time flys , he is/was a cracking dog , i did,nt realise how good till i compared him to others in the shooting field and local trials. i,ve seen 4 vets and spent £1000+ , plus on-going Rimadyl tabs , the pain seems to be coming from his foot , if i touch his large pad or gently squeeze it he goes mad its that sensertive , he as his leg held up constantly , he wont put his foot flat down at all but does sometimes take a little bit on his toes to steady himself . he,s had loads of detailed x-rays of feet , shoulders , legs , neck and others for comparison . there is NO heat or indication of foreign object , he,s had loads of rest in the hope it would improve . in the new year i will phone the vet again to ask about amputation . Dan do dogs have a crucial ligament on there front legs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 Darren, I will have to get my books out to check the name of the tendons in the front legs. This sounds very much like what I had happen to a GSP. The pain was centred to the main foot pad and he was unable to use the leg but what had happened was he had torn the legaments off the tow centre toes. 3 months of wrapping and splinting the foot and leg, and then hydro therapy between wraps and I was able to rebuild the leg and foot but it was twice a day for those 3 months. The problem is if it is a soft tissue injury it will not show on an xray. Do you have access to a veterinary college as this may be your best bet for an answer. That or a vet that specializes in soft tissue injuries of sporting dogs....maybe a vet that specializes with racing grey hounds. Someone must have a contact number. I would start a new thread looking for that information. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 (edited) thats very interesting Dan , i,ll look into that . he constantly licks his pad and between his toes. if you do happen to find any more info would greatful. thanks again Darren PS. HAPPY NEW YEAR to ya Edited January 1, 2009 by darren m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darren m Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 PS. how would i splint the foot , its been vet wrapped and bandaged but not splitted . any pics or diagrams thanks all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Darren, I will try to get some pictures of the splint and how to put it on later today, but before you buy the splint material.....you get it from the vet in sections......or try splinting him get in to see a good running dog Vet and get his opinion. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.