Thank you for your replies and welcome. I was thinking ultrasound too but my vet does not have one. *** I just read this before posting and realized it is really really long! Thank you to anyone who gets through it***
So… a bit of back ground. She is about 2.5 years old, best guess lab/Doberman cross. I got her as a stray and the vet estimated she was 4 months. She was skinny and scared but a lovely girl. Anyway in about May this year (at around 2 years old) I noticed that after a walk or when she was tired she would start to limp slightly on her right front leg. It would go away after resting. I don’t have a yard and so we walk frequently and I always keep a very close eye on her. At no time do I remember her injuring herself so that she would cry out, although when playing with her doggie friends she does play very rough and tumble. I also did not see any swelling on her leg at any time and when I touch it and feel around there was no place that would cause her to react to my touch.
I took her to the vets and he did an x-ray. The x-ray showed a slight line in the bone about 2 inches below her elbow. He suspected that this was a small crack, gave me an anti-inflammatory/painkiller liquid medicine and ordered 3-4 weeks rest. We rested and the limp went away, however as soon as I started to reduce and eliminate the liquid medicine the limp returned (still on light exercise) and in fact from then until now she limps constantly and always the same leg. She still puts her weight on it, wants to run, play. Have seen no change in energy level and otherwise shows no signs of ill health.
I became frustrated with that vet as when I went back for follow up after the limp returned he did another x-ray. There was no sign of a crack and he asked me where it was, I said can’t we look at the old film but apparently he only keeps them a couple weeks and throws them out! I should mention I live in Spain, in a rural area, I am actually Canadian so know that things are done very very different here!
So, I was annoyed. Went to a new vet (excellent) who did a full series of x-rays on both front legs to check all joints and bones. Everything comes up clear. Her joints are good, no sign of trouble. He has manipulated and examined the leg in detail and has determined it is in the ankle area (not sure the correct word on a dog). He has instructed me to walk her on the beach on the soft sand, let her swim when possible (I don’t have a pool, there aren’t any lakes and she doesn’t like the sea). He has also given me an anti-inflammatory cream that is for humans to put on the area 3 times/day. The 2 problems I have with the cream - the smell is very strong and she pitches a fit and it is toxic/poisonous to ingest so I have to watch her to make sure there is no licking. It is a nightmare and I am lucky to get the cream on more then once per day – I have to work and sleep and the slightest whiff and she retreats to her crate - so the amount of ‘watching’ time is limited.
I understand that there is some trial and error to this as obviously she cannot tell me what she feels, but I am seeing no improvement at all and really we don’t know what the actual problem is other then he says it is ligament or tendon problem. Hence me wondering how an actual accurate diagnosis can be achieved.
The Vet university suggestion is a good one. I have done a quick search and the closest one to me is about a 6 hour drive away. I will do a bit more research and try and find a vet with an ultrasound or any that also do chiropractor or acupuncture
So, this ended up being ridiculously long and I apologize – as it is also a bit of a rant… I appreciate any suggestions. We had started agility at the beginning of the year but obviously until this is sorted out that is on hold. I just want my girl healthy again!
